Project Sous L'Arbre Acoustik
Donation protected
About The Project
Project Sous L'Arbre Acoustik, is a project that I started to bring a group of nine professional Senegalese musicians from Dakar, Senegal, to the United States for a cultural exchange. Once here, they will tour universities and other venues on the West coast (the video says East coast too, but we're starting just with the West coast now), where they will offer concerts as well as workshops. By donating, you are helping me bring the Senegalese Experience to the U.S.A, as well as helping create invaluable connections between Senegal and the U.S.
Due to travel costs for the group, this project is very expensive and I won't be able to do it without help.
This group became my family while I was in Senegal, and I can't even begin to express how much they did for me and how much they taught me during my study abroad experience. They told me that their dream is that their music would one day touch people all over the world, so I hope to be able to give them the opportunity to do this, and share the value of their culture with a wider audience. I also hope that this project can give Americans a taste of the beauty of Senegal, and inspire more people to travel to this wonderful country.
CULTURAL EXCHANGE GOALS:
My project aims to bring a professional Senegalese music group, Sous L’Arbre Acoustik (under the acoustic tree) to the United States to tour universities on the West coast for a musical cultural exchange. This group is composed of nine artists, who will offer concerts as well as workshops in African dance, African drumming, Senegalese musical philosophy and Senegalese cuisine, where students will eat traditional Senegalese dishes and learn the etiquette for eating around the bowl. Not many people have the opportunity to go to Senegal, and bringing this rich and vibrant culture to U.S. would be an enriching opportunity for everyone. This group has has experience in humanitarian youth engagement in Senegal where they teach about equity and critical thinking through music to vulnerable populations.
This exchange will offer an alternative perspective to the often negative portrayals of Africa and Africans in the media. It wil provide an opportunity for engagement and interaction with Senegalese musicians as a way to break down some of the negative stereotypes that the media perpetuates. When we define African people and countries by negative stereotypes we perpetuate racism and essentialize ideas that Africa is only a place of suffering and a homogenous place. The mass media, which fuels our ignorance about Africa, creates misunderstandings between people and cultures. An additional goal of this project is to inspire students to consider studying abroad on the continent. This project will provide intercultural connections, and through workshops, dancing, discussions, sharing Senegalese meals, drinking tea and playing with musicians, students will have the opportunity to bridge cross-cultural gaps.
In the United States, individualism and monetary success are important values, but we sometimes work ourselves so hard that we forget about the importance of well being and community. Particularly in the University setting, we are often focused on our futures and working our way up the ladder, I find that we sometimes forget to be in the present, do the things we love, appreciate what we have, or spend time with the people that matter to us.
Sous l’Arbre Acoustik will expose students to a different way of living that is centered on community and collectivism. The group’s music and outreach activities focus on creating cultures of sharing, positive mentalities, and happiness. This unique philosophy can offer stressed out college students an opportunity to explore cultural and musical strategies for creating well being. Through their motto, à l’aise (at ease), and their various workshops, they will bring what they call an “African ambiance” while promoting the value of community and the arts.
While there are professional African music groups that go on tour, this group offers a unique combination of workshops and activities that include music but also other forms of culture. The group is also committed to reducing stress through musical engagement. This project gives students the opportunity to participate and learn about Senegalese culture through engagement and participation in a vibrant and fun setting.
All of the money raised for this project will go towards the travel expenses of the group.
We would like to show our appreciation for your generosity by giving back the best we can. Or, if you would like to just simply donate, that's fine too! Any amount is very appreciated.
Optional Personal Donation :
$50 - $100 : Sous L'Arbre CD
$100 and up: A CD, and a Concert Ticket!
$500 and up: Private concert for your private party or event!
School / Community Donations: We are able to bring concerts, workshops, Senegalese feasts, and more to
cultural organizations, faith communities, primary schools, middle / high Schools, universities, and other community groups. These types of events can be arranged to fit your needs by contacting us on our website at www.projectacoustik.wordpress.com
In the very unlikely event that this project is unsuccessful, all the money raised will be put towards local charities and humanitarian projects that Sous L'Arbre supports.
Project Sous L'Arbre Acoustik, is a project that I started to bring a group of nine professional Senegalese musicians from Dakar, Senegal, to the United States for a cultural exchange. Once here, they will tour universities and other venues on the West coast (the video says East coast too, but we're starting just with the West coast now), where they will offer concerts as well as workshops. By donating, you are helping me bring the Senegalese Experience to the U.S.A, as well as helping create invaluable connections between Senegal and the U.S.
Due to travel costs for the group, this project is very expensive and I won't be able to do it without help.
This group became my family while I was in Senegal, and I can't even begin to express how much they did for me and how much they taught me during my study abroad experience. They told me that their dream is that their music would one day touch people all over the world, so I hope to be able to give them the opportunity to do this, and share the value of their culture with a wider audience. I also hope that this project can give Americans a taste of the beauty of Senegal, and inspire more people to travel to this wonderful country.
CULTURAL EXCHANGE GOALS:
My project aims to bring a professional Senegalese music group, Sous L’Arbre Acoustik (under the acoustic tree) to the United States to tour universities on the West coast for a musical cultural exchange. This group is composed of nine artists, who will offer concerts as well as workshops in African dance, African drumming, Senegalese musical philosophy and Senegalese cuisine, where students will eat traditional Senegalese dishes and learn the etiquette for eating around the bowl. Not many people have the opportunity to go to Senegal, and bringing this rich and vibrant culture to U.S. would be an enriching opportunity for everyone. This group has has experience in humanitarian youth engagement in Senegal where they teach about equity and critical thinking through music to vulnerable populations.
This exchange will offer an alternative perspective to the often negative portrayals of Africa and Africans in the media. It wil provide an opportunity for engagement and interaction with Senegalese musicians as a way to break down some of the negative stereotypes that the media perpetuates. When we define African people and countries by negative stereotypes we perpetuate racism and essentialize ideas that Africa is only a place of suffering and a homogenous place. The mass media, which fuels our ignorance about Africa, creates misunderstandings between people and cultures. An additional goal of this project is to inspire students to consider studying abroad on the continent. This project will provide intercultural connections, and through workshops, dancing, discussions, sharing Senegalese meals, drinking tea and playing with musicians, students will have the opportunity to bridge cross-cultural gaps.
In the United States, individualism and monetary success are important values, but we sometimes work ourselves so hard that we forget about the importance of well being and community. Particularly in the University setting, we are often focused on our futures and working our way up the ladder, I find that we sometimes forget to be in the present, do the things we love, appreciate what we have, or spend time with the people that matter to us.
Sous l’Arbre Acoustik will expose students to a different way of living that is centered on community and collectivism. The group’s music and outreach activities focus on creating cultures of sharing, positive mentalities, and happiness. This unique philosophy can offer stressed out college students an opportunity to explore cultural and musical strategies for creating well being. Through their motto, à l’aise (at ease), and their various workshops, they will bring what they call an “African ambiance” while promoting the value of community and the arts.
While there are professional African music groups that go on tour, this group offers a unique combination of workshops and activities that include music but also other forms of culture. The group is also committed to reducing stress through musical engagement. This project gives students the opportunity to participate and learn about Senegalese culture through engagement and participation in a vibrant and fun setting.
All of the money raised for this project will go towards the travel expenses of the group.
We would like to show our appreciation for your generosity by giving back the best we can. Or, if you would like to just simply donate, that's fine too! Any amount is very appreciated.
Optional Personal Donation :
$50 - $100 : Sous L'Arbre CD
$100 and up: A CD, and a Concert Ticket!
$500 and up: Private concert for your private party or event!
School / Community Donations: We are able to bring concerts, workshops, Senegalese feasts, and more to
cultural organizations, faith communities, primary schools, middle / high Schools, universities, and other community groups. These types of events can be arranged to fit your needs by contacting us on our website at www.projectacoustik.wordpress.com
In the very unlikely event that this project is unsuccessful, all the money raised will be put towards local charities and humanitarian projects that Sous L'Arbre supports.
Organizer
Jessie Gates
Organizer
Indianola, WA