The Fascinating Rhythms of North and South America
A culture’s art reflects its heart and soul and tells much about its history. Ragtime, barrel house, boogie-woogie, tango, milanga and salsa are musical pieces whose rhythms originated in West Africa and Western Europe. As these rhythms were transported to the new world they took on new flavors, new sounds, new forms and new meanings to create music which is distinctly American. The audience will be introduced to new ways of listening which will shed light on the technical ingredients that make rhythms fascinating and distinct. Rubin also includes stories about the societies and individuals who created, developed, and shaped the sounds that have become a lasting treasure of American culture.

Dancing to the Beat of a Different Drummer: Reflections of a Researcher in West Africa
This presentation focuses on Amy Rubin’s year as a Fulbright Scholar living, researching and teaching in the radically different culture of West Africa while studying its complex rhythms. She went to Ghana to understand why she couldn’t tap her foot to the fascinating and complex rhythms of the Volta region. A year of research helped her understand how people from different cultures hear things differently. Anecdotes, demonstrations and video will reflect the joys and struggles of being a stranger in a strange land whose powerful music reflects celebrations, funerals, and emotional connections through dance and song.