Community Engagement
Kofi Dennis Storytelling & African Drumming Program
Every year, sponsored by the Siouxland African Association, African drummer Kofi Dennis gives free performances at the local libraries in the Siouxland area. He performs at the Ponca Carnegie Public Library, the South Sioux City Public Library, the North Sioux City Public Library, the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, the Sergeant Bluff Public Library, as well as the Sioux City Public Library. Kofi Dennis's performances are cherished and enthusiastically embraced by a wide and appreciative audience.
“Kofi’s presentation here at our Center went tremendously well….He taught them all so much about Africa and drumming. The children he invited on stage were thrilled! We would definitely welcome Kofi back .”
Sioux City Lewis and Clark Center
“We had a delightful time hosting Kofi. He and his program were very well received…I would love to have him back and see if we could schedule him during one of our storytime hours in order to reach a different age demographic. Thank you for including us in your schedule!”
North Sioux City Public Library
Facing a Changing World
The Margaret Ann Martin Everist studio, a mobile studio for recording the stories of our community, partnered with SAFAS to be at the 2023 Siouxland African Festival. We invited attendants into the studio to record their stories, which we were preserved for the future.
African Drumming Workshop
In 2022, SAFAS and the Music Academy @ First sponsored a free African Drumming workshop with artist Christian Kofi Mawuko. Participants learned Kpanlogo, a traditional rhythm from the Ga tribe of Ghana.