Mali Fundraiser Vibrations Poster/Postcard 

Malians Abdul Nyiang & Dr. Yacine Kouyate meet in front of the club. Abdul was a recent Solar Living Institute exhibitor at SolFest, offering tasty Mali cuisine from his "Taste of Africa" concession. Yacine leads the Mali band "The Sumanguru Legacy" that plays at the Paths of Native Africa on-going fundraisers at Club 6's "Give Thankz". Entering through Shattuck Down Low's subterranean entrance, guests visit a Dogon country exhibit depicting the water situation;  adjacent the exhibit is a souvenir sales table. Visitors are greeted by  Paths of Native Africa member, our Mali contact in full tribal garb, honorary dog-gone Dogon Judy Kaponic.

The club opens to a spacious central wood dance floor,  surrounded by several cozy kick-back areas on both sides of the dance area, along with a full bar, pool table room and slide projection area.  Authentic African decor in the form of numerous masks and wall hanging are seen everywhere, provided by Paths of Native Africa President & Vice President Horgan Edet and Judah Dywer. Horgan, a Nigerian Trader, &  Judah, are also Co-Owners of the African Outlet store.  

The main stage is beautifully decorated and, at the opening of the show, Master of Ceremonies African Radio DJ Tony Moses describes the fundraising efforts and introduces the opening act, an African Drumming troop featuring Paths of Native Africa member Ghanaian Jah Tanda Wisdom and his  impressive troop of percussionists.   The club fills quickly, a favorite spot being the slide projection area, where Judy is presenting a slide show from her recent trips to the Dogon Country in the Bandiagara Escarpment of Mali, West Africa.  Judy teaches school in the villages there and assists with Dogon language translation projects.

West African cuisine from Nigeria, provided by Chef Hogan, supplemented by Ghanian treats from Tanda Wisdom, make for a delicious menu of choices. Mali restaurateur Abdul Niang, sampling the vittles, delivers a review of "very tasty".

Joining the main entertainment of African Drumming and DJ tunes is a surprise visit from a Belly Dancing troupe from Palo Alto. The various areas of the club continue to fill and by 11pm the dance floor is packed.

A highlight of the evening was a truly impressive presentation of African Drumming from Ghana, by Jah Tanda Wisdom and his troupe.  Several audio clip sound samples provide a taste of the group's phenomenal performance!