miniGUINEA: West African Dance & Drum Retreat is BACK!
Update: miniGUINEA 2024 is FULL for sleeping spots. If you are interested in being added to the wait list, please contact Sarah Lee @ sarahlee@oneworlddance.com.
We will be releasing Day Rate options in the next few days, stay tuned!
Friday, June 21 - Sunday, June 23, 2024
At beautiful Camp Indianola, just under 1.5 hours from Seattle, WA
After a LONG 5-year hiatus, we are thrilled to announce that we are again offering miniGUINEA! While so much in the world has changed, our commitment to creating loving, community-minded, educational and expansive events has not. We are entirely about bringing the power and magic of dance and drum to the world. Our intention is to create space for you to transform yourself, your community and life itself, making available a world that works for everyone.
Finding a drum friendly, affordable and available venue has taken something, Please know we are doing our our level best to bring you top level instruction, delicious healthy food, an inclusive, conscious, loving environment at a spectacular location for the most affordable price possible. Inflation has been intense and we dearly hope you will join us!
Registration will open March 15, 2024, in the meantime please share and invite others!
What to expect
Your dance & drum filled getaway weekend will inspire and enliven your life with the infectious rhythms of Guinea, West Africa! Whether you are new to dancing and drumming, or you have been studying for years, you will find value in the 10+ high energy dance classes and 6+ amazing drum classes taught and supported by our incredible 2024 artists:
Confirmed Out of Town Artists:
Bolokada Conde - Drum (Guinea/Greenville, SC)
Fode Seydou Bangoura - Drum(Guinea/Minneapolis, MN)
Fode Sylla - Dance/Drum (Guinea/Eugene & Bend, OR)
(Baba) Kauna Mujamal - Dance (Chico, CA)
Mouminatou Camara - Dance, Dundun Dance (Guinea/NYC, NY)
Naby Bangoura - Dance, Dundun Dance (Guinea/Bay Area,CA)
’Sekou Soumah’ Walker - Dance (Portland, OR)
Youssouf Koumbassa - Dance (Guinea/Birmingham, AL)
'Wadaba' Mamady Kourouma - Drum (Guinea/Fresno, CA)
Confirmed Local Artists:
Afua Kouyate - Dance (Seattle, WA)
Boka Kouyate - Drum (Guinea/Seattle, WA)
Foluso Mimy - Drum (NY/Seattle, WA)
Karim Camara - Drum (Guinea/Seattle, WA)
Manimou Camara - Dance, Krin (Guinea/Seattle, WA)
Naby Camara - Balaphone (Guinea/Seattle, WA)
Ousmane Sylla - Dance (Guinea/Seattle, WA)
Sarah Lee Parker - Dance (Seattle, WA)
Sekou Fofana - Drum (Guinea/Seattle, WA)
In addition to these classes, you will deepen your understanding of the powerful Guinean culture, music and dance at the fireside chat & storytelling, song classes, and while dancing and drumming the night away at the Dundunba Party!
You will have time to: explore the beautiful surroundings with a walk or a hike; unwind with a relaxing massage; read a book on the deck; or, perhaps best of all, chat and connect with other amazing people attending the retreat.
The inspiration, knowledge and connections you will gain from attending this retreat promise to last long past this incredible weekend.
Retreat pricing & options
COST: $450/person ($375/person if you register by May 1, 2024) includes:
• Accommodations: group sleeping arrangements
• Food: 6 delicious freshly prepared group meals*
• Classes: 10+ dance, (2+ youth classes!) 6+ drum, 2+ song & language classes ... and more!
*vegetarian fare available on request
DISCOUNTS: 2 of the following 3 apply:
• $75 off for early bird registration (by 5/1)
• $20 off if coming from more than 3 hour drive from Seattle
• $20 off each if 5 or more people come from the same city outside of the Seattle metropolitan area (to receive this, please list the other people from your city who are also attending)
ACCESS FUND: We have started a fund making it possible to offer some special pricing and discount options for people born in Africa and for people of African descent who would like to attend the whole weekend event. The discounts are available on a first come first served basis, and youth from 12-18 and first-time participants are especially encouraged to apply. Please contact us for more information and to receive the simple application form.
REQUEST: Please, please consider contributing generously to this Access Fund to expand the availability of this opportunity to more African and African American people. We feel very strongly that it is past time to create a more equitable world for everyone, and that each and every company has an obligation to ensure its products and services are available to, and welcoming for all. If you would like to contribute to this fund, please visit our site to contribute. Donations can be as little as $5 and as much as paying for multiple people to attend.
A portion of the proceeds for this retreat will be donated by OWD&D to our sister organization Guinea Exchange.
Cancellation fees
$50 by May 15, 2024
$75 between May 15 & May 31, 2024
100% after May 31, 2024
LAST miniGUINEA weekend schedule (likely it will be similar this year, stay tuned)
Get in the car, or fly into SeaTac Airport Friday morning early enough to enjoy the beautiful scenic drive to the Washington State Ferry Terminal. Savor the beautifully scenic 30 minute Ferry crossing! Eat lunch on the way, and arrive at Camp Indianola to check in at 2pm.
FRIDAY
2:00 – 3:00 Welcome and check-in!
3:30 – 4:45 Dundun dance class
3:00 – 4:15 Drum class, all levels
5:00 – 6:00 Dinner
6:00 – 6:15 Introductions/Announcements
6:30 – 7:45 Drum class, all levels
6:30 – 7:30 Song/Story class, all levels
6:30 – 7:45 Kora class
8:00 – 9:15 Dance class, inter/adv
8:15 – 9:15 Dance Class, beginner
9:15 – 10:30 Dundunba Party
SATURDAY
8:30 – 9:15 Breakfast
9:45 – 11:00 Drum class, all levels
9:30 – 11:00 Drum class, advanced
9:45 – 10:45 Kids dance class, all levels
10:00 – 11:00 Language class, all levels
11:15 – 12:30 Dance class, all levels
11:15 – 12:15 Dance class, beginner
12:30 – 1:15 Lunch
1:30 – 2:45 Drum class, all levels
1:30 – 2:45 Dundun dance class
3:00 – 4:15 Dance class, all levels
3:00 – 4:00 Krin class, all levels
4:30 – 5:45 Dance class, all levels
4:30 – 5:45 Kora class with Tyler Richart
6:00 – 6:45 Dinner
7:00 – 8:15 Dundun dance class
7:00 – 8:15 Drum class, all levels
7:00 – 8:15 Song/Story class
8:00 – 9:15 Dance class, all levels
9:30 – 10:15 Talent Show
10:15– 11:30 Club miniGUINEA
10:15 – 11:30 Fireside chat/hang out
SUNDAY
8:00 – 8:45 Breakfast
9:00 – 10:15 Drum class, all levels
8:45 – 10:15 Drum class, advanced
9:15 – 10:15 Language class, all levels
10:30 – 11:45 Dance class, all levels
11:45 – 1:00 Dance class, all levels
1:00 – 1:45 Lunch
2:00 – 3:15 Dance class, all levels
3:15 – 4:00 Closing circle, clean-up
4:00 – 4:45 Clean-up
5:00 Depart
About the location
More information coming soon about beautiful Camp Indianola! (10635 NE Shore Dr, Indianola, WA 98342)
Notes for our out of town guests flying in:
We recommend arriving in Seattle at or before 10am Friday, and not booking a departure flight for before 7pm on Sunday night.
We are planning to have some drums available to rent at camp, stay tuned.
At this point, please plan on bringing your bedding. (the bunks have a mattress, but no pillows, sheets or blankets)
What's included
Group Accommodations - comfortable group sleeping accommodation
6 Meals - delicious freshly prepared group meals (vegetarian fare available on request)
Classes - 10+ dance classes and 6+ drum classes
Facilities - access to main lodge and expansive grounds for activities and relaxation