Master Teachers

 

Chris Berry and Waniso Dumbutshena are reviving the beloved Bantu Camp in Northern New Mexico this Memorial Day Weekend!!

Join master teachers from Congo, Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Haiti and more to delve deep into Drum, Dance, Marimba, Song, Mbira, Storytelling…

All levels are welcome. 10 classes to choose from per day with fireside story telling and jams at night. Classes will run from 9AM to 6PM daily.

Chiyana is a 40 acre Village located in Velarde New Mexico which is half way between Taos and Santa Fe (roughly 35 minutes to both) on Highway 68. Chiyana is located right on the Rio Grande perfect for swimming, rafting, fishing etc. Chiyana is also surrounded by thousands of acres of open BLM land with countless trails and hundreds of petroglyphs.

Camping is the main form of accommodates. Private rooms and shared dorms are also available. Hot showers and toilettes available to all.

Introducing Rights of Passage for young people ages 12-16. Please contact us prior to the event if you plan to join this offering.

Performance track classes will be offered to intermediate and advanced participants focused on building a performance for BANTU FEST on May 27, the final day of camp in which we will invite the greater community to our outdoor performance theater.

Early bird tuition is $350 before May 1st and $425 after. There are no refunds after May 1st.

To Register Paypal full amount of tuition to banafest@gmail.com. This will automatically register you and hold your space. If you cannot PayPal please send check or money order to 1509 Fruit Ave. NW Albuquerque NM 87104.

Check-in and registrations will be held on Thursday the 23rd from 2PM-4PM and the first gos from 4-6PM. Dinner will be served after class.

Meal plan is optional at $35 per day or $150 for the entire time (Thursday night to Sunday night). Participants are welcome to provide their own food. If you would like to take advantage of the meal plan please email us at ThePanjeaFoundation@gmail.com

(meal plan is paid for onsite upon arrival). Also please notify us of any dietary restrictions prior to the event so that we can do our best to accommodate.

Shared Dormitory style accommodations are for $35 per night and private rooms or trailers are available for $75 per night. Camping is free!

To reserve a room, sign up for the meal plan or for any questions please email us at: ThePanjeaFoundation@gmail.com

Directions:

Have Google Maps take you to: 436 Road 1091, Velarde NM 87582. GPS stops a bit short short of Chiyana so follow the road to the 2nd driveway, we are the white mobile home on the left after the house with the wooden fence around it. Or, here are the GPS coordinates for the entrance to Chiyana 36.166176, -105.976713.

From Espanola take highway 68 north. After mile marker 11, left at sign that says “Lyden – La Canova” onto County Rd. 0057. Cross bridge and take first right at big rusty sign that says “La Canova” (County Rd. 0059). Drive until road turns to dirt. Drive 300 ft past house with wooden fence around it on the left. Look for mobile home and adobe studio on the left with the numbers 436 A on the fence post in front. You’ve arrived!

Contact Chris Berry Management