Steamboat Pilot & Today

Robin Getter has a suggestion for Father's Day: Buy him an African drumming class. He's always wanted to try it.

For four days, two West African drummers and dancers who are the best in their field, Abdoulaye Camara and Fara Tolno, will be in Routt County offering drumming and dance workshops. Although the men have taught here before, this will be their first time teaching together, and it will be the first time classes will be offered in Oak Creek.

Camara is a master choreographer from Guinea, West Africa, who now lives in Stockholm, Sweden. Getter met him in California more than a decade ago during a dance class and invited him to teach in Steamboat Springs. He came to Steamboat to teach African dance for several years in the '90s, but he hasn't been in the area since 2000.

His classes are open to all levels of dancers and drummers. Students can take one class, or, at a discounted price, take multiple classes.

"This is a great opportunity for the total beginner who may have seen our African dance troupe and always wanted to try it," Getter said. "You can take one class to see if you like it instead of signing up for a whole semester."

West African dance is an aerobic workout with big, repetitive movements.

"It's very joyful and earthy," Getter said. "And anyone can do it. You don't have to be a great performer or have a lot of dance experience."

On Tuesday, Fara Tolno will join Camara in the classroom. Tolno is well known to Steamboat as a drum teacher.

"The dynamics of the two men in the same place is very exciting," Getter said. "And for Steamboat Springs to have two masters here at the same time is incredible.

"They both have a lot of experience teaching around the world. Anyone who has taken a class from me, should take the chance to learn from the source."