Kulu Mele Performance

Some 300 attendees packed Martin Library for two sold-out performances of Kulu Mele African Dance & Drum Ensemble on Saturday, February 21, 2009. The event was sponsored jointly by Susquehanna Folk and Martin Library as part of the York Folk Series in downtown York, PA.

These photos were taken by Jason Plotkin, photographer for the York Daily Record / Sunday News, for the article by Jeff Frantz that ran Sunday 2/22/09.

The big rhythm started, with four drummers pounding a weaving beat. A line of dancers, members of the Kulu Mele African Dance & Drum Ensemble, stepped out, barefoot. Big arm swings. Big hip shakes. With each move, joy.

Summer Perryman, 3, of Conewago Township learns to dance the Funga, a traditional welcoming dance.

"If you can count to four and know your right from your left, you can Funga," Dorothy Wilkie said.