photo: Jade Beall
Kenya Masala, the creative director of the live theatrical production, Za Boom Ba, describes what the audience will feel after experiencing this interactive show as “Za Boom Ba-licious!”
“When we come together using the power of rhythm, there is a joy and an excitement that is purely invigorating! Rhythm is one of the most amazing community building tools,” Masala explains.
Za Boom Ba takes the audience on an incredible journey with a hybrid of percussion grooves and dance choreography from West African and Afro-Brazilian traditions. This 75-minute production, however, uniquely transforms the audience from spectator to performer.
As professional percussionists and dancers perform on stage, Masala, the interactive rhythm facilitator, guides the crowd with thoroughly exciting and engaging body language. A team of runners distribute the instruments like a well-oiled machine, and as the rhythms change, all audience members are playing shakers, drumsticks and plastic hollow tubes called Boomwhackers, jammin’ right along, both freestyle and with masterful poly-rhythmic orchestration.
Then, for the finale, the 500-member audience plays 500 real, full-sized, hand drums – together!
“It’s almost two hours of pure, family-friendly fun, and an opportunity for us to tap into joy, unity, community connections, interaction, and the power of rhythm,” says Masala.
A dream that he has envisioned for about 15 years, Za Boom Ba was realized because the alchemy of the perfect team existed right here and right now in Tucson. “When you have a vision,” says Masala, “find the right people who align with your vision, and go for it!” Along those lines, he wants everyone who sees Za Boom Ba to remember two things after they leave the theatre.
“First, I want them to know they made real music. Secondly, when they sat down, they may have known three or four other people in the audience. By the end, all 500 people became a community; connected within the unity of the beat…co creating a fine-tuned ensemble. This is truly working together.”
Za Boom Ba opens Friday, May 7 at 8 p.m., with a matinee on Sunday, May 9 at 2 p.m.at the Tucson Convention Center’s Leo Rich Theatre, 260 S. Church Ave. Tickets are $17-$22. For more information and to enter a drawing to win a free djembe drum, visit ZaBoomBa.com.
“When we come together using the power of rhythm, there is a joy and an excitement that is purely invigorating! Rhythm is one of the most amazing community building tools,” Masala explains.
Za Boom Ba takes the audience on an incredible journey with a hybrid of percussion grooves and dance choreography from West African and Afro-Brazilian traditions. This 75-minute production, however, uniquely transforms the audience from spectator to performer.
As professional percussionists and dancers perform on stage, Masala, the interactive rhythm facilitator, guides the crowd with thoroughly exciting and engaging body language. A team of runners distribute the instruments like a well-oiled machine, and as the rhythms change, all audience members are playing shakers, drumsticks and plastic hollow tubes called Boomwhackers, jammin’ right along, both freestyle and with masterful poly-rhythmic orchestration.
Then, for the finale, the 500-member audience plays 500 real, full-sized, hand drums – together!
“It’s almost two hours of pure, family-friendly fun, and an opportunity for us to tap into joy, unity, community connections, interaction, and the power of rhythm,” says Masala.
A dream that he has envisioned for about 15 years, Za Boom Ba was realized because the alchemy of the perfect team existed right here and right now in Tucson. “When you have a vision,” says Masala, “find the right people who align with your vision, and go for it!” Along those lines, he wants everyone who sees Za Boom Ba to remember two things after they leave the theatre.
“First, I want them to know they made real music. Secondly, when they sat down, they may have known three or four other people in the audience. By the end, all 500 people became a community; connected within the unity of the beat…co creating a fine-tuned ensemble. This is truly working together.”
Za Boom Ba opens Friday, May 7 at 8 p.m., with a matinee on Sunday, May 9 at 2 p.m.at the Tucson Convention Center’s Leo Rich Theatre, 260 S. Church Ave. Tickets are $17-$22. For more information and to enter a drawing to win a free djembe drum, visit ZaBoomBa.com.
