Contact Information

Stephen Coffman
The Beast
(919) 308-6536
[email protected]
https://www.thebeastmusic.com/education/

Space Requirements

Small stage or performance area in an auditorium, cafeteria, one side of a gymnasium or other comparable space. Generally, any area that is at least 15×15′ will fit the band.

Tech Requirements

Access to power, within 15 feet of the stage. 12 bottled waters.

Availability

Year round

Fee Structure

$1,250 for one performance
$600 each for additional performances same site/same day

Two or more performances different site/same day are $1,000 each

 

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Sankofa: The History of African-American Music

The Beast
Program Type: Performance

Sankofa: The History of African-American Music

Students learn elements of Storytelling, Improvisation and Call and Response in American Music through a brilliant mix of TedTalk-style interactive lecture with an exciting live band. During SANKOFA, students learn about oral tradition through the West African storyteller/poet known as the Griot; explore coded language in Spirituals; discover improvisation in Jazz; learn call and response in Reggae, and party with their teachers to classic Hip Hop. Developed by Pierce Freelon, a college professor, hip hop artist, and father of two, the curriculum is entertaining and informative for all ages. SANKOFA is tailored by tone, vocabulary and interactions suited to Elementary, Middle or High School audiences and consistently lauded as “the best assembly EVER” by students and faculty alike. One school who booked SANKOFA said: “The Beast is a truly engaging musical group which teaches African-American history in a fun, effective way. They are wonderful musicians and story-tellers.”

Use these links to view a video excerpt from this program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLyJ9kjTtNA&t=1s and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpxQmhder7E

Promo Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P8xpiGd6qM

Artist Background

Beautifully rebellious and refreshingly original, The Beast is one of the most imaginative bands to emerge from North Carolina’s burgeoning music scene. The Durham-based quartet fearlessly navigates worlds of hip hop and jazz with compelling lyrics, progressive compositions and a gripping live show. The Beast is dedicated to education and cultural outreach. The group has developed workshops on creativity, improvisation, and the history of African-American music based on the Blackademics Hip Hop curriculum founded by emcee Pierce Freelon. A professor of African American Studies at UNC Chapel Hill and NC Central University, Freelon’s workshops have reached a multi-generational audience from New York to New Delhi.

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