Drumming with Ndakhte

Can't make it to Africa this week? Try the Anne Kolb Nature Center (751 Sheridan St., Hollywood) instead. Ndakhte Ndiaye, who bounces between her native Senegal and the U.S., organizes a "Village Gathering" on the first Sunday of every other month from 5 to 8 p.m. Her dance/drumming troupe, called Drumming with Ndakhte, performs in traditional West African costumes. That's followed by a very open mic ("We've had a singer; we've had a karate demonstration," Ndiaye says) and a drumming circle. Ndiaye is one of the few musicians in the country who builds and repairs authentic African drums. She plays the djembe and djun-djun drums, the kora (a string instrument made from a gourd), the kryn (a cylinder you beat with sticks), and the djabara (rattle), and she'll loan you an instrument to play at the gathering. She's also got you covered on the hunger front: She hauls in a veggie feast that includes okra, cous cous, and basmati rice. The event is alcohol-free, but Ndiaye's bringing a juice that's made by boiling red bissoph flowers and adding honey and orange essence. Fifteen dollars covers everything except items you might want to buy at the informal African marketplace. Give Ndiaye a call so she knows how much parsley salad to bring: (954) 771-3666. written by: Deirdra Funcheon published: April 29, 2004 http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/content/printVersion/136482