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Engaging young people with living musical masters and sharing the rhythmic heritage of New Orleans.
INTERNATIONAL DRUM CAMP
What:
International Drum Camp

When:
Camp - Saturdays, September 7, 14, 21, 28
3:30-5:00pm
Rehearsal - Saturday, October 5
3:30-5:00pm
Recital - Tuesday, October 8 (Night-Out-Against-Crime)
*time of recital TBD
Where:
Guardians Institute
1930 Independence Street, New Orleans
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Registration required
GUARDIANS INSTITIUTE
Service to our community through education, the preservation of New Orleans' indigenous cultural arts and traditions of the African Diaspora.
Cultivating greatness: mind, body and spirit. ™
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Guardians Institute was founded in 2006 by Herreast J. Harrison, MA, in honor of her late husband, Big Chief Donald Harrison, Sr. ​ Guardians Institute is dedicated to the development of our youth through literacy, New Orleans’ indigenous cultural arts and West African and New World oral traditions.
​Guardians Institute is the home of the Donald Harrison, Sr. Museum and Legacy Performance Pavilion. The museum houses artwork, music collections and many other artifacts from New Orleans' First Family of Art and Culture, The Harrisons, as well as other artists.
In addition to their programs, Guardians Institute has curated dozens of exhibits, seminars, lectures, presentations and informances* here at home and through out the world.
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*educational program with an entertainment component
Program Partners
GUARDIANS OF THE FLAME MAROON SOCIETY
The Guardians of the Flame was founded in 1988 by Donald Harrison Sr. The group made its first public appearance on February 7, 1989. The main mission of the group is to promote afrocentrism and the Mardi Gras Indian tradition. The music they perform fuses African percussion and modern jazz. The lyrics of the songs are steeped with culture and many have double meanings. The Indians' attire are covered in intricate beading that draws inspiration from African themes from the Yoruba, Zulu, Mali, and ancient Benin traditions. Donald Harrison was the Guardian's first big chief. He masked as a Mardi Gras Indian along with his son, Donald Harrison Jr, and his daughter, Cherice Harrison Nelson. Guardians of the Flame is made up of the extended family and family friends of Donald Harrison Sr.
Read more > amistadresearchcenter.tulane.edu
BIG CHIEF DONALD HARRISON SR. BOOK CLUB (K-12 + adults)
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​Age appropriate brand new books to school age children
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Supports the Louisiana Department of Education's Comprehensive Curriculum for English/Language Arts
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Guardians Institute has gifted over 40,000 books to area schools and community youth and adults.
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Founder, Program Director, Herreast J. Harrison
New Orleans Living Legend and Matriarch of New Orleans' First Family of Art & Culture
More information > guardiansinstitute.org
