International Body Music Festival
International Body Music Festival - November 5-10, 2013 - San Francisco Bay Area

The Hambone Summit

The 6th IBMF Educational Outreach is bigger than ever, as we present THE HAMBONE SUMMIT. Available for Participatory In-School Assemblies: Week of Nov 4-8. Contact us for scheduling and pricing: info@crosspulse.com


Supported in part by the Living Cultures fund of the Alliance for Traditional California Arts, The Hambone Summit will appear in 8 public schools throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, including donated programs to low-income schools; two evening events in the local community; and a Family Matinee at SFJAZZ in San Francisco, followed by a workshop.


This supergroup of Hambone artists weaves an enthralling narrative of story and song around the traditional African-American Hambone rhythms. While expressing the joy of the art, they tell Hambone's historical origin in response to oppression, and deep connection to family and community. The program is highly participatory, and features outstanding California Hambone artists:
Danny "Slapjazz" Barber
Audrey Robinson and her Grandson Joseph
Unique Derique & the Hambone Kids
Emceed in story and song by Diane Ferlatte, famed Oakland storyteller



Hambone Summit Goals:
-Students reach a better understanding of cultural history, relevance, and practical enjoyment of the artform, while connecting to a broader identification with community and roots, and using arts to overcome adversity.
-Teachers develop tools to physicalize historical and cultural learning, especially where traditional methods fail to communicate ideas to students. Outcomes measured in teacher evaluations regarding efficacy and success rate.
-Potential increase in practice and participation of students in this hands-on artistic expression, carrying on traditions.


The 6th International Body Music Festival is both a culmination of Crosspulse's 30 years developing Body Music as a communicative performance art and educational model, as well as a jumping off place for a powerful forum of cross-cultural rhythmic performance and community development. Education has always been a significant part of Crosspulse's Mission. We are excited for the opportunity to present the Hambone Summit to our communities.