Christ Presbyterian Church in Terra Linda

Drums are beating and feet are dancing and bodies are moving in a spirit of joyful celebration and contribution as Christ Presbyterian Church gears up for roof-raising and fund-raising for their friends in Ghana, West Africa. On October 11 at 3:00 PM at Christ Presbyterian Church (CPC) in Terra Linda, 620 Del Ganado Road, San Rafael, the African Music and Dance Ensemble from Berkeley will perform at a “Raising the Roof” outdoor concert on the church lawn. All proceeds from the concert will go to a Ghanaian church in Anyako-Konu, where about a thousand local villagers worship in a fenced area with pillars, but with, as yet, no walls nor roof to shield them from the weather.

In May 2000, with the help of one of their new members, Lawrence Blebu, who grew up in Ghana, CPC initiated a sister-church relationship with the Resurrection Chapel of the Global Evangelical Church of Ghana. This relationship grew through a mutual interest in and shared love of African music. After a generous gift of drums and other African instruments from the Resurrection Chapel, CPC began its own African Drum Ensemble under the leadership of Mr. Blebu. The Ensemble includes all ages and has played at local events as well as during occasional Sunday worship services (9:30 AM).

In November, 2006, a group of 11 members of CPC went to visit the Resurrection Chapel in Kasoa, Ghana. While there, they also visited the congregation at Anyako-Konu. This congregation formed in the 1980’s and continues to grow and serve as a community center in the village. It was a congregation that was pivotal in the life of Mr. Blebu and his family when he was growing up. Seeing the needs of this thriving church and eager to help out, the Marin group has stayed in touch with the Anyako-Konu church.

Meanwhile, back in the Bay Area, Mr. Blebu’s cousin, C.K. Ladzekpo is the director of the African music program at the University of California at Berkeley. He has combined a brilliant career as a performer, choreographer and composer with teaching and extensive scholarly research into African performing arts. He is a member of a famous family of African musicians and dancers who traditionally serve as lead drummers and composers among the Anlo-Ewe people of southeastern Ghana in West Africa. C.K. Ladzekpo has been a lead drummer and instructor with the Ghana National Dance Ensemble, the University of Ghana’s Institute of African Studies, and the Arts Council of Ghana. He joined the music faculty of the University of California at Berkeley in 1973 and remains an influential catalyst of the African perspective in the performing arts. In 1973 he founded the critically acclaimed African Music and Dance Ensemble. As the company's artistic director, choreographer, and master drummer, he has led in many pioneering African dance and polyrhythmic percussion ensemble music presentations at major venues in the United States, Canada, and Europe.” (ladzekpo.com)

All these connections have come together to create the “Raising the Roof” concert featuring the African Music and Dance Ensemble on Oct. 11 at 3:00 PM. CPC is suggesting a donation of $10 per person 12 years and under FREE. No one will be turned away. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Additional donations will be received gladly to further support of the community in Ghana. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and join in the prayer for clear skies. Some chairs will also be available for those who need them but didn’t bring them. But don’t expect to be sitting completely still, because when those drums get going and those dancers start moving, at the very least your toes are going to be tapping! Advane tickets are available by contacting the church office at 479-2712. Grab some friends to bring along!