The Slyboots School of Music, Art & Dance

The Slyboots School of Music, Art & Dance Promoting positive social change through cultural arts education and performance, on the sly…

About
The Slyboots School of Music, Art & Dance is an international touring organization devoted to promoting positive social change through cultural arts education and performance. Join our mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/yknZD

The Slyboots School of Music, Art and Dance Head Quarters is hiding in plain sight in Buffalo, NY and has proudly served the music, dance and art communities in WNY

and CNY over the past decade, on the sly. First and foremost renowned for their world music and dance educational tours, workshops, private instruction and international "Adventure Abroad" programs, this grassroots operation made a name for itself in the Upstate New York Festival scene with their annual fundraiser, SLYFEST– a 3 day camping extravaganza featuring live music, art installations, workshops, YOGA, swimming and so much more. The Slyboots Circus (the featured resident ensemble at the Slyboots School) can also be found at a wide variety of music festivals, colleges, universities and schools across the country delivering an inspired blend of circus arts, world music and dance designed to educate, entertain and inspire. In 2019 the Slyboots School completed their 12th international tour with the SAAKUMU Dance Troupe from Ghana, West Africa- performing at colleges and universities, clubs and schools all over the country. Slyboots has helped to expose an estimated 40,000 students to cultural arts programming EVERY year since 2006– that’s a lot of lives inspired, on the sly. A vast majority of these students are engaged while touring to colleges, universities, schools and clubs across the US including:

Indiana University – Bloomington, IN
SUNY Fredonia- Fredonia, NY
University of Buffalo – Buffalo, NY
Goddard College – Plainfield, VT
Canisius College- Buffalo, NY
SUNY Buffalo- Buffalo, NY
Villa Maria College- Buffalo, NY
Daemen College- Buffalo, NY
University at Tennessee – Knoxville, TN
NYU- Manhattan, NY
Hamlin University- St Paul, MN
Gustavus Adolphus- St Peter, MN
Concordia College- Moorehead, MN
Alfred University- Alfred, NY
Berklee College of Music- Boston, MA
Colorado State University – Fort Collins, CO
Fort Lewis College- Durango, CO
Adams State College- Alamosa, CO
North Carolina University
Akron University- Akron, OH
Babson College- Boston, MA
Northern Michigan University – Marquette, MI
RIT – Rochester, NY
Eastman School of Music- Rochester, NY
…and many more. The Slyboots School of Music, Art and Dance is the proud home of the following performing/touring Ensembles:

~The SAAKUMU Dance Troupe of Ghana, West Africa
~The Slyboots Circus
~SLYKUMU
~The Slyboots Drumming Ensemble
~On the Sly
~Saranaide
~PA LINE
~Space Junk
~The Mustn'ts

email slyboots [!at] me.com for all booking inquires

06/17/2026

🎷 ONLY 1 MONTH AWAY!💃🏽

Jon Lehrer Dance Company + John Bacon & Star People unite for the World Premiere of Legacy In Motion: Celebrating Miles Davis at 100 — Friday, July 17!

You'll be seated onstage as we transform into a club setting where the artists and audience will share the stage in this multi-sensory explosion of athletic dance and live jazz spanning the legendary career of Miles Davis.

FYI - Miles Davis performed on this very stage at Artpark's opening season in 1974!🎺

📍 Artpark Mainstage Theater
📅 Friday, July 17 | 7:30PM
🎟 https://www.artpark.net/event/100196/legacy-in-motion-celebrating-miles-davis-at-100

06/13/2026
06/12/2026
06/12/2026

Living legend Bernard Purdie turns 87 today! Respect 🙏🙌🎶

06/05/2026

The African American Cultural Center invites you to experience West African drum and dance as they were meant to be learned in “SABAR MEETS DJEMBE”: An African Drum & Dance Intensive with N’Gewel/Griot Alassane Sarr, featuring Sister Robin (Ramatouleye)!

These immersive workshops will focus on the traditional rhythms and movements of the African Diaspora. Most commonly from West African regions like: Mali, Senegal and Guinea.

How much do you know about the language and history behind the rhythms and movements of West African Drum and Dance? How do the drums communicate with one another? How does the dancer respond to the drum, and the drum respond to the dancer? What is the different between a Sabar drum and a Djembe drum? What is a true definition of polyrhythms?

Move beyond the physical practices into the meaning and the regional origins behind the dances and rhythms.

In this unique four-session intensive, participants will explore the history, cultural/social significance, techniques (skill building- how to play these polyrhythmic drums: Sabar, Djembe and Dunduns. Learn specific accompaniments, specific roles within an ensemble). Learn the aesthetics (breaking down intricate, high energy movements of the traditional dance) alongside live drummers. Allowing ALL of the participants to experience the dynamic synergy between rhythm and movement of West African drum and dance through this immersive three-part class structure.

Sabar drums will be available for rental, and a limited number of Djembe drums will be provided in class, but participants are encouraged to bring their own drums. First come, first served. More details to follow.

📅 Dates: Saturday Aug 15, 22, 29 & Sep 12

🕐 Doors: 12:30pm | Class begins at 1:00 pm sharp!

📍 Location: African American Cultural Center, 350 Masten Avenue, Buffalo

Call for more info or to rent Sabar drums: (716) 884-2013

AACC’s Website: https://www.aaccbuffalo.org/

Fee: $25

Save the dates and stay tuned for more updates!

Address

367 Main Street
East Aurora, NY
14052

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