Benkadi Drum and Dance: "Benkadi (which means « Coming Together Sweetly » in the Bamanankan language of Mali) is an eclectic group of artists and educators dedicated to performing, teaching and researching African dance and musical forms. Dedicated to community-based education and performance, the artists of Benkadi provide a wide range of programming for diverse audiences. Their mission is to bring people together in a spirit of harmony with respect for traditions. Benkadi endeavors to reach out to people of all ages and cultural backgrounds, to encourage and inspire positive interpersonal interaction and to support collaboration between individuals and groups to bring about positive change."