The News

(Details to follow, maybe)


SOULEYMANE DIOP ACTUALLY RESIDES IN ATLANTA, NOT CHICAGO
Artist Souleymane Diop, father of Salif from Allah Lake in Toubacouta, was reportedly living in Chicago, according to reports from his son. Johanna was given an address and two phone numbers, along with an enveloppe of letters and photos to send or deliver to his family back in the states. Upon investigation, the address did not exist, the land line was cut, and the cell phone was on voicemail. All area codes and zip codes, however, are from Atlanta. After leaving a message on an unpersonalized answering machine, Johanna recieved a call the next day from Mr. Diop, who is living in Atlanta, is her friend Salif's father, is still performing and teaching at festivals with his wife and son, and is a very nice man.




WADOMA DANCE IN MADISON IS AWESOME
Johanna and partner-in-crime Disa, after spending a lovely time drinking tea and busking in Madison, dropped in at Dance Fabulous Tuesday night for a last-minute decision to attend a class in West African djembe dancing. Not only was the class spot-on awesome, but afterwords the girls spent a while discussing Mandinka songs and culture with two other women (one of which was the teacher), concluding that sometime they should all hang out and sing.

(Classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays in Madison: http://www.wadoma.com/events.html)


EVERYONE IN TOUBACOUTA SAYS HI TO EVERYONE HERE
It's true. Practically.


NEW YOUTUBE VIDEO ROCKS JOHANNA'S WORLD
This just in: A Connecticut high school teacher who had been visiting Senegal in April just emailed Johanna with a link. As of two hours ago, there IS video footage of the internship! You can watch the clip here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVq3R1o14Jk


Hooray!