By Miki Canak in Arts & Entertainment, Campus News, College Days, Student Life on February 11, 2025
Members of Atimevu, Including Master Drummer Emmanuel Eku, Share Their Experiences Playing Music From West Africa
Atimevu, a drum and dance ensemble from Madison, Wisconsin, visited Ripon College last Friday to perform traditional music from Ghana.
Emmanuel Eku, a founding member of Atimevu and the group’s master drummer, said his favorite part about performing is both entertaining and engaging the audience.
Traditional Ghanaian drum used by Atimevu in their performance. Photo courtesy of Miki Canak.
“Music brought me to the United States, and I enjoy performing here. Our style of music playing is very popular in Ghana,” he said.
Rori Beatty, a junior majoring in music education, attended the workshop on Friday afternoon and had an opportunity to perform some music with Atimevu on stage.
“I had a wonderful time with Atimevu. They were super welcoming and excited to teach us. I had a blast learning different rhythms and putting them together,” she said.
Beatty also had the opportunity to perform on stage with Atimevu toward the end of their performance.
“I loved performing with them onstage. The thrill was unique because I had never been a part of a percussion ensemble. They were very encouraging and personable, and that made it easy to participate,” she said.
Michael Kpodo, a singer and a drummer for Atimevu, said their choices of instruments and music vary depending on the feelings they want to communicate.
Atimevu wears traditional clothing from Ghana and switches instruments between one another for every song they perform.
“It is fun because the music is lively and energetic. We have a great time playing together, and there is a lot of interaction
between us when we play,” said Tim Gruber, a singer, drummer and founding member of Atimevu.
Gruber said that the majority of music performed by Atimevu is based on vocal or instrumental call-and-response patterns.
Band Atimevu performing in Rodman Center for the Arts. Photo courtesy of Miki Canak.
“Their performance was joyous, and their energy was contagious. I am grateful to have met them and experienced their culture,” Beatty said, and her favorite instrument was a drum called the kpanlogo.
Atimevu performed a variety of joyous music at Ripon last Friday, and they frequently play in the Milwaukee area; however, they entertain at cultural events, festivals, theaters, schools, weddings, and parties around the United States.