The Djun Djun Mamas have been performing throughout Santa Barbara County for the past six years, and they seriously know how to rock the house. Led by Lisa Beck, the troupe — which combines West African drumming and dance — creates clear, commanding rhythms accompanied by soulful, energetic songs and movement that produce a powerful experience and provoke a sense of womanhood in the community.
Originally from Minnesota, Beck fell in love with Santa Barbara as a child, spending vacations here visiting her grandparents; her grandfather was an ER doctor at Cottage Hospital. Beck finally moved to town in 1999 and since then has made her career as a dancer, musician, and teacher. The Santa Barbara Independent recently caught up with Beck and found it pleasantly difficult to be unaffected by her sincere mission to help others feel “radiant, energized, and alive.”
What sparked your inspiration for West African drumming and dance? My partner, Budhi Harlow, [is] a teacher and performer of West African (djembe) drumming and dance. As I fell in love with him, I also fell in love with drum and dance. It’s brought so much joy and purpose to my life — it’s energizing, passionate, dynamic, electrifying, and so much fun.