Meet our Performers
Shabba
Founder & Director
“I am to bring all cultures together through our music and dance”
Edward Kofi Eshun (Shabba) is a professional dancer and drummer from Ghana, West Africa. His styles include traditional, contemporary, acrobatic, RnB & Hip-Hop.
Shabba was a member of the Asanti Dance Theatre in Ghana for 5 years. He was an instructor to students touring Ghana from the Deakin University Global Experience program and the Australian group Wild-Moves. In 2004, Shabba joined African Footprints International where he performed and facilitated workshops in drumming and dance throughout Ghana, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Italy. He has taught a wide variety of people from different cultures, backgrounds, age groups and abilities.
In 2007, Shabba came to Australia and worked with the Asanti Dance Theatre Australia and the African Royal Drummers. In 2009, Shabba was presented with a 5 Star Community Coach Award for his extensive work in after-school care programs. In 2010 he launched African Star Dance & Drumming, where he continues performing and teaching drumming, dance and cultural activities throughout Australia.
Shabba facilitates drumming and dance workshops to children and adults in schools and communities and performs at a range of festivals and public and private events. Some memorable performances include the Suzuki Night Markets, Sydney Road Festival, Darebin Music Feast, Woodford Folk Festival, Rainbow Serpent Festival, Viva Festival, Moomba Festival and Globe to Globe Festival.
Shabba’s future plans are to further his international career throughout Australia.
Sackey
Julius Bright Sackey (Sackey) is a highly skilled dancer and musician, known for his knowledge of traditional and contemporary West African music and dance. He has taught and performed throughout Ghana, England and Australia. Sackey’s career highlights include performing with top Ghanian musician Kojo Antwi, Agoro International, Asanti Dance Theatre, and Agido African Dance Company.
Kofi
Kofi Kunkpe (Kofi) is an Ewe master drummer for the Volta region in Ghana. This drumming master has travelled throughout Ghana, Burkina Faso, and New York impressing audiences with his outstanding skills. Kofi has worked with many reputable companies including Asanti Dance Theatre (Ghana and Australia), Elmina Dance Ensemble (Ghana), African Footprints International (Ghana), Wild Moves International (Australia), Anansi Travel NGO (USA), and the Freespirit Foundation (Poland).
Ekow
Ekow Crenstil (Ekow) is a vibrant and talented performer hailing from Ghana, West Africa. Ekow began dancing at an early age and has trained in Ghanaian traditional, contemporary and freestyle dance, as well as acrobatics, clowning, traditional drumming, fire eating and twirling.
Albi
Henry Nii Otu Laryea (Abli) is a master drummer from Ghana. Abli has been playing drums since he was a child and has performed with many traditional bands from Ghana. Abli is also extremely skilled in African drum making.
Fredrick
Fredrick Nii Kpakpo Addo (Fredrick) is a well-known Ghanaian dance director, master drummer and dancer, he is also a multi-instrumentalist with over 22 years’ experience in performance.
Matty
Matthew Weegberg (Matty) is an Indigenous performer and artist from Melbourne. His mother’s people originate from the Mutti Mutti tribe in NSW and Boonwurrung from Victoria. Despite his mother being a part of the Stolen Generation, Matthew was taught his traditional culture and heritage by his Elders, Aunties and Uncles. This was taught through his traditional family dance group, Birrion Lakidjika, alongside his brothers and sisters. Matthew performs as part of New Dub City and does work in the community running didgeridoo workshops for youth, performing at festivals such as Moomba and events such as Dreamtime at the G and the Commonwealth Games.
Brent
Brent Watkins (Brent) is a Yamaji man from WA, and also a Gunni man from Victoria. He is a proud Aboriginal Educator. Brent believes there isn’t anything better then teaching his culture and trying to inspire youth through art and dance (Traditional/Hip Hop). By inspiring youth, Brent aims to show the beauty and the strong roots of his Aboriginal Ancestors, and pass on his knowledge to the younger generations to come, just like it was passed down from generations before to him. Brent wishes to keep Aboriginal culture strong and vibrant.
Make an Enquiry
If you are interested in making a booking, receiving a quote, or have an enquiry about the services we offer, please complete the form below.
If you would like to have a chat ear-to-ear, you can call Shabba on 0433 454 282.