Mason Artist-in-Residence Small Island Big Song: Trash to Music Workshop

One person’s trash is another’s treasure! Led by Small Island Big Song artist Sammy from Madagascar, Trash to Music is an inspiring hands-on workshop demonstrating how to make musical instruments from trash, commonly recycled, and/or reused materials. Participants will make a Malagasy-style berimbau (a traditional Angolan musical bow that is commonly used in Brazil as accompaniment to the martial art of Capoeira), as well as a shaker. Materials and tools provided for use by Alexandria’s UpCycle Creative Reuse Center. 

This workshop is offered in conjunction with Mason Artist-in-Residence Small Island Big Song’s April 20 performance at the Center for the Arts at George Mason University.

FREE, registration required.
This workshop is limited to the first 20 registrants. A waitlist will be maintained once capacity is reached and individuals will be notified if spots become available.

Open to ages 10+. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

The Garden

5380 Eisenhower Ave., Suite C

Alexandria, VA 22304

(This event space is around the corner from UpCycle Creative Reuse Center.)

About Small Island Big Song

Mason Artist-in-Residence Small Island Big Song is a music, film and performing arts project uniting the islands of the Pacific and Indian Ocean through artistic collaboration, a contemporary and relevant musical statement from a region that shares an ancient seafaring heritage and the impact of our changing sea.

About Sammy 

Madagascan musician Sammy, who performs as part of every Small Island Big Song concert, has followed his passion for Madagascar’s musical heritage by mastering and learning how to make most of the island’s instruments. He also leads his own ensemble, called Tarika Sammy, which has gained international recognition in the world music scene and was named as one of the world’s best 10 bands by TIME Magazine.

About UpCycle Creative Reuse Center

UpCycle Creative Reuse Center is an Alexandria-based nonprofit that connects creativity and conservation by providing an arts materials resource center and a creative making space for our community. At UpCycle, we rethink the notion of waste, collecting cast-offs from our community to serve as creative art and learning materials. Our programs and activities encourage creativity, critical thinking, innovation and environmentally sustainable behavior.