Show Overview
The Beat Goes On!!
Montpelier's New Year's Eve Celebration
a lively joyful and exhilarting collaboration from Shidaa Projects and Lost Nation Theater
We hope you will consider giving what you can, or the minimum suggested donation in support of this fantastic concert and activities. Sponsorships did not cover the costs incurred to bring this celebration to you!
A full day festive celebration of drumming, dancing, music, and theater that's fun for the whole family features artists that have made this community their home for many decades.
Afternoon Activities:
1:00pm - Youth Drumming Workshop (30 minutes) in the LNT Lobby
led by Samuel Maama Marquaye. L.imited to 20 participants
(Registration HERE )
You must register for these workshops. space is limited. Drop-ins are welcome, but will likely only be able watch/listen not participate.
3:00pm - Christopher McWilliams and Friends
a Musical Showcase with Christopher McWilliams (piano); Denise Ricker (Flute); Lotta Sutter (violin)
on LNT's stage showcasing the arts center's new (to us!) baby grand piano with spectacular contemporary music. It's FREE! (Donations welcome) Reserve Here
The Main Event: 6pm- THE BEAT GOES ON! takes the stage
Celebrate with a special performance by Shidaa Projects and Lost Nation Theater at 6pm in the theater.
For this special performance, Shidaa Dance and Drum Troupe will feature its lead dancer and choreographer, Samuel Maama Marquaye from Ghana, supported by Artistic Director Jordan Mensah and saxaphonist Ras Burnett, with other drum and dance enthusiasts from the community celebrating New Year’s Eve through dance drumming. Lost Nation Theater artists include Kathleen Keenan, Susan Reid, and Kim Bent among others. Janny Flow (Ghanian singer & dancer) is a special guest!
runs approximately 2 hours including intermission.
The Main Event The Beat Goes On! will be live on stage and live-streamed!
Be prepared for uplifting rhythms and good energy this New Year’s Eve!
Wednesday, December 31st, 2025
starting at 1pm! (lobby will open at 12:45pm)
Digital Recording of The Beat Goes On Main Event will be available to order through Jan 6, 2026!
Drumming Workshops - Free! (tho Donations deeply appreciated! Register Here)
Christopher McWilliams and Friends. Musical Showcase - Free (donations deeply appreciated.) Get Tickets HERE
Beat Goes On Concert & Dancing Celebration: suggested donation of $15. (Get "Tickets" HERE)
Masks are encouraged.
A Special Event
Production Team
Program Directors: Kim Bent, Christine Hartmann, Kathleen Keenan, Heather Mensah, Jordan Mensah
DRUMMERS:
Assan Coli - Master drummer
Simbo Camara - Jembe, Dundun
Ousmann Camara - Balofon
Samuel Maama Marquaye - Jembe, Bells
Jordan Mensah - Dundun, Bells
DANCERS
Samuel Maama Marquaye - Master Dancer
Janet Quaye aka Janny Flow (From Oregon)
Erin Star
Ela Chaplin
OTHER MUSICIANS
Kathleen Keenan - guitar
Susan Reid - fiddle
EM CEE - Kim Bent
PRODUCTION TEAM
production manager - Kathleen Keenan
stage manager & light board operator - William Pelton
sound engineer - Andrew Vachon
scenic environment - Kim Bent
house management - Brandy A Perez
Scoop Info
More about guest artist Janny Flow:
By the tender age of 15 Janny Flow was performing at festivals and events across the country and performing different forms of dances including Kpanlogo, Agbadza, Adowa, Baawa, just to mention a few.
Over the years she has become one of the most sought-after vocalists and traditional dancers
for notable groups such as Wulom?i, Ablade cultural band, Jajeloi, Tesaa Cultural Group, and Noyam African Dance Institute. On the international scene Janny Flow traveled to Cypru and Turkey where she used her dance and singing skills to spread values of her Ghanaian cultural heritage.
In November 2022 to February 2023, Janny Flow, together with Samuel Mama Marquaye, toured Germany doing performances in selected popular venues, while their musical performance here in the US brought them to tours in Verginia and Carlifonia with Internationally acclaimed singer, percussionist, guitarist, and dancer Okaidja Afroso.
Samuel and Janny will perform GumBoot together as part of The Beat Goes On!
Media Info
Janny Flow - dancer & singer
