Karen Smith
2024 Illuminate The Arts Grantee & 2023 Pew Fellow "Possible is possible!"
“My drum is a spiritual connection to the African ancestors and to the world around me."
“My drum is a spiritual connection to the African ancestors and to the world around me."
Karen Smith is the proud recipient of a 2023 Pew Fellowship grant. https://www.pewcenterarts.org/2023grants
A New York Native/Philadelphia Transplant, Karen is a percussionist, playwright, director, producer, and poet. She is also the founder and leader of two musical collectives: The Karen Smith Experience, and Sistahs Laying Down Hands (SLDH).
"I create spaces where other artists can join in a spirit of trust and improvisation.”
For more than 10 years Karen Smith has been taking her drums on the road with her movement, Have Drums Will Travel Immediately. She has provided rhythms for projects in the Delaware Valley Tri-state area, and also in Alabama, Houston, Atlanta, and Jamaica, West Indies. She also performed at the United States Human Rights Network Conference. Karen captures "the rhythm of a place and the cadences of people.” The beat continues wherever the movement may take her!
Karen Smith curates artistic projects, hosts private drumming lessons, provides musical backgrounds, plays at festivals, and especially loves collaborations!
Here's a segment of Karen's interview with Teyanna Stone of Imagine Stone Productions, on being a multi-faceted artist. See full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvdL0xYSCkY
As part of Anula Shetty’s Philly Daydreams: Stories In Transit, percussionist, Karen Smith shares the world she imagines in her Philly Daydream while riding the Broad Street Subway, against the background of the soothing, meditative sounds of her tongue drum.
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7906 high School Rd Elkins Park, PA 19027
Come and explore the art of drumming. Connect to your heart and learn how to rhythmically drum to the beat of it. All are welcomed.
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7906 high School Rd Elkins Park, PA 19027
Unitarian Universalist Church of Mt Airy, 6900 Stenton Ave Phila Pa
We invite you to listen to live bands play beautiful music in the park. Enjoy the sounds of Laureen Davis and the Kings, and enjoy wine tast...
Unitarian Universalist Church of Mt Airy, 6900 Stenton Ave Phila Pa
Estuary Park
By Rayne, sound designer/performer Karen "Magic Fingaz" Smith
Estuary Park
Parkway Central Library
Blondell Reynolds Brown Book Launch "Walking a tightrope backward in High Heels" at the Parkway Central Library, opening rhythms provided by...
Parkway Central Library
for inquiries about Karen Smith and her rhythmic energy, drumming performances, and more!
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PO Box 29734 Philadelphia, PA 19119, USA
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