7

TUESDAY

Ghana isn’t a large country, but it has taken one of the largest roles in 20th-century African music. The traditional music and dance of the major ethnic/linguistic groups—among them the Asante, the Ewe, the Lobi, and the Dagomba—are particularly vigorous, perhaps because, unlike in some nearby countries, performing is open to all, not just members of certain castes. For the usual political and economic reasons, many Ghanaian performers have left the country, developing eclectic, Westernized styles in the process. The music-and-dance troupe Akatanwia has taken a different course: It’s stayed true to traditional forms and learned the styles of many Ghanaian regions, so one of its performances offers an overview of the country’s drumming and dancing. Take the tour at 6 p.m. at the Kennedy Center’s Grand Foyer. Free. (202) 467-4600. (Mark Jenkins)