<P>An interview with Dr. Zakarya Sao Diouf, who along with his wife directs the Diamano Coura West African Dance Company. Diouf also collaborated on Val Caniporali's "Lambarena":<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><B><A HREF="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2000/12/01/EB86154.DTL&type=performance" TARGET=_blank>Female Drummers Beat Down Barriers in Oakland Class</A></B><P>Janine DeFao, SF Chronicle Staff<P>"Women are always just dancing, dancing, dancing. I've seen them struggle when they do not know the phrasing of a particular rhythm," Diouf says in his French-accented English. "Drumming will enable them to dance." <P>Diouf saw the problem was common among female dancers that he and his wife, Naomi, teach, and it sparked the idea of a female drum troupe.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><BR><B><A HREF="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2000/12/01/EB86154.DTL&type=performance" TARGET=_blank>More</A></B><BR><p>[This message has been edited by Azlan (edited December 01, 2000).]