Gabriel Roxbury began drumming at 5 years old. He joined an African dance and drum group, called Chiku Awali, when he was 8 and learned to play a traditional West African instrument, the jembe drum.

“I’ve always had like a very deep connection with music. Something like so deep, I can't really explain it in words,” Gabriel said.

Gabriel’s mother, Benita Roxbury, always had a love for dancing. After seeing her son drum for Chiku Awali, Benita joined the group herself as a dancer.

“When he started drumming, we started learning more about the African culture, and it was a part of me. I felt like I became alive,” Benita said.

The mother and son said music and dance of different cultures today reflects that of old African sounds and movements.

“Most of the dances in Africa are telling a story because they dance for everything. They dance for parties, they dance for weddings, all celebrations. And those are the dances they do whatever is happening,” Benita said.

“Every dance has a meaning. Every single rhythm has a purpose, so I think understanding the root of that is very important,” Gabriel said.

The duo has made it their mission to share the artistic side of their heritage with others.

“It's such a joy and such a peace and such a comfort, and we wish that for everybody, so we give, and we do this year-round. We don't do this just in February for Black history,” Benita said.

Aleksandr Carlton, who is originally from Russia but now lives in Orange County, said she felt it was important to bring her 2-year-old daughter, Sophia, to experience the show.

“They can know about the world and other cultures especially so that way, they learn more and they can like, do different things in [the] future,” Carlton said.

To really immerse yourself with the culture, they said, you need to get hands on with the instruments and dancing.

“In the audience, when you're sitting and just watching, it's a different energy. When you get up and participate, you feel that energy,” Benita said.