By Damilola Adeyera
When the cock crows to usher in a new day, Atunda Entertainers comes out to play. In this context, the play is not to entertain with their music but to play football. Before taking the spotlight to serenade guests with their cultural songs, local drums, and traditional dance, they usually engage in energetic exercises like this.
On some days, Atunda Entertainers ditch the football pitch for other bodily exercises like walking, jogging, running, push-ups, sit-ups, planks, and stretching. These activities are more than just exercises; they present an opportunity for the team to bond and a way of preparing both body and mind for the demanding hours of entertainment and performances ahead.
By the time these activities have been completed, the clock would have ticked to 7: 00 am to signal time for breakfast. Each team member returns to their room to prepare for the day’s task.
One by one. The team members return to the studio to commence rehearsals. The dancers practice some old and new dance routines. The drummers beat new sounds to match the melodies of the singers. This is done to ensure every guest at La Campagne Tropicana Beach & Forest Resorts enjoys an authentic African cultural experience. And this also keeps then fit for other local and international engagements.
The passion can be seen in each performance of the Atunda Entertainers. This is not just a profession; it is a divine call to uplift and entertain. After the completion of their rehearsals, as the day unfolds, the entertainers disperse to the welcoming area of the resort to usher in newly arrived guests with their vibrant locally curated musical processions.
As the nature of the weather permits, one thing you can always find with the Atunda Entertainers is their culturally inspired style of dressing. Their colorful costumes have become a branding of sort for the band. The costumes are so lovely that the band has lost count of the number of times guests have asked how they could purchase the band’s merchandise.
As the darkness of evening beckons, the Atunda Entertainers gather around the bonfire to become storytellers through their cultural music and dance routine. Guests, regardless of their background, are inspired to clap and dance as they experience the beautiful world of African traditional music.