2012/11/27

Upcoming Drum/Dance Fundraiser for Local Injured Young Mom

On Saturday, December 1st, local dance and drum instructors Jessica Wittman and Monica Hofer will be holding a fundraising event at the Royston Community Hall at the corner of the Old Island Highway and Royston Road, just 5 minutes out of town. This fundraiser was originally planned in support of the annual Christmas party held for participants of the Healthy Families Program run through Comox Valley Family Services Association. However, one of the program's participants, Lee Ann Sami, was recently seriously injured and is in hospital in Victoria recuperating; in order to support the family at this time of need, funds raised through this dance and drum extravaganza will be directed towards Lee Ann and her family.
Jessica Wittman is a local fitness, dance and Zumba instructor who is an expert at getting large groups of people moving and grooving to the beat; Monica Hofer teaches African hand drumming classes and facilitates group drumming experiences in the Valley. They will be joined by a group of local women on drums, DrumDrama, who will provide live African grooves to accompany the dancers for a portion of the event.

If you enjoy moving your body joyfully and dancing to the rhythms of Africa, India, South America and many more, getting a good workout while having loads of fun, and feeling great about yourself while doing so, this is an encouraging and safe environment to do just that - whether it is your first time or whether you are already hooked on Zumba!
Please come out in support on December 1st from 11am - 12:30 pm - participation by donation.
FMI: Monica @ 250 338 1444 or drumdeva@gmail.com

2012/09/24

Full Moon Drum Saturday September 29

Saturday the 29th will be a Full Moon so there will be a Goose Spit drum jam Saturday (rather than Sunday), starting at 6 pm to catch the rising moon at 6:31 pm, followed by sunset at 7:01pm, followed by official full moon at 8:18pm. Weather permitting of course - hope to see you there, drums, shakers, voices and high spirits in hand!!

2012/08/30

Upcoming Drumming Classes Fall 2012

Hello Drummers and Rhythm Enthusiasts!
It's hard to believe, but summer has been and gone and we are entering a new season of drumming! I sure missed it - how about you?

Upcoming classes are as follows:
Classes through Courtenay Recreation run Monday mornings - Sept 17 - Oct 29, and then again Nov 5 - Dec 17 (no classes Oct 8th and Nov 12th). They are very good about pro-rating late starts, but registration needs to happen asap or they will cancel the classes! Please spread the word! Phone 250 338 5371 or 250 338 1000 to register.
Beginners, Tsolum Buldg: 10:15 - 11:15 am
Intermediate, Upper Native Sons: 11:45 - 12:45 pm

There are also two FREE opportuniites to try out drumming through the CRA!! So please let anyone you know who might be interested in giving it a shot that they can pre-register (just for numbers) for Sept 10th (Monday) for a 10:15 am or an 11:45 am slot!

Evening class schedule has changed slightly. Please note that evening classes are now SUNDAYS at the ROYSTON COMMUNITY HALL (corner of Island Hwy and Royston/Cumberland Rd - at the lights).
Beginners, 5:15 - 6:15 pm
Intermediate/Advanced, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
There will be two evening sessions as well, Sept 9 - Oct 28 (No class Oct 14th) and Nov 4 - Dec 16. Both are 7 week sessions (drop ins and pro-rated late starts always available!). Please email me (drumdeva@gmail.com) to "pre-register" (it helps me to know numbers - if there are not enough beginners, I will not run the class).

I will also be running monthly Dun Dun classes; these sessions will be geared towards getting students more and more comfortable with playing the duns, and practicing rhythms we are working on in class. Joan and Ross have kindly offered space in their house in Comox for the sessions. Stay tuned for more info!

Finally, I have already booked the Royston Hall for a Winter Soltice Potluck/Drum/Fundraiser on Dec 22nd, so mark your calendars!

2012/06/23

Solstice Drum/Potluck a huge success!

Thanks to everyone who came out on June 20th to the Royston Community Hall for my annual Solstice Drum and Potluck event. There were 35+ folks there and not only was the food delicious (and you all know I love a potluck!) and the rhythm-making joyful and energizing, but we raised $225+ for this year's chosen charity: Girls Go Global, and local girls group, facilitated by my friend and awesome lady Jane Morris, who support global education for the underprivileged. I have not yet presented them with the cheque, so if anyone still wishes to make a donation, you may do so at class this coming Monday. And just FYI: looks like classes will be happening at this hall in the fall - the space is bigger, and the sound is better! Stay tuned...

2012/03/25

TaKeTiNa workshop a huge success!

Thanks again to Shasta and Brian for bringing TaKeTiNa to the Valley! A wonderful time was had by all participants - we shared rhythm through stepping, clapping and chanting, we danced, we laughed, we sang...we breathed! If anyone wants to get in touch with the amazing team of "RhythmKeepers", please email Shasta and/or Brian on shasta"at"rhythmkeepers.ca or brian"at"rhythmkeepers.ca. Their website is www.rhythmkeepers.ca. Let's hope we can bring them back for a full weekend retreat!

2012/02/10

Upcoming Workshop and Drum Making Opportunity

Rhythm Enthusiasts, this one is for you!
This is not a drum workshop, it is truly a rhythm workshop designed to help you tap into your inner groove, to empower you to step outside the box(es) that ensnare us and make us believe we aren't deeply, historically, soulfully rhythmic beings - you will feel inspired by the end of this workshop offered by my friends Shasta and Brian, believe me!
Planned for March 23 - 24, the workshop will take place over one evening and one full day. There will be the option to attend only the Friday night to whet your appetite (and then you might decide to stay on for the Saturday...or not...). Venue will likely be the Fallen Alders on Royston Road, cost TBA but will be under $100. At this point, I'm putting out feelers to see who is interested. We need a minimum number to run the workshop.
According to Shasta and Brian's website, Ta Ke Ti Na is a musical group process that uses rhythm, sound and movement. The Ta Ke Ti Na process creates an opportunity for participants to experience a new way of learning based on their own timing and readiness, using the body [and voice] as their instrument. It works equally well for professional musicians and beginners, allowing all people to access their innate ability to express and embody rhythm. Please go to
http://rhythmkeepers.ca/taketina.htm
for more information and to hear Shasta and Brian talk about the TaKeTiNa process.
Please let me know if you are interested, and do spread the word. More details will be forthcoming on both email and my blog in the days/weeks to come. You can also contact Jerzy if you are from Campbell River; he is organizing things at that end!

Drum making opportunity
My friend Robin Shackleton of Sylvan Temple drums (many of you are playing drums made by him!) out in Errington will be offering drum making workshops again soon. Some students have already expressed an interest, and I encourage you to contact Robin directly if you'd like to make your own djembe! The price is very, very reasonable - and Robin is a beautiful soul who will help you put your own energy into your special instrument, allowing you to choose colour of string, type of wood and size. Please email Robin at
robin@sylvantemple.ca to chat with him about possibilities
and do go to
www.sylvantemple.ca
for more info about Robin and his astonishingly beautiful drums!