2013/09/14

Upcoming Drum Workshops with Robin Layne

Hello Drummers and Rhythm Enthusiasts!
Another opportunity to drum with the fabulous Robin Layne at the end of September! Pre-registration is absolutely necessary - please email Monica (drumdeva@gmail.com) for payment details and to hold your spot....
Here are the workshop details from Robin:
Rhythms for the Earth
Afro-Latin Drum Workshops
$25 for one workshop
$40 for both
5:00-7:30 pm Royston Community Hall September 29th 2013
 Join renowned percussionist Robin Layne for two workshops that celebrate the joy of drumming. Both of the rhythms you will learn are in 6/8, which is a circular rhythm and great for bringing you back to earth after the summer. In traditional cultures the world over, drumming, singing, and dancing are intertwined and are a part of daily life.  I have been drumming most of my life and have had the opportunity to study with some fantastic teachers all over the world.  I personally love to teach because there are few things more enjoyable than seeing a group of people who may or may not know each other, suddenly communicating through the universal language of music.  
 5:00-6:00
Workshop 1: Bandogyeli – Rhythm from Guinea, inspired by Monkeys
Learn to play solo phrases and the djembe, doun-doun, and bells parts for this fun rhythm from Guinea.  Who doesn’t like Monkeys?  I learned this rhythm from Famoudou Konate and it’s got a great 6/8 groove in the folk tradition of the northern part of Guinea.
 6:15-7:15
Workshop 2: Afro-Cuban Rumba
 Learn to play folkloric rumba patterns such as Columbia on the djembe, congas, and bells.  This is one of the most beautiful conga patterns of the Afro-Cuban tradition and we’ll translate it to the djembe and ensemble.  You will be encouraged to sing for this one, too, if you feel like it!
Thanks everybody!
Robin 

Class Schedule Update

Hello Drummers and Rhythm Enthusiasts
FYI: there will be a six week session for beginners (African hand drumming) starting tomorrow (Sept 15) in Royston at the Community Hall, 4:30 - 5:30 pm. This session is being run to see if there is enough interest to continue with beginners classes at the Royston venue. This means that regular drummers will have a slight time change in their regular drumming schedule (I have sent out another email to this effect).
For those of you who have been looking for a beginners class but have been unable to fit into the CRA schedule, this might be your ticket! Others of you may be in a level that does not feel quite comfortable and may want to shift - please feel free to do so!
Here is my updated class schedule for Sept 15 and 22nd, October 6, 13, 20 and 27th -
Beginners 4:30 - 5:30 pm
Cooked Beginners/Intermediate 5:30 - 6:30
Duns 6:30 - 7:00
Advanced 7:00 - 8:00
Don't forget Robin Layne Latin Percussion Workshops on Sept 29 (pre-registration and payment is required),  also at Royston (see post).
And there is still drumming at Goose Spit, weather permitting. If you are not already receiving notifications from Alan, go to comoxdrum.com and sign up for updates! Full moon on the 19th and Equinox on the 22nd!
NB because of the class schedule changes, there will be NO drum jam/potluck following advanced class on the 22nd as previously announced; let's meet at the Spit after class instead! :D

2013/08/12

Fall Drumming Schedule 2013



Hello all you wonderful Drummers and Rhythm Enthusiasts!
Here is your fall schedule for African Drumming classes and Drums Alive!

Courtenay Recreation offers the following (register 250.338.1000 or 250.338 5371) -

Mondays:
Beginners drumming in Tsolum Building (Lewis Park)
10:15 - 11:15 am
Sept 16 - Oct 28 (no class Oct 14) and
Nov 4 - Dec 16 (no class Nov 11)
Intermediate drumming in Native Sons Hall
11:45 - 12:45 pm
Sept 16 - Oct 28 (no class Oct 14) and
Nov 4 - Dec 16 (no class Nov 11)
Drums Alive Lite! in Native Sons Hall
1:15 - 2:15 pm
Sept 16 - Oct 28 (no class Oct 14) and
Nov 4 - Dec 16 (no class Nov 11)


Wednesdays:
Drums Alive! (regular) in Native Sons Hall
6:30 - 7:30 pm
Sept 18 - Oct 23 and
Oct 30 - Dec 4

Campbell River Community Recreation will offer the following (call 250.286.1161 to register):
Tuesdays:
Beginners Drumming  in Sportsplex Activity Room #1
6 - 7 pm
Sept 24 - Oct 29th
Royston Community Hall (Monica) will be offering the following (register first day of class):

All classes Sundays
Sept 8 - Oct 27 (7 class session) and
Nov 3 - Dec 15 (7 class session)
Exceptions:
Sept 22 - following the advanced class, from 7:30 - approx 9 pm Equinox Drum Jam/Potluck
Sept 29th - instead of class, an opportunity to drum with Robin Layne who is coming back to teach more Latin rhythms....YAY!
Beginner/Intermediates
5 - 6 pm
Dun Duns
6 - 6:30 pm
Advanced
6:30 - 7:30 pm

Winter Solstice Drum Jam/Potluck, Dec 22 6 - 8 pm

(There may be classes held at the Little Red Church in Comox in the fall as well...stay tuned!)
Cheers!

2013/07/16

Drums Alive! hits Courtenay/Comox!

Join Monica for an introduction to the magic of Drums Alive! where we will use rhythm as the source of inspiration to discover a new group fitness experience. Drums Alive! combines the benefits of traditional physical fitness program elements with the benefits to the brain of music and rhythm. This program, which has participants drumming on large exercise balls while getting aerobic exercise, fosters a healthy balance physically, mentally, emotionally and socially! Join a class and experience how it provides an element of fun and creative expression - it is perfect training for the whole body. It improves memory and brainpower by using cross-coordinated movements and integration of memory-enhancing exercises, and it's a great combination of movement-therapy with music, sound and dance which will challenge your body in various ways. These classes are open to all levels of fitness and ability and will serve as an introduction to the fun of the Drums Alive! program that will be offered in the fall. Two opportunities this summer: a free intro through Courtenay Recreation on Sunday, July 21st at the Native Sons Hall in Courtenay (10 - 11:30 am) for which you must pre-register at 250.338.1000 (all equipment supplied) and a "by donation" intro at the Little Red Church in Comox on Wednesday, August 14th 7 - 8 pm (participants must supply their own fitness balls, minimum 20"), pre-register by emailing Monica at drumdeva@gmail.com. Also on August 14th, 6 - 7 pm at the Little Red Church, Introduction to African Drumming and Rhythm, everyone welcome, by donation. Some drums supplied (email Monica FMI).

2013/06/17

Summer Solstice Drum/Potluck/Fundraiser

Hello Drummers and Rhythm Enthusiasts!
It's that time again....Solstice is next week, and to celebrate both that, the Super Moon, and the end of the drumming season before summer break, I am having another Potluck/Fundraiser/Drum.
Please join me next Sunday, June 23rd at the Royston Community Hall (lights at Royston Rd and Island Hwy) from 6 - 8 pm: donations to CV Therapeutic Riding Assoc. to buy hay for the horses! Something local this time round....As always, bring your joyful energy, a friend/family members/fellow drummers etc, a potluck finger food dish to share, and your own utensils. And it's also a super moon/full moon the same day, so why not celebrate that as well by heading out to Goose Spit after the potluck to watch the moon rise and drum up a storm with the gang that gathers at the far end of the beach to create rhythm-scapes every Sunday night! Hope to see many of you next Sunday!

Summer Drumming Opportunities

Not willing to give up regular drumming quite yet? Well, rest assured there will be some opportunities this summer to get into the groove:
Register through the CRA (Courtenay Rec) @ 338 1000 for the following:
Beginners Drumming: 6 - 7 pm July 18 and August 15
Intermediate/Advanced Drumming: 7;15 - 8:15 pm same dates
HealthRHYTHMS: 7 - 8 pm July 24th and August21st
Free Drums Alive! demo: 10 - 11:30 am July 21st

Or come to the Royston Hall on the ff dates for "everyone/every level welcome" drumming from 6 - 7 pm on July 21st and August11th.

I also plan to be in Campbell River and the Qualicum Beach area this summer, so stay tuned for those opportunities as well!

Other than that, please come to Goose Spit on Sunday eves (weather permitting) from about 7;30 pm onward to drum with fellow rhythm lovers (or bring your voice, your shaker, or what-have-you!)....everyone welcome! If you'd like to receive posts with regards to Goose Spit drumming, contact Alan at comox@shaw.ca.

Have a wonderful summer!
Cheers!

2013/04/24

May 26th - Carnival of Rhythm at the Royston Community Hall

To register for workshops and info contact Monica
drumdeva@gmail.com

Afro-Latin Drumming Workshops and Concert (4:30 - approx 10 pm)


Workshop cost: $25 for one or $40 for both (includes admission to evening concert)

Concert only: $15

Join renowned percussionist Robin Layne for two workshops that celebrate the joy of drumming, followed by a solo marimba concert (free for workshop participants).  Both of the rhythms you will learn are about celebrating and bringing people together through the gift of music.  In traditional cultures the world over, drumming, singing, and dancing are intertwined and are a part of daily life.  I have been drumming most of my life and have had the opportunity to study with some fantastic teachers all over the world.  I personally love to teach because there are few things more enjoyable than seeing a group of people who may or may not know each other, suddenly communicating through the universal language of music.

4:30-5:30
Workshop 1: Samba-Reggae
Learn to play for Samba-Reggae a lovely groove from Baia - Northern Brazil.  We will use djembe, congas, doun-doun and bells.  This rhythm has become popular not just in Brazil and is a great mix of samba and reggae, two of my favourite grooves.

5:30-6:30
Workshop 2: Conga de Comparsa
Learn to play this fun carnival rhythm from Cuba on djembe, congas, doun-doun and bells.  This is one of my personal favourites to play with a group.  When you get all the parts synched in just right, it's fantastic.  This rhythm is played throughout the streets of Cuba during Carnival time.

6:30-7:00 -  drum jam

Break for dinner (potluck)

8:00 pm  -  marimba concert and performance of drum pieces from workshop
 
For more about Robin:
Robin Layne has performed across China, Europe, the U.S. and Canada at jazz and folk festivals.  He can currently be found performing with world fusion group Tambura Rasa and Latin Folk band Locarno.  As an educator, he loves sharing his passion for music and rhythm with children of all ages and can be found teaching workshops around B.C and touring the school districts.  He is on the faculty of the Sarah McLachlan School of Music, where he teaches mallets and percussion, and the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts where he accompanies dance.   Robin is a graduate of the L.A. Music Academy and V.C.C. School of Music.  His love for world music has taken him to Cuba where he studied with the Folclorico Nacional Ballet Cutumba and most recently to Guinea and Mali to study the traditional music and culture, funded in part by BC Arts Council
. www.robinlayne.ca

2013/03/10

Equinox Drum/Potluck/Fundraiser

Time for another attempt at a DRUM/POTLUCK! Equinox will soon be upon us - it seems Spring has already sprung! - so I am holding a Drum/Potluck/Fundraiser on Saturday, March 23 from 6 - 8 pm at the Royston Community Hall (at the lights in Royston). Bring the usual: a joyful spirit, a finger-food dish to share with approx 30 people, your own cutlery, dishes, etc and a donation towards this spring's cause: Free the Slaves (thank you Kathy T for planting this seed with me). Here is a link for you to follow so you can see what your donation will be going towards: https://www.freetheslaves.net/
At each of my fundraisers I try to not only gather funds for causes I believe in, but to plant seeds of awareness and encourage folks to explore further on their own what kinds of causes are worth supporting and fighting for. Sometimes it seems like so little, a drop in the bucket, but then I remind myself that every bit counts...even it you are not able to attend the March 23rd event, please check out the link above.
Hope to see many of you there!

2013/02/20

Community Choir Well Underway!

Creekside Community Choir is underway, facilitated by yours truly: suggested donation of $10, 7:30 - 9:00 pm on the ff Fridays: March 8th and 22, April 5 and 19, May 3, 17 (possibly) and 31st. Every voice welcome!

New Drumming Session About to Begin!

New Sessions of African Drumming and HealthRhythms soon to begin:

CRA Beginners: Mondays 1:15 - 2:15 pm (note new time) at the Tsolum Building in Lewis Park - this is a six week session March 4th - April 15th ( with no class April 1st and March 25th at the Native Sons Hall instead). NB: come spring session the beginners CRA class will move to the Native Sons Hall Mondays 1 - 2 pm...just a heads up!
CRA Intermediate: Mondays 11:45 am - 12:45 pm at the Upper Native Sons Hall, same six week session as above.
HealthRhythms: planned for Mondays 7:45 - 8:45 pm, dependent on registration. Email for more info.
Please register for the above classes through the CRA at 250.338.1000.

Royston Cooked Beginners: Sundays 5 - 6 pm at the Royston Community Hall (at the lights in Royston). Another 7 week session, February 24 - April 14th (with no class March 31st).
Royston Dun Dun group (everyone welcome to come out and enjoy some left/right brain integration exercise!): Sundays 6 - 6:30, same info as above. This class is drop in - pay what you will....
Royston Advanced: Sundays 6:30 - 7:30 pm, same info as above.
Please register with me at the door. More info upon email request.

NB for Royston drummers, please do not enter the building more than 5 mins before the end of a previous class as it is distracting for both myself and the drummers. I know this means sitting in the car for a few more minutes, but just think: soon the spring air will be upon us and you could even walk at the beach if you're really early! :D Thank you for your understanding!

I am thoroughly enjoying drumming with all of you, and hope to see both "old" and "new" faces in the coming sessions! Come on out and do something good for yourself: drumming in community is a proven way to improve your mental, physical and spiritual well-being! You can't beat it! :D

PS Watch your emails for a new exercise/drumming class I have in the works!
PPS Creekside Community Choir is underway, facilitated by yours truly: suggested donation of $10, 7:30 - 9:00 pm on the ff Fridays: March 8th and 22, April 5 and 19, May 3, 17 (possibly) and 31st. Every voice welcome!





2013/01/09

Carpooling to Singing

Anyone interested in sharing rides to Creekside for singing on Fridays? Sherry is willing to coordinate; here is her email:
sherrylb45@gmail.com
please only use her personal email for the purpose of connecting for rides.
Also those coming to Creekside to sing, please use the visitor's parking lot to the left of the Commons Building as you enter Creekside.
Thanks!

Change in dates for Community Singing

Please Note: Due to the World Community Film Festival, Creekside Community Singing will be changed from Feb 1st  to Feb 8th. Please mark your calendars! First Sing: Jan 18th 7:30 - 9 pm!

2013/01/05

Community Sing at Creekside

As you may or may not know, I previously facilitated/led a community-based, every voice welcome choir at Creekside Commons here in Courtenay. We are starting up again this month and will be meeting at the Commons Building on the ff dates:
Jan. 18, Feb 1 & 15, Mar 8 and 22.
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 pm
By donation.
If you are interested in singing in a safe, encouraging, joyful environment, this might be just the venue for you! You do not need to be able to read music, although I do pass out papers for those who like to have the music in front of them. Every voice is welcome! We've had so many people come and say "I can't sing, or I can't hold a tune" and go away smiling, feeling encouraged and happy they joined in!
We sing music from a wide variety of traditions, including chants, gospel, indigenous and foreign language, folk, and many many more. Please contact me for more info and to let me know if you are coming - there are some space limitations as far as parking is concerned at Creekside, so I'd like to let them know beforehand how many "non-Creekies" plan to attend!

2013/01/02

Upcoming Drumming Classes

Hello folks!
Happy New Year 2013! Here's to a year of new beginnings......
Speaking of which: If you've been thinking of getting into drumming, there are some opportunities for beginners to join in the fun this season. For those returning, regular classes are starting soon, as well as an opportunity for more practice on the duns.
Here are the times and dates for upcoming classes:

Beginners: Mondays, NEW TIME 6:30 - 7:30 pm, Tsolum Building, Lewis Park Jan 14 - Feb 25, and Mar 4 - Apr 15 (no classes Feb 11 and Apr 1) - register through CRA at 250.338.1000 or 250.338.5371. These are 6 week sessions.
or
Beginners: Sundays, NEW TIME 5:00 - 6:00 pm, Royston Community Hall, Jan 06 - Feb 17, and Feb 24 - Apr 14 (no class Mar 31) Register with me at the door. These are 7 week sessions.

Dun Duns: Sundays 6:00 - 6:30 pm, Royston Community Hall, Jan 06 - Feb 17, and Feb 24 - Apr 14 (no class Mar 31) These are drop in classes; we will be covering dun dun parts for rhythms currently being played in classes and working on left/right brain integration activities! These sessions run for 7 weeks. (Bring bungies to attach your djembes to chairs, some sort of soft mallet, and something to attach to your drum as a bell!)

Intermediate: Mondays, 11:45 - 12:45 pm, Upper Native Sons Hall, Jan 14 - Feb 25, and Mar 4 - Mar 15 (no classes Feb 11 and Apr 1) - register through CRA at 250.338.1000 or 250.338.5371. This is a 6 week session.

Advanced: Sundays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm, Royston Community Hall, Jan 06 - Feb 17, and Feb 24 - Apr 14 (no class Mar 31) Register with me at the door. This is a 7 week session.

HealthRHYTHMS: CRA is trying this again, and hopefully we'll get enough interested folks! Using drums and rhythm instruments to access their health and spiritual benefits. Research-based drumming protocol, no experience necessary. No specific rhythms taught; it's like weekly yoga with drums! Mondays, 7:45 - 8:45 pm, Tsolum Bldg. Jan 14 - Feb 25, and Mar 4 - Mar 15 (no classes Feb 11 and Apr 1) - register through CRA at 250.338.1000 or 250.338.5371. These are 6 week sessions.

Please note: the sessions through the CRA are 6 weeks long, while the Royston classes run for 7 weeks. We are also starting one week earlier (THIS COMING SUNDAY!) at Royston.

Please register for CRA classes asap - as you all know, the finger is on the red "cancel" button if there is low registration!

And last but not least: sorry about not having my yearly Solstice potluck/drum fundraiser due to wintery weather conditions! It was a huge disappointment for me, as you know that it is really my Christmas.....but the momentum was lost, so I plan to do an Equinox event this spring instead. Stay tuned!

Hope to see you all soon, and please check out my blog - there will be info posted shortly regarding upcoming regular community sings (led by yours truly) at Creekside......

PS Please let me know if you are a beginner and planning on moving up to the intermediate or advanced time slot....also: special rates for those taking more than one class, and please remember that you can make up classes between venues/levels in any one session. Cheers!