2015/08/25

Monica's Fall Schedule for Drumming and Drums Alive


Hello Rhythm Enthusiasts!
Summer is just about at an end, and it's time to start thinking about getting back to our regular schedule of drumming and Drums Alive! Here is my fall schedule! Please register for classes through Courtenay and Comox asap so that we can be assured they run....
Hope to see you all soon!

Beginners African Drumming: Wednesdays, Native Sons Hall, starting Sept 9th 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm and Thursdays, Comox Rec MP Hall #1, starting Sept 10th 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm (Register Courtenay 250 338 1000 or 250 338 5371; Comox 250 339 2255)

Intermediate African Drumming: Mondays, Native Sons Hall, starting Sept 14th 11:45 am - 12:45 pm (register 250 338 1000 or 250 338 5371)

Rhythm Ensemble (* new class!): Mondays, Native Sons Hall, starting Oct 19th for 6 classes only 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm (register 250 338 1000 or 250 338 5371)

AND at the Royston Community Hall, Sundays, afternoon/evenings:
Intermediate African Drumming: 4:30 - 5:30 pm
Dun Dun (Bass) Drum Class: 5:30 - 6:00 pm
Performance/Ensemble Class: 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Register at the door -- classes begin Sept 13th.

Balafon (African xylophone) classes, venue and start dates TBA.


CAMPELL RIVER CLASSES:

Sportsplex, Tuesday evenings, Sept 22 - Oct 20 and Oct 27 - Nov 24
5:30 - 6:30  Beginners
6:30 - 7:30  Intermediate
Register 250 923 7911 

AS WELL, for those interested in including even more rhythm-related, joy-filled activity into their lives ---

Drums Alive Choreo Class: Wednesdays, Native Sons Hall, starting Sept 16th 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (register 250 338 1000 or 250 338 5371)

Drums Alive Cardio Class: Thursdays, Native Sons Hall, starting Sept 17th 10:30 am - 11:30 am (register 250 338 1000 or 250 338 5371) AND
Thursdays, Comox Rec Gym A, starting Sept 10th 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (register 250 339 2255)
Drop ins available for all Drums Alive classes; if possible, please bring your own ball!

FMI: Monica -- drumdeva@gmail.com

2015/05/14

Drum Camp with Jordan Hanson from DrumVictoria, June 12 - 14 !!

It's confirmed! Jordan Hanson and his team from DrumVictoria are coming back to the Valley June 12 - 14 for another exciting 3 days of rhythm-making.
Please check out the link below and then register for the classes you're interested in. Pre-registration and pre-payment are necessary to reserve your spot (the pay at the door option is actually not an option!). You can use Jordan's paypal method or register through me by contacting me directly! (drumdeva@gmail.com)
There are early bird pricing deals and deals when you take 2 or 3 days as opposed to individual workshops -- great stuff, you won't want to miss this!
Those of you who attended last year's event can attest to the fun had in Burundi Beats and Balafon; this year there is a Thumb Piano/Kalimba and a Hip Hop class added!
Please feel free to contact me FMI.
And remember: more workshops coming up this summer -- Marla Leigh's Frame Drumming Weekend in July and Kadijah Photiades Drumming the Sacred Feminine in August!

https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eazyd8lf1e9ebafa&oseq&c&ch

2015/05/12

Check out my new Drums Alive Facebook page!

Here is the link to my new fb page, promoting Drums Alive -- everything you need to know to get excited about this new fitness experience can be found there, along with some fun videos and pictures!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Drums-Alive-Comox-Valley/1564478663833261?ref=hl

Enjoy! And please like, comment and share widely!

2015/03/29

Frame Drumming workshop and Blue Lotus Trio - April 20th

I am very excited to let you all know that the Blue Lotus Trio is coming to the Comox Valley on April 20 for a frame drumming workshop and house concert at Creekside Commons!

This will be the first of three opportunities for you to get to know the frame drum, one of the world's first drums, a mystical instrument used by priestesses and shamans in cultures worldwide -- for celebrations, rituals and rites of passage.

Hope to see you there! Seating is limited at Creekside and parking for the public is to the left when you enter the complex. Please RSVP me if you intend to attend the workshop; pre-registration is necessary:  drumdeva@gmail.com

In rhythm,
Monica

BLUE LOTUS TRIO: an intimate studio concert
Monday April 20, 8:30 - 9:30pm Creekside Commons
The three members of the Nova Scotia-based world music ensemble, Blue Lotus Trio, are inspired by their passion for Indian music, Sufi poetry, Turkish rhythms, and the direct language of the love song, in its many manifestations.
At times romantic, playful and meditative, their sound is intimate, acoustic and international - blending the warmth and beauty of songs in English, Sanskrit, Farsi and Turkish with the dynamic intensity of Indian and Middle Eastern drumming, and balanced over a smooth, focused layer of drone.
SAHARA NASR (voice, sarangi, guitar, frame drum)
KEN SHORLEY (tabla, darabuka, riq, frame drums, saz, voice)
HEIDI KALYANI (shruti box, tamboura, frame drum)
Blue Lotus Trio on YouTube:



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FRAME DRUMMING WORKSHOP with Blue Lotus Trio
Monday April 20, 6:30 - 8pm

This hands-on workshop will focus on exploring the beautiful resonance of the frame drum. Participants will learn basic hand and finger techniques, along with a selection of traditional, sacred and dance rhythms from the Middle East. The workshop will be facilitated by members of Blue Lotus Trio, a visiting world music ensemble from Nova Scotia. The cost of workshop registration ($25) includes admission to an intimate studio concert with Blue Lotus Trio which will take place immediately following the workshop. (Drum rentals will be available for an additional $5.)

Ken Shorley (from Blue Lotus Trio) on YouTube:


Updated Schedule of Drumming and Rhythm Events March - June 2015

Hello Drummers and Rhythm Enthusiasts!

Here is my schedule for March - June 2015. Please stay tuned for updates on upcoming workshops!

DRUMS ALIVE:
Wednesdays, 7 - 8 pm Native Sons Hall
March 18 - June 24 (no class Apr 1, 8 & 29)
Register 250 338 1000 or 250 338 5371

Thursdays, 7 - 8 pm Comox Recreation Gym
April 16 - May 21 and May 28 - June 25
Register 250 339 2255

AND watch for upcoming daytime class opportunities through Courtenay Recreation -- updates to follow!

BEGINNERS/COOKED BEGINNERS AFRICAN DRUMMING:
Wednesdays, 5:30 - 6:30 pm Native Sons Hall
March 18 - May 6 (no class Apr 1, 8 & 29)
and May 13 - June 24
Register 250 338 1000 or 250 338 5371

Tuesdays, 5:30 - 6:30 pm  Sportsplex Willow Point (Campbell River)
April 14 - May 12 (no class Apr 21) and June 2 - 30
Register 250 923 7911

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED AFRICAN DRUMMING:
Mondays, 11:45 am - 12:45 pm Native Sons Hall
March 23 - May 11 (no class Mar 30 and Apr 6) and
May 25 - June 29
Register 250 338 1000 or 250 338 5371

Sundays, 4:30 - 5:30 pm  Royston Community Hall
March 1 - April 26 (no class Mar 29, Apr5) and
May 3 - June 14 
Register: at the door or via email (drumdeva@gmail.com)

DUN DUNS (BASS DRUMS):
Sundays, 5:30 - 6:00 pm Royston Community Hall
March 1 - April 26 (no class Mar 29, Apr5) and
May 3 - June 14 
Register: at the door or via email (drumdeva@gmail.com)

ENSEMBLE (PERFORMANCE) DRUM/RHYTHM CLASS:
Sundays, 6:00 - 7:00 pm Royston Community Hall
March 1 - April 26 (no class Mar 29, Apr5) and
May 3 - June 14 
Register: at the door or via email (drumdeva@gmail.com)

AND: stay tuned, ensemble class may be moving to the Native Sons! (current students please let me know your thoughts on this!)

BALAFON (African Xylophone) CLASS:
Only open to students who have an appropriate instrument. Currently bi-weekly on Fridays, 2 - 4 pm. Email FMI.

SOLSTICE POTLUCK/FUNDRAISER:
June 21, Royston Community Hall, 6 - 8 pm. Email FMI.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS!!

June 6th - African Dance and Drum with Koca, Sasha and Friends! This time there will be balafon and Zimbabwean drumming offered as well.  Stay tuned! Mark your calendars! Kocassale Dioubate is my teacher and friend, originally from Guinea, West Africa. He is a griot, an absolutely amazing drummer and fun teacher! There is a family dance/concert planned for the end of the day…..

July 24 - 26 - Marla Leigh, Frame Drummer extraordinaire, will be in the Comox Valley, for the first time -- and this workshop is NOT TO BE MISSED!! Check out Marla's website (marlaleigh.com) and get inspired! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity (unless of course I can convince her to come again!)! More information coming, mark your calendars!!

Who else would you like to see come to the Valley? Let me know, and I'll work on it! (Robin Layne and Jordan Hanson are in the works for the fall, as well as more frame drumming with Heleniq Argyrou (from Cyprus) and Kadijah May Photiades…)

Hope to see you all drumming somewhere sometime soon!