2017/12/09

New 2018 Schedule of Drumming Classes/Workshops/Events - a work in progress ;)

Courtenay Recreation: 250 338 5371 or 250 338 1000 to register

Beginner African Drumming:
Wednesdays, Jan 10 – Mar 21 (no class Feb 21)
5:30 – 6:30 pm Native Sons Hall (upstairs)

Intermediate African Drumming:
Mondays, Jan 8 – Mar 19 (no class Family Day)
11:45 am – 12:45 pm Native Sons Hall (upstairs)

Beyond Beginners African Drumming (not in guide, but phone and ask to be put on a list if interested)
Thursdays, Jan 11 – Mar 22 (tentative, more details TBA)
5:00 – 6:00 pm Native Sons Hall (downstairs)

**NB: if there are too few participants in either Beginners or Beyonds, the two classes may end up being amalgamated! Stay tuned!

Drums Alive PowerBeats:
Wednesdays, Jan 10 – Mar 21 (no class Feb 21)
7:00 – 8:00 pm Native Sons Hall (upstairs)

Drums Alive GoldenBeats:
Thursdays, Jan 11 – Mar 22 (no class Feb 22)
10:30 – 11:30 am Native Sons Hall (upstairs)

Campbell River:  stay tuned! Looking for a new venue but there will definitely be classes for Beginners and Beyonds from CR (but perhaps Merville or Black Creek) and they will likely be on Tuesdays!!!


Royston:  register at the door

SUNDAYS:
Jan 7 – Feb 18 (7 classes)
Feb 25 – Apr 15 (7 classes, no class Apr 1)
Apr 22 – June 10 (7 classes, no class May 20)

Beginner Duns  4:00 – 4:45 pm
Intermediate Drumming  4:45 – 5:45 pm
Advanced Duns  5:45 – 6:30 pm
Advanced Drumming (and/or Ensemble)  6:30 – 7:30 pm

WEDNESDAYS:
Jan 10 – Feb 21 (7 classes)
Feb 28 – Apr 11 (7 classes)
Apr 18 – Jun 6 (7 classes)

Bucket Brigade   1:00 – 2:00 pm
Balafons         2:00 – 3:00 pm

NB:
Newcomers welcome for bucket brigade if you can commit to joining the practice group to help bring you up to speed. We do not intend on going back to the very beginning but would love to have new, enthusiast members who don’t mind a bit of a challenge at the beginning!! Such fun!!

We currently have one balafon available (for rent but preferably for sale) so would welcome one new member to the team! (More welcome if you’re willing to purchase a balafon from Jordan in Victoria; all of our balafons are tuned the same). Again, our group will not be going back to the “basics” but you could definitely be brought up to speed by joining a practice group or having one private lesson with Monica J


Errington: Stay tuned!!! There will definitely be ongoing beginner and beyond beginner classes in Errington, but likely not starting till late February. In the meantime, feel free to carpool and join in on the Royston classes!!!


JORDAN HANSON and Vancouver Island Drum Camp coming back June 15 – 17th!!

Monica’s Summer Solstice Drum/Potluck/Fundraiser June 24th!!

_______________________________________________________

I am considering adding on some more different kinds of drumming classes in the new year: please let me know if you have any friends or if you yourself might be interested in –
-       Couples drumming workshops (possibly co-facilitated)
-       Women’s drum circle
-       Men’s drum circle
-       Therapeutic drumming (HealthRhythms)
  
Also thinking again of Community Choir possibilities, perhaps in the Bowser area, so if anyone is interested in this, please drop me a line J

2017/10/16

Koca and Sasha will be back Nov 3 - 5th for another wild weekend of West African Drum & Dance! Be sure to register early (though me) as space is limited!

2017/08/12

Island Drum Camp is back!

Jordan Hanson is back with more workshops in drum and balafon - August 18 - 20! Please go to:
drumvictoria.com
for details and to register!
See you there!

Monica's Fall Schedule of Drumming and Rhythm Classes and Events!




Here is my fall schedule of classes; if you require more info on any of them or you are not sure what level you should sign up for, please don't hesitate to email me: drumdeva@gmail.com!

Courtenay Rec: register 250 338 5371 or 250 338 1000

Beginners African Hand Drumming
Thursdays, 5 - 6 pm Lower Native Sons Hall
Sept 14 - Oct 26  and 
Nov 2 - Dec 21

Beyond Beginners African Hand Drumming
Wednesdays, 5:30 - 6:30 pm Upper Native Sons Hall
Sept 6 - Nov 8    and
Nov 29 - Dec 20 (no classes Nov 15 & 22)

Intermediate African Hand Drumming
Mondays, 11:45 am - 12:45 pm  Upper Native Sons Hall
Sept 11 - Oct 23   and
Oct 30 - Dec 11   (no classes Oct 9 or Nov 13)

Drums Alive Power Beats
Wednesdays, 7 - 8 pm  Upper Native Sons Hall
Sept 6 - Dec 20 (no class Nov 22)

Drums Alive Golden Beats
Thursdays, 10:30 - 11:30 am  Upper Native Sons Hall
Sept 7 - Dec 21  (no class Nov 16)

Campbell River, @ the Sportsplex in Willow Point: register 250 923 7911

Beginners African Hand Drumming
Tuesdays, 5:30 - 6:30 pm 
Beyond Beginners African Hand Drumming
Tuesdays 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Sept 12 - Oct 17   and
Oct 24 - Dec 5  (no class Oct 31)

NB: Campbell River classes are subject to change; instead of Beginners Hand Drumming, there may be a beginners dun dun class.

Errington: register by emailing      kimlongmuir@telus.net

Drums Alive at Kickstart Fitness, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
Beyond Beginners African Hand Drumming (beginners welcome with permission of instructor)
5:15 - 6:15 pm

African Hand drumming $130 and DA $99, both 10 weeks. Mondays, Sept 18 - Nov 27 (no class Oct 9)


Royston Community Hall: register at the door or by emailing Monica 

Sundays, Sept 10 - Oct 22 (no class Oct 8)  and  Oct 29 - Dec 10 (no class Nov 5)

Beginners Duns  4 - 4:45 pm
Intermediate African Hand Drumming 4:45 - 5:45 pm
Advanced Duns   5:45 - 6:30 pm

****Advanced African Hand Drumming & Performance Ensemble****NEW****
This year the performance ensemble is morphing slightly; an actual "performance ensemble" will meet only for a set number of weeks before any scheduled performances/participation at community events. I will start an email list of all drummers who are interested in performing and when there is a "gig" coming up, I will email everyone who is interested. Those who can commit to the set number of practices will come to class/practice and then perform at that particular "gig". Thus, the performance ensemble will be "ever-changing" to incorporate those that can commit to practices and performing at any one event. 
On the weeks when there are no scheduled practices for any given upcoming "gig", there will be a "drop in" advanced class for anyone who wants to be more challenged on djembe and duns. 
Balafons will only be used in practices for gigs.
The $ investment for performance ensemble will be determined according to how many weeks we practice for. The advanced classes will be the usual drop in fee.

6:30 - 7:30 pm Sundays and perhaps other times/venues TBA when practicing for "gigs"

NB: Please email me to express your interest in being part of a performance ensemble and I will add you to my list; you will be informed via email about upcoming "gigs" at which time you can decide whether or not you can commit to any particular one!

Wednesdays, Sept 13 - Oct 25  and  Nov 1 - Dec 13

Bucket Drumming Brigade, everyone welcome! First class of each session dedicated to bringing "newbies" into the fold, then on to new rhythms!!   1 - 2 pm

Balafon (you must have your own balafon to join this class - we may have one for rent)  2 - 3 pm
***this class requires at home practice, please be committed to do so before signing up for a session****

KOCA and SASHA are back for another weekend of African Drum and Dance!
 Nov 3 - 5, details to follow! Stay tuned!

Monica's annual Winter Solstice Drum Circle/Potluck/Fundraiser is Dec 17th! 5 - 7 pm

Looking forward to seeing you all again soon,
In the spirit of rhythm,
Monica

2017/05/03

LAST SESSION OF DRUMMING CLASSES BEFORE SUMMER - REGISTER ASAP!

Hello Drummers and Rhythm Enthusiasts!
Please MARK YOUR CALENDARS.....
Just a quick reminder about start times for the last session of drumming before summer break:

COURTENAY:
Drums Alive - both Power Beats and Golden Beats continue on Wed 7 - 8 pm and Thurs 10:30 - 11:30 am respectively, Upper Native Sons, till June 28 & 29 (no Power Beats May 10)
Drop ins welcome both classes; Power Beats quite full so bring your own ball if you have one :)

Intermediate Drumming - Mon 11:45 - 12:45 Upper Native Sons
New session begins May 15 - June 26 (last class of "old" session May 8), no classes May 22 & June 12

Beyond Beginners Drumming - Wed 5:30 - 6:30 pm Upper Native Sons
New Session begins May 24 - June 28  (last classes of "old" session May 3 & May 17, no class May 10) 

Beginners Drumming - Thurs 5:00 - 6:00 pm Lower Native Sons
New session begins May 25 - June 29 (last classes of "old" session May 4 & 11, no class May 18)

Please register ASAP for all drumming classes for the new session: 250 338 5371 or 250 338 1000

CAMPBELL RIVER:
Beginners Drumming - Tues 5:30 - 6:30 pm Sportsplex
New session begins May 16 - June 20
Beyond Beginners Drumming - Tues 6:30 - 7:30 pm Sportsplex
New session begins May 16 - June 20

Please register ASAP! If beginners does not run, times will change and beginner duns will run ahead of beyonds: duns 5:30 - 6:00 pm, beyonds 6:00 - 7:00 pm

ERRINGTON:
Drums Alive @ Kickstart Fitness
Mon 3:30 - 4:30 pm

Beginners (& Beyond) Drumming @ the Errington Hall
Mon 5:15 - 6:15 pm

New session starts May 8 - June 19 (no class May 22)
To register (ASAP!) email Kim: kimlongmuir@telus.net

ROYSTON COMMUNITY HALL:
Bucket Brigade and Balafons (new members welcome!!!)
New session begins May 10 - June 14 (6 weeks)

Duns and Drums 
Beginner Duns 4:00 - 4:45 pm
Beyond Beginner/Intermediate Drumming 4:45 - 5:45 pm
Advanced Duns 5:45 - 6:30 pm
Performance Ensemble (we'd love to have more folks join us!) 6:30 - 7:30 pm
"Old" session still has May 7 & 14 - yes, Mother's Day! "New" session runs May 21 - June 25 (5 classes, no class June18)

SOLSTICE POTLUCK/DRUM CIRCLE/FUNDRAISER
June 18th 6 - 8 pm @ the Royston Community Hall

Workshops with Koca Dioubate and Sasha Belle Hunt

Thanks to everyone who came out for the workshops with Koca and Sasha - they were a HUGE success! Over 65 people attended the dance and drum workshops and I am pleased to announce that I have already booked Koca and Sasha back for a weekend of rhythm: so mark your calendars now!
November 3 - 5, 2017 will be our next exciting weekend of traditional West African djembe, duns and dance!!

2017/03/24

Exciting Weekend of African Dance and Drum with Kocassale Dioubate and Sasha Belle Hunt!


Follow this link for event details! April 8 - 9th at the Royston Community Hall!


https://www.facebook.com/events/387785858260872/

UPDATED 2017 SCHEDULE!

UPDATES for Monica's classes ARE IN RED!!! New sessions starting soon everywhere! And.....

MARK YOUR CALENDARS  ! See poster.....
Kocassale Dioubate (my teacher, mentor and friend from Guinea, West Africa) and Sasha Belle Hunt (his partner & extraordinary drummer and dancer in her own right) will be coming to the Comox Valley April 8 - 9 to hold workshops in African Hand Drumming, Dun Dun, and African DANCE! Stay tuned!!!! I strongly encourage ALL STUDENTS to take advantage of workshops led by master djembe players (djembefola) like Koca!! You will experience new teaching styles and the "authentic" sound of traditional African rhythms -- which can only truly be learned from someone who has grown up in the tradition of African music/drumming. And to top it off, Sasha is the most amazing dance instructor -- dancing to live drumming!! No experience necessary to get your sweat on in these workshops!
 FMI: www.kundaculture.com

Courtenay Recreation: Register 250 338 5371 or 250 338 1000

**New!** BEGINNERS AFRICAN HAND DRUMMING:
Thursdays, Lower Native Sons Hall, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
April 6  - May 11 (no class April 13)
May 25 - June 29

BEYOND BEGINNERS AFRICAN HAND DRUMMING:
Wednesdays, Upper Native Sons Hall, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
April 5 - May 17 (no class April 19 or May 10)
May 24 - June 28

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED AFRICAN HAND DRUMMING:
Mondays, Upper Native Sons Hall, 11:45am - 12:45 pm
April 3 - May 8 (no class April 17)
May 15 - June 26 (no class May 22 or June 12)

DRUMS ALIVE POWER BEATS! :
Wednesdays, Upper Native Sons Hall, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
April 5 - June 28 (no class April 19 or May 10)

We have some new equipment! Keep the numbers up please :) )

DRUMS ALIVE GOLDEN BEATS:
Thursdays, Upper Native Sons Hall, 10:30 - 11:30 am
April 6 - June 29 (no class April 13)

Comox Recreation: No Winter or Spring Programs, check back in Summer for Family/Youth Drums Alive!

Campbell River Recreation: Register 250 923 7911

BEGINNERS AFRICAN DRUMMING:
Tuesdays, Sportsplex (Willow Point), 5:30 - 6:30 pm
March 28 - May 6

BEYOND BEGINNERS AFRICAN DRUMMING:
Tuesdays, Sportsplex (Willow Point), 6:30 - 7:30 pm
March 28 - May 6

NB: If beginners class does not run again, beyond beginners time will change to 6 - 7 pm again, and we will run another beginners dun class!! But we will need enough registrants for that as well!

Errington is currently running! Monday afternoons 3:30 - 4:30 pm Drums Alive at KickStart Fitness, and Monday evenings 5:15 - 6:15 pm Beginners Hand Drumming at the Errington Hall until March 27 and likely starting again April 24 (with a drum jam led by my friend Robin Shackleton following class on March 6, 20, 27 and on April 3 and 10. 

Royston Community Hall Classes: Register at the door, or via email (drumdeva@gmail.com)

BUCKETS and BALAFON:
We are welcoming newcomers to both classes! For buckets all you need is a Home Depot sized orange bucket (or something of that nature) or an empty garbage pail! For balafon, you'll need a balafon that is compatible with our set -- Lucia has one for sale and is willing to rent; Jacquie also has one for sale (you can get their contact info from me). You can also purchase them through Jordan at Drum Victoria.

BUCKET BRIGADE:
Wednesdays, 1:00 - 2:00 pm 
March 8 - May 3 (6 weeks) **No classes March 22, 29 & April 19**& May 10 - June 14 (6 weeks)

BALAFON:
Wednesdays, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
March 8 - May 3 (6 weeks) **No classes March 22, 29 & April 19**& May 10 - June 14 (6 weeks)

BEGINNERS DUNS (African Bass Drums):
Sundays 4:00 - 4:45 pm

INTERMEDIATE AFRICAN HAND DRUMMING:
Sundays 4:45 - 5:45 pm

ADVANCED DUNS:
Sundays 5:45 - 6:30 pm

PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE (always looking for new folks, especially on djembe - we incorporate standing duns and balafon into the djembe / duns ensemble and practice up a fun sequence of rhythms with breaks and phrases each session!):
Sundays 6:30 - 7:30 pm

All Sunday Royston classes: January 8 - February 26 (7 weeks) & March 5 - April 30 (6 weeks)  & May 7 - June 11 (6 weeks)
**No classes March 19, 26 & April 16**

ANNUAL SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION - June 18th at the Royston Community Hall, 6:00 - 8:00 pm (Bring Dad as a Father's Day treat!)


Thanks everyone! Please register for upcoming sessions asap when your local recreation guides come out (beginning of March): all recreation centre classes run only subject to reaching minimum registrations one week before start of classes, so it is important to get those numbers up there as soon as we can! Hope to see you all soon!!

NB Fees are available upon request. Email me. I offer special discounts to students taking Royston classes if they take 2 or more classes in total anywhere with me!

2017/01/03

New Year 2017 Schedule of Drumming and Rhythm-Related Classes and Events!

Happy New Year, Friends of Rhythm!
Here's hoping the start of the new year finds you all in good health, good spirits and ready to get into the groove!
Here is my schedule (thus far) for 2017; hope to see many of you at one or more of these classes -- as you all know, drumming is so good for you physically, emotionally, spiritually and socially!

Courtenay Recreation: Register 250 338 5371 or 250 338 1000

**New!** BEGINNERS AFRICAN HAND DRUMMING:
Thursdays, Lower Native Sons Hall, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
January 12 - March 16

BEYOND BEGINNERS AFRICAN HAND DRUMMING:
Wednesdays, Upper Native Sons Hall, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
January 11 - March 15 (No class February 8 & 22)

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED AFRICAN HAND DRUMMING:
Mondays, Upper Native Sons Hall, 11:45am - 12:45 pm
January 9 - March 13

DRUMS ALIVE POWER BEATS! :
Wednesdays, Upper Native Sons Hall, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
January 11 - March 15 (No class February 8 & 22)
Register or Drop In (registration preferable as all classes run only with minimum numbers, AND extra registrants = possibility of new equipment!)

DRUMS ALIVE GOLDEN BEATS:
Thursdays, Upper Native Sons Hall, 10:30 - 11:30 am
January 12 - March 23 (No class Jan 26, February 9 & 23)
Register or Drop In (registration preferable as all classes run only with minimum numbers, AND extra registrants = possibility of new equipment!)

Comox Recreation: No Winter Programs, check back in Spring for Family/Youth Drums Alive!

Campbell River Recreation: Register 250 923 7911

BEGINNERS AFRICAN DRUMMING:
Tuesdays, Sportsplex (Willow Point), 5:30 - 6:30 pm
January 24 - February 28
(March/April session dates may be changing, stay tuned!)

BEYOND BEGINNERS AFRICAN DRUMMING:
Tuesdays, Sportsplex (Willow Point), 6:30 - 7:30 pm
January 24 - February 28
(March/April session dates may be changing, stay tuned!)
NB: If beginners class does not run, beyond beginners time may change to 6 - 7 pm

Errington dates will be announced soon! Beginners African Drumming and Drums Alive will continue in 2017!!

Royston Community Hall Classes: Register at the door, or via email (drumdeva@gmail.com)

BUCKETS and BALAFON:
We are welcoming newcomers to both classes! For buckets all you need is a Home Depot sized orange bucket (or something of that nature) or an empty garbage pail! For balafon, you'll need a balafon that is compatible with our set -- I have one for rent and Lucia has one for sale (you can get her contact info from me). You can also purchase them through Jordan at Drum Victoria.

BUCKET BRIGADE:
Wednesdays, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
January 11 - February 22nd (7 weeks) & March 1 - May 3 (7 weeks) **No classes March 22, 29 & April 19**& May 10 - June 14 (6 weeks)

BALAFON:
Wednesdays, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
January 11 - February 22nd (7 weeks) & March 1 - May 3 (7 weeks) **No classes March 22, 29 & April 19**& May 10 - June 14 (6 weeks)

BEGINNERS DUNS (African Bass Drums):
Sundays 4:00 - 4:45 pm

INTERMEDIATE AFRICAN HAND DRUMMING:
Sundays 4:45 - 5:45 pm

ADVANCED DUNS:
Sundays 5:45 - 6:30 pm

PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE (always looking for new folks, especially on djembe - we incorporate standing duns and balafon into the djembe / duns ensemble and practice up a fun sequence of rhythms with breaks and phrases each session!):
Sundays 6:30 - 7:30 pm

All Sunday Royston classes: January 8 - February 19 (7 weeks) & February 26 - April 30 (7 weeks) **No classes March 19, 26 & April 16** & May 7 - June 11 (6 weeks)

ANNUAL SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION - June 18th at the Royston Community Hall, 6:00 - 8:00 pm (Bring Dad as a Father's Day treat!)


These dates, times and venues are subject to change so stay tuned to email updates. Not anticipating much revising, though, so it's pretty safe to mark your calendars!

Thanks everyone! Please register asap if you haven't already: all recreation centre classes run only subject to reaching minimum registrations one week before start of classes, so it is important to get those numbers up there as soon as we can! Hope to see you all soon!!