LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY HALL DRUMS!

Just a friendly reminder: On July 23 there will be drumming at the Lighthouse Community Hall in Qualicum Bay! An "everyone welcome" drum workshop (which will be fun for both the novice and the more experienced!) runs 1:30 - 3:00 pm, and is followed by a HealthRHYTHMS workshop from 3:15 - 4:15 pm. The cost is $25 for the drum workshops, $15 for HealthRHYTHMS or $35 for both. FMI: contact Monica at drumdeva@gmail.com or 250.338.1444
Keep scrolling down for more exciting news about upcoming drumming events, including the Ubaka Hill workshop in September!

Ubaka Hill to visit Comox Valley! - DATE CHANGE

EXCITING NEWS! Mark your calendars - on September 11th, the official beginning of the fall drumming season, Ubaka Hill, performer, composer, songwriter, recording artist, motivational speaker, conference weaver, teacher and facilitator of hand drumming workshops for more than 25 years, will be offering a 3 hour long workshop at the Fallen Alders Hall on Royston Road (3:00 - 6:00 pm). Ubaka's soul-vision and intention is to facilitate and inspire personal transformation, empowerment, healing and joy with music that moves you. For more information on Ubaka and the amazing things she does and has to offer, visit:  http://www.ubakahilldrumsong.com/ubaka_hill_bio.html
Following the workshop, participants are welcome to remain for a potluck feast and sharing with Ubaka! This is an opportunity to chat with Ubaka, to share your experience of the workshop, and to indulge in good food and great company. Please note, if you plan on staying for and contributing to the potluck, that Ubaka is vegetarian...

The cost for this workshop will be on a sliding scale $40 - $80 - pay what you can! We want this workshop to be accessible to as many as possible and appreciate your honesty in contributing! Pre-registration is absolutely necessary. At this point, the only option is to pay me (Monica) directly, cash or cheque - FMI please contact Monica at drumdeva@gmail.com. However, if you prefer to wait, there will be a paypal option posted on Ubaka's website soon.

And please visit this blog often for updates to this post - much more information on the workshop itself forthcoming!

Why drum?

Percussion instruments were the first musical tools people created for use in group music making. They comprise the largest family of instruments, and virtually every culture on earth has some form of drumming. People all over the world use drums to celebrate life, explore their creativity, and unite in rhythm. One of the best reasons to use drums is that they are accessible to people of all ages and abilities – the drum is a user-friendly instrument that everyone can play.
Other reasons why drumming has been important in cultures all over the world, from ancient times through to the present day, are:

-Drumming is inclusive; it creates a common ground for novices and experts, young and old, disabled and able-bodied.
-Drumming allows self-expression - it is a medium of non-verbal creativity.
-Drumming allows communication across cultures, ages, and abilities; it brings people together for an amazing experience in inspiration and connection.         
-Drumming releases stress; it is proven to relieve tension and enhance the immune system.

While drumming, we integrate body, mind and spirit and at the same time subconsciously release negative feelings and emotional blockages. Drumming helps alleviate stress that is created from hanging on to the past or worrying about the future. When one plays a drum, one is placed squarely in the here and now.

Our lives are full of rhythm and drumming helps us to experience being in resonance with the natural rhythms of life.  We can learn “to flow” with the rhythms of life by simply learning to feel the beat, pulse, or groove while drumming.