Hello Drumming and Rhythm Enthusiasts! 

Back from my cross Canada road trip and eager to get back to drumming with all of you, albeit starting a little later this fall! 

Here's my schedule:  

COURTENAY, Native Sons Hall 

Register: 250 338 5371 

Intermediate African Drumming 

Fridays 12 noon - 1 pm, October 4 - December 13 

**please note we are downstairs in the Native Sons on Oct 11, Nov 22 & Dec 6 (park and enter from the back) 

NB Registration is low - which almost never happens! Please register asap! 

Beyond Beginners African Drumming 

Fridays 1:30 - 2:30 pm, October 4 - December 13 

**please note we are downstairs in the Native Sons on Oct 11, Nov 22 & Dec 6 (park and enter from the back) 

NB We are ON! :) 

Beginners African Drumming 

Fridays 2:45 - 3:45 pm Oct 11 - Dec 13 

**please note we are downstairs in the Native Sons on Oct 11, Nov 22 & Dec 6 (park and enter from the back) 

NB This class will run only with minimum registration met; so far there are not enough registrants....if you know anyone who would benefit from the joy of drumming in community, please pass along this info! 

Drums Alive for Every-Body 

Mondays 12:15 - 1:15 pm Oct 21 - Dec 16 (no class Nov 11) 

NB This class is FULL :) Please get yourself on the waitlist! __________________________________________________ 

ROYSTON, Royston Community Hall 

Register at the door, first class. Email me FMI. 

Mondays, 2:30 - 4:30 pm Oct 21 - Dec 16th (no class Nov 11) 

Duns (not for beginners except with permission of instructor): 2:30 - 3:15 pm 

Intermediate African Drumming: 3:30 - 4:30 pm ____________________________________________________ 

ERRINGTON, Errington War Memorial Hall & Small Firehall

** Register with Kristine @ ACRA: stephenson@live.ca 

Tuesdays, 2:30 - 6:15 pm ** note time changes**, Oct 22 - Dec 17 (no class Nov 12) 

Beginners African Drumming 2:30 - 3:15 pm in the Small Firehall (right next to the War Memorial Hall) 

Beyond Beginners African Drumming 3:30 - 4:15 pm in the Small Firehall (right next to the War Memorial Hall) 

Duns ( beginners only with permission of the instructor) 4:30 - 5:00 pm in the Small Firehall (right next to the War Memorial Hall) 

Intermediate African Drumming 5:15 - 6:15 pm in the LARGE HALL (Errington War Memorial Hall) 

NB Apparently renos are done at the big hall - but our regular booking was "stolen" LOL so for this session ONLY, we have to do the smaller hall next door until Intermediates. Please come in if you are early but be SILENT if class is still in session. Help moving duns over to the big hall (and for general set up of chairs, etc) would be greatly appreciated (from 5:00 - 5:15 pm) - cheers! _________________________________________________ 

BRADLEY CENTRE, 975 Shearme Rd. Coombs To register, use this link: https://form.jotform.com/242316587263258 

***NEW!*** DRUMS ALIVE Wednesdays, 4:00 - 5:00 pm Oct 9 - Nov 27 (participants must bring their own exercise ball, inflated, preferably 65" or larger) ____________________________________________________ 

LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY HALL, Qualicum Bay 

To register and FMI, email me! There are only a few spots left in this course.... 

**NEW!** Radiant Lotus Qigong for Women (RLWQ) 

Oct 17 (Intro class) through Nov 28, Thursdays 10 am - 11:15 am. 

If you are interested in the amazing practice of Radiant Lotus Qigong for Women, developed by renowned Qigong teacher Daisy Lee, which offers dynamic (yet extremely gentle) techniques for healing and empowerment, please let me know asap! The power of the Radiant Lotus Qigong Practice is in embodying how women can heal, nourish, and harmonize their bodies, emotions, and mind. Practicing or “playing” Qigong dissolves blockages in your flow of Qi, enabling your full life-force energy to move smoothly and radiate out into all aspects of your daily life. __________________________________________________ 

WINTER SOLSTICE DRUM CIRCLE/POTLUCK/FUNDRAISER As always, we will gather to drum together, share food together and spread love & joy through rhythm; we're into our 6th year of sending Mary Clare through school in Kenya through our fundraising efforts -- way to go, tribe! Stay tuned for details regarding date and venue; I'm trying to get us into the Errington War Memorial Hall this year..... _____________________________________________ 

In the spirit of rhythm, 

Monica

Winter Solstice Event

and

Monica’s 2024 schedule of drumming (so far J)

 

 

Hello drumming enthusiasts!

 

This year’s Winter Solstice Drum/Potluck/Fundraiser will be DEC 18^th from 4 – 6 pm at the Royston Hall (at the lights in Royston). Please bring a potluck dish to share (pre-cooked, we haven’t rented the kitchen) with anywhere from 15 – 40 people J (and your own plates & eating utensils) as well as any drums/rhythm instruments you may have! As always, family and friends are invited and there will be extra drums available for use. AND if you are feeling so inclined, we are once again raising funds for another year of schooling for our dear Mary Clare in Kenya! Please check emails before heading out – as always, this event is weather-dependent! OH: and have I mentioned how much I LOVE POTLUCKS?!?

 

Please note: my refund/credit policy is changing a bit for 2024 for Royston classes. There will be no refunds or credits issued in the event that classes are cancelled due to weather or instructor illness (you may have noticed the latter has not happened for the last almost 4 yrs!!). If, however, weather or instructor illness force more than 2 weeks of cancellations, credits for any missed classes above the initial 2 will be issued to those students requesting them. Everyone attending my classes should be receiving, free of charge, videos to use for at-home practice and, as many of my current students (you know who you are, thank you! J) have pointed out, this allows all of you to get into the groove even when classes are not in session due to unforeseen circumstances. If this is an issue for anyone, you can always feel free to pay the drop in fee instead of paying up front for the full session….Thank you all for your understanding!

 

SCHEDULE 2024 (for now)

 

 

COURTENAY REC – register 250 338 5371 asap (some classes fill quickly and registration has been open since Nov 14)

 

Intermediate African Drumming:

Fridays, January 12 – March 22 (no class February 9) 12 noon- 1:00 pm Native Sons Upper Hall

 

Beyond Beginners African Drumming:

Fridays, January 12 – March 22 (no class February 9) 1:30 – 2:30 pm Native Sons Upper Hall

***as there is no beginners class scheduled, please sign up for this class for now if you are a Beginner and/or don’t feel ready as a Beyond Beginner to move to Intermediate. I will be in discussion with Courtenay Rec early January to determine how this class will look and will be in touch with those registered. If you are uncertain as to what to register for, email me J NB Beginners WILL BE offered again in the spring session but there is never any guarantee that it will run – very dependent on numbers so get those friends of yours registered!***

 

Drums Alive for Every-Body:

Mondays, January 22 – March 18 (no class February 19) 12:15 – 1:15 pm Native Sons Upper Hall

 

 

ROYSTON – pre-register by emailing me

 

Mondays, January 22 – March 18 (no class February 19)

 

Intermediate Dun duns (African bass drums): 2:30 – 3:15 pm

Intermediate African Drumming: 3:30 – 4:30 pm

**sorry no beginner duns this session (anyone interested, please send me an email so I can gauge numbers for a possible class in spring)**

 

 

ERRINGTON  - pre-register through ACRA (Arrowsmith Community Recreation Association) or by emailing Kristine: stephenson@live.ca

 

Tuesdays, February 27 – May 14 (no class March 26), Errington War Memorial Hall

 

Beginner African Drumming: 3:00 – 3:45 pm

Intermediate Dun duns (African bass drums): 4:00 – 4:30 pm

**sorry no beginner duns, only those attending Intermediate Djembe can sign up for this class**

Intermediate African Drumming: 4:30 – 5:30 pm

 

***NEW***

Wednesdays, March 6 – May 1 (no class March 27), Errington War Memorial Hall

DRUMS ALIVE: 5:30 – 6:30 pm

***Please spread the word about this class starting up again in Errington! Check out what it’s all about by visiting: Drums Alive Comox Valley on Facebook J ***

 

--

Monica 

AMAZING WEEKEND OF DRUM & DANCE with Kocassale Dioubate!

We had a wonderful weekend drumming and dancing with Koca (Nov 11-12)! Thanks to all who contacted me to express interest: it was a FULL HOUSE! 

Koca is now on his way back to Guinea for a number of months; but when he comes back (2024), he and I have something INCREDIBLE planned for all you rhythm lovers! STAY TUNED :)