Upcoming Latin Drumming and Marimba Workshops with Robin Layne

On July 6th at the Royston Community Hall, well-known percussionist and marimba master Robin Layne returns to the Comox Valley to offer workshops to both beginner rhythm enthusiasts and more experienced drummers.

"I am looking forward to returning to the Comox Valley for another round of drum workshops and am especially excited to bring some marimbas along to share with workshop participants.  The marimba is one of my favourite instruments to play because it combines rhythm and melody and the sound  makes everyone feel happy!" Robin recently stated. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to experience this joyful sound while learning music from Africa and Latin America on this beautiful instrument. As well, there will be hand-drumming workshops for those new to drumming and for more advanced students.

In the Introduction to Latin Drumming workshop from 1:30 - 2:30 pm (designed for those who are newer to playing hand drums or complete beginners), participants will learn how to improve their drum sound, increase their independence and speed and get an introduction to Latin rhythms such as marcha from Cuba and samba-reggae from Brazil. From 2:45 - 3:45 pm, participants in the Marimba Workshop will learn how to play a scale and an arpeggio on the marimba while practicing a song in the tradition of Zimbabwean marimba music. "One of the greatest things about playing the marimba is that there is a part for everyone, and playing in a group is extremely fun!", says Robin. Space in this workshop is limited to 6 participants. 

And finally, from 4 - 5 pm in the Intermediate/Advanced Latin Drumming Workshop, designed for people who have experience playing drums and making music, the focus will be on the traditions of Rumba music from Cuba and working as an ensemble to learn how to put all the pieces together. Describing this workshop in more detail, Robin states: "The rumba will often have 6-10 drummers and singers and 3-4 dancers in a group. We will cover guanguanco, which has three interlocking drum parts, clave, shekere, and cascara. Participants will learn solo phrases, a break into and out of the rhythm and how to have conversations between the drums." Time permitting, Robin will also teach a simple choro and a dance step that accompanies the rumba. 

Robin believes that music and drumming are about building community and  always loves coming to Comox because of the wonderful, strong rhythm community to be found here. Come out and take a workshop or two and join in on the  potluck and drum jam for all participants planned the end of the day (5:30 - 7:00pm). Individual workshops are $25, any two for $40 and pre-registration is necessary. FMI on Robin Layne, please visit www.robinlayne.ca and FMI on these exciting upcoming workshops and to pre-register call Monica, local African drumming instructor and drum circle facilitator, at 250.338.1444 or emaildrumdeva@gmail.com

Drumming is good for body and soul!

These days the ancient sound of African djembe drums can be heard anywhere from outside office buildings to parks to the inside of school gymnasiums. People have discovered the amazing healing powers of drumming and are reaping the many benefits of “getting into the groove”.

The current proponents of drumming in community are no longer shamans, but more likely drum circle facilitators, music teachers, fitness instructors, psychotherapists and counselors – to name but a few. Indigenous peoples have always incorporated drumming into celebrations, rituals and healing; now this ancient wisdom is being cultivated and used to spread joy, create community, relieve stress, enhance spiritual, emotional and physical well-being and even to treat many modern illnesses.

It may seem unusual to think that one of the best antidotes to many of the pressures of our modern world comes in the form of a drum, but scientific studies - by renowned psychoneuroimmunologist Barry Bittmann, for example - have proven that aside from the spiritual and social benefits of rhythmic activity, drumming in a safe, encouraging circle actually enhances the immune system and increases the effectiveness of killer-T cells in the body, literally protecting us from many forms of cancer and other debilitating illnesses.

Drumming has a marked effect on brain wave patterns. When people with irregular or weak brain rhythms (such as those suffering from Alzheimer’s), or people who are stressed and consistently in their “left brain”, regularly participate in drumming activities, left-right brain integration is stronger and brainwaves become more organized while changing in frequency to a level where one feels more in tune, more balanced and more meditative.

Drumming as therapy can also be used in couple’s counseling, in prisons, in senior’s centres and in schools, where it has been especially effective with children presenting various learning challenges. But drumming is not only for specialized areas – it is for EVERYONE! The simple act of coming to a drumming class, participating in a local drum circle or exercising to the beat of a Drums Alive® event gives a person the opportunity to relieve stress, experience joy and communicate with others in stress-free, non-verbal, positive and healing way.

When drumming is combined with exercise as in a Drums Alive® session, where participants combine beating on fitness balls with dance and movement, it is a very powerful tool indeed. While drumming alone gives you all the usual benefits of a good workout – stress relief, improved self-confidence, muscle tone and health - drumming combined with dance/movement enhances all the usual physical and emotional effects of physical exercise. Integrating drumming into a fitness class is a total body, mind and spiritual approach to wellness.

We are born in rhythm, listening to our mother’s heartbeat in the womb. Our bodies are rhythmic – our blood flows, our heart beats and our lungs breathe in patterns. We change and move with the seasons – in short, we are surrounded by rhythms and thus it is no surprise that our bodies innately respond to the rhythms of drumming. So if you are feeling out of sync or stressed, or just looking for a way to joyfully connect with the primal energies of our world and with other like-minded folk, consider fitting drumming into your lifestyle and start moving to a whole new beat. There are only positive side-effects!

Upcoming Opportunities to Drum (and dance)!

Hello Drum, Dance and Rhythm Enthusiasts!

Happy New Year - may it be blessed with peace, happiness, community and joyful rhythms!

Here is Monica's schedule for the upcoming months; hopefully you'll find something here that interests you….

Classes through Courtenay Recreation, register (soon!) at 250.338.1000 or 250.338.5371 

Drums Alive!

Mondays, 1:45 - 2:45 pm Jan 20 - Feb 24 and Mar 3 - Mar 31 (no class Feb 10)  at the Upper Native Sons Hall

Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm Jan 15 - Feb 12 and Feb 19 - Mar 19  at the Upper Native Sons Hall

Beginners African Drumming, Wednesdays  5 - 6 pm  Jan 15 - Feb 19 and Feb 26 - Apr 2  at the Upper Native Sons Hall

Intermediate/Advanced African Drumming  Mondays  11:45 am - 12:45 pm  Jan 13 - Feb 24 and Mar 3 - Apr 7 (no class Feb 10)  at the Upper Native Sons Hall

Classes in Campbell River, register through Campbell River Recreation 

"Cooked Beginners" African Drumming, Tuesdays 6 - 7 pm Jan 14 - Feb 11 and Feb 18 - Mar 18, Apr 8 - May 6 and May 13 - June 10 at the Sportsplex

"Beginner Beginner" African Drumming, Tuesdays 5 - 6 pm Apr 8 - May 6 and May 13 - June 10

Drums Alive!, Saturdays 1 - 2 pm   May 10 Free Class  followed by series May 17 - June 28 (no classes May 24 and June 14) at the Sportsplex

Classes at the Royston Community Hall, register with Monica at the door first day of class

Intermediate African Drumming, Sundays  4:30 - 5:30 pm  Jan 12 - Feb 16 and Feb 23 - Mar 30, Apr 6 - May 18 (no class Apr 20) and May 25 - June 29 

Dun Dun Class, Sundays  5:30 - 6:00 pm  Jan 12 - Feb 16 and Feb 23 - Mar 30, Apr 6 - May 18 (no class Apr 20) and May 25 - June 29 

Advanced African Drumming, Sundays  6:00 - 7:00 pm  Jan 12 - Feb 16 and Feb 23 - Mar 30, Apr 6 - May 18 (no class Apr 20) and May 25 - June 29

NB June 22 class combined Intermediate + Advanced and Duns from 5 - 6 pm - Summer Solstice Fundraiser Drum/Potluck from 6 - 8 pm -

******If there is enough interest, I will run a 7 - 8 pm "performance oriented" class (starting in the 2nd session) with a max of 6 people; we will not actually be performing, but these classes will give you a taste of what it feels and sounds like to play in a small group with 3 duns and 2 - 3 djembes only, and we will work more intensely on weaving rhythms and using breaks + some solo techniques. A different group of 5 - 6 can register for each session. Please email Monica before Feb 18th to express interest and reserve your spot; first come, first served!*********

That's it folks! Stay tuned for special upcoming guest workshops!