2015 Description of Classes

FRIDAY:

NEENA MCNAIR: OPENING BLESSING   5:00pm

JENI SWERDLOW: CAMPFIRE OPENING DRUMMM CIRCLE  7:00 pm                                                                                                                                                                                     MABIBA  and  SENA:  CULTURE, DRUMS, SONGS from MOTHER AFRICA

SATURDAY CLASSES:

CAMPFIRE CIRCLE: 7:00pm

DEBBIE FIER: BODY PERCUSSION    

OUIDA LEWIS: JAMAICAN CULTURE, DRUM AND SONG

 

CAROLYN BRANDY    9:30 – 11:00 [PINE SOUTH]

FUNDAMENTALS OF RHYTHM AND BASIC CONCEPTS FOR CONGA DRUMMING  BEGINNERS

We will be working on basic concepts for all music such as the downbeat, upbeat and syncopation. We will then start putting rhythms together using the accent feels that we learn. The work will focus on basic rhythms (and sounds) that are African based, and found in Afro-Cuban drumming: Clave, Bombo, Tresillo etc. We will use percussion instruments for the class activities. Bring your congas, djembes, bells, sticks, claves, what ever you have.

 

SENA KUGBEGA  9:30 – 11:00   [REDWOOD CENTRAL]

DRUM, DANCE AND SONG FROM GHANA – ALL LEVELS

 

NEENA MCNAIR   9:30 – 11:00   [EUCALYPTUS NORTH]                                                                                                                                                                                                            NATIVE AMERICAN PLAINS-STYLE DRUMMING   ALL LEVELS
We’ll be sharing songs and respect for the mother drum indigenous to the Great Plains. We’ll make drumsticks, discussing origin of materials, and share songs and rhythms and dances specific to this particular drum. We also explore the many reasons women are called to this style of drumming and find another community of nurturing support. Please come share your knowledge and gather some, too.

 

 

LARISSA MONTFORT  9:30 – 11:00 [MEADOW]

WEST AFRICAN DUNDUN DANCE – ALL LEVELS

Drum while you Dance, Dance while you Drum. We will explore one version of Kuku, a women’s fishing dance from Guinea.  We will learn several stick patterns and dance simple moves around the drums.  Build your coordination and technique. Dununba and Sangban drums are preferred due to size.  Kenkeni drums are also welcome. No lifting of your drum is required during the dance. There will be several loaner drums available.

 

SUE KAYE (SUKI)    11:15 – 12:45   [PINE SOUTH]

CONGA AND NGOMA DRUM SONGS – ALL LEVELS WELCOME  

A Congo/Cuban  Combo class. We will learn Afro Cuban and Congolese style rhythms that can be played in drum groups, and as accompaniment for popular music. We’ll work on technique, and playing in an ensemble. Please bring other percussion as well-sticks,bells, claves, chekeres.

 

MABIBA BAEGNE  11:15 – 12:45 [REDWOOD CENTRAL]

DUNUN (BASS DRUMS) FROM GUINEA. Those drums are the heart of the Malinke rhythm: the bass drum are made from hallowed tree trunks cut to a cylindrical shape and covered with cowhide at both end: the musician strikes the drum with a wooden stick on one hand, while the other hand simultaneously holds a metal stick that is used to strike an iron bell attached to the drum. The Dunun comes in three different sizes. The names of the drums are: Kenkeni, the smallest and the keeper of the time; Sangban, the middle one is the heart; Dununba gives power and heat to the rhythm as well adding great rhythmic dimension; the bells bring another tonality and fill the space between the beats. In some regions they play one or two. Only in Kurussa and Kankan region, they play all tree Dununs and bells.

 

SUSU PAMPANIN    11:15 – 12:45   [EUCALYPTUS NORTH]                                                                                      

MIDDLE EASTERN RHYTHMS AND DRUMS — ALL LEVELS                                                                                                                                             Focus is on technique and drills to make the basic sounds used for playing rhythms on the various instruments in the a Middle Eastern rhythm section. We will explore  basic grooves in 2/4 and 4/4 , and also touch upon a couple of odd rhythms such as Turkish 9/8 Karshilama and 10/8 Jurjuna. Class will focus on basic technique for Darbouka (aka Egyptian Tabla, or Dumbek) , Riq, Frame Drum, and Finger Cymbals.

 

SYRA SMITH   11:15 – 12:45   [DINING AREA]

BASIC SKILLS FOR BEGINNERS                                                                                                                                                                                              This is an introduction class for beginners. Syra will show you how to hold your drum, how to make good sounds, and good technique. All drums are welcome.

 

REGINA WELLS aka RHASHIDA OJI  11:15 – 12:45 [MEADOW]

LIVING IN MY BODY’S RHYTHM AND TEMPO
Rhythm is naturalized in the body. Rosen Method Movement is the foundation of my offering for this class. If you’d like to move and drum with ease and joy and grow older gracefully, start here! Learn how simple, embodied movement awakens your inner knowing and wisdom. Cultivate the presence and awareness that becomes ease and pleasure in your body. Bring a blanket or mat to lie down on.

 

LALI MEJIA  2:00 – 3:30   [PINE SOUTH]

AFRO-VENEZUELAN PERCUSSION

Every 24th of June (during the summer solstice), Venezuelans and many other countries around the world celebrate the day of San Juan Bautista. In Venezuela, the festivities are held primarily in the central coast (north coast, Caribbean-facing) where the majority of Afro-Venezuelan communities reside. During this time, many towns and communities pay homage not only to their primary saint — San Juan Bautista — but also to their African roots and heritage by playing a variety of drumming styles both ceremonial and celebratory in nature. Almost every town within the central coast of Venezuela has a native drumming style, which identifies them greatly from a cultural perspective. This is a time where all residents in these small communities — the young, the elderly, visitors — take the streets and participate in one form or another, to give thanks, to ask for a particular wish, or for prosperity in the new year. 1. Quitipás: This magical, stomping bamboo ensemble is played in diverse regions of the state of Miranda, Venezuela, and is executed by 3-4 percussionists at a time. The “Quitiplas” is considered not only an instrument, but also a style of music, typically accompanied by vocalists, and a very elegant dance. The Quitiplas is also used as an educational tool for children to learn the polyrhythmic patterns implicit in most Afro-Venezuelan styles of drumming.

Traditional Instrumentation: Bamboo sticks: Prima, Cruzao, Quitiplas, Pujao; Maracas, Vocals. Participants may bring maracas. All other instruments will be provided. 2. Golpe/Tambor de Tarmas: A “golpe” literally means “hit of the drum”. “Golpes” are a drumming styles which showcase a “call-and-response” format, and typically exhibit a high energy, fast pace, almost trance-like exhuberance. We will be learning a golpe de tambor from the town of Tarmas in the central coast of Venezuela (state of Vargas). Traditional Instrumentation:

Cumaco Drum, campana drum, Palos (sticks), Maracas, Vocals

Participants should bring congas, sticks and maracas.

 

MAR STEVENS  2:00 – 3:30 [REDWOOD CENTRAL]

DJEMBE VIBRATIONS! – ALL LEVELS

Come and experience the power of the drum thru traditional West African rhythms.  Class will start with a short drum meditation to connect with the vibrations of the drum as you continue on your journey.  This class will help improve your technique, timing, listening skills, and confidence as you sit with the drum. Class is open to all levels.  Bring your djembe, djuns, congas, hand percussion, etc.

 

OUIDA LEWIS    2:00 – 3:30   [EUCALYPTUS NORTH]                                                                                      

GROUNATION: THE JOURNEY OF JAMAICA’S POPULAR MUSIC – ALL LEVELS

Class will take students through a basic short technique work and we will journey through the history of Jamaica’s traditional folk forms and show how reggae music was born from this.

 

BARBARA BORDEN    3:45 – 5:15   [PINE SOUTH]

IMPROVISING & SOLOING — ALL LEVELS OF PLAYING AND ALL DRUMS WELCOME

Barbara will be your guide into the world of improvising and soloing

using her simple step-by-step method. These concepts are applicable

to whatever kind of drum you play.

You will learn:

• What improvising is and what part it plays in drumming & music
• How to stay relaxed as you improvise
• How to use your whole body and energy field surrounding it
• How to access the still point within
• How to listen and follow
• Where and how to begin improvising
• How to create themes and variations
• How to transition from one rhythm to the next
• How to use dynamics (soft, loud and everything between)
• How to structure a solo
• How to trade two, four and eight bar solos
• How to continue your improvising and soloing practice

Come join the fun!!!

 

AFIA WALKING TREE   3:45 – 5:15   [REDWOOD CENTRAL]

GOURDSONG SHEKERE PLAYING — ALL LEVELS

One of Walking Tree’s specialties! Learn her/history, fundamentals and techniques of playing Shekere and naked gourd through interactive exercises. Finely strung and tuned professional quality Walking Tree Shekeres available for playing in class. First come first served.  If you can borrow someone’s Shekere we will have more than enough and lots of fun playing and dancing together.

 

 

MICHAELLE GOERLITZ   3:45 – 5:15   [EUCALYPTUS NORTH]                                                                                      

RIO-STYLE SAMBA BATUCADA – ALL LEVELS

We’ll go over basic technique on Brazilian instruments tamborim, agogo, surdo, repinique & caixa (snare drum). Then we’ll explore the different ways the instruments lock together & create the music that moves dancers down the street! Some instruments are provided, but feel free to bring yours as well.

 

SUNDAY CLASSES:

 

CAROLYN BRANDY   9:30 – 11:00   [PINE SOUTH]                                                                                

6/8 BEMBE SONGS, BELL AND DRUMS – ALL LEVELS                                                                                                                                                                                                     Come prepared to sing or drum, or play a Chekere or bell. Instruction will be given on all. By the end of the class we will be doing all three: Singing, drumming and moving.

 

AFIA WALKING TREE 9:30 – 11:00   [REDWOOD CENTRAL]

INTERMEDIATE DJEMBE FEVAH* (WEST AFRICAN)
Excel in your Djembe playing with body postures (sitting and standing), rhythm placement, introductions, accompaniments, and “Solos.”  Fine-tune specific hand techniques, rolls, flams and ambidextrous playing, and much more. *Course Prerequisite: Course taught at Advanced levels. Newbie and Beginning drummers are welcomed to observe/witness.  We will play rhythms from Guinea and contemporary riddims. This class is great preparation to drum for dance classes.  We will have a blast moving and drumming together getting more into our skins.

 

DEBBIE FIER  9:30 – 11:00 [EUCALYPTUS NORTH]                                                                                      

MIDDLE EASTERN CLASS – ALL LEVELS

In this class we will take time to focus on hand technique on Middle Eastern drums – Doumbeks, Darbukas, Riqqs and Tars. Once we get our basic technique going, we will learn traditional rhythms from the Middle East and N.Africa. These rhythms are fun & exciting! And maybe we’ll have some belly dancers close by who will come dance with us. Class is open to all levels. Bring your Dumbeks, Frame Drums, Riqqs (Egyptian tambourines) and hand percussion  – all other hand drums welcome! There will be a limited number of drums to borrow on a first come first serve basis. Come enjoy the power of the drum with our community!

 

 

SYRA SMITH  9:30 – 11:00   [DINING AREA]

BASIC SKILLS FOR BEGINNERS                                                                                                                                                                                              This is an introduction class for beginners. Syra will show you how to hold your drum, how to make good sounds, and good technique. All drums are welcome.

 

REGINA WELLS aka RHASHIDA OJI 9:30 – 11:00   [MEADOW]

LIVING IN MY BODY’S RHYTHM AND TEMPO
Rhythm is naturalized in the body. Rosen Method Movement is the foundation of my offering for this class. If you’d like to move and drum with ease and joy and grow older gracefully, start here! Learn how simple, embodied movement awakens your inner knowing and wisdom. Cultivate the presence and awareness that becomes ease and pleasure in your body. Bring a blanket or mat to lie down on.

 

MICHAELLE GOERLITZ   11:15 – 12:45 [PINE SOUTH]

AFRO BRAZILIAN HAND DRUMMING

Congas are welcome at this class, where we’ll play popular rhythms Samba de Roda (the “original” samba) and Ijexa.

 

SENA KUGBEGA     11:15 – 12:45 [REDWOOD CENTRAL]                                                                                                                                                                                               DRUM, DANCE AND SONG FROM GHANA – ALL LEVELS

 

OUIDA LEWIS   11:15 – 12:45   [EUCALYPTUS NORTH]                                                                                                                                                                                           GROUNATION: THE JOURNEY OF JAMAICA’S POPULAR MUSIC – ALL LEVELS                                                                                                                                                                     Class will take students through a basic short technique work and we will journey through the history of Jamaica’s traditional folk forms and show how reggae music was born from this.

 

ODILIA GALVAN RODRIGUEZ:     11:15 – 12:45 [DINING AREA]                                                                                                                                                                                                WRITING AS RITUAL — ALL LEVELS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        We will talk about how writing can become a ritual to bring
you in touch with, and honor your inner self, your voice, and the voices of your ancestors. We will be doing several free write exercises and sharing. Please bring pen and paper.
“La lucha revolucionaria… es una puerta abierta a la inteligencia… Revolutionary struggle… is an open doorway to intelligence”
- Frida Kahlo

 

ELIZABETH SAYRE:     2:00 – 3:30   [PINE SOUTH]                                                                                                                                                                                                AFRO-CUBAN BATÁ DRUMMING
 — ALL LEVELS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   This class is for any level of Batá student from beginner to advanced (intermediate or advanced players can try the iyá and/or make requests for what songs and rhythms to focus on in the class). We will first briefly review the basics of posture and technique for each of the three drums (Iyá, Itótele, Okónkolo), and we will talk very briefly about the history of the Batá drums–where they came from, what they are for, and how they have evolved. Depending on students’ experience and interest, we will cover several basic toques (rhythms) such as Yakotá, Sokutanibo, Iyamase lobi Changó, Ogún, Iyesá, Lubanche, or others.

 

MABIBA BAEGNE   2:00 – 3:30 [REDWOOD CENTRAL]                                                                                                                                                                                                 DUNUN (BASS DRUMS) FROM GUINEA. Those drums are the heart of the Malinke rhythm: the bass drum are made from hallowed tree trunks cut to a cylindrical shape and covered with cowhide at both end: the musician strikes the drum with a wooden stick on one hand, while the other hand simultaneously holds a metal stick that is used to strike an iron bell attached to the drum. The Dunun comes in three different sizes. The names of the drums are: Kenkeni, the smallest and the keeper of the time; Sangban, the middle one is the heart; Dununba gives power and heat to the rhythm as well adding great rhythmic dimension; the bells bring another tonality and fill the space between the beats. In some regions they play one or two. Only in Kurussa and Kankan region, they play all tree Dununs and bells.

 

SUSU PAMPANIN   2:00 – 3:30 [EUCALYPTUS NORTH]                                                                                      

MIDDLE EASTERN RHYTHMS AND DRUMS — INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED/SOME EXPERIENCE NEEDED
Middle Eastern Rhythm Section:  Focus on refining your technique with drills for increasing speed, reviewing short rolls and playing slaps, finger rolls. We will explore improvisation, and I will teach a Middle Eastern Style drum solo, both back-round rhythms and riffs. Please bring a Darbouka (aka Egyptian Tabla, or Dumbek) , Riq, Frame Drum, or Finger Cymbals.

 

AVOTCJA (PRONOUNCED AVACHA)   2:00 – 3:30   [DINING AREA]                                                                                                                                                                              WHEN ANCESTORS SPEAK THROUGH RHYTHM — ALL LEVELS                                                                                                                                                                                        For this Festival my Workshop will be “When Ancestors speak through Rhythm” It’s all about La Palabra Musical, The Music Of The Word, the Rhythm that speaks in us & through us & our responsibility in using this most sacred of gifts wisely. Be ready to write, bring your instruments & be prepared to surrender your egos to each other & the Music of the Word. I want to unlock a waterfall of poetic metaphors as strong as any Rhythm you’ve ever heard played on the Drum & see where it take us!!! I’m ready, are you?

4:00 — CLOSING CIRCLE