The Wednesday night Beginner Drum Class at Dick Bathrick's home in Candler Park continues on June 18th, and this series will conclude on June 25th.  The class will go on break for the summer, so come out and play if you don't want to wait for a month or so.

 

Friday, June 20 2008-  NIA Dance Solstice Celebration, with live drumming:  Sandy Bramlett has once again asked me to play drums for the Nia Solstice Gathering, Friday June 20th at 5:30pm, at Glenn Lake Park in Decatur (on Church St.)  We will meet and dance in the grassy area near the pavilion (beyond the pool and tennis courts).  There's a small parking lot nearby.  That is also the night of the Decatur Beach Party!!  Your body feels the beat- your feet know exactly what to do!  Transformational sweat, healing energy- the drum speaks, our bodies dance- magic!  $10 donation suggested, potluck afterwards, drinks and utensils provided.  Invite folks to bring a dish to share.  In case of rain, this event will be held at Several Dancers Core in Decatur. No experience necessary, drummers and dancers are all invited!  Looking forward to dancing on the belly of Mother Earth!  For more info contact Sandy at 678-576-9553 or visit www.NiaAtlanta.com

 

Saturday, June 21 2008-  Summer Solstice Celebration with Spiral of Sound Crystal Bowl Choir and Living Mandala of Rhythm:  This is a reprise of the 2006 event in Piedmont Park, although this time the mandala and crystal bowl spiral will occur together as one event.  Drummers to gather in the big meadow near 10th and Monroe around 6:30pm, with a drum circle to play until about 7:30.  At 7:30 we will learn the stepping patterns and chants for the mandala, and at 8pm we will move up the hill to the spot just behind the park tavern.  The crystal bowl choir will be set up, and after some brief ceremonial work the bowls will begin to sound.  The concentric circles of the mandala will then begin to surround the bowls in layers.  The intention is to time the completion with sunset, around 8:50pm.  Please bring small shakers, rattles and/or candles for the mandala, no drums for this part of the evening, please.  Following the event, please walk to the Red Light Cafe on Amsterdam and join us for-

 

Saturday, June 21, 2008-  Ten Blocks Away in performance at the Red Light Cafe!   Fresh from rousing performances in Carrollton, GA and at the premier of the movie 'The Visitor', the percussion and vocal group "Ten Blocks Away" will play at the Red Light Cafe, 9:30pm, 553 Amsterdam, just off Monroe Drive on the east edge of Piedmont Park.  Phone the club at 404-874-7828.  $7 cover.  TBA to also perform at the Red Light August 9th.

 

Sunday, June 22, 2008:  The Emerson Drummers performing at First Metro Community Church service:  The Emerson Drummers will play at First MCC services, 11am.  See the church website at www.firstmcc.com   The church is located behind the McDonald's restaurant, just off North Druid Hills at the I-85 northbound entrance ramp.

 

Sunday, June 22 2008-  Drum Workshop with Antoinette Kudoto of Ghana:   (This is from my friend Sam Bathrick:)  I wanted to let you know that Antoinette Kudoto, Ghana's award-winning female master drummer, will be conducting drumming workshops with her daughter in Atlanta on Sunday, June 22nd from 2-4 pm at the Mulberry Fields Community Garden in Atlanta!! (Where I grew up).  Proceeds from these and other workshops support Nyame Tease, Antoinette's youth cultural troupe in Cape Coast, Ghana. There are still spots available, so please forward this around to anyone you know who might be interested. Whether you're just beginning or you're a seasoned pro, this is truly an amazing opportunity to study with one of Ghana's most dynamic performers, a wonderful teacher, and pioneer in the world of West African music. I've attached a flier for the workshop and the details are also pasted below.
        For the past few years, I have been working on a documentary film about Antoinette, who has really shattered the glass ceiling in a male-dominated cultural music scene in Ghana. To find out more about her historic journey, to view photos and videos, and to check out what else she'll be doing in the U.S., please visit http://womanofrhythm.blogspot.com/. Stops include New York, Washington D.C., Atlanta, and San Francisco.

 

Monday June 30, 2008-  Krishna Das in concert!  Live at the Variety Playhouse, whose website calls him the Pavarotti of Kirtan.  A rare appearance in Atlanta.

 

August 2nd-  Return to Forever in concert!  The legendary fusion band from the 70s reunited for a tour, appearing at the Cobb Energy Center.

 

August 23-24-  Drum Workshops with Bill Scheidt of Living Rhythms in Winston-Salem.  Bill is a Tam Tam Mandingue certified drumming instructor who travels regularly to teach workshops in Atlanta.  

 

        And on a personal note, I'm thrilled that my good friend Petro Bass is back in Atlanta!  Petro is a drum brother with whom I played for years, before he left Atlanta for stops in Hawaii, Florida, South Carolina and Colorado.  Welcome back Petro!