Forest Circles and The DrumConnection Maine present:

A Summer Solstice Full Moon Drumming Event
featuring a Potluck Dinner and Authentic Rhythms from West Africa.

Come for an evening of drumming under the stars and around the fire circle as we welcome in the Full Moon of the Summer Solstice on the beautiful land at Forest Circles. This is a great time to be mindful and bring your intentions for positive change into the circle. Drum, dance, share some food and drink in community with old and new friends. While we hope for good weather, the event will run indoors at Forest Circles if it rains.

When: June 18th, 2008, Wednesday 5:30PM – 9:00PM
Where: Forest Circles Spiritual Center for Community and Healing, Topsham, ME. Visit www.forestcircles.com for directions. There are plenty of chairs for drumming around the fire circle.
Cost: $30 in advance; $35 at the door
What to Bring: Your Djembe or Ashiko drum, a main dish to share, comfortable clothing layers. (A limited number of rental drums are available. Cost is $5 for the evening. To reserve one in advance call: The DrumConnection Maine 207-319-7433)

Event Itinerary:

5:30PM - 6:30PM: Pot Luck Dinner
6:30PM – 8:30PM: West African Drumming Class and Fire Circle with teachers from The DrumConnection Maine
8:30PM – 9:00PM: Full Moon Lore and Grounding Ceremony with Regina Strongheart

For registration and more information contact Regina Strongheart at Forest Circles: 207-776-3152

For more information about Forest Circles and Regina Strongheart please visit: www.forestcircles.com

View or download a PDF of this flyer here .

Once again we hate to be without our drumming fix. Since our session ends the week before Memorial Day, but classes through Merrymeeting Adult Ed don’t start until June 24th, we have a full 4 weeks where we can have some fun with a new rhythm or two, get better at the Duns (bass drums-provided in-class,) as well as work on our technique becoming more expressive with our tones and slaps.

These classes will be mixed level, so beginners and on-going students are both welcome, and will run Tuesday evenings at our space in Bath (call for directions 207-319-7433.)

Dates: 4 Tuesdays – May 27th, June 3rd, 10th, 17th
When: 6PM – 8PM
Cost: $40 pre-paid or at the 1st class. $12 drop-in

We do have a limited number of rental djembe drums available. Please call in advance to reserve your drum. 207-319-7433. The cost is $5/class or $20 for the whole session.

In West Africa, djembe drumming masters are considered magicians. Join us for this lively and informal class and drum up some of your own magic! This will be a mixed level class, beginners are welcome. We will cover exciting rhythms from the Malinke region, while striving for proper playing technique. During nice weather we’ll play outside. Rental drums available $5 per week-call 207-319-7433 to reserve your drum.

Dates: 6/24/2008 – 8/12/08 for 8 weeks
Location: Brunswick High School Court Yard in nice weather, Library if raining
Day & Time: Tuesday Evenings 6PM -8PM
Fee: $65 Resident – Non-resident contact Merrymeeting for prices

Contact Merrymeeting Adult Ed to register for this course: Phone: 207-729-7323 or register on-line at: www.merrymeeting.org

NOTE: In the event that we do not get enough participants to hold this course through Merrymeeting Adult Ed, we will hold the class at our space in Bath and your money will be refunded through Merrymeeting.

This article was published in the Weekend Edition of The Times Record for April 13, 14, & 15, 2007.

BY SETH KOENIG
Times Record Staff

The sound of a West African drum ensemble isn't native to these parts.

But to call it "foreign" brings the connotation of distance and separation between West African villagers and people like Bath residents Eric and Barbara vanBok.

Interestingly, it is with folks like the vanBoks that West African drum legend Famoudou Konate sees the future of his art, which is several hundred years old.