Power of the Drum

IABAS songs

2008-04-27T20:50:00.002-04:00

Greetings Drummers,
Great session today with Gerri and Lasha from the band IABAS.
Here are the words to the songs we learned today.
This is in preparation for our performance JUNE 14TH.
Until we meet and drum again..
Paz,
Fre

1.YEMANJA ODO
E DE MUSHEKE
E DE MUSHEKE
A COTA DE IRESE

2. DO MI SHALO OFE
DO MI SHALO OFE

3.A NINI BU
OMI ODO ORISHA
A NINI BU
OMI ODO ORISHA

4. E NANA ALUAE
E PA EPA
E NANA ALUAE
E PA EPA

5. I YA LODE IYA
I YA LODE IYA
ALODE ALODE IYA

6. E MORIO, E MORIO
E MORI FAO

Back in action

2008-03-11T20:39:00.002-04:00

Greetings Drummers.
My apologies to all of you who showed up to drum on Sunday.
There was some confusion as to who would open up and lead the circle.
I'm sorry if some of you showed up and were not able to enter the community center.
I am still recovering from the flu and I am slowly getting back to my usual
energetic self. Thanks to all of you who have sent well wishes.
There will not be a circle this week, 3/16 as I will be out of town.
I look forward to our gathering on 3/23, Easter sunday.
I miss drumming with everyone. There is a lot to prepare for in the next few weeks.
I will be performing on April 4th at UCCC. I hope many of you will be able to join me for this
Diversity program.
That's the update for now.
Until we meet and drum again.
Paz,
Fre

MLK Celebration Torrington CT 1/20/08

2008-01-24T17:16:00.000-05:00

Greetings Drummers.
Hope you all had a chance to remember, act, and celebrate on the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Here is a link to our friend Eli's blog. It has some photo's of our event and a short musical clip.
Looking forward to drumming again this sunday.
Paz,
Fre

http://firesofcreation.gaia.com/blog/2008/1/happy_martin_luther_king_jr_day

2008-01-24T16:59:00.000-05:00

Greetings Drummers.
Here’s a photo from our trip to Florida. We are standing with the principal and student drummer from the William Dandy Middle School. Program organizer Bobby Poplar is also standing with us. Her organization FIPER brought us down to Ft. Lauderdale to help prepare students for the MLK march. Check out the news clip of that event at:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-121kingday,0,6000862.story

Our Florida experience was outstanding. We sang and drummed with students of all ages and to a packed house at the Community Senior Center. Bobby was a terrific host and at the same time, a powerhouse community nonviolence activist. One of my highlights was rockin out with the drum line at the William Dandy Middle School. We were playing “We Shall Overcome” Samba Reggae Style.
When we first landed in Florida I was at baggage claim waiting for my drum to emerge and standing right next to me was Rita from our Woodstock drum circle. She was picking up her son Lucas who came in on the same flight. I can remember her sons as small boys drumming in our circle so many years ago. I did not however, recognize the young man standing before me. Rita says she misses the sunday drumming circle and she sends her love to everyone.
Until we meet and drum again,
Paz,
Fre

Florida 2008

2008-01-24T16:54:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year

2008-01-07T10:26:00.000-05:00

Greetings Drummers.
On January 6th we recorded the Winter Rhythm at our regular sunday drum circle in Woodstock. Many thanks to all who participated. And many thanks to Crystal Star for posting it on the Elders Drum Project website.
Sunday was also our "Ring in the New Year Gong-a-thon". The drums were accompanied by gongs chimes bells and other improvised metal instruments. What a great way to start the new year!
Check out prior entry with link to the Burning Man utube clip. Brings back great memories of that fantastic summer night of drumming by the fire.
The photo of boy with flags is our dear drummer Dylan. He has been in our drum circle since he was just a baby. At first, he would sleep during our drum circle but as he got older he began to participate in various ways. He remembers when he was 4 or 5 years old, going around the circle playing everyone's drum. As he grew older he became more focused on dance. People have raved about seeing the "Birds of a Feather" Drum Ensemble with the young boy dancer.
In December, Dylan turned 11 years old. He was so happy when the drum circle sang the birthday drum medley to him. We took some time to reflect on his life in the drum circle and how we have watched him grow. He has become quite accomplished as a drummer and recently he has been chanting in the circle as well. He and his mom Tasha, and grandma Angel, represent 3 generations of drummers in our circle. I want to thank all the Birds for your patience and support of Dylan over all these years. This is community drumming at its best!
I carry the heartbeat of the drum with me as I travel with Victoria to Florida to spread the message of peace.
I will miss you all. See you on Jan 27th.
Blessings.
Until we meet and drum again....
Paz,
Fre

Burning Man Video

2008-01-06T21:16:00.000-05:00

For those of you who would like to relive the experience, here is the link to the Romer Mountain Park Burning Man video on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZDMuN643Vw

A Vision for the New Year

2007-12-19T12:13:00.000-05:00

Ice and Snow

2007-12-16T12:40:00.000-05:00

Greetings Drummers,
So sorry to cancel Woodstock drum circle today.
I will drum with you all in spirit from here in
icy snowy Ct.
We will not meet again until the 6th of January.
This will be our New Years Gong-a-thon Circle.
Bring your gongs, bells, chimes, jingles and jangles.
Winter Solstice is at 6 am on the 22nd.
Winter Rhythm will be posted on the website in time
to drum in the Solstice.
Please refrain from playing the Autumn Rhythm
after the Eve of the 21st.
I will be leading a Solstice Circle in Woodbury CT
on Dec. 20. Check the website for details.
The premier performance of my High Meadow students
at the Frozendale Festival Dec. 8th was an uplifting
magical moment. Children and adults all joined in to sing
together, this little Light of Mine, Shine Shine Shine,
Winter Solstice, and the classic, Jingle Bells. The students
rang their bells and sang as the Rosendale Library lights
came on. The festival lived up to it's name, we were all
frozen by the end of the performance.
We were surprised and saddened to learn that
a fire destroyed the Canaltown Alley Arts Center.
This is where we held our Rosendale tuesday night
drum circle. We will be looking for a new location
when we resume in Feb. 08.
That's the update for now.
Stay warm and cozy.
Until we meet and drum again....
Paz,
Fre

Link to the Elders Drum Project

2007-11-25T18:19:00.000-05:00

www.eldersdrumproject.org

Welcome to the Power of the Drum Blog!

2007-11-25T17:33:00.000-05:00

Greetings Drummers!!
Welcome to your one stop resource for tips on drumming, drum circles and all things related to the power of the drum.