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Hello Friends, I know, long time no speak, but there have been a lot of exciting developments in the last four or five months. First of all, Mary and I had our third child, Rhiannon, on the first of August. She was born in Salmon Arm, BC, close to Mary's family. She is a great baby and has been an amazing addition to our family. Since returning from BC I have put almost all my energy into the biggest project of my life - The Village Drum and Dance Studio & Boutique. This project may fulfill a long time dream of mine to have a centralized location for drum sales, lessons, manufacture and repair. We will also host concerts, drum circles, and workshops. And of course lessons and workshops in African and other traditional dance. We have found an ideal building in an are a of Hull that is experiencing a lot of revitalization. It will house The Village in one section of the building and generate income by renting out a second retail location, and upstairs office space. The building will be owned, managed and maintained by a federally incorporated company. We are selling shares in this company to generate our start up capital. Investors will get a guaranteed return of at least 5% annually on their investment, and that percentage will increase yearly as the business grows. Shares are $100 each. We need to have the best idea possible of our start up capital by November 1, 2008. If you are interested (or know someone who might be) in investing not only in an income generating business, but in a new cultural landmark in the National Capital region, please email or call as soon as possible. 819-682-8827. There are lots of events worth attending in November. Here are a few to mention.
Workshop and Concert with Francis Kofi Akotuah - Direct from Ghana! Workshop with Leo Brooks in Carlsbad Springs, ON - November 22. Workshop with Leo Brooks in Renfrew, ON - November 29 New and greatly improved Treefrog Percussion Djembes on the way! Winter Drum Circle - Hosted by Jeremy Wrench
Adult Beginner Hand Drumming Classes I am offering a follow up class to the beginner's class I gave at the OJCC in the fall. It is open to anyone who has taken a beginner's class with me. When: Wednesdays, April 2 to 23, 2008 Where: The Ottawa Jewish Community Centre (Off Carling, South onto Broadview, then Left) http://www.jccottawa.com/index.html These classes will be based mostly on my book, 'Introduction to Hand Drumming - Part 1.' Workshop and Concert with Francis Kofi Akotuah PUBLIC DRUM WORKSHOP November 15, 10 am to 1 pm Concert AKPOKLI with guest performer from Ghana FRANCIS KOFI AKOTUAH Mercury Lounge Exceptional Ghanaian performer Francis Akotuah is on his first tour to Canada, to work with professional musicians Mr. Something Something, among others. Funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, Akotuah's visit will also bring him to Ottawa to work with Akpokli, under the direction of Larry Graves. On November 15, at 8:00 p.m. they will perform at the Black Sheep inn with Akpokli, as well as a public workshop earlier that day. Akpokli is a group of drummers and dancers dedicated to the study and performance of Ghanaian music. They are part of Baobab Tree Drum Dance Community which offers arts programming for ages seven and up. Baobab Tree was established in the Ottawa area in 1995. For ticket information contact Workshop with Leo Brooks in Carlsbad Springs, ON - Novemeber 22 This workshop will be aimed at beginners with little to no drumming experience. Drums can be rented for the afternoon. November 22 $30 ($35 if a drum is needed) To register, contact Workshops with Leo Brooks in Renfrew, ON - Novemeber 29 Trinity St. Andrew's United Church Beginners: 9 a.m. – Noon $30.00 per class or $50 for both limited space available Contact: Debi Virtue @ 613-432-0908 or debivirtue@distributel.netNew and Improved Treefrog Percussion Djembes on the way! After spending the summer drawing new blueprints and designs, Leo has been busy creating a new set of djembes and djembeks. The new djembes series includes full sized djembes in 3 widths (roughly 24" tall by 13", 12", and 11" wide), as well as a backpacker djembe (roughly 20" x 10"). Djembeks are a djembe - doumbek hybrid also available in three sizes. Photos of these drums will be posted on the website soon. Now taking orders for Christmas. Prices range from $150 to $500. Contact Leo for more details. Winter Drum Circle - Hosted by Jeremy Wrench This is a 3 hour (!) free-style drum circle. In the first hour or so (depending on demand) players can share rhythms in an informal semi-structured learning/teaching circle. From there it can evolve into an open jam. There’ll be a kettle for hot water with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate available for anyone at no cost. When: Nov 15, 6:30pm until 9:30pm Cost: One-time payment of $5 for the whole winter!! Directions: : The Field House is a one story brick building in the southwest section of Champlain Park at Clearview and Cowley Avenues. It’s off the transit way between Tunney’s Pasture station and Westboro station, a ten minute walk from either. The 18 goes along Scott street (get off at Carleton St) and gets you within a 5 minute walk, or the 151 (a milk run bus…) takes you right to the park (it’s a hard to see stop-ask the bus driver). There is a small parking lot at the north end of the park and ample street parking. Use the above "links" for more details about bus routes and street maps. Hope to see you there! Children are welcome. Bring other percussion - bells, shakers. There is a [small] number of drums available for those without. Benkadi CD now available - Order Yours NOW! ANNOUNCING THE RELEASE OF THE FIRST RELEASE FROM BENKADI - "MONÉ MANI"! Benkadi are a group of young musicians from the Simbaya district of Conakry, Guinea. This CD contains eight tracks of deliciously arranged Djembe, Dundun, Balafon and Vocals recorded live in Guinea in February 2006. The ten musicians featured on this disc include Fodé "Blackie" Konaté (nephew of djembe legend Famoudou Konaté), Mohamed Kouyaté (Balafonist on both of Billy Konaté's releases), and many other talented musicians directly and indirectly influenced by the Konaté family. Tracks include Kassa, Sinté, Wassolon Soli, Soboninko and more. This CD is $15 CAD. (add $2 for shipping anywhere in Canada). Every penny of proceeds from this recording goes directly back to the musicians who made it. Your support will help them both in their musical endeavors and their physical well being immeasurably. To order, contact Leo Brooks at leo@treefrogpercussion.ca.
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Hello Friends, and Happy Spring! Lots of great stuff happening in the month of April. Drumming at every turn! Check out the workshops and concert with M'Bemba Bangoura for certain. I currently have loads of drums and Balafons for sale. Great prices. Please email or call if you are interested. 819-682-8827 Anyway, here is the scoop
West African Dance Classes with Shara Weaver Workshops with master drummer M'Bemba Bangoura presented by Djembe.ca Upcoming events with Baobab Tree - Music and Dance from Ghana Akpokli Drum and Dance looking for members! Classes and Workshops with Louis M'Bani and Percussimo Winter Drum Circle - Hosted by Jeremy Wrench - Last one for the Winter!
Adult Beginner Hand Drumming Classes I am offering a follow up class to the beginner's class I gave at the OJCC in the fall. It is open to anyone who has taken a beginner's class with me. When: Wednesdays, April 2 to 23, 2008 Where: The Ottawa Jewish Community Centre (Off Carling, South onto Broadview, then Left) http://www.jccottawa.com/index.html These classes will be based mostly on my book, 'Introduction to Hand Drumming - Part 1.' Level 2 Classes at the Ottawa Jewish Community Centre I am offering a follow up class to the beginner's class I will be giving in April at the OJCC. It is open to anyone who has taken a beginner's class with me. When: Wednesdays, May 14 to June 4, 2008 Where: The Ottawa Jewish Community Centre (Off Carling, South onto Broadview, then Left) http://www.jccottawa.com/index.html West African Dance classes with Shara Weaver Hi to all dancers,
Workshops with master drummer M'Bemba Bangoura presented by Djembe.ca Catherine Veilleux writes: Do you know M'Bemba Bangoura? He is one of the great master drummers in the world, he is also Michael Markus' master and I went to study with him for both my trips in Guinea. M'Bemba teaches worldwide so we are very, very lucky to have him here for a week. I am extremely proud to offer you these workshops. Don't miss this unique occasion to learn from this great master! Please pass the info! All details on www.djembe.ca Catherine Veilleux and DJEMBE.CA presents Workshops At L'Avant-Première Saturday April 19th Sunday april 20th Concert YAYÉ and COBRA DU MANDINGUE Billets / tickets: 15$ To Register Workshop 1 2 3 4 5 6 (circle all which you will be attending) email: catherine@djembe.ca Cheques payable to Catherine Veilleux Upcoming events with Baobab Tree - Music and Dance from Ghana UPCOMING BAOBAB TREE EVENTS: Classes: Spring classes for kids and adults begin the last week of March and first week of April. Reserve your spot as they are filling up!?Full schedule is on the website: www.baobabtree.org/html/classes.htm Teacher Training Weekend Workshop: March 28-30 here in Ottawa; some spots still available for those interested in taking the drum/dance experience to a new level. Hosted by Kathy Armstrong, Gaelen Hart and Heather Berry-Smith Spring Performances: featuring Akpokli and Baobab Youth and accompanying workshops w/Larry Graves and Shara Weaver Contact us to register or buy tickets: info@baobabtree.org (613)725-6994 Akpokli Drum and Dance Troupe looking for members
More details for all programs and concerts can be found on our website Classes and Workshops with Louis M'Bani and Percussimo Parent and child drum and dance classes for the summer! Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:00p.m. Half an hour of drumming, half an hour of dance. $15 per family per night (parents and 2 kids). Aditional kids are $5 each. For more information contact Groupe Percussimo, Louis Mbani, Artistic Director Winter Drum Circle - Hosted by Jeremy Wrench This is a 3 hour (!) free-style drum circle. In the first hour or so (depending on demand) players can share rhythms in an informal semi-structured learning/teaching circle. From there it can evolve into an open jam. There’ll be a kettle for hot water with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate available for anyone at no cost. When: April 12, 6:30pm until 9:30pm Cost: One-time payment of $5 for the whole winter!! Directions: : The Field House is a one story brick building in the southwest section of Champlain Park at Clearview and Cowley Avenues. It’s off the transit way between Tunney’s Pasture station and Westboro station, a ten minute walk from either. The 18 goes along Scott street (get off at Carleton St) and gets you within a 5 minute walk, or the 151 (a milk run bus…) takes you right to the park (it’s a hard to see stop-ask the bus driver). There is a small parking lot at the north end of the park and ample street parking. Use the above "links" for more details about bus routes and street maps. Hope to see you there! Children are welcome. Bring other percussion - bells, shakers. There is a [small] number of drums available for those without. Benkadi CD now available - Order Yours NOW! ANNOUNCING THE RELEASE OF THE FIRST RELEASE FROM BENKADI - "MONÉ MANI"! Benkadi are a group of young musicians from the Simbaya district of Conakry, Guinea. This CD contains eight tracks of deliciously arranged Djembe, Dundun, Balafon and Vocals recorded live in Guinea in February 2006. The ten musicians featured on this disc include Fodé "Blackie" Konaté (nephew of djembe legend Famoudou Konaté), Mohamed Kouyaté (Balafonist on both of Billy Konaté's releases), and many other talented musicians directly and indirectly influenced by the Konaté family. Tracks include Kassa, Sinté, Wassolon Soli, Soboninko and more. This CD is $15 CAD. (add $2 for shipping anywhere in Canada). Every penny of proceeds from this recording goes directly back to the musicians who made it. Your support will help them both in their musical endeavors and their physical well being immeasurably. To order, contact Leo Brooks at leo@treefrogpercussion.ca.
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Leo playing djembe for his Step-dad's 70th Birthday |
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This (roughly) bi-monthly newsletter announces drumming related events, such as classes, workshops, and concerts, in and around Ottawa.
Talking Drums is designed to keep members of Ottawa's drumming community involved in drumming related activities. It is sent as events arise, usually only once every two months.
Leo is always delighted to include any news of drumming based or relevant events in or around Ottawa. If you would like to submit something to be included in the newsletter, simply Email Leo with all the pertinent info and he will do his best to include it! Leave him as much time as possible to ensure that it will be included.
You won't regret it.