"One People--One Rhythm" Drummm Circle Unites Participants at Jewish Heritage Festival

The threat of rain didn't keep folks away from the Jewish Heritage Festival on the lawn of the State Capitol in Sacramento, California on May 3rd. Spirits soared as attendees happened upon the "One People--One Rhythm" Drum Circle, presented by Jeni Swerdlow and DRUMMM. Participants ranged in age from toddler to grandpa, and came from countries as far away as Israel, Mexico, Phillipines and Russia. It was a true sense of United Nations--united in rhythm! Things really heated up when a group of displaced belly dancers answered the call of the drum and descended upon the circle. One people, one rhythm indeed!

Community Corner: Inspiring people who impact the world of DRUMMM

Meet Ellen, a 78-year-young drummer. I had the pleasure of meeting Ellen at the first Thursday night DRUMMM Rhythmplay series at the San Francisco JCC last September. She came to class early to tell me that she had lost her hearing (she only hears white noise), lost her music (she used to play cello) and lost her zest for life. While Ellen had never played a drum before, she felt compelled to come try my drumming class. What has transpired over the past 8 months has been a story of transformation, reconnection, friendship and joy. This is Ellen's story...

What made you decide to start drumming?

I decided to drum after it was suggested by my therapist as a way to keep from being isolated and a bit depressed after many losses (family and friends) and the loss of my hearing. A push to get me active and involved again.

What was your musical life like before the hearing loss?

I played violin as a child and switched to cello at age 30. My siblings and my three sons all played and there was constant music at home. I played with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony, Connecticut College for Women, and Diablo Symphony in Walnut Creek when we moved to California. I took lessons all the time and would have continued if it weren't for my hearing loss at age 60.

What does drumming do you for? How has it impacted your life?

This class has brought me much joy, new friends, a feeling of being back in an orchestra. Although I don't hear the tones I feel the rhythms, and connecting with others and the being conducted by you is great. My life has been filled with music again. That's why this drumming is such a blessing for me, and my children are delighted too!

Is there a favorite drum you enjoy playing?

I enjoy playing the Bahia Bass Drum (REMO) because of it's deep tone, and holding it between my legs is very cello-like. That drum just seems to fit and I can drummm away for quite a long time without getting tired.

Please join Ellen, Jeni and the rest of the DRUMMM crew on Thursday nights:

***Thursday May 7th @ 7pm-9pm: Community Celebration DRUMMM CIRCLE, JCC SF-- FREE!

Meet Ellen and participate in a facilitated “hands-on” Drummm Circle, dine potluck-style, & celebrate the culmination of the latest Drummm Rhythmplay class. OPEN to the community, ALL ages welcome, NO experience necessary. Please bring a dish or beverage to share, and a drum or soundmaker if you have one. There will be extras on hand.

Location: JCC SF, 3200 California St, SF, CA 94118.

***Thursdays May 14^th-June 25^th @ 7-8:30pm: DRUMMM Rhythmplay Series, JCC SF

Play with Ellen, and unleash the drummer within!! Discover your natural sense of rhythm, connect with your community, release stress and have fun! Open to all levels of experience. Location: JCCSF: 3200 California St, SF, CA 94118.

Cost: $140 Member/$150 Public (6 classes). Early Registration Discount: Save $15 when you register by 5/15—just $125/$135. Returning students save an additional $10. Register: 415.292.1299 or www.jccsf.org.

Bring a drum or rent one for $30 for the series. Contact Jeni at jeni@drummm.com or 510.316.2850 to reserve a drum PRIOR to the first class.

DRUMMM RhythmPlay returns to EAST BAY!

Join Jeni Swerdlow and friends in a playfully challenging, stress-relieving drumming program for people of any level of experience. Learn drumming technique, improve coordination and explore a variety of world rhythms while connecting with your mind-body and your community.

Four Sessions: Tuesdays May 12, May 19, June 2, June 9
7-8:30pm

Location: JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA 94709

Cost: $100 for the series. Drum rental available for an additional $20. Contact jeni@drummm.com or 510.316.2850 to register/reserve a drum.
EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT: Save $10 when you register and pay by May 8th.

Catching up from World Rhythm Fest (Seattle)

I'm still vibrating from the Seattle World Rhythm Festival last weekend. It was three days of non-stop drumming and dance workshops, concerts and drum circles. Events took place in and around Seattle Center, and featured hundreds of performers, teachers and facilitators from all over the globe.

After attending the fest for five years, I had the honor and pleasure of presenting my first adult workshop this year: Bass Drummm 101--All bass drums, all the time! Forty people and as many dunun, surdos, alfaias, and Arthur Hull nesting drums you could shake a mallet at! When I say we shook the house, I mean WE SHOOK THE HOUSE!

Since I flew up from S.F., I was grateful that the community answered my call for drums. Jamtown John, John's Music, SWPS, and Michael Clark contributed drums and sticks from their own collection so that participants all had something to play.

I also learned about paradiddles from Pepe Danza, djembe solos from Ibrahima Camara, Guinean dance from Abdoulaye Sylla, Northern Brazilian Maracatu from Ju Linares, and Afro-Brazilian hip hop from Geoff Johns. I was inspired by the doubek stylings of Raquy and the Cavemen, and Mapathe Diop's Senegalese sabar rhythms.

Saturday evening everyone came together for Arthur Hull's drum circle, facilitated as playfully and masterfully as only the elf himself can do. Hundreds of people playing together in rhythmic bliss. I was of course taking notes the whole time...

At the Saturday night after party at Nectar Lounge, the energy just kept building with radical marching band Titanium Sporkestra. (My samba band, the Loyd Family Players, had played with them in Seattle earlier in the month at Honk Fest, so I was excited to see them play again.) Great grooves and unexpected twists and turns makes them fun to watch and dance to. And then there was Buraka Som Sistema from Portugal--two laptops, two live drummers, one rapper and one smoking hot singer/dancer--they really turned the heat up!

The festival wrapped up on Sunday with a grand celebration. Each corner of the pavilion was teeming with dozens of musicians from the West African, Afro-Cuban, Middle Eastern and Brazilian Samba School traditions. Master of ceremonies Kim Atkinson gracefully facilitated a dance-frenzy inducing multi-cultural jam. I was fortunate to play with Robert Wallace's group of funky sambistas, chanting "All bass, all the time" on my drum.

I left the Festival feeling full and satisfied. As always, I got more than I came for and I gave more than I knew I had. Thanks to everyone who helped make Rhythm Fest happen--I look forward to participating again next year!

"Drumming Dames" Photo Credit: Mary Ellen Edwards
Clockwise from right to left: Jeni Swerdlow, Heather Mac Tavish, Neysa Lettin, Cassidy DuHadway, Lulu Leathley, Mary Ellen Edwards, Alexandra Be.

DRUMMM makes a HIT at the de Young Museum!

Cultural Encounters Presents a Celebration of Earth Day and Warhol Live: the de Young goes Green with Common Ground magazine

An estimated 200 people came out to Jeni Swerdlow's Drummm Circle at the Pizzoni Murals room at S.F.'s de Young Museum on April 13th. A celebration of Earth Day and the Andy Warhol exhibit, the museum was vibrating to the beat of the drums as toddlers to seniors joined together in joyous rhythm.

People poured into the room when they heard the music, not expecting to become part of the event until they were shown the drums upon entering. At least half of the participants said they had never touched a drum before, but their smiles and applause showed that they were enjoying the experience nonetheless.

Jeni was joined by guest musicians Mahsa Modarres and Carrie Staller, as well as fellow drum circle facilitators Mikael Khei (Norway) and Kathy Quain (Oakland, CA). Belly dancer Andrea Aranda shared her shimmy with the drum circle as people played along.

See photos from the event, thanks to Max-Inc.com:
http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=94025486968&h=GExlD&u=r5wU6

My Creative Life Interview #1 with Jeni Swerdlow , Drum Facilitator

I was thrilled when Gabrielle Javier-Cerulli, The Expressive Arts Coach, asked me to be the first interview of her new blog!

Click here to read the interview

Upcoming Events

4/10 Common Ground Magazine Presents: Earth Day Drummm Circle Celebration, 6-7pm @ de Young Museum, SF, CA.
Celebrate art, life, community and the planet through drumming! 50 drums to play, first come first serve. All ages, no experience necessary. FREE! (public)

4/15 Drummm 4 ALL, 3:00-3:45pm @ Antioch Library, Antioch, CA
Hands-on, family-friendly drumming experience. We bring the drums, YOU make the music! All ages, no experience necessary. FREE! (public)

4/25 Bass Drummm 101 Workshop, 10-11am @ Seattle World Rhythm Festival, Seattle, WA
Get down deep into the heart and soul of the bass drum. Explore bass drum rhythms from a variety of genres and cultures. Bring a dunun, surdo, tom, etc. if you have one. There will be some extras on hand. FREE! (public)

5/3 “One People – One Rhythm" DRUMMM Circle, 2:15-3:15pm (following parade at 1pm) @ Jewish Heritage Festival, Sacramento, CA
Celebrate culture and connect with community through drumming. 40 drums to play, first come first serve. All ages, no experience necessary. FREE! (public)

5/7 Community Celebration Drummm Circle, 7-9pm @ JCC SF, SF, CA
End of class celebration. DRUMMM Circle, potluck and presentation. OPEN to the community, ALL ages welcome and NO experience necessary. Please bring a dish or beverage to share. FREE! (public)

5/8 Teambuilding Drummm Workshops @ Walters Jr. High, Fremont, SF. (private)

5/9 Family Drummm Workshops, daylong @ Y.E.S. Family Camp, Pescadero, CA
Richmond families explore drumming together as a way to build closer relationships and stronger communities. (private)

5/14 Teambuilding DRUMMMing with Youth in Mind @ California Mental Health Advocates for Children and Youth Conference, Asilomar, CA. (private)

5/18 Caregiver Retreat: "Drummm for Wellness—Celebrating the Rhythms of Life", 2:00-3:15pm @ Family Caregiver Alliance, Fremont, CA
Family caregivers learn about drumming as a tool for wellness and stress reduction for themselves and those they care for. (private)

5/21-6/25 Summer Session: Drummm Adult Rhythm Class (6 weeks), 7-8:30pm @ JCC SF, SF, CA
Unleash the drummer within! Discover your natural sense of rhythm, connect with your community, release stress and have fun. Open to all levels of experience.
$140 members/$150 public. Early registration special: Register by 5/15 and save $15! Visit jccsf.org to register to call 415.292.1278. (public)

Bring a drum or rent one for $30 for the series. Contact Jeni at jeni@drummm.com or 510.316.2850 to reserve a drum PRIOR to the first class.

5/26 Oakland Funds for the Arts Grant Recipient: Cross-Cultural Teambuilding Drummm Workshop, 1:14-3:15pm @ Oakland International High School, Oakland, CA
International high school students and teachers develop teambuilding, leadership and communication skills through rhythm. (private)

6/5 "Drummm for Wellness: Connecting With the Rhythms of Life", 8pm @ Alpha 1 Conference, SF, CA
Hands-on presentation exploring the health benefits of drumming for people with Alpha 1, their families, caregivers, and service providers. (private)

CLICK HERE to see Full Calendar

SUMMER SCHEDULE COMING SOON!