Percussion Around the Fire:

There are practical and magical aspects to drumming. As humans we struggle with the tools we are given and the limits of our daily existence. But the magic of the fire and the drum can release us from our earthly bonds and let us rise above our limits.

If we set ourselves on the path of music with an authentic desire to learn and grow, then we will be challenged and our hard work will be rewarded with moments of great intuition. These are gifts of spirit where we leap forward to a new place.

In this workshop we will learn some of the details of how our drums work and how to improve our playing. We will supply a framework and some concepts and ideas from which you can distill your own style and allow you the freedom to explore.

With these tools you can express yourself better and begin to communicate with other drummers and dancers more effectively around the fire.

Jon and Lisa:

Since 1993 Jon & Lisa have been studying West-African traditional rhythms with a number of teachers in the Boston Mass area, including Mohamed Kamara originally of Guinea W.Africa, Ibrahima Camara originally of Senegal West Africa, and Mamadou Diop also of Senegal West Africa.

Throughout this time, in coordination with diverse groups of drummers, dancers and musicians, they have performed in a variety of venues, both in live music and in spiritual circles. Their work is always participatory and invites all levels.

Jon & Lisa continue to play regularly for African Dance classes. In recent years they have been facilitating community drum circles and playing for dance jams. They may be found around a fire circle at dawn.

Bright Hawk

Bright Hawk is an inspired and inspiring musician and storyteller, sharing her gifts (around the world) for more than twenty years to the delight of all. Her playful spirit and intense passion come through in her amazing djembe playing and teaching, the motivational stories she tells, and the exquisite music of the Hang PanArt drum. Bright Hawk’s recordings include Echoes of the Deep Waters with Jason Cohen, Chris Baum and Eric Freeman; as well as recording the soundtrack to Becoming an Oracle a seven CD meditation series with Nicki Sculley for Sounds True recordings. Bright Hawk lives in Boulder, Colorado, and is currently working on a story book and DVD of her work.