Thursday, May 29

DrumLady Summer Performances and Classes!

Upcoming Events!


Bele Bele Rhythm Collective DEBUT!! July 4 7:30 p.m.
Come witness the debut performance of DC's own ALL-WOMEN's West African drumming performance group, the Bele Bele Rhythm Collective!

Created from scratch by local drummer and drum instructor Kristen Arant, the BBRC will stage its premiere performance on JULY 4th, 7:30 p.m. to open the Takoma Park Fireworks display at the Takoma Park Middle School, 7611 Piney Branch Rd.

Arant, who has studied extensively the rhythms of Mandingue drum master Mamady Keita, chose the name after learning the rhythm and song "Bele Bele" at a 2-week drumming intensive with Mamady. The song is traditionally sang when a very important person or "big personality" comes to the village.

The BBRC is an intergenerational, diverse group of women from DC and surrounding areas who all share a passion for drumming, and will be performing tightly sewn compositions of polyrhythms on dun-uns and djembes, along with exciting breaks and contagious songs and accompanying dancers.

The performance, which includes rhythms such as Fanga, Kuku, Yankadi, and Bele Bele, is a celebration of the BBRC's unity and commitment to one another, to the art of West African drumming, and to spreading its joy and power to the community.

You don't wanna miss this!!!!
For more information, please visit www.drumlady.com



OMEGA SHOWS!!!
Friday, June 27th,
Check out OmegaBand at Asylum! 2471 18th St NW in Adam's Morgan, near the intersection of 18th St and Columbia Rd. We've got the hottest set list yet planned for the night, and will be selling our 6-track CD for $5 - an incredible bargain for this amazing recording project whose time has come!

OmegaBand plays in HOT line-up July 11 - VELVET LOUNGE

It's the sure shot... please join us as we celebrate the release of H.R.(Human Rights) new album "Hey Wella" and as we welcome back skate punk legends McRad.
MUTINY! mainstays the Traumas are back with the sickness... their recording that is. And pick-up OmegaBand's new demo CD while you're at it.
Don't miss this one!
July, 11 2008 at MUTINY! w/ H.R.(Human Rights), McRad, & the Traumas @ Velvet Lounge
915 U St. N.W., Washington DC, Washington DC 20001
Cost : $8



REGISTER NOW FOR SUMMER DRUMMING CLASSES!

I SUMMER Women's West African Drumming Classes for INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS at Emergence Community Arts Collective!!

733 Euclid St NW, Washington, DCShaw/Howard or U St Cardozo Metro. Ample Street Parking.

6 Sundays:
June 15, June 22, June 29 from 5-7 p.m.
July 13, July 20, July 27 from 4-6 p.m.

We will be learning a new Guinea rhythm with song and breaks from the Mamady repertoire: Beli Beli!

Cost: $20 per class to drop in, $15 per class if you sign up for all 6 weeks
Registration/Questions: Please email or call Kristen Arant to pre-register or inquire about the class: kristen@drumlady.com, 202-213-7810


II CIRCLE YOGA DRUMMING CLASS!
DrumLady teaches a Hand Drumming class at Circle Yoga! Class is open to both men and women! BEGINNERS WELCOME. Sundays, 12-1:15 p.m. from June 22-Aug 24. Sign up online! Registration is preferred but DROP-INS are also welcomed.


III WORKSHOP: Roll patterns for Intermediate Students!
Aug 17, 5-8 p.m. at Emergence Community Arts Collective, 733 Euclid St NW, Washington, DCShaw/Howard or U St Cardozo Metro. Ample Street Parking.

Sharpen your 4, 5 and 6 roll patterns on the djembe and learn how to incorporate them into rhythms and solo techniques! For Intermediate students.

Registration/Questions: Call or email Kristen Arant to pre-register or inquire about the workshop: kristen@drumlady.com or 202-213-7810. Cost: $35.

Tuesday, May 20

Happy Birthday Henny (May 20 1968 - Oct 25 2007)

(for upcoming events, scroll down to the next post please...)

The shape of your face, nostrils flaring to indicate a moment of passion - whether it was anger or righteous indignation or deep, impenetrable love or a sudden enlightenment of spirit, you lifted your face up to the wind and breathed in life, for as long as you could, as hard as you could, as hard as you could you drummed, you sang, you loved, you partied, you fell, you rose, you raged, you supported, you worked, you studied, you spoke, you cried, you roared...

now as hard as you can
you finally rest

i called you "henny," and you said your grandma was the only other person who called you that, i called you that when you put your arms around me, and made me feel safe in their expanse, and my own weariness magically transformed by the sound of your heartbeat, and your strong but soft presence...

then suddenly taken to a place of fear when your anger erupted...

knowing all of your passions ran swiftly from the same source.

my love for you goes on and on, i hear your voice, see you in my dreams, call to you when life feels like agony, "Have peace henry, Your love set me Free," and now I can share one of your poems to the world, because I have been loved to the fullest dimension - and I can say for certain that someone would have given me the world.

Missing you every second of every hour....
You would've been 40 today...
Happy birthday Henny


It's all About You
By Henry Moses

Your smile is like the sun on my face
Your light filled my empty space
Before you all my songs were blue
Fill my cup just to talk to you

Didn't know what to believe
But suddenly I came to see
I wondered if it's meant to be
Through your eyes the Goddess spoke to me

When I think about love I think about you
When I think about tenderness I think about you
You lit the fire in my soul
My feel for you is a heavy load

That's what I think about you
It's all about you
It's all about you

When the night's cool and clear
Oh my love I need you near
We come together with the thundering rain
Make me want to forget my pain

In this life none like thee
Your love and beauty overwhelm me
The smell of you fills my head
Gazing at you my passion's fed

When I think about love I think about you
When I think about tenderness I think about you
You lit the fire in my soul
My feel for you is a heavy load

That's what I think about you
It's all about you
It's all about you

Tuesday, May 13

DrumLady Upcoming Events!

**Saturday, May 17, 3-4:30 p.m., Community Drum Circle at ARTOMATIC led by my friend and cohort Katy Gaughan - on the Cabaret Stage

**May 17, 6-7:30 p.m. WOMEN'S COMMUNITY DRUM CIRCLE at the Emergence Community Arts Collective, 733 Euclid St NW (between Sherman Ave and Georgia Ave, across from Banneker High School and near Howard University). This is a spiritual, inspiring, uplifting, joyful and organic experience NOT TO BE MISSED! All levels welcome. Ages 13 and up. $10 general admission; $7 if you: A. bring your own drum B. are 60 or over C. are a student or D. if you have registered for Kristen's drumming classes!

**Sunday, May 18, 12:20-2:30 p.m. at the Unity Life Center - 14088-C Sullyfield, Chantilly VA , Intergenerational Community Drumming and Music to benefit young women and girls in KENYA. This is hosted by my friend Nina Gibson and will benefit the Brenda Boone Hope Center Foundation School and Shelter in Meru, Kenya which provides relief and shelter to rescued girls ages 7-17 who have been raped and/or are dealing with HIV and AIDS. Contact: www.unitylife.org 703-263-7645

**Thursday, May 22, 8:30-9:20 p.m. OmegaBand show at ARTOMATIC!! Capital Plaza I - corner of First & M streets NE - NY Ave Metro. Check out our artist page here!

**Friday, May 30, 11 p.m. OmegaBand show at ASYLUM

Monday, May 5

Support YWDEP and HAVE FUN!!

WHO: The Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Project

WHAT: "Drumming with Friends" - A Fundraiser for our 4th Annual Summer Enrichment Program!!!

WHERE: Java Green Eco Cafe! 1020 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 (near Farragut West metro station)

WHEN: May 10, 6-8 p.m.

Directions/Other

you are cordially invited to....

DRUMMING WITH FRIENDS!!!
A fundraiser for the Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Project's Fourth Annual Summer Enrichment Program!

Saturday May 10th- 6:00-8:00 p.m.
at Java Green Eco Cafe, 1020 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(At the corner of 19th and I Sts NW, Farragut West metro station)

Featuring: drumming, performances, raffle prizes and delicious organic food provided by Java Green! Suggested donation: $25. We hope you can join us on these dates to support this wonderful programming!

PLEASE RSVP! info@youngwomendrum.org or 202-213-7810


The Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Project strives to create a safe space for young women to build unity, and fearlessly express their authentic selves through drumming, poetry, spoken word, song, movement, and performance. YWDEP is a a ONE COMMON UNITY program.