Rhythms for Your Soul... a journey through the year's moons with drums

Come explore the ancient rhythms within yourself! Lunar Rhythm for Your Soul will combine the story of the djembe drum, the basics of how to play the djembe and dunun drums (a type of drum from West Africa), and how to put the techniques together to learn ancient traditional rhythms and songs. All this within the theme of the Lunar Year in the traditions native to this area! Each month we will explore rhythms and lore that express the particular moon time.

Just like other instruments, these drums have notes that are combined to play music. We will work on the sounds of the notes and will play music that you can play alone or with other drummers. Whether you are a beginner drummer or an experienced one, join us to discover or improve your own sound on the drum, and to create music in community with others.

Classes are for all ages of drummers and all skill levels.

When: Usually the second Saturday afternoon of each month

Time: 2pm – 3:30pm

Cost: $15 per class, $75 in advance for all six classes. $2 per class for drum rental

Where: Radiance, 9 W Grant St, Lancaster (across from Central Market)

How to Register: Contact Radiance 717-290-1517

Dates: February 12 – Ice and Snow Moon
March 12 – Wind Moon
April 9 – Awakening and Growing Moon
May 21 – Flower and Grass Moon
June 11 – Planting and Strawberry Moon - cancelled
July 9 – Rose and Claiming Moon
August 13 - Lightening and Corn Moon

If you don't have a djembe, dunun (barrel-shaped stick drum), or ashiko drum, you can rent a djembe for $2 (technique instruction is focused on these drums, but you may also bring frame drums to play during the rhythms). Please request rental drums ahead of time for each class.

Classes led by Tammi Hessen, a Lancaster-based drummer who has been studying in the West African hand drum tradition of djembe. She has traveled many times to Africa to study drumming under djembe master Mamady Keita, and Master Drum Maker/Cultural Educator Baile McKnight. She has also studied with Menes Yahuda, Salim Ajanku of Sankofa Dance Theater, Mahiri Keita, Ubaka Hill, and other drumming instructors. She also has a performance group that plays for various events locally.

Tammi currently teaches classes in Lancaster, Reading, Harrisburg, and Baltimore, and drums for local West African Dance Classes. For more information, www.tammihessen.com