Drumming, Dancing and a Celebration of Diversity

The sounds of rhythmic beats filled the cool night air when the local arts center played host to a free community drumming event.

Participants were warmly greeted by Jenny Madrigal, a musician and music therapist, and were invited to choose their preferred drum at the start of the session along with shakers to add a variety of sounds to the melodic mix. The evening was fun for the whole family with parents and kids drumming side by side creating a moment to treasure and the facial expressions and broad beaming smiles of participants was heartwarming to see.

The event was sponsored by Rhythmic Innovation and the Cheza Nami(Swahili for ‘Come play with me’) Foundation, the latter being a non-profit organization with headquarters based in Pleasanton. Cheza Nami believes in a play based approach to education and teaches African culture through dance, play, and movement.

Director of Rhythmic Innovation, lead facilitator and music therapist, Phil Didlake, led the collection of diverse participants through a series of drumming rhythms that quickly made a group of strangers a united engine of energy as they connected with the sounds and delights of beating their drums.

Brad Barnard played the digeridoo while Jenny Madrigal played bass. Co-facilitator and volunteer Ryan Weber played the dunun, and also introduced the group to a uniquely constructed instrument that would not have looked out of place at the Mos Eisley cantina in Star Wars. The Harmonic Art Handpan Hang is a steel drum that the kids said ‘looks like a UFO’ and produces clear and pure notes when struck by the hand. Ryan expertly created soothing and gentle rhythms on the Handpan which produced tones very calming and pleasing to hear.

Facilitators invited players to listen to the language of the drums and everyone present had an opportunity to discover their own rhythm and share the connection of uplifting music and movement.

Cheza Nami CEO and Founder, Catherine Ndungu-Case, remarked that their core mission, is to preserve and encourage the appreciation of African culture by inspiring and educating the American public about Africa’s extensive and unique attributes, regardless of their heritage of origin. “We provide interactive, educational experiences through dance, music, art, play, language and African products” she said.

Catherine was on hand to lead the part of the evening involving African traditional dance movements. Her vibrant energy got the participants moving to the beat of drums as she skillfully guided them through steps that were fun, exuberant and thoroughly entertaining.

It was a great way to connect with others in a warm and welcoming environment.

Cheza Nami will also be bringing the 7th Annual installation of the Taste of Africa Festival to Livermore in partnership with the Bankhead Theatre, on October 6th, 2018.

More drumming circles will be held in at the Bothwell Arts Center location and the next two dates are March 1 and April 5, both on Thursday evenings from 7 – 8:30pm. The events are open to all ages and participants can bring along their own drums or make use of those provided.