Classes & Events

Sat June 23 – Hands On Drums moving party and drum circle

Hands on Drums was just notified that our pop up shop on Rhode Island Ave will be closing June 30, due to infringing development.

However, the developers have offered us a large, air conditioned space “up the ramp” near Forman Mills. We will inhabit this space from June 30-Aug 30 while we search for Hands On Drums’ new permanent home.

PLEASE join us 9am-7pm to assist us in moving up the ramp to our new space! Enjoy food and refreshments, and participate in drumming with us to bless the new space at 4pm.

Meet us at our current spot, 602 Rhode Island Ave NE. We appreciate those who can get there early, to help us move larger items before the weather heats up.

We hope to see you there and we thank you so much for supporting Hands on Drums as we transition once again!

JUNE 17, 6pm: Find Out About YWDEP (The Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment Project)
An open house for girls 10 and older and their parents!

Find Out About YWDEP (The Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment Project)
An open house for girls 10 and older and their parents!

June 17th
Hands On Drums
602 Rhode Island Ave NE
6-8pm

This is an opportunity for young women and their parents to meet the teaching artists of YWDEP 2018. Come experience the community of The Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment Project.

Refreshments will be provided, ice breaker games will take place, and there will be a drum circle.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1635713166549848/

Hands on Drums is celebrating it’s 2nd year on Rhode Island Ave! JOIN US!

Saturday March 17th 
10am-7pm
602 Rhode Island Ave NE
www.handsondrumsdc.com 

Featuring: 
Food and Craft Vendors all day! 
Children’s Drum Class, 11am
Pay-What-U-Can Family Capoeira, 3pm
Afro-Cuban and Ghanaian Drumming demonstrations, 4pm 
Fashion Show featuring our Ghana Fashions, 5pm 
Presentation on our Ghana Projects, 6pm
Bele Bele Rhythm Collective performs, 6:30pm 

SATURDAY, FEB 17, 12:30p.m.

The incredible Baba Ras D will be giving a wonderful children’s performance at Hands on Drums FREE on Saturday Feb 17th at 12:30pm! Don’t miss this! <3(PS- parents there are sales on African clothing, bags, accessories and instruments going on while the kids are watching the performance!)

Free event!

Black History Month Sale and Celebration every Saturday in February at Hands on Drums featuring new drums, clothing and accessories fresh from Ghana 🇬🇭 , open mic & drum circle!

Stay tuned to hear about our awesome open mic and drum circle posts (5-9pm on those days). Drum circle facilitators include Yuma Bellomee, Kristen Arant and Cassie Djembe Kan Zito!

2nd Saturday of February (2/10): Special Ghana report back from our recently returned Ghana tour-goers including details, pictures and updates from our Drumming up From Poverty and our other Ghana projects! Stay tuned for posts and pics! Traditional Ghanaian food will be served.

We appreciate your support! Come experience the Hands On Drums community in DC and learn about how we support our sister community in Ghana! Kristen Arant and Michael Kweku Owusu just got back from Ghana and can’t wait to share their goods and updates on our Ghana projects.

Dec. 17: 3rd Annual Bazaar, Craft Market & Ghana Send-Off Party: FREE

Holiday Bazaar and Ghana Send-Off Party at Hands on Drums – 602 Rhode Island Ave NE.

Come celebrate with us and send off our Hands On Drums Ghana trip crew with style! Sales, entertainment and food! ♥

Our Ghana trip leaves Jan 1 and ventures to Senya Beraku to see the Drumming Up From Poverty program in action, including performances by the DUFP youth drummers and dancers. We will also be seeing, for the first time, the nearly completed Artists Home we’ve been working on for the past 3 years, to serve as a home for our craftworkers whose workshops and homes are being displaced by development in Accra. The building is on the DUFP land on the Ghana coastline, and will serve as a learning center for Drumming Up From Poverty and a workshop for the Craftmakers who create the drums, instruments, clothing and accessories sold at Hands on Drums shop in DC.

We appreciate your Support!

The Schedule for the day includes:
Children’s music performer Marsha Goodman-Wood with Kristen Arant, 11am
Kima’s Fit Dance Fusion, participatory workshop, 12pm
Holiday Sing-a-long with Marsha Goodman-Wood and Ayanna Gallant at 1pm
Drum class with drumlady Kristen Arant 4pm, all levels ($20 suggested donation)
Ghana drumming performance with Michael Kweku Owusu and friends 6pm
More Than a Drum performance with baba Abasi Johnson 6:30pm
Community drum circle led by Yuma Bellomee 7pm

20-30% off all drums, clothing and accessories!

West African cuisine, Stuck on Ginger juices, Rakhel’s Live Cuisine

JOIN US FOR AN INCREDIBLE WEEKEND OF CLASSES with Master Drummer & Teacher, MONETTE MARINO.

October 28th and 29th at Hands On Drums, 602 Rhode Island Ave NE.

REGISTER NOW!
https://goo.gl/forms/htRIvU7ctU8RYAvw1

Sat Oct 28
Dun-un class, all levels, 10:30am-12:30pm

Lunch – onsite food vendors available

Beginner Djembe
2-3:30pm

Intermediate Djembe
4-5:30pm

Dinner – on-site food vendors available

Performance and drum circle led by Monette and the Bele Bele Rhythm Collective
7-8:30pm

Sun Oct 29
Dun-un class, all levels,
11-1pm

Lunch Q&A with Monette
On-site food vendors available
1-2:30pm

Beginer/Intermediate djembe
3-4:30pm

Advanced djembe
5-7pm

Monette Marino has dedicated the past 35 years to the study of folkloric and popular rhythms from Africa, Cuba, Brazil and Korea. Her professional teaching and performing career began in 1995 when she founded her non-profit arts organization that in 1999 became the 2nd branch in the USA of Mamady Keita’s Tam Tam Mandingue International Djembe Academy. From 2004 to 2012, Monette traveled the world with Mamady Keita as his Assistant Teacher and performed with his group Sewa Kan. She is currently one of only six people in the world to have received Mamady Keita’s Diploma. Monette is the founder of Mo’Rhythm School of Percussion, and creator of the recently released Mo’Rhythm App.

HANDS ON DRUMS FALL FESTIVAL!

OCT. 7 11am-7pm.

HANDS ON DRUMS FALL FESTIVAL 2017
Saturday Oct. 7th 11am-7pm
Discounted Drums and Merchandise
On-site food, arts/craft vendors
Drum class for Children 11am
Drum circle facilitated by Katy Gaughan of Wellness Rhythm Circles 1pm
Performance by Ni Dembaya African Drum & Dance Collective 5pm
Interactive demos by our class instructors:
Family Capoeira w/ James Muwonge 2pm
Vinyasa Yoga w/ Hermione Rhones 3pm
Kukuwa Dance Workout w/ Khetnu Nefer 4pm

CBD HEMP DRUM CIRCLE

VIBRATIONAL HEALING

Sept. 30 7:30pm at Hands on Drums

$10 suggested donation to enter, includes one pump of our CBD oil!

Calling all entrepreneurs, vibrational healers and hemp lovers! Join us for a CBD drum circle!

This is Cassie and Kristen of Hands On Drums and we have a special opportunity to share with our community.

This event is a community drum circle where we come together to drum and experience the vibrational healing qualities of Prime My Body CBD oil. Cassie’s mother, Imani Mamalution will also be in town during our event to discuss and answer questions about our product, as well as share information pertaining to the Prime My Body business model- for anyone that is interested.

PrimeMyBody CBD oil combines nanoenhanced technology with a sustainably grown hemp oil which has been used for a wide range of healthy benefits dating back more than 3,000 years. Our formula helps to optimize the mind & body, efficiently and naturally.

As drummers we are loving the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of this cbd oil- and we are utilizing the business model behind it to create abundance in our lives. This is a way for us and others to fuel our work in the world. Please join us! We would love to have you. ♥

Sunday Drum Classes w/ Drumlady:

8 week series

Sunday Classes: 4-5:30pm

8 WEEK CLASS SESSION BEGINS SEPT 24!
8 weeks of classes + 1 discounted private lesson = $230 if you register on or before Sept. 24!
Email: kristen@drumlady.com to register

More on kristen: www.drumlady.com 

Drop-ins also welcome at the following rates:
$20-$30 sliding scale drop-in/on-site
$5 per class for drum rental
Service-trade options available
(contact Kristen – kristen@drumlady.com)
Checks to “Drumlady” cash, or credit on site
Paypal to: kristen@drumlady.com
Contact Kristen (or pay via paypal) to reserve your spot.
All Levels Welcome. Drumlady teaches Djembe and dun-un drumming (West African style), along with rhythm, song, and bell/shaker techniques, to men, women and teens (ages 13 and up).
THOSE NEW TO CLASS: Please come 15 minutes early on the first class for an orientation. This counts for all those new to this class, regardless of drumming level.

AKOMA TOUR 2022

COME TO GHANA WITH US!

PHOTO CREDIT: J Scales

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE

Greetings Drum Community-

 

It is time again for us to venture to Ghana, our sister city.

 

We will be going from late December to early January. The likely dates will be Dec. 28 2022 – Jan 8 2023, including travel. We want you to come with us.

 

Your host brother Michael Kweku Owusu, co-owner of Hands on Drums and founder of Drumming Up From Poverty.

 

 

Our community in Ghana – the craftworkers who make the beautiful Artisan instruments, art, clothing, jewelry and accessories sold at Hands On Drums – have been facing displacement at their home base in the Arts Center in Accra, Ghana. But because of our community here in DC, and the support we have received from those like yourselves who attend our classes and events, purchase our drums and craftworks, rent our space, and donate to our outreach programs, Kweku has been able to lead the construction of a building that, once finished, will serve as a home base for our craftworkers.

 

This home is located on the coast of Ghana in a small fishing village called Senya Beraku. We will be staying at the DUFP CENTER which as about 7 rooms with ocean view.

 

While there, we will experience some or all of the following:

*Delicious, fresh local foods, and a cooking class on how to make them

*Classes in kpanlogo (Akan-style) drumming

*For those who are interested, classes in Batik Arts, Bamboo flute playing, xylophone, and dance

*Opportunities to work in community with the people of Senya Beraku, to contribute to the burgeoning artist home on the land, and participate in drum circles for women and girls as the Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment Project launches in Ghana

*Destination travel to Kakum National Forest, Elmina Castle, Kakum National Park

*Witnessing and participating in cultural drum and dance presentations

*Beach relaxation time and swimming in the Gulf of Guinea

*Drum circles at dawn and dusk, and any other time we want

 

 

Please you can call at any time [202-375-9110] for Q & A.

 

Much love,

Kweku Owusu

202-3759110

REGISTER NOW!!!

Hello Rhythm Community!
We happily invite you to come to Workshops, Private Lessons, Performance with Afia Walking Tree, M.Ed – Educator, Facilitator, and Ritualist! Events begin Wednesday, August 23rd and continue through Sunday, August 27th. Afia Walking Tree, M.Ed is a cultural ambassador, spiritual activist, empowerment guide, leadership development advocate and trainer. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. For over 25 years, she has served her destiny as visionary director of her brainchild, Spirit Drumz, an international organization that prioritizes women and youth of all cultures to utilize African Diasporic song, permaculture, drumming, dancing, storytelling to activate empowerment and healing. Asia’s work is rooted in liberation of the global Black Family and in the last two years, in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, Afia has created new spaces for Black healing and activism through the Jamaican Drum Retreats for Womyn, and #BlackPowerDrumMedicine. Afia‘s continued evolution is supporting the growth of the drumming arts as a tool for activism, healing and community building.
Wednesday, August 23: 
Black Power Drum Medicine for Women of Color
7-9pm

Hands On Drums

602 Rhode Island Ave NE 20002 
Suggested Donation $20-$30, sliding scale
Register through Eventbrite

Thursday, August 24:
Private Lessons with Afia Walking Tree
12-4pm
Hands on Drums
602 Rhode Island Ave NE 
$60/hr

Friday, August 25: 
Private Lessons with Afia Walking Tree
1-4pm
Hands on Drums
602 Rhode Island Ave NE 
$60/hr

Saturday Aug. 26th – Day of Workshops with Afia Walking Tree at Hands on Drums, 602 Rhode Island Ave NE:
Beginner Djembe 11am-12:30pm
Djembe/Dun-un Fevah 2-4pm
Drum Medicine 5-7pm
$30 per workshop or $75 for all 3

Sunday Aug. 27th:
Private lessons with Afia Walking Tree
10am-3pm
Hands on Drums
602 Rhode Island Ave NE 
$60/hour

Sunday Aug. 27th: 
Group class taught jointly by Kristen Arant and Afia Walking Tree
4-5:30
Hands on Drums 
602 Rhode Island Ave NE 
$30

Rhythm Infusion III w/ Monette Marino!

REGISTER NOW at the following link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd4X_u81sw0CbQtmW0KiJGgVIV-eoS9yp2fEwWlLduUakoVdg/viewform?usp=send_form

In lieu of summertime madness, Kristen Arant, Yuma Bellomee and Michael Kweku Owusu are teaming up for a Triple Rhythm Fest at the Hands on Drums shop this Saturday July 1.

Here’s what’s happening:
10am – Vendors invited to set up on our “patio,” facing Rhode Island Ave and just one block from the metro

11am – Kids percussion workshop with Uncle Devin – $5 per participant

3-4:30pm – Manian (Forest Guinea) rhythm exploration with Drumlady Kristen Arant – $20 suggested donation; $5 drum rental

5-6:30pm – Senegalese rhythm exploration with Dr Yew (Yuma Bellomee) – $20 suggested donation; $5 drum rental

7-8:30pm – Akan (Ghanaian) rhythm exploration with Michael Kweku Owusu – $20 suggested donation; $5 drum rental

VENDORS: Contact us to let us know you’re coming, and we’ll include you in our outreach

Text 202-213-7810 for more info

See you soon!

DRUMMING & EXPERESSIVE ARTS PROGRAM FOR GIRLS 10 & UP AT HANDS ON DRUMS THIS SUMMER!

The Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment (YWDEP) is a 501c3 non-profit based in Washington, DC. YWDEP gives rise to young women’s self-esteem, positive development and creative self-expression through DRUMMING, POETRY. MOVEMENT, SONG and PERFORMANCE.

Check out YWDEP: www.youngwomendrum.org

YWDEP in partnership with Hands on Drums presents:

Drum It Up, Call it Out!

A summer experience for young women ages 10-18
Led by “Drumlady” Kristen Arant, percussionist, performer and teaching artist, and featuring local teaching artists in West African drum and dance, poetry, spoken word, song and theater.

You will Learn:
*West African hand and stick drumming
*West African rhythms, songs and dances
*How to write poems, recite spoken word, write songs, sing and dance
*How to collaborate with others to create powerful performance pieces

You will Create:
*Your own rhythms, songs, poems, dances and spoken word pieces
*Lasting friendships with other young women
*Relationships with teaching artists and mentors
*Self awareness, Self-expression, Identity

You will Experience:
*A safe, all-girl space free of judgement
*Consistent compassion and encouragement during your process of creating art
*Release of anger, frustration and depression
*Empowerment

Dates:
9 weeks
17 sessions

Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm on…
June 22
July 6, 13, 20, 27;
August 3, 10, 17, 24

Sundays, 4-8pm on…
June 18
July 9, 16, 23, 30
August 6, 13, 20

All Sessions held @ Hands on Drums, 602 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

Fee: Sliding Scale, determined on a family-by-family basis

Young Women, Girls, Parents: Private Message or email Kristen Arant to register: kristen@drumlady.com

It’s been a year since we tore out the guts of the abandoned L&W auto parts shop and turned it into a community space full of good vibes, goregous hand crafted drums, fashions, instruments and accessories from our craftworker community in Ghana, and most of all…GOOD PEOPLE.

That said, we invite you this Saturday to PLEASE COME.Dance and sing to the Bele Bele Rhythm Collective, Nii Dembaya, and Los Caribbeat. Check out a demo on Family Capoeira and Ghana drumming styles. Browse our local craft vendors offering healing arts and delicious foods and drinks. And check out our SPRING LINE of drums and clothing.

SCHEDULE:
12-9pm Vendors! Hands on Drums, Stuck on Ginger, the Sacred Kitchen, Zoe the Designer, Yew 360 Wholistic Health & Wellness, A Soulful Touch Wellness chair massage, Treat Artisanal Chocolates, Lotus Eats Life Feminine Apothecary, House of Lukaya, Crafty Blessings
2pm – Family Capoeira demo with James Muwonge
3pm – Ghana drumming demo with Kweku Owusu and Nii Adjei
4pm – Performance by Bele Bele Rhythm Collective
5pm – Performance by Nii Dembaya drumming
7-9pm – 2 Sets performed by Los Caribbeat

COME ON OUT!

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Afia Walking Tree – Drum Medicine in DC

SAVE THE DATE: AFIA WALKING TREE is coming to DC on March 4!
www.afiawalkingtree.com

Workshops in basic percussion techniques will be followed by DJEMBE FEVER and DRUM AS MEDICINE – Experience an intense moment of connection with the drum as a tool for healing. Workshop descriptions and Schedule Forthcoming!

[btn text=”REGISTER NOW!” tcolor=#FFF bcolor=#0000FF thovercolor=#FFF link=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/afia-walking-tree-drum-medicine-dc-workshops-tickets-31938752669?aff=es2″ target=”_blank”]

Please see our event on Facebook

Afia Walking Tree, M.Ed – Educator, Facilitator, and Ritualist, Afia Walking Tree, M.Ed is a world-class cultural ambassador, spiritual activist, empowerment guide, leadership development advocate and trainer. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. Walking Tree’s drum-songs are prayers of gratitude for the generosity of spirit. Her lyrics are evolutionary teachings, addressing present day issues of social justice, freedom, healing and self-love. For over 25 years, Afia Walking Tree has served her destiny as visionary director of her brainchild, Spirit Drumz, an international organization that prioritizes women and youth of all cultures to utilize African Diasporic song, permaculture, drumming, dancing, storytelling to activate empowerment and healing. Afia’s work has always been rooted in liberation of the global Black Family and in the last two years, in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, Afia has created new spaces for Black healing and activism through the Jamaican Drum Retreats for Womyn, and #BlackPowerDrumMedicine. Afia’s continued evolution is supporting the growth of the drumming arts as a tool for activism, healing and community building through partnerships with One Billion Rising, Echo Valley Farms, Open Meadows Foundation, and many others. Afia has been blessed to bring her powerful work to Bioneers , Northern California Permaculturre Convergence, TEDWomen 2016 and numerous, festivals, non-profit organizations, and universities across the globe.
MORE HERE: www.afiawalkingtree.com

Help build a home and workshop in Ghana for Hands on Drums craftworkers

Hands on Drums is building a home for our Ghana craftworkers, whose homes and workshops in the Accra arts center annex are being demolished for development. Our craftworkers are artisans: tailors, carvers, blacksmiths, cobblers, instrument builders, soap makers, jewelers and more. We purchase their beautiful items via direct trade and sell them in our pop-up store, Hands on Drums, in Washington, DC – a hub for culture, community, cooperative economics, music, healing and peace-building.

Here is a link to Contribute:[btn text=”Hands on Drums: DUFP Home for Ghana Craftmakers” tcolor=#FFF thovercolor=#FFF link=”https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/hands-on-drums-dufp-home-for-ghana-craftmakers-africa-community/x/8384243#/” target=”_self”]

CLASSES

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SUNDAYS: Drum Class with drumlady Kristen Arant | 4 – 5:30 p.m. | $20 drop-in, $5 to rent a drum | Feb. 19, 26; March 5, 12,19 and 26 | ALL LEVELS WELCOME | Ages 13 & Up

MONDAYS: Drum Class with Dr Yew | 7- 8:30 p.m. | $15-$30 per person, sliding scale | Drums available for rent or purchase | call/text (202) 469-0264 for more info. 

TUESDAYS:  OPEN – Our Tuesday dance class is no longer in session. If you’d like to hold your class or event at Hands on Drums on Tuesdays, contact us!

WEDNESDAYS: Family Capoeira with James Muwonge | 6PM-7PM | All Ages | $25 a week | Registration & details: https://squareup.com/store/thefamilydances/

SATURDAYS: African Drumming 101 for KIDS ages 6-12 with Kweku Owusu | 10-11am | $15 fee | drums available for rent or purchase | call/text 202-375-9110 for more info. NOTE: Class is currently on hold as Kweku is in Ghana. Stay tuned, we’ll be back on soon!
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UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday Dec. 17 Holiday Bazaar and Reunion Performance of the Akoma Drummers! 10am-8pm at the shop. 

May 18 & 20: West African drumming workshops with Sayon Camara

Hands on Drums Presents:

2 African Drumming Workshops with Master of the Djembe and Long Time Apprentice to Famoudou Konate…

SAYON CAMARA

Wed May 18, 2016
7:30 – 9:00 pm and

Fri May 20, 2016
7:30 – 9:00 pm with
Meet the Artist
at 6:30 pm

With an amazing 14 year apprenticeship to world renowned Famoudou Konate, during which Sayon was a member of Famoudou’s Hamana Foli Kan ensemble along with Billy Konate, Nansady Keita and others, Sayon is honored to think of Famoudou as his drum father. Sayon lovingly shares what he learned and the rich culture of the drum, music and song from the Sankaran region of Guinea, with an impeccable sense of time and a sound on the djembe that is as clear as a bell.

All are welcome to these mixed level classes…Sayon will keep everyone busy!
$25/class • Drums are available to rent for class – $10 rental fee * Drums also available for purchase

This event will be held at: Hands On Drums
600 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington DC
For info go to:  HandsOnDrumsDC.com
or Call/Text Kweku: 202 375 9110

More on Sayon:  SayonCamaraDrumming.com

MARCH 20: SPACE ACTIVATION & SUPER SALE 

HANDS ON DRUMS DC : 
SPACE ACTIVATION & SUPER SALE 

Hands on Drums DC invites you to help us BLESS & ACTIVATE our NEW SPACE at 600 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 on March 19, 2016 from 11am-6pm. The NEW Hands On Drums is located at 600 Rhose Island Ave NE, just a block South of the red line at Rhode Island Ave station. Free parking available (first come first served) in National Self Storage lot at 600 Rhode Island Ave NE as well as in the Forman Mills lot behind the McDonalds.

After a month of clearing out the old L & W Auto Parts shop on Rhode Island Ave, Hands on Drums is ready to ACTIVATE our new shop space with partners MRP Realty, ReCreative Spaces, and Rhode Island Ave Main Street.

On-site refreshments, performances, group drumming and CLEARING HOUSE on DRUMS, CLOTHING and ACCESSORIES from Ghana to make way for our new shipment arriving in April.

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2/13 + 2/14: CLOSING PARTY & LOVE FEST

We are so sad to say goodbye to our beatufiul pop-up store and community space in Ivy City, so we’re inviting folks to come and share the love with us on Valentine’s weekend.

Saturday will feature an all-ages drum circle from 12-1:30 with Katy Gaughan, and another with Rainbow Joe Kennedy from 4-5:30pm, as well as a Chyrsolite Painting workshop from 7-9:30pm.

Sunday will feature a drum class with the Drumlady from 4-5:30, followed by a Goodbye Concert at 6pm with multi-talented percussionists Kweku Owusu, Kristen Arant, Abasi Johnson, Jason Walker and Yuma Bellomee, and a potluck dinner with options for those who can help us with some heavy lifting (moveing stuff into a U-haul.)

All weekend long we’ll have our beautiful drums, clothing, jewelry, instruments, artwork and craft items marked down. And we’ll have clothing swap for families (clean out your closet, come with your best wearable items and take some “new” ones home with you).

Delicious raw foods and juices will be featured from our vendors Stuck on Ginger and Nature’s Grace – all weekend.

Between now and then, we’ll be announcing other events happening that weekend on this page. Please use this page as a place to share your favorite memories and experiences.

Click here for schedule and more info.

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PAST EVENTS

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11/14: GRAND OPENING PARTY!
Saturday, November 14, 3pm-12am

Featuring:

• Drum Jams for all ages
• Open Mic for performers
• Public Art installations
• Performances by: The Bele Bele Rhythm Collective and THE BEAT FAIRY with Sunny and Cheick Hamala DiabateDrums, clothing, jewelry and crafts made by Ghana folk artists available for purchase in our boutique area.Drinks & Snacks all day long!FREE PARKING AVAILABLE at MOM’S ORGANIC MARKET LOTHands on Drums is Pop-Up Store and Arts Empowerment Initiative that celebrates and supports the work of Ghana Craft Makers while delivering hands-on drumming experiences to uplift communities.Hands On Drums was founded by Michael Kweku Owusu and Kristen Arant. Our 3-month Pop-Up Space is made possible by a grant from Cultural DC.

Visit our Facebook page for more details »

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11/20 + 11/21: “THE BEST!” Drumming
Fri. 7p.m. – 10p.m. | Sat. 3 – 6p.m.
workshop series with master drummer from Ivory Coast, DR. DJO BI

For Pre-Registration or More Info, Contact Yuma “Dr. Yew” Bellomee: Ph: (202) 469-0264 – www.facebook.com/nidembaya

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12/3: YO!DRUM WITH KRISTEN ARANT & HAWAH
6:30 – 8:30p.m. Bring a mat $20

A workshop that creatively weaves together two stress-relieving, immune-building, therapeutic art forms: Yoga and Drumming. With master drummer Kristen Arant and master Yogi Hawah.

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12/19: AFRICAN BAZAAR & ARTISAN MARKET
December 19, 10a.m. – 7p.m.

Food, vendors, crafts, performances.

More info here on our Facebook event page.

**Vendor applicants, please contact Kristen Arant via www.drumlady.com

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01/16: DRUM FOR PEACE POTLUCK
January 16, 12p.m. – 2p.m.

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01/23: DRUM JAM with Bro. Thomas House and Iya Sawu
Satruday, January 23rd, 5p.m. – 8p.m.

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01/30 + 01/31: RHYTHM ENFUSION
January 30th + 31st, classes all day
JOIN US FOR AN INCREDIBLE WEEKEND OF CLASSES with Master Drummer & Teacher, MONETTE MARINO.

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SATURDAY DRUM REPAIRS
2:30 – 4:30 p.m. / pricing varies

Ever wonder if you could build your own djembe drum? Or repair the broken one that’s been sitting in your house collecting dust (or worse yet – gasp – being used as furniture?) Want to become self-sufficient in the tuning and maintenance of your djembe? Then this workshop is for you.

Click here for prices and more info.

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12/16, 12/23, 1/6, 1/13, 1/20, + 1/27: 6 WEEKS IN 6/8
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. / $90 for the series or $20 to drop in

Join Jason Walker for 6 weekly sessions studying rhythm in 6/8 meter. Discover how an understanding of this time signature can enhance your rhythmic vocabulary and kick up your swing in any meter or style of playing, from Afro Cuban, jazz and funk to swing and traditional drumming.

These classes will cover the bell, pulse, and half pulse that are the root of 6/8 as well as a number of related drum patterns. The material will be reviewed and built upon in each session giving participants the ability to progress at their own pace.

Jason Walker is a multi-disciplined percussionist and educator. He is a member of the multi WAMMIE award winning Chopteeth Afrofunk Big Band, blues and roots powerhouse Hard Swimmin’ Fish, and the Vibe Collective (Latin Jazz). As a dance accompanist, Jason has over a decade of experience moving people with rhythm…and he uses a lot of 6/8 to do it!

Some drums are available to rent from instructor for $5 per class. All hand drums welcome.

Click here to learn more.

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