Rise to the Rhythm Program

March 12, 2010

Rise to the Rhythm: Community Hand Drumming
Community Hand Drumming
Music Participation
Community Gatherings
Relaxation and Appreciation

Program Information

The atmosphere at these gatherings is unique, one of openness to all members of the community and modes of expression -listening, playing and dancing. Music is made accessible by casting aside notions of it being exclusive to only trained, schooled or experienced musicians and performers - everyone is able to contribute to a community drum circle in some way. The only effort required is to show up with a desire to be there, listening and sharing this experience with other people in our community.

All drums are provided. There is a full range of equipment to explore – about 10 different types of hand drums and dozens of other percussion instruments to try out. There should be something that appeals to everyone.

A donation of $5 per session is accepted but it is not mandatory. Some people decide to pre-pay, others pay per session and some decide not to at all. Donations are used for instrument upkeep and venue rental fees.

Rise to the Rhythm Brochure:
For more information about the sessions as well as Q&A, please download the Rise to the Rhythm Brochure link in the right margin of this page.

Drum Schedule: Download using the link above

For inquiries and info Contact:
Jeff Rasmussen, Community Consultant
Rise to the Rhythm Initiative - Community Arts Hub
Kenora Association for Community Living
807-467-5262 (Shared with Art Partners)
jeff.rasmussen@kacl.ca - e-mail
www.kacl.ca/rise.html - website

Community Arts Hub

What is the Community Arts Hub? It is a new action research project by the Kenora Association for Community Living to renovate and provide an accessible and inclusive arts/music space for use by the community as well as our arts and music initiatives - Art Partners, Rise to the Rhythm and In the Key of Community.

All programming, as well as many other aspects of the Hub, are open to all adults in our community as participants, volunteers, event hosts, user groups – there are so many ways to get involved in the activities in this building.

Any feedback is always welcome so get in touch with us anytime with your ideas and we can discuss the possibilities! We are located at 528 3rd Avenue South, across from the Fragile Glass Studio. Please call 807-467-5262.

Community Garden at the Arts Hub

The Community Garden Initiative is a new project we have planned for 2009. We need your support and input to help us make this garden a success.

There are many ways to help with the project. People who would like to help plan the project, donate tools and supplies, or simply participate, are all encouraged to get in touch with us. The more people we have involved, the better this will meet the needs of those involved – the community of Kenora.

Archives (2009)

Vernon Nature Trails: Outdoor Drumming

Photo: Entire Vernon Nature Trails Drumming Circle

Photo by Patrick Lessard
The first outdoor drum gathering in 2009 couldn't have been any more memorable for the group of 28 on May 21st, 2009!

There was lots of enthusiasm and it was certainly a challenge for people to hear everyone else in such a large circle. Despite the cooler temperatures after the sun sank behind the trees, the group played continuously for an hour and a half. The addition of the wood flute was also very beautiful to integrate with the rhythms.

Thanks to all those who attended and we all look forward to the first outdoor event in May 2010, with drums, friends, families and our community!
Photo by Patrick Lessard

International Women's Day 2009
A Historical Community Drum Circle “Drumming Up Hope!”

Last  year's annual event brought focus towards issues surrounding war and violence towards women in the Democratic Republic of Congo with proceeds from the event being contributed towards the Stephen Lewis Foundation's Panzi Hospital and the new initiative of the foundation, the City of Joy. Over $2000 was raised during the event for this contribution.

In terms of KACL and Rise to the Rhythm's contribution to the event, facilitator Jeff Rasmussen took on the task of assembling more than 50 drums, from two other local agencies (The Lake of the Woods Child Development Centre and the Portage Youth Centre), as well as drums from the Rise to the Rhythm Initiative, to help lay the foundation for what was to become Kenora's largest (cross-cultural, non-denominational and fully accessible) drum circle. This was likely the largest drum circle in the community's history!

Art Partners prepared and supplied a purple canvas for use by anyone who wanted to contribute toward the event-inspired art piece. This piece is now the property of the Kenora Massage and Wellness Centre and can be viewed there.

International Women’s Day 2009 - Photo by Patrick Lessard

The drum circle portion of the event was kicked off by a short story told by Kaylynn White, who recounted her travels in Africa in 2007. She told of her travels and work there and how she couldn't understand why people would gather to dance, sing and drum while living in complete poverty and desperation by our "western" standards. As the invited speaker for the IWD event, Catherine Biaya, touched on earlier during the day's festivities, people drum, dance and sing to celebrate “hope” for the future.

What followed Kaylynn's monologue was the gathering of over 50 community members who assembled and selected drums to participate in the circle that played for close to 45 minutes. It filled the gathering space with sustaining power and resonating tones that all could hear and feel throughout their bodies. Rasmussen demonstrated the basic techniques and led the group in three distinct rhythms.

The Heart Beat Rhythm was the focus of the day as it is a rhythm that ties all peoples together world-wide. A hoola hoop section also formed at the back of the room for those who chose to move to the rhythms. IT was a lively and colourful display. The room was full of positive energy and the atmosphere was electric!

"The power of the drum to bring people from all walks of life to the same gathering place, to use their bare hands and create music together, can not be underestimated.
I am always excited and surprised by who I meet at each circle and the International Women's Day 2009 drum circle was likely the largest (and loudest) drum circle ever assembled in Kenora! The circle had one voice created by each participant's unique voice through rhythm.
I now see some of the participants coming out to regular rhythm gatherings and I hear positive feedback about the event so I know it was a memorable and inspiring event for the folks who attended." – Jeff Rasmussen, Facilitator

Contact:
Jeff Rasmussen
Community Consultant
Rise to the Rhythm Initiative - Community Arts Hub
Kenora Association for Community Living
807-467-5262 (Shared with Art Partners)
jeff.rasmussen@kacl.ca - e-mail
www.kacl.ca/rise.html - website