The 2011 EASTERN MASS RHYTHM FESTIVAL
Saturday, August 20th, 2011 ~ 11 AM to 7 PM
River Bend Farm State Park, 287 Oak Street, Uxbridge, MA
FREE and open to the public (donations welcomed)
The Eastern Mass Rhythm Festival is an all-day, outdoor celebration of hand drumming, percussion and dance. The main feature is ongoing free-style drumming and dancing in the central circle. In addition, there is a series of free workshops in the mini-circles that cover a wide range of topics about rhythm and dance. The festival is a family-oriented event, so all ages and skill levels are welcome to attend. There's no need to pre-register; just show up when you can and stay as long as you like!
The Rhythm Festival now has a presence on Facebook!
Click here
to check out the most up-do-date info on the festival and to see photos from previous festivals. Become an EMRF Facebook fan and help spread the word by inviting others to become fans too!
Schedule of Events:
9:00 am to 11:00 am
~ Setup Time. Volunteers are welcome to help get things ready
11:00 am to 12:45 pm
~ Freestyle drumming starts in the main circle
1:00 to 2:00 pm - 1st workshop session
~ Intro to Hand Drumming (Dave Curry)
~ Malian Rhythms (Sidy Maiga)
~ Ongoing free-style drumming in the main circle
2:30 to 3:30 pm - 2nd workshop session
~ Intro to Belly Dancing ** (Jamie Lee Fury)
~ Gong Bath Sound Healing (Deb Stevens)
~ Ongoing free-style drumming in the main circle
4:00 to 5:00 pm - 3rd workshop session
~ African Dance (Heidi Roth & Susan West)
~ Creative Drumming Techniques (Rick Cormier)
~ Ongoing free-style drumming in the main circle
5:00 to 7:00 pm
~ Grand finale drumming & dancing in the main circle
6:00 pm Cleanup Time
~ Everyone please pitch in to leave the park the way we found it!
** Note: While there is no workshop this year specifically for Middle Eastern drumming, anyone who likes playing doumbek and Middle Eastern rhythms is invited to be in the "backup band" for the belly dance workshop. Dave C. will lead the drummers as we provide the rhythmic accompaniment for the dancers.
What You Should Bring:
~ Any kind of hand drum or percussion instruments
~ Picnic lunch or snacks
~ Extra drinking water
~ Sun screen and bug dope
~ Folding chairs or blankets
~ Any kind of free-standing sun shelter (optional)
What Is Provided:
~ Plenty of free parking
~ Restrooms in the visitor's center
~ Bottled water for sale
~ A few common-use drums
State Park Rules & Regs:
~ No alcoholic beverages
~ Fires are only allowed in grills provided in the picnic area
~ Vendors cannot sell items or services directly to the public
Although vendors can't make direct sales during the festival, they are welcome to advertise their services or products on the public bulletin board at the festival Welcoming Station. Also, attendees are encouraged to post their event fliers, business cards, advertisements or announcements on the public bulletin board at any time during the festival.
The Rhythm Festival is sponsored by the Eastern Mass Drum Council, an all-volunteer, non-profit organization of drum circle facilitators who promote the culture of hand drumming and percussion through fun, informative public events.
The Drum Council members include:
~ Rick Cormier (Different Drummers drum circle, Yarmouth ME)
~ Dave Curry (FreeDrum Circle, Millis MA)
~ Ed Rooney (Drumfish Circle, Fairhaven MA)
~ Susan West (Grafton Drum Circle, Grafton MA)
~ Extra assistance by Josh Fonseca (Bell Street Drum Circle, Providence RI)
