The
Eastern Mass Rhythm Festival is now entering its 4th year, and each time it just gets bigger and better!
The EMRF is an all-day, outdoor celebration of hand drums, percussion and dance.
This year we're featuring almost non-stop free-style drumming & dancing in the main circle and
your choice of six workshops in the mini-circles.
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!
Here's What Is Provided:
~ Plenty of free parking
~ Restrooms in the visitor's center
~ Bottled water
~ Some sun shelters and folding chairs (not enough for everyone)
~ Some common-use drums
Here's What You Can Bring:
~ Any kind of drum or percussion instruments
~ Picnic lunch and snacks
~ Extra drinking water
~ Sun screen and bug dope
~ Chairs and/or blankets
~ "Easy-Up" sun shelters (must be free standing)
If you don't own a drum, some will be available for borrowing -- inquire at the festival Welcoming Station.
Some 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.
To give you an idea of what's in store, here's the schedule of events from 2007:
10:00 am to 11:45 am
~ Free-style drumming in the main circle
11:45 am to 12:00 pm
~ Welcome and announcements
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm - 1st workshop session
~ Drum Circle Survival Tips & Tricks (Dave Curry)
~ Vocal & Body Percussion (Ed Rooney & Debbie Clarke)
~ Ongoing free-style drum & dance in the main circle
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm - 2nd workshop session
~ Family Circle With Shakers & Games (Otha Day)
~ Intro To Belly Dancing (Erzulie)
~ Ongoing free-style drum & dance in the main circle
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm - 3rd workshop session
~ West African Rhythms (Susan West)
~ Middle Eastern Rhythms (Kevin Smith & Greg Fisher)
~ Ongoing free-style drum & dance in the main circle
3:00 pm to 6:00 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!
The Rhythm Festival is sponsored by the Eastern MA 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:
~ John Chiros (Framingham, MA drum circle)
~ Debbie Clarke (Northboro, MA drum circle)
~ Rick Cormier (Yarmouth, ME drum circle)
~ Dave Curry (Milford, MA drum circle)
~ Ed Rooney (Fairhaven, MA drum circle)
~ Susan West (Grafton, MA drum circle)
The Drum Council thanks last year's special guest facilitators:
~ Kevin Smith (Cumberland, RI drum circle)
~ Greg Fisher (Cumberland, RI drum circle)
~ Erzulie (Cambridge, MA dance instructor)
~ Otha Day (North Adams, MA drum facilitator)
