DRUMS FOR ONE & ALL
NON-DFOA DRUMMING EVENTS
Eastern Massachusetts Rhythm Festival
A day-long, outdoor celebration for hand drummers from around New England. A family-friendly event that includes a mix of free-style drumming, dancing and instructional workshops, all in a beautiful natural setting. Each year, the Rhythm Festival takes place in August, and so far, has always been at the River Bend Farm State Park in Uxbridge, MA. It starts at 10:00 am and ends at 6:00 pm. Open to the public. Donations accepted.
Website: Eastern Mass Rhythm Festival
Summer Solstice Celebration at Crystal Spring
Spirit-In-Nature, in conjunction with the Crystal Spring Center, hosts an annual Summer Solstice Celebration every June. Come take part in this ceremony that honors the longest day of the year as a major seasonal turning point. The gathering starts with a meditative woods walk, followed by a potluck social time and then culminates in drum circle. Crystal Spring in Plainville, MA is a gorgeous location for this spiritual event that is open to the public and free of charge. Bring a drum, a folding chair and your favorite food dish to share. And bring a spirit filled with summer joy!
Website: Crystal Spring
Sacred Pulse Music Festival
The Kripalu retreat center in Lenox, MA (Berkshires) is hosting a week-long collection of workshops, performances and events, all related to tribal rhythms, ancient chants and ecstatic dance. Among the renowned instructors such as Jai Uttal, Layne Redmond, Ubaka Hill and many others. The event typically happens in July, and you can go for the week or sign up for individual events. If you've never been to Kripalu, it's a unique place that is focused on promoting spiritual and personal exploration. It's not cheap, but the food is excellent and the location is amazing.
Website: Kripalu
KOSA Drumming & Percussion Workshop
An entire week of nothing but drumming classes taught by world-class instructors and performers from all over the globe and from every musical style. Kosa is usually held in August at Johnson State College in central Vermont. If you can't attend for the week, then day packages are an option. At the very least, you MUST see the faculty performance on the final day -- the concentration of drumming talent in that one evening will leave a lifelong impression on you!
Website: Kosa
SpiritFire Festival
The SpiritFire Festival is a retreat that celebrates the spirit of life through music, movement and voice. Spend five days in harmony with a welcoming community exploring diverse pathways, while being united in joyous celebration, deep listening, infectious grooves, and ecstatic trance! During the day: attend workshops for all levels on drumming, dance, didgeriedoo and vocal improvisation. At night: enjoy evening jams that honor different music and movement traditions followed by midnight-to-dawn fire circle rituals. SpiritFire takes place in in New Lebanon, NY (not far from Pittsfield, MA) usually at the beginning of August.
Website: SpiritFire
