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Back to SolstiCelebration Background
Other Prior Seasonal and Lunar Events
SPRING
2000
Spring Full Moon Celebration
May, Thur 18, 7 pm
Tee Pee Hill (picnic shelter at the top of hill)
White Rock Lake (near intersection of W. Lawther and Williamson)
Free (donations accepted)
CRC Natural Calender & Events Hotline: 972-498-8788
Seasonal Events email list service: moonlady@onramp.net
Everybody all over the world watches the same Moon. It unifies us. The Full Moon of May 18th is particularly compelling because it is Vesak, or Buddhaâs birthday, observed by millions world wide. This Full Moon, which falls halfway between Vernal Equinox and Summer Solstice, is also the date upon which Beltane was set before calendars.
Obviously, a party is on order, and with it being a Full Moon a good howl as well.
Join with others at a picnic potluck gathering to view the Full Moon as it rises over White Rock Lake. A variety of circle dances will be featured, including the traditional Maypole dance, plus general frolicking. The evening will conclude with a Drawing Down the Moon meditation and open drum circle.
Please bring food to share, a flower or two for the altar, drums to play (especially buffalo drums), and a few dollars for the collection jar.
1999
3rd annual
Celebration of Spring Equinox
Sunday, March 21 7:30 - 10 pm
Winfrey Point building at White Rock Lake
950 E. Lawther Dr. (lake access: Emerald Isle off Garland Rd.)
free - donations accepted
Stomp the ground with your feet and do your part to wake up the Earth and encourage the arrival of new plant life in the Celebration of Spring Equinox on Sunday March 21 from 7:30 to 10 pm in the historic hilltop Winfrey Point building at White Rock Lake.
Our agricultural ancestors in the British Isles would send teams of Morris Dancers into the fields to promote good crops by performing dances involving much stomping, stick clashing and scarf waving. Dallasâ own Winfrey Bells Morris Dancers will perform some of these traditional numbers on stage instead of the usual plowed field.
Also sharing the ground-waking approach are performances by the Japanese taiko drumming troupe Kobushi, who get the evening off to a thunderous start, and drum and dance ensemble Akiwowo, who will perform traditional West African numbers.
On the theme of spring, KRLD talk show host Lora Cain will narrate and dance a myth of the season, and Amy Martin will lead a group ritual involving much foot stomping and confetti tossing.
The highly participatory second half features circle dances on the theme of emerging new life from Dances for Universal Peace, followed by a drum circle and dance jam.
Along with drums and percussion, people are asked to bring cookies to share at intermission, which also celebrates spring with a variety of herbal flower teas.
The day before the event, Saturday, March 20, marks the Spring Equinox for 1999 - a time of birth, renewal and new life. Celebrations of the beginning of new seasons have promoted peace among the community in countless cultures for thousands of years. Join with millions in Japan who even today celebrate the first day of spring as an official national holiday.
This event is produced by Lora Cain and is the third annual Celebration of Spring Equinox to be presented by Celestial Rhythm Celebrations. In its second year at Winfrey Point, it will continue to be held there along with CRCâs Fall Equinox harvest celebrations.
Celestial Rhythm Celebrations is an informal Dallas group committed to popularizing seasonal observances. CRCâs 1995 and 1996 Summer SolstiCelebrations each attracted almost 3000 people to White Rock Lake. Winter SolstiCelebration, which started at Winfrey Point, is now popular Dallas tradition in its sixth year. The organization won a "Best Of" award from the Dallas Observer in 1998.
1998
2nd annual
Celebration of Spring Equinox
Friday March 20 8 - 11 pm
Dreyfuss Club @ White Rock Lake
E. Lake Highlands off N. Buckner Blvd.
free - donations accepted
Friday afternoon, March 20, marks the Spring Equinox for 1998 - a time of birth, renewal and new life. Join with millions in Japan who celebrate the first day of spring as an official national holiday. Dallas will have its own second annual Celebration of Spring featuring poets, dancers and drummers.
Celebrations of the beginning of new seasons and ending of the old have gone on in countless cultures for thousands of years. That tradition will continue in Dallas and everyone is encouraged to bring their drums and percussion toys to join the jam lead by world beat ensemble Conundrum.
Taking on the themes of rebirth of love and light, renewal and leaving behind the darkness and hardships of winter, local poets including Lazette Jackson and Gary deLarios will read from their works.
Also, chasing away evil spirits and the heaviness of winter will be the thunderous sounds of Kobushi, Japanese taiko drumming.
Lora Cain and John Trimble will dance the legend of Skeleton Woman, an Inuit story that tells of how unexpected love can be terrifying and have the magical ability to heal our hearts and make us whole.
Amy Martin will celebrate one of the most beloved symbols of spring: the egg, specifically little chocolate eggs. Plus she will humorously cover the ancient customs, legends, astronomical and astrological aspects of spring.
It will conclude with everyone invited to join in a communal drum and dance jam led by clever, world-beat ensemble ConunDrum with Martin McCall formerly of Ooga Booga.
Emcees for the evening will be KRLD talk show host Lora Cain and comedian Kelli Vrla.
This is the second annual Spring Equinox observance that was well received by the press and public. Summer and Winter SolstiCelebrations, produced and hosted by Amy Martin, have been held in various Dallas locations since December 1992. Winter SolstiCelebration '97 at the First Unitarian Church attracted over 600 people. Almost 3000 sun-lovers attended the '95 and '96 Summer SolstiCelebrations.
1997
Spring Equinox
Wednesday, March 19
7:30 to 9 pm
Club Dada's Far Bar
2720 Elm at Crowdus
214-744-DADA
Thursday morning, March 20, marks the Spring Equinox for 1997 - a time of birth, renewal and new life. Join with millions in Japan who celebrate the first day of spring as an official national holiday. Dallas will have its own Celebration of Spring featuring poets, dancers and drummers on Wednesday March 19th from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Club Dada in Deep Ellum.
Taking on the themes of rebirth, renewal and leaving behind the darkness and hardships of winter, local poets including Clebo Rainey and Opalina Herebia will read from their works.
Two dances will be performed: Lora Cain and Michele Sandlin portray Demeter and Persephone in the Greek myth of the origin of Earth's seasons. Michele Sandlin also dances a tribute to the mythic Skeleton Woman who reads the bones and ...
Amy Martin will celebrate one of the most beloved symbols of spring: the egg, specifically little chocolate eggs. Plus she will cover the ancient customs, legends, astronomical and astrological aspects of spring in prose and essay.
Mahalene Louis will lead an earth ritual invoking the rebirth powers of spring.
It will conclude with everyone being invited to join in a communal drum and dance jam led by one of the area's best players, doumbek wizard Jamal Mohamed, a percussion instructor at SMU and member of D'Drum and Beledi Ensemble.
Emcee for the evening will be Lora Cain ÷ author, poet, dancer and KRLD talk show host.
This is the first time for Celestial Rhythm Celebrations' informal group of artists to branch out into Spring Equinox observances. Summer and Winter SolstiCelebrations, produced and hosted by Amy Martin, have been held in various Dallas locations since December 1992. Winter SolstiCelebration '96 attracted over 400 people. Almost 3000 sun-lovers attended last year's fourth and final Summer SolstiCelebration.
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FALL
2000
Harvest Moon Celebration
September, Wed. 13, 7:30 pm
Tee Pee Hill at White Rock Lake
Free *
972-498-8788
Celebrate the bounty of the Earth in a picnic pot luck held under the Full
Harvest Moon. Come enjoy a good howl and a great meal. Children
are welcome.
Bring wonderful food which we will share under the big picnic shelter
overlooking the lake. We'll bless the food and share ceremonial bread loaves.
Around sunset, we'll do our hilarious grape stomping to the spirited music of
tarentella trance tunes by Italian drummer Allesandra Belloni. Hopefully by
then the Moon will be up and we'll conclude with a rousing drum circle.
* Please bring a few bucks for the CRC donation jar (aka: the frog basket), as
I am still paying off the sound system and just invested in some directional
signs. If you can, please come early to help set up or (especially) stay late
to help clean up. Thanks!
1999
Full Harvest Moon Picnic
Sat. Sept. 25, 1999, 7 to 9 pm
(sunset apx. 7:30 pm, moonrise apx.8 pm)
Tee Pee Hill, west side of White Rock Lake
West Lawther Drive just east of Williamson
Free -- contributions appreciated
BYOFood. Donations of grapes and fruit for the jugglers appreciated.
Celebrate the beauty and bounty of the Full Harvest Moon in a sprawling picnic pot luck with the emphasis on dishes made with fruits, vegetables and grains.
Participants are invited to wear their food and vie for the Carmen Miranda Award. Or compete for the Dizzy Gillespie Award to see who can hold the most grapes in their mouth or engage in an old-fashioned watermelon-seed spitting contest.
For entertainment, Peggy Lamb will perform her food passion dance and lead the picnickers in a mad grape tarantella involving eating, catching and stomping the fallen grapes. Plus there will be a demonstration of fruit juggling from area enthusiasts.
Then after the Sun sets in the west, folks will gather on the hillside to greet the Full Moon as it rises across the lake in the east and engage in a communing with the Moon meditation guaranteed to bring bliss. Afterwards will be a sing-a-long to famous Moon songs and concluding drum jam.
This year, CRC began shifting its spring and fall focus away from the equinoxes, which were celebrated with indoor performance events at Winfrey Point, to more informal picnics held on other dates at White Rock Lake outdoor locations. The first of May brings Mayday, also called Beltane, held at Big Thicket with a Maypole dance, burying the hatchet ritual and other activities for children and adults. The fall focus is now on the Harvest Moon (which occurs on the Full Moon closest to Autumn Equinox) at Tee Pee Hill.
1998
Autumn Abundance
Wednesday, September 23, 7:30-9:30 pm
Winfrey Point at White Rock Lake
free
Audience members joining in the wild ecstatic movement of a West African harvest dance. A whimisical myth celebrating life and the seasons. Plus, on the serious side, a Native American themed Earth ceremony and bread-sharing ritual.
All this is part of Autumn Abundance, a fusing together of dance, drums, poetry, ritual and theater to celebrate the Fall Equinox occurring Wednesday, September 23. A time to celebrate the abundant Earth and the live-sustaining nourishment it provides, the harvest holiday this year is especially significant coming after such a drought-stricken summer.
Short on words and ceremony, but long on movement and joy, the audience is invited to bring drums and percussion and is given many opportunities to participate in the drumming and dancing. Being a harvest festival, attendees are also encouraged to bring food to share after the event.
A variety of approaches from serious to silly are used to explore the Earth's abundance:
The event begins with the thunderous sounds of periannal favorite Kobushi, a Japanese taiko ensemble led by Kent Multer.
A local men's spirituality group presents a Native American themed circle ritual invoking the four elements and directions.
Lora Cain, who is also emcee, uses dance to illustrate a archetypal myth about women, time and the seasons.
The philosophy of fall is brought to life by Amy Martin who leads a bread-sharing ritual with the audience.
Phyllis Williams and John Trimble get passionate about food in a grape stomping, fruit smashing, pie-in-the-face tango choreographed by Amy Martin.
Led by Greg Beck, Akiwowo brings things to a peak with a high-energy drum and dance show of a West African harvest rhythm.
Harvest circle dances from sufi-styled Dances for Universal Peace concludes the evening.
This is the third Autumn Equinox observance presented in cooperation with Celestial Rhythm Celebrations was well received by the press and public.
1997
Autumn Equinox celebration
Sept. 22, Mon. 7 pm:
Autumn Equinox celebration,
Winfrey Point, White Rock Lake
$5
Featuring: a performance by Layne Redmond and Tommy Brunjes as the duo Mad Honey... storytelling and poetry of the season... harvest ceremony and food sharing... Conclusion: a community drum and dance circle.
From 6 to 7 pm will be book, drum, CD and video sales.
1996
Lammas Corn Festival
Big Thicket at White Rock Lake
July 1996
1995
Fall Equinox celebration
Sunday September 24, 1995
Green Room, 2715 Elm, Dallas, Texas
8 ~ 9 pm ÷ Caribbean percussion for dancing by the Other Brothers, followed by open drum jam
9 ~ 9:45 pm ÷ Autumn Equinox service
poetry of the season
*Finally, the Fall by Amy Martin
To Autumn by John Keats, read by Jeff Davis
The Rain Tree by Julie Ryan
cycles of life
*Leave my parts to the birds of Blake Island by Jeff Davis
Dance of Fertility ÷ Cassandra Fink & Claudia Hochberg
*Moonstruck by Amy Martin
service in memory of Jahdene
appeal by Dave Hero, guardian of Jahlise
New Moon meditation
words from friends
9:45 ~10:30 pm ÷ Acoustic set by Ooga Booga world-beat band, followed by open drum jam (booking c/o Andy Chiles: 214-946-7947) Ooga Booga hotline: metro 817-679-0143.
* from Speaking of Mother Earth (Amaranth Publishing)
Thanks to: Cristobal Beal, Martin McCall, Scooter Smith, Happy Shel Weisman, Brandt Wood of the Green Room
1994
Prayer Dance for Fall Equinox
date: Sun, Sept. 25, 1994
admission: free
place: outdoor amphitheater at Museum of Natural History in Fair Park
time: prayer flags 4 ~5; dancing 5 ~ 6; harvest blessing 6 ~ 6:30 pm
performers: Dancing Tongue (rhythm & poetry ensemble)
sponsors: New Ways of Being (a nonprofit cultural humanities group)
producer & dance author: Martha Murphy
co-producer: Amy Martin and Celestial Rhythm Celebrations
For those who have deep spiritual connections to the Earth and its changing seasons, a prayer dance gathering will be held in the terraced and landscaped outdoor amphitheater on the north side of the Museum of Natural History. A prayer dance is a complex circular group dance in which each step, each connection with the Earth, is considered a prayer.
Structured so that anyone can easily participate, dancing as much or as little as they choose, the Prayer Dance is in four movements: prayers or affirmations one has for themselves; their family and beloveds; their community; and the world. Moving Collaborations dancer Martha Murphy, author of the dance and head of the sponsoring organization, will lead. She has a background in dance therapy and is a licensed minister.
Dancing Tongue, an avant garde rhythm and poetry ensemble, will stomp grapes during their Bacchus celebration, "Ode to Fruit," set to Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony No. 6.
The outdoor amphitheater at Museum of Natural History is located to the north of the building in Fair Park, just across from the Magnolia Lounge (Friends of Fair Park headquarters) and the Old Mill Inn restaurant. A circular path in the adjacent paved pedestrian area will be set aside for those wishing to do the prayer circle in wheelchairs or roller skates. Ample secured parking is nearby. A security guard has been hired for the event.
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MOON
2000
Women's New Moon Labyrinth Walk*
Sept. 27 Wed 7:30 - 10 pm
Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration
14115 Hillcrest, northwest corner of Spring Valley, 1 mile north of LBJ Frwy.
* timed to New Moon of Rosh Hashana closest to Fall Equinox
We gather at sunset on the New Moon that determines Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, which begins 10 days of atonement ending in Yom Kippur. It is a good period for anyone of any faith to make a new beginning with10 days of reflection on your past and future path. The following Full Moon is Sukkoth, a time to celebrate the Earth.
Things begin with a talk by Mary Anne Reed about labyrinths, followed by short service with some prayer, singing and circle dances. Then we walk the labyrinth with candle light and beautiful music custom compiled for the event by Jeannette. Please stay until the end when we conclude the labyrinth walk with another short service; to be in service on the labyrinth after all the women have walked it is an awesome feeling.
The building is at the top of the hill once you enter the parking lot;. Look for the bell tower and enter those doors. Pass through the entry and veer left down the foyer toward the labyrinth. Please leave your shoes and any large belongings out here.
A healing altar is being offered by Sandy in the foyer before you get to the seating area for the labyrinth. Bring a small object that represents someone/thing or a part of yourself that needs to be healed and place it there; we will dance and send healing energy to these at the concluding service. She is also constructing a cleansing prayer gate to pass through. Once past these, please remember that you are in sacred space.
The Women's New Moon Circle will provide a charcoal smudge pot with Amy's special sage blend and a prayer-walking foot wash for those who wish to use it prior to walking. Please come 15 minutes early. Go out the back door of the labyrinth room to the lawn area outside. It is a self-service operation; just sprinkle a tablespoon of herbs on the hot charcoal and smudge in the billowing smoke, then walk through the tub and dry your feet. Please contribute a couple dollars for herb costs to the jar nearby.
About 150 women attend, so there may be some waiting to walk the labyrinth and to stay around for the conclusion. Bring a book to read or plan to sit in meditation for a while. Sitting on the floor is OK; bring a cushion. The grassy church grounds make for a nice ramble.
Photograph of the event by Lora Cain.
A few notes:
** Votive candles light the labyrinth perimeter. The wearing of long flowing skirts is not recommended!
** Set a contemplative mind frame for walking the labyrinth by wearing a prayer shawl or some object which is sacred to you. A few prayer shawls are available to borrow.
** If you want to walk with a candle as a focus object, please make sure it is in a wax-catching container. The use of tapers is not recommended.
** Other focus tools include rosaries, prayer beads, crystals.
** To get in a meditative state prior to arriving at the labyrinth, good aromas to smell are sandalwood, frankincense, myrrh and especially copal, or a blend of the these. To be very focused and alert, try basil or rosemary.
** Tissues in your pocket while doing the walk are helpful for the inevitable tears of release.
Please bring a few dollars to contribute to the church's labyrinth fund. In the labyrinth foyer, there is a small wooden with a donation box and a place to sign up for the labyrinth mailing list.
2000
WOMEN'S FULL MOON WEEKEND
leader/teacher: Amy Martin (moonlady@onramp.net)
hostess/coordinator: Jeannine Owens (jowens@pbviews.com)
July 14-17, 2000
Friday evening through Sunday afternoon retreat with:
Moon class with Moon dance and song
Hot tub Ritual for opening the heart
Full Moon ritual & celebration
Moon crafts & henna tattoos
Drumming & dancing galore
Free time to explore area
Great food & fun
Held at Riverdancer, a rural retreat center on the Jemez River in the mountains near Santa Fe, about an hourâs drive from the Albuquerque airport
Cost: $250. Room and board included.
Limited to 17 women.
1999
Beltane
Full Moon
May Day eve
Fri. April 30, 8 - 11 pm
Big Thicket at White Rock Lake
Drum circle - Maypole dance- Drawing down the Moon
1999
Women's New Moon Labyrinth Walk
Sept. 27 Wed. Circle Time & Place: 7:30-10 pm
Church of the Transfiguration, 14115 Hillcrest @ Spring Valley
1998
Women's New Moon Labyrinth Walk
Sept. 27 Wed. Circle Time & Place: 7:30-10 pm
Church of the Transfiguration, 14115 Hillcrest @ Spring Valley
1997
Midsummerâs Eve Full Moon drum circle and ceremony
Big Thicket at White Rock Lake
June 1997
1997
Women's New Moon Labyrinth Walk
Sept. __ Circle Time & Place: 7:30-10 pm
Church of the Transfiguration, 14115 Hillcrest @ Spring Valley
1996
Total Lunar Eclipse drum circle and ceremony
Flag Pole Hill at White Rock Lake
Sept. 1996
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Drum
1998
RHYTHMS OF SPRING OPENING
Friday, March 26, 8 pm
1997
Playshops & Drum Circle with Arthur Hull
Saturday, Feb. 1
Come drum with the father of RhythmCulture, noted drumming facilitator & funny guy Arthur Hull, leader of major drum circles around the nation and featured artist at Summer SolstiCelebrations â95 and â96.
1 - 3 p.m. ÷ Drum Circle Facilitator Playshop ÷ $10
Intensive session for Drums Not Guns volunteers teaching how to
form and conduct a community drum circle. Non-verbal techniques to
communicate with drummers in the circle. Ways to create a support structure.
3:30 - 5 p.m. ÷ Beginning Beginners Drumming Playshop ÷ $25
(First come, first served. Doors open at 3 pm)
An easy and fun introduction to hand drumming. Learn how to hold and strike a drum. Get acquainted with basic rhythm patterns. Tips on playing in drum circles.
5:30 - 7 p.m. ÷ Community Drum Circle ÷ FREE
Put your playshop lessons into action. Open to all ages and all kinds of drums and percussion, even tambourines! Drums available to borrow. Or just come to watch.
Location
Sons of Herman Hall, 3414 Elm near Exposition in Deep Ellum. Bring quarters for parking meters. Grill food and refreshments available.
1997
When The Drummers Were Women
Layne Redmond with partner Tommy Brunjes.
Fall Equinox weekend of Sept 20-22
Teatro Dallas, 2204 Commerce at the intersection of Central Expy. in downtown Dallas; 214-741-1135
SLIDE LECTURE of BOOK
Sat. 3 pm slide lecture of "When The Drummers Were Women," Teatro Dallas $5
Sat. 7 pm slide lecture of "When The Drummers Were Women," Teatro Dallas $5
Using her ever-growing collection of slides, Redmond will present a narrated visual tour of the book, interspersed with drum demonstrations. The event also includes a guided rhythm meditation and short concert with Layne and her partner Tommy Brunjes as the duo Mad Honey.
From 6 to 7 pm before the second show will be drum, CD and video sales. Borders Books & Records will also be presenting a mini-book fair of selections from their womenâs studies department.
WORKSHOPS
Sun. 3 pm: When The Drummers Were Women workshop, Teatro Dallas $35
Sun. 7 pm: frame drumming techniques workshop, Teatro Dallas $25
When The Drummers Were Women: history of the drum as used in initiations, blood mysteries, birthing practices, ritual death and rebirth ceremonies, purifications and threshold rituals... finding the pulse and heartbeat... basic techniques of frame drumming... connecting to the primordial energies of the celestial rhythms, seasons and elements.... a discussion of the physical and psychological effects of drumming... specific rhythms and sounds to use in rituals. Please bring rattles, rainsticks, bells, singing bowls and other percussion instruments; frame drums provided for those without. For women only.
Frame drumming techniques: how to hold and strike the drum... basic rhythm patterns... practice exercises... moving and drumming at the same time. Drums provided for those without and are available for purchase. For men and women.
Considered to be the most accomplished female frame drummer in the country, Layne Redmond has just published "When the Drummers Were Women: a Spiritual History of Rhythm." She outlines the ancient history of the frame drum as it developed from a grain sieve into a transformative spiritual tool played by priestesses in earth goddess worship. Detailing its various uses in spiritual ceremony, she traces its decline as goddess worship was usurped in favor of male sky gods, and chronicles the frame drum's current re-emergence.
The book, published by Harmony Books and excerpted in several national magazines including New Age, is heavily illustrated with photographs and drawings of ancient sculptures and paintings that feature women performing with frame drums. This amazing collection of artwork is featured in her slide lecture/demonstration which debuted last year at the prestigious Percussive Arts Society International Conference where she was a featured speaker. Using her research, Layne has developed a signature series of frame drums for Remo Percussion.
In her first trip ever to Texas, Layne will present a slide lecture/ demonstration of the book on Saturday afternoon and evening, and two workshops (ritual drumming for women and frame drum techniques) on Sunday afternoon. She will also present a Fall Equinox drum-based ritual at the Sunday morning worship services of the First Unitarian Church of Dallas (tentative). On the following Monday night, as a duo with her partner, Tommy Brunjes, as Mad Honey they will be featured in a Fall Equinox celebration at White Rock Lake's Winfrey Point.
As the Rodney Dangerfield of drums, the tambourine gets no respect ÷ unless youâve seen it played by Layne Redmond. This round, flat frame drum with metal jingles is capable of an intricate and evocative sound when not flailed about in a rock or gospel band. Stuck directly on the jingles as well as the head, the version called a riq has origins in the Middle East and North Africa thousands of years old.
A protege of Glen Velez, considered one of the finest frame drummers in the world, Redmond performed in his ensemble for many years along with flutist Steven Gorn. They earned comments such as this one by Kyle Gann in the Village Voice who called them "as close as anyoneâs come to [world beat] crossover group... Their rhythms are classic, their melodies astounding, their technique astounding... they may be New Yorkâs most perfect musicians." Writing in the New York Times, James R. Oestreich called her "a superb percussionist" and noted that she drew "an astounding variety of well-focused sounds from a tambourine."
During her years with Velez, with whom Redmond began to research the history of the frame drum. Studying art and writings all the way to ancient archaeological finds. She discovered that the further back in time you went the more likely the frame drum was to be found played by a woman until it was that way exclusively. The oldest known representation of any human playing a drum is of a woman playing a frame drum from a temple in Catal Huyuk dating from 5800 B.C.E.
Redmond poured her research into a book, "When the Drummers Were Women: A Spiritual History of Rhythm." It shows that long before the Lillith Fair celebrated women in music, in the ancient temples of the Mediterranean and Middle East, women ~were~ the music, keeper of rhythms both celestial and musical. Published by Harmony Books and excerpted in several national magazines including New Age, the book is heavily illustrated with photographs and drawings of ancient sculptures and paintings that show women performing with frame drums.
This amazing collection of artwork is featured in her slide-lecture which debuted last year at the prestigious Percussive Arts Society International Conference where she was a featured speaker. Using her research and experience, Layne has developed a Signature Series of frame drums for Remo, a major drum manufacturer. Her book and these drums will be available for purchase at the events, as well as her CD and video.
After departing from Velez to emphasize the more spiritual aspects of frame drums, she formed a ground-breaking female ritual drumming performance group called the Mob of Angels, which are showcased on her instructional video Ritual Drumming for Women. Her recording, Since the Beginning, featured her former bandmate Steven Gorn on woodwinds, plus vocalist Amitava Chatterjee and violinist Vicki Richards.
Redmond now performs as Mad Honey with her partner Tommy Brunjes. Using tambourines, frame drums and a variety of exotic percussion instruments, their playing techniques are a synthesis of techniques from South India, the Middle East and Mediterranean, covering a gamut of rhythms from around the world with grace, sensitivity and open-hearted energy.
1995
Arthur Hull comes to Dallas!
Come drum with REMO Signature Series Endorsee and superb drumming facilitator Arthur Hull, leader of some of the largest drum circles in the nation, including the 1,700 strong Rhythm for Life Drum Circle in California in 1992.
Saturday, June 17
Workshop: Facilitating a Drum Circle 11 a.m. ~ 2 p.m.
$40 in advance, $45 at the door
Saturday, June 17
Drum Circle 8 ~ 9:30 p.m.
Free ÷ part of the Summer SolstiCelebration for White Rock Lake
workshop for improving drumming circle skills.
Tips on body language and other creative techniques to communicate with drummers in the circle
Become familiar with timbres of different drums to create a drum circle with deep texture
How to keep a rhythm train going with jun juns and other ways to make a support structure for the groove
Get insight on starting your own drum circles and spreading the gospel of rhythm to new areas
Arthur Hull has studied with Babatunde Olatunji and performed with "Drums of Passion" on the West Coast many times over the past seven years. His company, "Village Music Circles," has used drum circles to build team spirit and a sense of community in groups as diverse as Wall Street investors, colleges and rival street gangs. Hull has been teaching percussion at the University of California at Santa Cruz for the last thirteen years. In addition to being co-owner and co-creator of the West Cliff line of personal percussion, he has also designed Ashiko, Jun Jun and Ngoma drums for REMO.
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