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This page gives folks a quick overview of the kinds of projects, events and activities we've been up to in the past year. Yes, we do a lot of drumming! On average we've had about 5 things going on each month... and that's just during the slow season (November thru January)! Bring your drum and join in the fun!
4/25/2008 EVENT: World Rhythm Festivalseveral TCDC members carpooled from all over Washington State to join hundreds of other drummers from around the country in downtown Seattle's Center House over the April 25-27th weekend to take workshops from (and hear the amazing music of) some of the world's top percussive musicians. The World Rhythm Festival is a full weekend (from dawn till the late hours in the night) of learning, listening and letting-go. The rhythms of Africa, India, South America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and Europe fill the halls of Seattle Center's 'Center House' including the food court with its huge hopping performance stage... a fantastic event and it was all for free. If you couldn't make it this year, you definitely want to plan for it next year.
4/20/2008 JAM: Guinea RhythmsWow! What a jam. Authentic traditional rhythms of Guinea were taught including two very rare gems from Famoudou Konate entitled "Sila" and "Soro." A big thanks goes out to Helen Bond and Famoudou Konate for gracing our part of the world again this summer to teach more of these wonderful chants and rhythms.
3/16/2008 JAM: Native American RhythmsWe had a great turnout for this jam. About once a year we delve into these rhythm sets which span over 10 First Nation traditions, and we never seem to get enough time with them. This jam also included a workshop on two-instrument playing techniques and stick drumming techniques. A big thanks goes out to Laurel (Sultana Dancers) for opening the studio for us on a day when the troupe didn't have practice.
3/15/2008 EVENT: Yakima DrummingOn Saturday several folks met at Yakima's Unity Spiritual Life Center (corner of 8th and Pine) to do a workshop on Australian Rhythms. The afternoon workshop included a discussion on the Dreamtime experience, percussive breathing, and drum songs over 1 hour long. The event had a great turnout. A big thanks goes out to Lucinda Cervantes for coordinating the event and to all the folks who brought food for the potluck.
2/17/2008 JAM: Australian RhythmsThe rhythms of several aboriginal nations from Australian were taught and shared today for several hours-- one of the drummers brought a gorgeous didjeridoo too and gave everyone a chance to try their lungs at it. Pizza at Atomic Ale followed! A big thanks goes out to everyone who made the drive and time to share these wonderful rhythms today.
2/9/2008 EVENT: Sultana Dancers HaflaThe Sultana Dancers belly dancing troupe under the direction of Laurie Nearing had a great audience turnout for their annual Hafla this year at Christ The King Church in Richland. This event has always been free and open to the public. The Sultanas host this invitational student recital and belly-dancing party (with wonderful food, drink and live drumming provided by the attending drummers), and this year dancing troupes, solo dancers and drummers from Spokane, Moses Lake, Walla Walla, Pendleton, Hermiston, Wenatchee and The Dalles joined in fun from 4:00-9:00pm. A huge thanks goes out to everyone who helped with setup and teardown, preparing the event and making the drive to join in the afternoon and evening. What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday!
1/20/2008 JAM: Congolese RhythmsWe started off 2008 with 8 rhythms of the Congo, all very challenging but addicting too. Some new faces attended as well. We had a fun turnout for this jam, and we hope to offer three other workshops on African drumming styles this year as well. Thanks to everyone who made the drive and took time to join us for the fun.
1/19/2008 EVENT: Yakima DrummingOn Saturday several folks met at Yakima's Unity Spiritual Life Center (corner of 8th and Pine) to do a workshop on Japanese Rhythms. The afternoon workshop included several warm up exercises that emphasized stick drumming techniques, and then an actual performance piece was taught. The event had a great turnout. A big thanks goes out to Lucinda Cervantes for coordinating the event and to all the folks who brought food for the potluck.
12/22/2007 EVENT: Solstice Party (West Richland)In the annual tradition of our performance troup, the Sultanas hosted a wonderful end of the year party at the home of Laurie (Lulu) and Scott Martin including great food, music and games, and all sorts of pranks and antics by members of the dancing troupe. A huge thanks goes out to the Martin's for organizing and hosting this gathering.
11/18/2007 JAM: Taiko RhythmsWow... what a day of great drumming! It was rainy and cold outside, but the drummers were heating things up indoors this Sunday learning Taiko rhythms of Japan. Much was shared from the local Seattle Taiko troupes as well as performance troupes that frequent Benaroya hall. Thanks to everyone who made the time and effort to join in the fun.
10/21/2007 JAM: Turkish RhythmsWe weren't sure if October would have a very big turnout... after all, it's "Merry Thanksgivoween" season... but we had a great turnout. The Turkish rhythms were a tough challenge for everyone, but what a unique set! Cheers go out to everyone who made time that afternoon to plugged away at them.
10/20/2007 EVENT: Body Mind Spirit Expo (Yakima)Several drummers from the Tri-Cities attended Yakima's metaphysical expo, hosted by a local Unity Church at the Howard Johnson's downtown. Two workshops on drum purchasing criteria, good hand posture and striking form, a few basic rhythms and a brief discussion of the therapeutic and meditative qualities of drumming were shared with the attendees. Thanks goes out to Lucinda Cervantes of the Yakima Drum Circle for coordinating this event.
10/20/2007 PERFORMANCE: Wenatchee HaflaThe Sultana Dancers and several Tri-Cities drummers wrapped up the Sultana 2007 season with a roadtrip to the annual Halloween Hafla in Wenatchee, hosted by Debra and the Sabah Ensemble (along with the Scabland Band of course). Dancing troupes from around the state attend this event and always surprise each other with choreographed tricks or treats... and by the end of the evening everyone gets into the act.
9/22/2007 PERFORMANCE: SausageFestThe Sultanas concluded their 2007 season of performance this year with two 1hour shows at SausageFest (one on Friday night and one on Saturday night). The event always has a huge turnout, and the dancers performed several of this year's new dances including an amazing sword dance. They also grabbed several folks from the audience and brought up on the floor to dance with them--- always great fun. A big thanks goes out to everyone this year who drummed for a belly dance event. We look forward to next year's season.
9/16/2007 JAM: Bhangra RhythmsThe drummers met today to tackle eight very heavy modern Bhangra rhythms from India. They have an amazing energy to them that hybridizes both Indipop and old world Carnatic rhythms into a highly addictive groove. What a blast to end the summer on this note. Literally. A big thanks to everyone who made the drive and made the time to participate in the jam... we had folks from as far away as Yakima, WA, Chewelah WA and Bend OR join us today. Wow!!!
9/1/2007 PERFORMANCE: TumbleweedBig troupe, big turnout, big success today. More than 20 dancers attended the Tumbleweed performance and workshop put on by the Sultanas for the annual Tumbleweed festival, and 13 drummers pulled off a tight show for them. Always nice to be in an air conditioned dance hall for this sort of thing when its still blazing hot outside. Thanks to everyone who made time attend this event!
8/25/2007 PERFORMANCE: B/F County FaireOnce again this year the Sultanas performed at the Benton Franklin County Faire on the Fiesta stage. Special thanks goes out to Elliot, Tom and the guys for doing sound and cheering on the ladies from the crowd. Wasn't so hot outside this year compared to past years... sweet relief for a an hour show!
8/19/2007 JAM: Senegalese Rhythms Part 2The drummers attending this jam revisted several of the Senegalese rhythms taught at the last jam and then plowed into another 10 new rhythms. This was one of the biggest rhythm handouts we've ever given out... so we may revisit them again this Spring sometime. Thanks to everyone who made time and the drive to attend today.
8/18/2007 EVENT: Fall Campfire DrummingAnother fantastic campfire drumming was held on the Snake River again this year thanks to everyone who participated. We had a great turnout, folks provided firewood and wonderful food and drinks and the kids had a blast too. The weather was perfect, the fire was huge, and the rhythms were really amazing as people got into each groove. Thanks to everyone who made the drive and the time for the event.
8/4/2007 PERFORMANCE: Tribal Quest (Portland)This year 8 Sultana Dancers and 8 drummers from the drum circle made the trek over to Portland's Fez Club to participate in one of the area's biggest gatherings of regional belly dancing dance troupes. All were treated to 3 days of dancing and drumming workshops and a final Saturday evening of amazing troupe dancing, impressive performances by New York progressive middle eastern band Raquy and the Cavemen, and a big wow finish by The Indigo and BellyDance Superstars member Zoe Jakes. The Sultanas and their drummers were granted the prestigeous final act position for the evening before the big names came out to perform --- talk about pressure!! A big thanks goes out to everyone in the troupe who made the drive and the time to do this gig. What a blast!
7/28/2007 PERFORMANCE: Allied Arts ShowEvery year this show is a scorcher, but the Sultana Dancers, their students and the performance drummers braved the intense heat and performed for an hour to cheering crowds standing in the shade. Thanks goes out to everyone who attended (and brought fresh cold fruit and water!!!)
7/21/2007 PERFORMANCE: Medfest 2007The Sultana Dancers belly dancing troupe and several drum circle members performed again this year at the Pacific Northwest's largest bellydancing festival: Medfest in West Seattle (Hiawatha Park). The drummers opened the show Saturday for the second year in a row, assisted by long time middle eastern drummer Roy Pettit (Wenatchee's Scabland Band). Everyone in the troupe also dined together at Seattle's Marrakesh Moroccon Restaurant Friday night - a great weekend overall. Happy birthday Laurie Nearing!
7/14/2007 EVENT: Famoudou Konate WorkshopSome consider Famoudou Konate the greatest djembe master on the planet. For 4 days he gave workshops in Portland and Boise and they were absolutely phenomenal. Several of our members have attended these workshops and if you've ever been interested in learning traditional Malinke rhythms and songs, this was the ultimate experience. Also attending was Fode Camara, master djembe maker and Sangban player (several of our members own drums made by Fode and they are amazing). A huge thanks goes out to Helen Bond of Medusa's Musical Mysteries in CHicago for managing Famoudou's North American Tour and bringing a legend like this so close to our backyard.
6/30/2007 PERFORMANCE: Ye Merrie GreenwoodThe Sultana Dancers belly dancing troupe performed 6 shows for the annual Renaissance Faire in Richland this weekend... this was the debut of 5 new pieces the troupe has been working on and all went very tightly (a good thing). Thanks to everyone (especially Ann for bringing her 'magick water') for making this first big 2007 season event happen.
6/17/2007 JAM: Senegalese Rhythms Part 1An excellent turnout today. Folks came to learn Senegalese Rhythms which are very similar to rhythms of neighboring Guinea. Handouts for 23 rhythms were shared, and 7 of them were tought. There is no jam in July, so this gives folks an opportunity to practice these rhythms for our August Jam when we'll be redoing them and learning more of them. Thanks to everyone who made time and the drive to attend today.
5/20/2007 JAM: Brasillian RhythmsWhat a weekend of drumming it's been. We had a great turnout today as we tackled a whole new set of rhythms from northeastern Brasil: Baiao, Samba Partido, Forro, Frevo, Axe, Marcha, Pagode, Ijexa, Xacado, Afoxe, and Maracatu. We also discussed the use of the guirro, the whistle, the agogo and other percussive instuments typical of this genre. Thanks to everyone who made time and the drive to attend.
5/19/2007 EVENT: Yakima DrummingOn Saturday several folks met at Yakima's Unity Spiritual Life Center (corner of 8th and Pine) for a third time to do a workshop on Native American Rhythms, two-instrument playing techniques, and drum healing technologies. The event had a great turnout. A big thanks goes out to Lucinda Cervantes for coordinating the event and to all the folks who brought food for the potluck.
4/21/2007 PERFORMANCE: Pasco Chamber of CommerceThe Sultana Dancers belly dancing troupe did an evening performance (Hawaii was the theme) for the PCC's annual Silent Auction at the Pasco Red Lion Inn. It's a great charitable event to help support local businesses and local business resources. Following the gig the gang went over to Bin 20 for a fabulous dinner and photoshoot for the website. Man what a month of drumming this has been!!!
4/20/2007 PERFORMANCE: Festival of ColorsSeveral Sultana Dancers made the drive up to Spokane to participate in the annual Festival of Colors event there. The performances went terrifically and folks running the event enthusiastically requested the troupe return next year in full force.
4/15/2007 JAM: Native American RhythmsIt was a heck of a drive home from Seattle's World Rhythms Festival to make it back to the Tri-Cities in time for the Monthly Jam, but we did it. We had a small turnout for this jam, but those who attended really enjoyed the rhythms taught. A big thanks goes out to the Sultanas for giving up their studio room when they discovered that the other rooms were swamped with unscheduled dancers practicing for an upcoming recital: you ladies are so generous!! If anyone missed this workshop, these rhythms will be taught again during the Yakima May Drumming.