2921 La Cienega Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232 Fax: (310) 815-0515 / Local: (310) 838-5008
Toll-Free: (888) 419-0515. Join our MySpace.com community: myspace.com/motherlanddrums
Begins HERE |
2921 La Cienega Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232 Fax: (310) 815-0515 / Local: (310) 838-5008 Toll-Free: (888) 419-0515. Join our MySpace.com community: myspace.com/motherlanddrums |
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            Place an Order: Click here for our Toll-Free Telephone, Fax Number, Email, Map and Mailing Addresses |
Click here to view or print the entire current Weekly Classes Schedule (using your web browser) Updated 8-5-10
Click here to view or print the entire current MM Events Calendar (using your web browser) Updated 7-16-10
Copyright Notice/Warning:
Students: You can bring your audio/video recorder/camera to immortalize your class experience for home practice!*
Motherland Music also has the very-easy-to-use, great-sounding Samson Zoom H2 in stock for only $199.
Welcome to the only music school
of its kind in the United States,
The Motherland Music (Open 7 days a week)
Institute of African Music Studies
MMIAMS's Weekly Classes & Community Drum Circles
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| Mondays | Tuesdays | Wednesdays | Thursdays |
| Cast a vote for your favorite MM Adult Djembe Instructor here. | |||
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| Fridays | Saturdays | Sundays | 4th Saturdays |
If you are a drummer or would like to learn great ways to express yourself
through the drum, visit us at Motherland Music in Culver City!
All skill levels are welcome.
Each CLASS: $20 per student (paid to the instructor).
First-Saturday Motherland CIRCLE: $10 (rental included).
Fourth-Saturday All-Women's Circle/Workshop: $10.
Class/Circle/Workshop instrument rentals: Always only $5!
Exception: If your own drum is in our workshop
being repaired, the $5 rental fee is waived.
(Please do not abuse this exception.)
Walk-in students are always welcome!
Below is a list of ongoing classes and circles/workshops facilitated by professional drummer/percussionist instructors here.
Copyright Notice/Warning:
*Paid participants may record classes/workshops using portable devices for personal use. All other use is strictly probibited.
No other recording is permitted during classes/workshops without prior permission of the instructor and Motherland Music.
Motherland Music is open to the public for business, but MMIAMS class/performance space is inside a private institution.
For more details, please ask the instructor in charge of the class/workshop, or contact the MM store staff in person.
All classes and circles/workshops meet here:
Motherland Music, 2921 La Cienega Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232 (310) 838-5008
Drums are available for rent ($5 per class) and for sale at very reasonable prices!
Warning—especially for novices: use of quality in-ear hearing protection may be indicated...
most of our drumming classes are LOUD!
If you come in the shop to check out a class,
you may be surprised at the intensity. Note: we don't encourage volume at expense of musicality.
Get in touch with your heartbeat at Motherland Music!
| Videos below directed & edited by Mark Crutch of InArtMedia. | ||||||||||
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All Levels Welcome! With Wolof Griot Pape Diouf from Senegal Pape (pron. "Pop") has been drumming his whole life. He is a skilled drum maker, teacher, and performer. Pape Diouf is a very patient teacher who helps his students to learn quickly and efficiently. Pape is from Dakar, Senegal and has been in the U.S. for the past 5 years and is in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. He is most fluent in the Wolof language and is currently learning U.S. Business English. Pape is from an important family line of griots, the oral tradition teachers in Africa. Family and spiritual life are very important to Pape, and he brings such perspectives to his classes as well. A very-experienced African drum repair technician, Pape also works in the Motherland Music workshop and drums at top dance studios and at clinics & special performances. If you've studied classical or other drumming styles, Pape's Sabar and Mbalax class can give you a very unique musical edge! Note: This class may be on hiatus due to its unusual midday time. Please call Pape at the shop in the morning on this class day for details if you are interested in attending. Please call (310) 838-5008 or Toll-free: (888) 419-0515. |
Monday Afternoons
Beginning Djembe and Dundun Drumming with Wolof Griot Pape Diouf. 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. - $20
All Levels Welcome! With Wolof Griot Pape Diouf from Senegal Please see the section at left for a brief Pape Diouf bio. All Levels (including Absolute Beginner), Pape's Monday Afternoon Beginning Djembe and Dundun class is for those with no experience playing hand drums (djembes) or African bass drums (dunduns). Learn basic playing techniques on djembe and dundun (kenkeni, sangban, and dundun) and some simple rhythms. Practice mastering the all-important skill of steady rhythm with a master drummer. Some of Pape's students have moved effortlessly into more advanced classes and playing situations. Here's a great place to start learning African drumming! Just ask Pape: he knows! Pape is also much in demand for private lessons and educational live performances. Pape (like his friend Malik Sow) is a leader and source of civic pride for Los Angeles's Senegalese immigrant community. |
Monday Afternoons
All Levels Senegalese Tama (Talking Drum) and Sabar Drumming with Wolof Griot Thiane Diouf. 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. - $20 All Levels Welcome! With Wolof Griot Thiane Diouf from Senegal All Levels (including Absolute Beginner), Thiane's Monday Afternoon Beginning Djembe and Dundun class is for those with no experience playing hand drums, as well as those with some experience who want to improve their playing (beginner to pro). Learn basic playing techniques on Tama and Sabar drums (through proven-useful "rhythmic solfege" [imitative speech, as it is taught in the southern/Wolof regions of Senegal]) and some simple rhythms. Practice mastering the all-important skill of steady rhythm with a youthful master drummer who like his brother Baye Balla Diouf doubles in Motherland Music's Workshop as an African drum technician. Expect to be amazed by the skills and sincerity of this young, emerging professor of music. Thiane (our own Pape Diouf's second son) is a colorful griot and emerging very gifted singer and musician. He is a very caring, patient teacher, and he can easily help you take your talking drum playing to places you never imagined. Laughter and smiles are guaranteed throughout this experience! |
Monday Evenings This class currently on hiatus; (please email luca@motherlandmusic.com with questions for special group rates and/or when it resumes). All Levels Welcome! Learn rhythms and songs like Rumba, Arará, Bembé, Comparsa, Conga Orientál, and many others. Classes offered by Luca Brandoli. Italy native Luca has been studying and playing 'roots' Cuban music for the past 20+ years. He is a renowned singer, drummer, and respected author featured on many autentico (authentic) recordings. He's an-demand session artist, too.Recently returned from yet another trip to Cuba (he's made dozens) researching and preparing Volume 4 of his impressive multi-volume magnum opus (featuring Orishas in multiple versions), Luca's usual substitute when he's out of town is sardonic Spaniard conga maestro de novatos alto, the charming José "Conguito" Vergara, who specializes in beginning conga and has recently traveled to Mali, west Africa, among other places. Expect a fun and interesting, informative class from either instructor! Vol. 1-4 of Cantos Afrocubanos now in stock! We now offer all 4 volumes of Luca's book/CD sets! Check 'em out... Luca returned from Cuba yet again. FYI, Dan Rice asked Luca how many more books he will write and publish, and Luca said he'll be writing "more and more... and more" ('til he drops!). A young man, he will be writing a lot. Enjoy it all, friends! Bravissimo, Luca! Class is likely to resume in summer 2010. |
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Tuesday Evenings
Brazilian Conga & Capoeira Class
with Capoerista/Percussionist Dana Maman.
Note: This class is currently on hiatus.
Currently there are no scheduled Tuesday evening classes.
Please check here later or contact us for more information
about future special classes and workshops.
7:00 - 8:30 p.m. $20
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Multi-instrumental world music/Brazilian percussionist Dana Maman studied classical music in Tel Aviv, Israel. Her musical journey has been extensive in Europe and the western U.S. Three years of advanced research in traditional Candomblé (and women involved in it) took Maman to Brazil's Salvador Bahia region to learn from the masters. Since relocating to Los Angeles in 2001, Dana's been a force in the L.A. Capoeira scene; she performs with Bale Folclorico Do Brazil and Capoeira Batuque. This popular Tuesday p.m. class is open to youths and adults. Maman's self-titled debut CD features herself on berimbau and several Capoeira guests. Dana Maman's facility with Brazlian styles is infectious... she can definitely help you to "get your Candomblé groove on." To visit Dana's cool web site, click here.
Wednesday Evenings
All Levels Senegalese Djembe and Djun-Djun Drumming
with Master Drummer Malik Sow.
7:00 - 8:30 p.m. $20
Class is taught by multilingual master drummer, composer and choreographer Malik Sow (pron. "Soh") from Dakar, Senegal. As a young boy in Senegal, Malik studied with master drummer Doussou Koulibaly and dancer Karounga Sakho. In 1970 Sow was lead drummer in the Ballet d'Afrique Noire; three years later he became the Musical Director for the Ballet National du Senegal, a position he held for ten years. Sow has traveled worldwide several times sharing his knowledge of West African culture and his musical abilities, and we are delighted to host his Wednesday and Saturday weekly classes at Motherland Music, which Malik calls his "home away from home." Be prepared to join Maestro Malik's regulars and sweat. The Dean of the MMIAMS speaks ten languages (including music) here! Malik asks, "What can you make the drum say?" Have you been drumming Malinke style for a while and feel that you've reached a plateau? Want to take your African drum-speaking abilities to the next level? This is the place and time! Malik also drums at top regional dance studios and in special appearances and has been a featured and beloved educator in both Los Angeles and Orange County school arts programs for many years. He has acted in [and coached other actors] and consulted and composed music for films (notably Stephen Spielberg's Amistad [and Richard Jenkins's The Visitor]). Malik's affable manner is guaranteed to make you smile and feel better about yourself, and he can definitely help you to improve your drumming, whatever your level of ability, beginner to pro. Check out Malik's cool web site here! Students in Malik's Motherland Music classes should join his Motherland Music Yahoo Group here (and Ventura students can join Malik's Ventura Class Yahoo Group here) to expand and to share their knowledge in Malik's group discussions. Malik's Wednesday class focuses on fundamentals like mastering bass, tone, and slap sounds on djembe, and authentic traditional Malinke dance rhythms, Senegal style. Waw!
All-Levels Afro-Brazilian Conga,
Djembe, and Atabaque with
Capoerista/UCLA Prof.
Mestre Amen Santo, from Brazil
7:00 - 8:30 p.m. $20
All-Levels Afro-Brazilian Conga, Djembe, and Atabaque with Capoerista /UCLA Prof. Mestre Amen Santo, from Brazil. Mestre Amen is one of the world's most-respected capoera instructors. Born Joselito Santos in Bahia, Brazil, he began capoeira training as a teenager. Mestre Amen is the founder of L.A.-based Capoeira Batuque and has worked on several Hollywood productions. Santo appeared in Only the Strong and the Kickboxer film series, and is also an accomplished musician and screenwriter. A favorite instructor at clinics he teaches and now a talented-yet-modest southern California treasure, Motherland Music is delighted to welcome Mestre Amen Santo to the MMIAMS faculty. Mestre Amen's agility with Brazlian music is profound... he can definitely help you to "get your Candomblé groove on." To visit Prof. Amen's UCLA web page, click here. Mestre Amen's award-winning organization Brasil Brasil Cultural Center's site is here. The Portuguese “Agite seu chocalho!” means "Shake your shaker!" (caxixi) in English. However you say it, you can "shake your groove thing" with Mestre Amen Thursday nights at Motherland Music.
Saturday Afternoons To visit Malik's cool (Caution: very addictive class!) 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. - $20
Experience the power of djembe and djun-djun drums with Malik Sow from Senegal. All levels are welcome, beginner to advanced! Malik teaches technique, musical phrasing and breathing, and encourages you to express yourself. He teaches the traditional African way, making the novice to master comfortable. A truly remarkable experience! This class would be inexpensive at thrice the price. Malik can take anyone deeper into drumming. Having been thoroughly trained at an early age in dance movements and the historical contexts and meanings of various traditional dances of the Mali Empire, he's also very adept at choreography and dance. Malik brings a unique and special approach to performance that's simply amazing. We call Malik's Saturday class the Real Deal! Malik is also much in demand for clinics, scheduled school assembly performances, TV/film (AFTRA/SAG) and private lessons. He recently performed on the Academy Awards and guested on ABC's Oprah! show, and wherever he drums, people are stunned by his mastery. Talk is cheap, come hear him here for yourself! Be water wise: bring a water bottle or cup in for free refills. |
Saturday Evenings Ayo Drum site, click here. (Note: new flex time ~ 90 min.) 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. - $20
Smile and learn the Language of the Drum with master priest (Ifa tradition) Ayo Adeyemi from Nigeria! Learn Ayo's 9 Basic Rhythms, plus Rumba, Eja Osan, Yankee, Odun De, Fanga & Yembela, Weré-Weré, Shango, etc., respecting Ibo, Ifa, Yoruba and other traditions. Learn some very cool chants from this accomplished master right here at Motherland Music. Musicianship is more than technique, and Ayo can help you to understand the meaning behind the songs and rhythms, and to expand your cultural worldview and musical horizons. If you could use some guidance as to how you can share your own unique musical/spiritual purpose, Ayo's class may be just what you need. "We love you so, Baba Ayo!" Adeyemi played with the great pioneering Nigerian Babatunde Olatunji for many years and now teaches traditional songs and drum rhythms that will bring joy to the world right here in our space. A very spiritual hands-on experience! Baba Ayo not only teaches music, he teaches life. We at Motherland view Ayo's presence here as heaven-sent; join him and others for the fun! |
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Sunday Mornings Teacher: Eric Robnett
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Sunday Afternoons Learn Afro-Cuban technique and articulation with artist Gary Craigwell. Teacher: Gary Craigwell
New York native Gary Craigwell is an in-demand congero who can teach you to play congas from the get-go. While his classes are characterized by deep and penetrating long excursions into the foundation rhythms of Latin dance styles like Bembé and Rumba, and Gary can be said to be a very serious teacher as well as a working pro with a long list of credits, he also has a wild sense of humor and an open mind; however one thing he's not open to is unsteady rhythm, and this is your opportunity to lock into the groove with Gary and others in his weekly get-together. He is one of our most in-demand instructors for private lessons, too. Want to learn how to develop your own solid tumbao? Gary's your guy. When he's not here teaching (and the sun is probably down), you can often catch Gary performing live on stage in clubs with his dance band. With which band(s) is he currently appearing or recording? Ask Gary for details to plan your upcoming salsa/Latin Jazz dancing and CD-listening calendar! To conga amateurs/ skeptics: do you think you're ready for big time music, but you've never seriously studied conga rhythms & playing techniques with a pro? Don't be misled. If you want to give yourself a real chance to make the dancers groove, get serious (with a pro like Gary). |
Sunday Afternoons Traditional Malinke Rhythms from Guinea, West Africa Djembe, Dundun, Sangban & Kenkeni Technique. Teacher: Fred Jones. Teacher: Fred Jones
All Levels (incl. Absolute Beginner). Fred Jones teaches weekly classes at Motherland Music, and at UCLA. This Sunday afternoon class is for players with no drumming experience and others who want to expand their horizons to Mandingo styles, from a solid Guinean rhythmic perspective. Also known as "Djangewali," J. Fredrick Jones hails from St. Louis, Mo., where he began his studies in West African music in 1975. He later moved to Chicago and became music director and a dancer with Muntu Dance Theatre, an internationally-acclaimed company. His style could be described as "mainstream Malinke" in that his playing is very much in the traditional style and he is a student of the great Mamady Keïta from Guinea, among others. Fred moved to Los Angeles in 1990, and is now the artistic director of Abalaye African Dance Ensemble. He has studied and/or worked with Mamady Keïta, Mor Thiam of Senegal, and artists Stevie Wonder, Stanley Clarke, and Bill Summers, among others. His teaching credits include many years at UCLA and numerous residencies. Fred is very skillful at breaking down each rhythm into simple and challenging djembe, dunun and bell parts, and he often sprinkles his dry sense of humor into the otherwise challenging process to elevate the mood. |
Sunday Evenings Traditional Malinke Rhythms on Djembe and Dundun with Kahlil Cummins. Teacher: Kahlil Cummins Note: Class availability varies. Please contact us on class day or the instructor for more info.
Learn phrasing, pyramid building and traditional solos. Build endurance and dexterity. Students need some basic hand drumming skills to start in Kahlil's class. Kahlil is a stickler for precision and students will learn how to tighten up their timing and technique. Also highly recommended: any event promoted by Kahlil and his wife dancer/choreographer Kara's promotions firm KaraKahlil Productions (e.g. they co-sponsored Motherland Music's 2009 Moussa Traoré workshop dates). |
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Sunday Evenings (New!)
Traditional Wolof Sabar and Mbalax.
5:00 - 6:30 p.m. $20
Teacher: Pape, Baye Balla, or Thiane Diouf
Note: Class availability varies. Please contact us on class day or the instructor for more information.
Pape (pron. "Pop") Diouf has been drumming his whole life. So have both of his elder sons, Baye Balla (pron. "By Balluh" and Thiane (pron. "Chon"). The Dioufs are skilled drum makers, teachers, and performers from a long line of promienent griots (oral-tradition teachers in Africa) from the southern Dakar region in Senegal. Pape Diouf is a very patient teacher who helps his students to learn quickly and efficiently. Pape is from Dakar, Senegal and has been in the U.S. for the past 5 years and is in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. He is most fluent in the Wolof language and is currently learning U.S. Business English. Baye Balla fronts a Sabar group featuring gifted family members including his father Pape and gifted mbeng-mbeng (pron. "bung-bung") accompanist/soloist brother Thiane and friends and whether you are new to or well-experienced in sabar drumming, any of the Motherland Music Diouf family can definitely help you take your sabar and mbalax playing to higher levels.
Family and spiritual life are very important to the Dioufs. They bring such perspectives to their classes as well. A very-experienced drum repair technician, Pape also works in the Motherland Music workshop and drums at top dance studios and at clinics & special performances; Baye Balla and Thiane are skilled apprentices in the drum trade, studying African drum repair with Dan Rice and Pape Diouf, among others. If you've studied classical or other drumming styles, this Sabar and Mbalax class can give you a very unique musical edge! People have described sabar and mbalax drumming as intense, engaging, dizzying, or even transcendant!
Note: Note: Class availability varies. Please contact us or the instructor for more information. You are welcome to call us in the the shop in on Sunday p.m. for details if you are interested in attending. Please call (310) 838-5008 or Toll-free: (888) 419-0515.
Are you a traditional (or modern) African dancer, choreographer or director needing to connect with the
AFRICAN DRUMMING Community in Los Angeles to hire the best L.A.-based talent for your audiences and/or students?
Dan Rice can help you plan your classes/events featuring some of the very best African performing artists & educators on this planet!
Please email Dan with your requirements (how many drummers, etc., incl. class/rehearsal/performance dates and times).
All classes and drum circles/workshops listed above meet at:
Motherland Music
2921 La Cienega Blvd.
on La Cienega Blvd. near Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
Local: (310) 838-5008 |
Toll-Free: (888) 419-0515
Community Drum Circles and Workshops
Recurring
Anaheim: {none reported yet}
Baldwin Hills: See Leimert Park.
Chinatown: {none reported yet}
Crenshaw: See Ecklectik Beauty's Friday night gathering listed below under "Events in Nearby Local Business Establishments."
Culver City:
Motherland Music's
First-Saturday
Community Drum Circle
First Saturday of Each Month — 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. $5
Hosted by World Percussionist and Emcee Eric Robnett, The First Saturday Drum Circle / Groove Night addresses the demand for "a cheaper way to jam" and to provide monthly "Saturday night fun" for our customers and students. Participant comments and suggestions sent to us via email are always welcome - such comments inspired this circle! We hope you enjoy this fun and festive circle! It's open to everyone—please conduct yourself and your party with respect for all of our guests. Just come in and have some fun drumming."—Dan Rice, owner. Only $5 or $10 with drum rental. Eric adds, "Reservations are not required - just join us ready to play or listen and enjoy!" If you have your own instrument, bring it, or rent a MM drum for only $5. Eric will keep the vibe laid-back and the rhythms flowing... If you get here early enough, maybe Eric will offer you a solo moment... right here at Motherland Music! Get all your monthly bills paid and then (if you still have $5!) roll into our free parking lot and relax by drumming with us. Guaranteed fun and smiles all around. It's worth a long drive to the shop. Feel the vibe; it's organic, too. This drum circle is meant to offer a safe space for people attending other art community events in the Culver City Art District on the first Saturday of the month to gather before they head out for the evening (or as the evening's family-friendly entertainment). Please drop in awhile and join the fun—let the cares of the "city hustle-and-bustle" melt away. If you have a musical group that would enjoy being featured at an in-store circle here, please contact Eric via e-mail (eric@motherlandmusic.com) for more information. Eric will also be coordinating with other area businesses for special appearances and promotions—for best possibilities, please email Eric well in advance. Discoveries happen here! |
Motherland Music's
Fourth-Saturday
All-Women's Drum Circle/Workshop
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All-Women's Drum Circle/Workshop Please note the new day (same time) and join us for the fun! Fourth Saturday only every month - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. $10 Donation "Reservations are not required - just show up ready to enjoy and join us!" Sabina Sandoval is a gifted California native peaceworker and drumming instructor with a passion for the healing power of the drum and drumming, and a keen sense of the spiritual power of the universe and how to invoke the spiritual side of feminine nature and make fun music. Sabina applies her inclusive philosophy to the busy day-to-day lives and stresses of those who attend her events, with a view toward reducing their stress levels, helping people share music and the cameraderie associated with drumming, drum workshops, and drum circles. Sabina's work has been documented in Internet videos and other new media sources. Sandoval can be found scouring the coastline of southern California for people in need of a communal music experiences in conjunction with her Free To Be Me Drum Circle and Kool Kid Drummers organizations; she selflessly provides total strangers with opportunties to play a drum or other instrument or clap or sing along with her and others in a spirit of festivity. She also sponsors urban youth in her Get a Kid a Drum organization so students who participate consistently and with purpose can be provided a drum to continue their pursuit of drumming for their life-enrichment/career path. Read more about Sabina's work here. One of Sabina's goals is to ensure that women are not discriminated against as drummers in a historically very-male occupation; she is an inspiring drumming teacher with several years of experience and can help you progress as a drummer. Meeting on the Fourth Saturday of every month (for a calendar showing the AWDC 2010 dates in GREEN click here), this gathering of women (only) is designed to free your mind from the grind and connect your soul to the healing role of the mother beat/heartbeat. Join Teacher and Circle/Workshop Facilitator Sabina Sandoval and others and let the groove dissipate worldly cares for $10 per participant. Bring your own percussion gear or rent from Motherland Music for $5 per circle/workshop. Accompanying, soloing, vocalizing and improvising will be covered in an informal, open, non-threatening environment. Participants become one through the power of the music. Each month a special ceremony occurs where a deserving young student is presented a new hand-carved African drum. Please contact Sabina via email with any questions or comments or to volunteer to help unload/load, set up/tear down. This is also a great place for women to do social and professional networking with other musical women. Sabina and MM thank you for your support!
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Dockweiler Beach: {no reports yet}
Downtown L.A.: {no reports yet}
East Los Angeles: {no reports yet}
El Segundo: {no reports yet}
Hermosa Beach: Community Drum Circle every 3rd Sunday, 12:00 noon - 3:00 p.m., facilitated by Sabina Sandoval. 25 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach.
Huntington Beach: This popular tourist & surf destination also hosts regular Sunday Drum Jams beginning at 12:00 noon on the beach north of the Pier.
Leimert Park: Depending on weather and who shows up, this is often regarded as the very best mostly-impromptu circle in southern California. 43rd St. @ Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park (Los Angeles). Sunday afternoons, approx. 2 p.m. until dusk. Friendly African-themed shops and dining nearby. No reservations required.
Long Beach: {no reports yet}
Malibu: {no reports yet}
North Hollywood: Remo Recreational Music Center (online calendar & info.). FYI, Motherland Music can skin djembes with Remo NuSkyn heads (No animals were used to produce this message.).
Pasadena: {no reports yet}
Placentia: Monthly Rhythm Jam Drum Circle and Jam Session facilitated by Bongo Dan. Details here.
Rumors abound about drum circles in Malibu, Venice Beach, Dockweiler Beach, Huntington Beach, and elsewhere. Please confirm actual drum circles and send details to Frank about ongoing events in southern California and we'll post info. about them here for the greater community.
San Diego area: {no reports yet}
Santa Monica Beach: Drum circles may happen spontaneously in the area near Santa Monica Pier (Colorado Blvd.) or Ocean Park (a few blocks south). Metered beach parking map is available here.
Venice Beach: Depending on the weather and who shows up to jam, this is often among the better mostly-impromptu circles in southern California. Usually circles form Saturdays and Sundays in the p.m. until dusk (on a sandy area near Muscle Beach). Parking is $3-10 in the county-operated structure; more info. here and here.
Watts Towers: There are sometimes impromptu African/Jazz-oriented drum circles formed in and near this location. For directions, see the Try Watts site or Google Maps.
Motherland Music is here "for all lovers of the art."
Please visit us and help spread the love. Thanks!
Events in Nearby Local Business Establishments
Drummers Jamm Time (8 p.m. Fridays @ Ecklectik Beauty 4299 Crenshaw Blvd., L.A. 90008 with Deborah Lake and others). Informal, casual coffee-house jam atmosphere; styles vary with participants and how they feel. $3 donation requested ($2 requested if you arrive with a drum).
Your drum circle or drumming event could be posted here free—just write to us!
Hey "Sam Ash-sponsored drumming contest" videographers (who recorded here @ MM on La Cienega Blvd. LAST YEAR): Where's the video copy you promised us?—Ed.
2009 Special Events/Workshops
Our Full 2009 Event Dates Calendar is posted here.
(please scroll down & check back for more info. on upcoming events)
One Day Only: Saturday, July 18, 2009. Motherland Music's First Annual Mandingo Night! Click here for details.
One Day Only: Saturday, January 31, 2009. Youth Class Premiere Performance. Click here for details.
Special Drumming and Dance Workshop:
Two Days Only: Thursday (Beginning) and Friday (Intermediate/Advanced), February 26 and 27, 2009
Malian Master Drummer Moussa Traoré teaching djembe for dance @ Motherland Music in Culver City.
Malian Master Dancer/Choreographer Djeneba Sako teaching dance @ All People's Center near Downtown L.A.
Brief Description:
Mali Master Drummer Moussa Traoré returns to Motherland Music for two days only (from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.) to teach djembe for dance! This workshop is in connection with Master Dancer Djeneba Sako also from Mali, and is a presentation by Ximena Dussan and KaraKahlil Productions. Admission is $25 for either Thursday or Friday (or $40 for both) for the djembe classes, or $20 for either Thursday or Friday (or $30 for both) for the dance classes. Click here for full details.
Moussa Traoré was well-received by the southern California djembe community on his last visit to Motherland Music. His style may be called "roots Mali" in that his rhythms do not depart from the ancient calls and accompaniments that have survived literally centuries intact and have been passed down through many generations. Discussions with those fortunate enough to have taken classes with him centered around his "solid time" and "tasteful soloing." We are delighted to welcome Moussa Traoré back to Motherland Music. Don't miss him!
Djeneba Sako's classes will take place at All People's Center near Downtown Los Angeles on the same dates, February 26 & 27 as Moussa Traoré's drumming classes, shortly thereafter (from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m.—I-10 Freeway East traffic is usually light then, too). Please see the official flyer here for full details. For a printable Google Maps Driving Directions page showing the route between Motherland Music and All People's Center, click here.
Djeneba Sako is from the Maraka culture in her native Mali in west Africa, where she entered the field of traditional dance at an early age and eventually became known as one of Mali's most talented and respected master dancer-choreographers. Sako's dance roots began with a number of lesser-known companies in Mali until she joined master djembefola Moussa Traoré's company Kome-Jose in 1994. Then in 2001, she relocated to Boulder, Colorado where she currently resides and teaches dance classes. Djeneba's dance movements usually tell some sort of allegorical or interpretive scene in daily life within a traditional African culture.
A very in-demand dancer, choreographer and dance clinician, Djeneba Sako travels throughout the U.S. teaching and performing at west African dance conferences like KanKouran African Dance Conference in Washington, D.C., Camp Fareta (with Youssouf Koumbassa of Guinea) near Fresno California, and Bantu Camp near Albequerque, New Mexico. In Djeneba's classes you'll have an opportunity to learn authentic traditional African dance moves, techniques and styles from an acknowledged master.
ONE DAY in MAY (only–and it's actually at night),
Sunday May 17, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. / $35 per person (light seafood stew & rice meal included):
Motherland Music's First Annual African Strings Event: A Trio of Griots. Get familiar with the entire range of African string instruments in this remarkable Two-Hour Special Event featuring a trio of Motherland Griots/VIPs: Dramane Koné, Soro Solo, and Aboubacar Kouyaté. The Trio of Griots will demonstrate African string instruments [and possibly one or more of their descendent Europeanized or Americanized instruments]. We have a fairly complete inventory of African Strings and we may even persuade Maestro Malik Sow to play some Xalam, and Baba Ayo Adeyemi some Kora) and give you an idea how to make use of them in your music. FYI, we also do repairs on most string instruments we sell – ask for details.
Should Toumani Diabaté and/or any other African greats walk in the door, we would not discourage him/them from performing, either.
Do you play guitar? This could be THE EVENT of 2009 for you here. Dress to impress (African-style suggested but not required) and be ready to be transported to the land of the Manding. Bring a musical date if you can, because this promises to be a very memorable event unlike anything we've ever done at Motherland Music. Also, we expect some African VIPs to attend. Paid attendees (attention bootleggers, we'll be closed to unpaid attendees): bring your video or still camera or other recording device (to record for your personal use).
This event will be audio recorded in
by our own Ryoji Inatsugi
using his Samson Zoom H2.
You already attended and want to get a copy of the audio? Contact Ryoji here.
FYI, Ryoji's audio recording may be available first week of August!
Attendance will be limited to the first 30 folks who get their tickets. This is a very special occasion!! We hope you'll show up here to take it all in and if possible share the experience with someone you love.
Two Three Nights in August October only (now that we have no regular scheduled weekly classes on those days, recently discontinued):
Tuesday August 4 and Thursday August 6 {postponed, sorry}
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday October-6:
Ghana Master Drummer Kofi Quarshie workshops. Only $25 per person each night afternoon (or both ALL THREE for $40 $50). All proceeds go to Kofi Quarshie, who will only be in Los Angeles a few days. All of you Ghana drumming lovers please spread the word, this will be off the hook! 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Tuesday August 4 and Thursday August 6 only 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday October 4-6 only. We promised you some special events on Tuesday and now we're getting special on both Tuesday and Thursday when we set up a special guest the Ghana drumming community in L.A. failed to take advantage of a great opportunity, so it's postponed indefinitely. Study Ghanaian drums with Kofi or wish you did! More at kofipercussion.com. The (note: posponed) flyer is here.
Attention All Drummers & Percussionists (thanks for reading all the way down our Classes page into the events section!)...
Would you be interested in joining a regular community drum circle here at Motherland Music on a Saturday night? What time works for you (or your group!) other than the 4th Sat. night of the month (it's reserved for the All-Women's Drum Circle)?
Motherland Music
and the
Motherland Music Institute of African Music Studies
Still going strong 18 years after Dan Rice founded them!
1992-2010
What about -2012 and beyond?
Well, the next few years are going to be AMAZING at Motherland Music.
It will be a time for fun and great memories. Please, drop by, stay tuned (and check email)!
Not on our email list? What are you waiting for!? The list is right here so you can add yourself.
Or come into the shop and write your email address [neatly] on our add-to-email book.
Please email Dan Rice with any store comments and/or suggestions.
We hope that your every experience here is positive!
And for best results please be persistent. In any 24-hour
period,
Dan often has so many people trying to reach him, he
hopes you'll realize that he can't reply to every message.
This Site Addenda &Corrections
Feel free to email your additions/corrections to Frank.
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For more-detailed product/shipping info. please e-mail dan@motherlandmusic.com |
