Free MP3 from Gentle Thunder and Will Clipman

Gentle Thunder and Will Clipman are offering an early Christmas present for all of their fans. It's a free download of the song Passionate Mystery from their fully mixed and mastered but as-yet unreleased new CD: Translucent.

The song features Gentle Thunder's luscious hammered dulcimer playing, backed by Will's always incredible percussion. And of course, GT on NAF.

Here's the link: http://gentlethunder.com/MP3%20files/Translucent%2004%20Passionate%20Myster%20New%20Age%20320kbps.mp3

Mark Holland and N Scott Robinson in concert

Mark your calendars (if you haven't already!).

We're hosting a series of house concerts this month for Mark Holland and N. Scott Robinson as they tour the west coast highlighting music from their new album: Wind & Fire

Here's a link to their tour website: http://www.myspace.com/windnfire1

Mark Holland played at the Yosemite Flute Festival last September and has toured NoCal several times in his career. We love having Mark because of his gentle nature, supreme musicianship and excellent music. We haven't seen Mark and Scott together out here for more than 5 years, and if you haven't had the chance to see Scott in concert, he's a musician that you don't want to miss.

July 22 - Private event in Napa (contact Lynn for directions)

July 23 - Concert in Sonora

July 24 - Workshop and concert in Modesto

July 25 - Workshop and concert in San Carlos

July 26 - Concert in Sacramento

For more information: http://www.myspace.com/windnfire1

New Online Guitar, Keyboard and Drum lessons from iVideosong.com

I just discovered this very cool, online music lesson site. They offer guitar, keyboard and drum (drumkit) lessons. It's all pop music, but I love the concept. They are compiling a catalog of video lessons for songs, where you learn the song by watching how the chords are played. It's ingenious, and it looks like its got some really good backing. If you've every struggled to learn to play a song by listening to the CD, this will be a huge help. The lessons are well thought out and presented.

http://www.ivideosongs.com/songs/tutorials/acoustic-guitar.aspx

Here's a like to their Acoustic Guitar lessons feed: http://stream.ivideosongs.com/podcasts/itunes/ivs_acousticguitartechniques.xml

If you have iTunes and listen to podcasts, then you can subscribe here: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=278942067

Please let me know what you think about this idea by posting a comment.

Release your Stress

I wanted to pass along this opportunity to participate in a stress reduction program which has been set up by Eliana Gilad, founder of the Voices of Eden. Eliana is a musician, teacher and peace activist living in the Middle East. She plays and teaches the frame drum.

This program emails you one email message for 5 days, each day with a new and unique method to relax. I have been participating for two days now and I like where she it going with this program so I thought that I would pass it along.

You can subscribe to the 5 day stress reduction program by either going to her website or by sending an email (blank email is fine, it's an autoresponse program) to:

musicpeace-222483 AT autocontactor DOT com

The Voice of Eden website address is: http://www.voicesofeden.com/

SkinSongs: Women on the Drum

Here's an interesting drumming event happening next weekend in San Francisco.

What: SkinSongs: Women on the Drum

When: Sat., Oct. 27 8pm and Sun., Oct 28 at 2 and 6 pm

Where: Dance Mission Theater 3316 24th Street, San Francisco CA 94110

Ticket prices: $18 in advance, $20 at the door

For reservations: 415-273-4633 or to buy on line www.brownpapertickets.com

Who: Carolyn Brandy & OJALÁ, Dance Brigade, Afia Walking Tree and Spirit Drumz, Ong Dance Company, Grrrl Brigade, Susu Pampanin, Dawn RichardsonDance Brigade presents 3 shows with women drummers representing different musical cultures of the world. The number of women redefining percussion traditions and drumming for art, spirituality and healing grows every year, especially in the Bay Area, as more women are rediscover their ancient birthright that traces women as the earliest known shamans whose religions revolved around the beating of the drum. This showcase of local talent will inspire, delight and invigorate. There will be a Healing Circle with Vicki Noble after Sunday evening show. For complete program information please see http://www.dancemission.com/

Women's Drumming Class - Palo Alto

MONDAY NIGHT WOMAN'S CLASS

WHEN: October 8-29, November 5,19, 26 December 10-17

TIME: Beginning class: 6:30-7:50 PM

Intermediate class 8:00- 9:30 PM--(if not yet entered into
this class, please speak to me.)

WHERE: St Andrew's Methodist Church, 4111 Alma St, Palo Alto, CA
COST: $135 for each series***Drop-in $20 per class No drop in for
intermediate.

THURSDAY NIGHT DRUM CLASS:

WHEN: October 11-25,November 1,15,29 December 6-20

TIME: Beginning class: 6:30-7:50 PM

Intermediate class 8:00- 9:30 PM--(if not yet entered into
this class, please speak to me.)

WHERE: Unity of Palo Alto, 3391 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto.

Cost: $135 for each series***Drop-in $20 per class. No drop in for
intermediate.

Extra drums are available.

For more info contact: zorina AT villageheartbeat DOT com

Panart Hang instrument for bid on Ebay

I know that many of you have been fortunate to play or hear Frankie's Hang instument at one of the NCFC flute circle gatherings. If you're like me, and have fallen in love with this instrument then you know that they are extremely rare and difficult to purchase (more on my journey to purchase my own Hang in a future blog entry). Anyhow, I noticed that there is one for bid on Ebay if you're interested, the last bid was over $2300, but considering that they cost at least $1800 AND you have to travel to Switzerland to purchase one, this is still a reasonable price. Unfortunately, I don't have an extra couple of grand laying around at the moment, so this one isn't destined to be mine... but maybe it's in your future!

Here's the link for the Ebay auction (ends tomorrow...): http://cgi.ebay.com/HANG-DRUM-2007-MADE-BY-PANART-IN-SWITZERLAND_W0QQitemZ160144484541QQihZ006QQcategoryZ622QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Healing Circle in Sacramento, July 6th

You are all invited to go to the Healing Circle which will be held in Sacramento in July. There will be lot's of drumming, chanting and food! They are wonderful Native People with a BIG heart.

What: Healing Circle
When: Friday, JULY 6th
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: St Matthews Episcopal Church - One of the rooms to the side
2300 Edison Ave. Sacramento, CA 95821
(Corner of Edison and Bell)

Directions:
Take Watt avenue off of 80 reno
Go over the overpass and turn right on Edison..........go all the way down....2300 Edison on left side you will see the church.

Upcoming Hand Drum classes at Rhythm Fusion

There are several drum classes on tap this spring at Rhythm Fusion in Santa Cruz:


Intro To Hand Drums With Dror Sinai
THURSDAYS 7:00 to 8:30 pm
MAY 4,11,25 /2006 ( May 18th 5:30-6:30pm taught by Raquy)
$80 All four classes
This class is for beginning drummers and for other musicians who would like to gain some experience and knowledge of different drums and percussion instruments from around the world. It will focus on the basic rhythm techniques used in creating the sounds and rhythms on the frame drum (Tar or Def), Riq (Middle Eastern tambourine), Doumbek (Darbuka, Durbaky, Tabla), and various sound makers.

Drum Journey
Per drummers request Tuesdays in May 2,9,16 and 23rd 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Register for 4 classes at a time $80
Or drop in $25 a class
Dror Sinai will teach this class with SPECIAL GUESTS:

Tues,May 2nd,Guest Teacher Armando Fojaco (Uncle Mafufu)-see www.unclemafufo.com

This class is for drummers who already experienced the Intro to Hand Drums and for other musicians who would like to gain some experience and knowledge of different drums and percussion instruments from around the world. We will focus on rhythms and techniques on the frame drum, Riq, Doumbek, and various sound makers.Well orchestrate polyrhythms and songs.Learn how to listen,how to express and have fun
All Percussion instruments players are welcome

New Drum Circle Forum

A friend sent me info about a new Hand Drum and Drum Circle forum online. Here's the link: www.drumcircleforum.com

It's just getting started, so there isn't a ton of content yet, but you can help by posting your questions or responding to other comments.