|
The Different Drummers Drum Circle of Yarmouth, Maine is an open, freestyle community drum circle. We drum on the first
Saturday and second and fourth Fridays of each month at 6:30 at the First Universalist Church, 97 Main St, Yarmouth, Maine.
Our Mission
"Ours is an open, freestyle community drum circle. We are a diverse group of people sharing a common experience. During
the process of creating music together we create community. Our emphasis is on intuitive, improvised, and emotive rhythms
rather than rehearsed or traditional ones. We welcome your 'voice' in our group song.
Drumming is fun. Drumming can
change your mood and connect you powerfully with others. Drumming can entrance and heal. Drumming can provide a vehicle for
expressing joy, frustration and peace. Drumming can raise energies and provide relaxation. Whether we participate for the
spiritual experience, the emotional experience, the musical experience or the social experience, drumming can bring a dozen
hearts and souls to a dozen destinations. Yet we journey together...as a community."
Rick Cormier
What To Expect
We are known for our positive energy and welcoming atmosphere. Most of our drum pieces end in either laughter
or silence. We encourage participation by novices. When you decide to check us out, it is very unlikely that you'll be the
only first-timer there that night. If you don't yet own a drum, we usually have extras. There is no charge for participation.
Come when you can and leave when you must. We drum until the last of us goes home. There are currently nearly 400 people on
our email list. Some people drum with us 3 times a month while others may join us 3 times a year. It's all
good.
Though we average 15 to 35 drummers per evening, you're unlikely to drum with the same combination of people twice. Our
participants are commonly about 65% women. We have singles, couples and families who drum with us... children under
10 and seniors well into their 80's.
Expect to see African djembes, Middle Eastern doumbeks, frame drums, ashikos, congas, bongos, cajons and all sorts of rhythm
instruments. We have created incredible percussive backdrops to flute, harp, cello, sax, mandolin, blues harmonica, didgeridoo
and vocals. We welcome dancers.
Anyone may start a beat. That person sets the tempo and the tone of the piece. That guideline keeps us from
slipping into the same rhythm patterns. It also keeps the "Testosterone Tangos" from dominating. It allows us to sound African,
Latin, Middle Eastern, Native American, jazzy and purely creative...all in one evening. It allows us to weave
delicate percussive tapestries in which every note is a significant event.
The DDDC has an email list which receives weekly reminders and announcements about DDDC and other local area drum circles
and percussion-related events and resources. We also maintain an online calendar at http://calendar.yahoo.com/differentdrummers
DIRECTIONS: 295 N or S to exit 15 Yarmouth. Go right at end of exit. Go 1/3 Mile and take a right
at the lights (Portland St.) Follow Portland St to the end. Universalist Church will be facing you. Use parking lot entrance.
|
 |
|
Links
To learn more about our drum circle and about freestyle drum circles, including guidelines, tips, news articles, and
poems, the link below will take you to the "Drum Circle" section of my webpage:
Link to "Drum Circles"
Rick's Homepage
Link to articles about the many benefits of group drumming.
Express Yourself:
SIGN OUR GUESTBOOK VIEW OUR GUESTBOOK
|
|
 |
|

DDDC News
SPECIAL NOTE: Beginning in October 2009 our usual 1st Sunday of the month drum circle date is changing to the
1st SATURDAY of each month!
Usual time, usual place, usual random cast of percussive characters.
Sunday, September 13, 9:30AM Different Drummers Joyful Hearts Club Band will again provide music
for the service at the Union Church in Biddeford Pool. Following the service there will a 20-minute mini-concert.
Sunday, 9/20 Rick and Judy Cormier will perform for the RE Program kick-off for Sacred
Heart Church in Yarmouth. On Sunday, 9/27, Rick will teach his Introduction to Drum Circles Workshop
for the teens in that RE program.
Saturday, October 3, 10AM to 4PM; Drums Along the Kennebec, Waterville, Maine Rick Cormier of
Different Drummers is one of the coordinators of this free festival which we hope will become an annual event, sponsored by
R.E.M. and local Maine drumming organizations. There will be an opening ceremony, an ongoing freestyle drum circle,
presenters, workshops and performances throughout the day featuring African, Native-American, kit drumming and other drumming
styles.
Saturday, October 17, 12:30 to 1:30PM Parkside Community Center Block Party,
Portland, Maine. Different Drummers Joyful Hearts Club Band will perform.
|
 |
|
|
|