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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, I usually bring extras which I share for free. There is also
no charge for participation. Come when you can and leave when you must. We drum until the last of us goes home. Currently,
nearly 500 people consider themselves DDDC members. 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 25 to 35 drummers per evening, you won't 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 and beyond 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.
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.
9th
Anniversary...3/3/2012!!!
Nine years ago I offered a drum circle workshop to members of the First
Universalist church in Yarmouth. We had only moved into town 2 months
prior. Twenty-two people took the workshop. When it was over I announced
that we would start drumming once a month. About a dozen people showed
up. You can read all about our history on our website.
Nine years later, we drum three times a month in an attempt to keep
our circle intimate. We average 25 - 35 participants with a record high
of 100. More than 1500 people have drummed with us. About 550 currently
consider themselves DDDC 'members'. We have drummed with participants
from about 25 countries, that I know of. Grace still holds the record of
having been our youngest drummer. (Those who remember Gracie will
recall she actually kept a beat at 13 months old! She drummed with us
until she moved to Philadelphia at 19 months old.) Our most senior
drummer is Ann, who turned 93 this past November. When I've invited
guest drumming teachers to lead a workshop, Ann hasn't missed an
opportunity to learn some more drumming!
I want to mention Laura. Many of you who have drummed with us over
the past year know Laura as a 'regular' on most Friday nights. Laura was
born with cerebral palsy. We all see the trouble she has crossing the
room and speaking, but when the drumming starts... is there anyone in
the room having a better time than Laura? ...Okay... Maybe me. ;-)
...But if there is ever a time I wonder if hosting this drum circle for free makes any difference to anyone, I'll consider
what means to Laura.
We're a musically-creative bunch. We have drummed wonderful
backgrounds to flute, blues harmonica, dulcimer, saxophone, keyboards,
oboe, clarinet, guitar, electric bass, upright bass, mouth organ,
didgeridoo, berimbau, marimba, harp, cello, steel drums, mandolin,
kirtan, singing voices and poetry. We have had percussion instruments as
diverse as a folding chair, a saw, a washboard, a post-hole
digger, a Ronco Garden Weasel and even an ocarina app on an iPhone!
For nine years I've sat at my computer each week and tried to convey
information in an entertaining way... after having done this in Massachusetts since the 90's. Do the math. Even I'm impressed!
;-)
For nine years, a roomful of virtual strangers with very
little in common with one another have shared evenings making music
together. Sometimes raucous, sometimes introspective, sometimes
incredibly beautiful, and sometimes ridiculously funny!
Were you there the night the crowd started singing "The Sound of Music" in the middle of a drum piece?
I was.
I
get to be there three times a month. And I'm not done yet.
So help me celebrate the 9th Anniversary of Different
Drummers Drum Circle this Saturday.
Potluck set-up 4:30 PM. Dinner 5:00. Bring what you would like to
find to eat! Potluck is optional. If you prefer just joining us for the
drum circle at 6:30, that's fine. We'll talk about you at dinner.
Consider joining us.
Rick Cormier
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