How was your 4th of July? I hope it was as good as mine. For the first time in 14 years I returned to teach at Drum n' Splash at Four Quarters Farm in Artemas PA. This time I brought my two favorite partners in crime, my girls. They've heard stories of the many years their mom and I attended the event before they were born. This was to be their baptism. I won't lie. It was kind of gamey in the car on the way home. But it was that good kind of "We just spent the weekend in the woods with the bugs and the mud and swimmin' in the river, basking in the sun, and dancing around the fire" kind of gamey. As the car buzzed with the retelling of highlight experiences over the backdrop of rumba and "Drums of Passion" on the stereo, Maya asked, "How do you know so many cool people?" And thus, my topic for today's blog came into focus.
Your practice will lead you to cool people. You will attract the exact people that you need around you to help you grow. As mentioned, this was the first trip to DnS for Maya and Ella. My girls have had rhythm in their lives since before they were born. I played rhythms on Shazia's belly when they were in the womb. But they've had little experience playing drums, just some casual occasions around the house. They were nervous, hesitant to take a class. Both said they didn't like the feeling of not knowing something. You know the feeling. It's your first day. You don't know anyone. Others around you seem to pick things up quickly while you struggle with (seemingly) the most simple of instructions. Everything takes effort. You struggle and still don't seem to get it right. All the things. My girls had a bit of a leg up because our longtime friend Kristin (www.drumlady.com) was teaching classes, one of which was just for the ladies, helping the girls find their comfort level. They were still nervous but immediately began connecting with the other people in the class, many of whom shared their own feelings of insecurity as they took their beginning steps with the drum. By the end of class they'd made new friends and came away so energized that they couldn't wait for the next one.
First class!I'd come back to Four Quarters to reconnect with the land and some friends I'd not seen in 14 years. Our shared experience from all those years ago made it so we fell in like no time had passed. my body and brain needed a dose of nature and a reset. While the girls took class I grabbed my chekere (in first picture) and took a trip around the property, taking in the green of the trees, the soft pad of the red/brown earth under my feet, and the mixed scent of campfire, sage, and other herbs wafting through the air. The woods are a good place to take stock of the state of your body. Mine was carrying a lot of tension built up from carrying instruments, loading and unloading from gigs, and hours behind the drums. Practice being practice, my feet led me to the sacred sweat lodge. While waiting I stretched. I sat down on the earth and focused on my breath, letting the flow of air carry away what tightness is would. For four rounds we sat in total darkness allowing the elements of intense heat from white hot stones, steam from river water poured over the stones, rattles, song, and prayers for health and healing to work their magic. Two hours later I emerged in a blissed-out fog. I slowly (very slowly) walked the short sand path to the river and immersed myself in the cool water, aware of every fiber of my body and the easing of the tension that had taken place. The drums had led me to the people I needed in that moment. Cool people.
After another quick dip in the river with the girls it was time to get ready for the evening performance. I'd be performing chekere in the parade along with other teachers and students who were presenting. The girls, after taking more classes and "playing drums for four hours in one day!" would be in their first performance. Also on the bill was my longtime friend and djembefola Eesa Grayson, a one of a kind keeper of the tradition and performer extraordinaire.
The girls' first performance at DnS 2025Encircled in a grove of trees the fire was lit under a canopy of stars. The drums began to rumble. Dust began to rise with the smoke from the fire as the feet of the people began to dance. "How do you know so many cool people?" You practice!Until next week,Jason