Cost: Sliding scale $10 - $25 at the door
Children under 12 free — must be supervised by an adult
No one turned away for lack of funds
Class is open to all levels.

Bring your djembe, congas, hand percussion, etc. This all-ages Jamaican rhythms workshop features traditional folk rhythms, songs, and stories. Explore the music and culture of Jamaica in this fun and lively workshop.

Ouida is charismatic and a wonderful percussionist and teacher who embodies the beauty and power of Jamaica. Ouida Lewis is an educator, percussionist/hand drummer and a former lecturer at Kingston, Jamaica’s Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts. She teaches traditional rhythms of her island home, the original sound of the reggae genre, Afro-Cuban, West African djembe and dununs. She teaches both children and adults in an effort to pass on knowledge of the evolution of Jamaican music. Lewis says, “This is important to me as I realize that people are becoming less aware of the origins of our music and the enormous rich culture it spans from, thus losing a sense of self. Together with a group of educators we hold and teach the history of the traditional Jamaican folk forms. It’s a longtime dream of mine to share Jamaican traditional rhythms outside of Jamaica.” Bring a drum if you have one. Some drums will be available for loan.