Workshop at 1:00 pm

Cost is $25 – $10 (sliding scale);
Under 12 free;
No one turned away for lack of funds

Bembé: Songs and Rhythms for the Orisha (nature deities)

Come learn some of the beautiful Orisha songs and the rhythms that accompany them. The Orisha were brought to this continent during the Diaspora and preserved in Cuba. They are the natural forces of the planet: the ocean, rivers, wind, thunder & lightning, herbs and medicines and many more. We will use congas, sticks, bells, shakers and any other percussion you want to bring.

Open to ALL LEVELS.
Please bring a conga if you have one. If you can, bring extra drums to share with those who do not have one.
Some drums may be available to loan.

About Carolyn Brandy

Carolyn Brandy has been drumming for over 40 years. She has been instrumental in bringing women to the spirit and healing of the Drum. Carolyn is the Artistic Director of Women Drummers International and co-creator of the Born to Drum Women’s Drum Camp. She was also the founder of the Bay Area’s favorite marching band, Sistah Boom in 1981. In 1976, Carolyn co-founded the popular band, Alive! that toured the nation for almost 10 years and has 4 recordings to its credit. She has worked in the SF Bay area for many years as a composer, performer, teacher and cultural worker.

Carolyn is an expert in the folkloric drumming styles found throughout the island of Cuba. She has been a practitioner of the Yoruba-based Cuban religion, Regla de Ocha, also known as Santeria, since 1977. She was initiated as a priest of the religion in Havana, Cuba by Amelia Pedroso in 2000.

Carolyn has led five successful cultural tours to the Island of Cuba to study Folkloric music. She has organized workshops in Havana, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Camaguey, Santiago De Cuba, and Guantanamo, where the groups studied with masters of Afro-Cuban drumming and dance.