Drumming outdoors on a beautiful Saturday morning… fun, vibrant, and energetic. Hand drums, shakers, tambourines, and other percussion instruments are provided.

Where else can you beat out your latest aggression without getting into trouble? Drum Downtown offers a unique outdoor drumming experience on the Music Center Plaza between May and September. For drummers and non-drummers who live life on the beat.

WHERE: Music Center Plaza
WHEN: 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM
ADMISSION: FREE
First come, first served.
No advance reservations needed. You are also welcome to bring your own percussion instruments.

MAY 10

Drum Downtown is part of the programming at the Music Center called “Active Arts” which provides opportunities for people to dance, play music, sing and tell stories and is offered free to the public from May through September.

This program is funded in part by the Irvine, Parsons, Ahmanson, Annenberg, Doolittle and Wachovia foundations.

In addition, Drumming Downtown is enthusiastically supported by Remo Incorporated who is generously providing drums and percussion instruments for everyone to use.

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If you live in a City other than the above, please contact us for special arrangements & pricing.

Thanks mom for always being my personal cheerleader whenever I have needed it.

With much love,

~Pete

Click Here For Free One World Rhythm Party Postcards

Need help with a cake, or other party items, drop us a note.

In this issue we’re going to discuss planning a rhythm-based event that will include event timelines, typical costs, and space requirements. I’ll also be discussing what to expect as a spectator or participant of a rhythm-based event. But first, for those of you reading the term “rhythm-based event” for the first time and are scratching your head wondering, “What the heck is this all about?” I’ll get into some of the basic concepts of today’s rhythm-based events.

Rhythm-based events fall under the family umbrella of what are called drum circles. There are many types of drum circles conducted throughout the United States and abroad. There are both facilitated or community drum circles, as well as unfacilitated or free form jam sessions, sometimes referred to as thunder drummers.

Drum circles have found their way into programs for at-risk kids, schools, libraries, adult daycare centers, well-elderly care, special need populations, private parties, and conventions. Even large corporations have seen the benefits of drum circles, and some have added them to their team building, retreat and conference programming. As the name implies, a drum circle is typically conducted in a circular-style seating arrangement so that participants can better see and hear each other.

For facilitated circles an individual coordinates the circle from its center. Participants contribute by playing various percussion instruments broken down by tambour, such as woods, metals, shakers, scrapers, and of course drums. One World Rhythm provides a unique blend of both facilitated drum circle, jam session, rhythm-based games, and multimedia to create an atmosphere that’s both inviting and engaging for all of its participants. Each OWR event is custom tailored to the needs of the client, and each event becomes its own “in the moment music making experience..”

Keep in mind that rhythm-based events are more about sharing a creative experience with one another than they are about knowing how to play a musical instrument. When music becomes effortless, a fun and magical spark is lit within the circle and the location becomes alive with energy that can only be felt firsthand.

For event planners, it’s a good idea to begin planning and booking your rhythm-based events several months in advance. Depending on the size of your event, you should plan for a two or three month lead time to insure for adequate planning and to allow the facilitator time to develop a custom package based on your group size, type of event, and objectives you wish to achieve. Hosting a birthday party will certainly have a different set of objectives than hosting a corporate retreat or team building session for example.

One of the questions that is often asked by event planners is, “How much is this going to cost?” The cost of rhythm-based events depends on several factors: such as how many participants you expect to have, the duration of the event, and of course the travel distance for the facilitator. Once those numbers have been settled on, a quote can be issued. Because of the various factors involved, a price could range between several hundred dollars and several thousand dollars, which includes both instruments for your participants to use, as well as a facilitator(s).

Another question that arises is the spatial requirements involved. Rhythm-based events have been conducted in the smallest of living rooms all the way up to sprawling park venues. It’s best to discuss your unique venue circumstances while in the planning stage with your facilitator so that your guests will have the best experience possible. As a general rule, with rhythm events the more room the better. However, having a huge field is not a requirement unless you’re looking at having 500 or more participants that is.

I’ve just given you some information about planning a rhythm-based event, but what if you’re soon to be a participant or a spectator? Well you’re in for a totally unique and fun experience. Remember, these events are all about having a great time and sharing your creative side with others. If you’re willing to give new things a try, you’re a perfect candidate for a rhythm-based event. You may want to wear clothes that you can move freely in. You’ll also want to remove any rings or jewelry such as bracelets or watches prior to playing your drum so as not to damage your personal property, the instrument, or injure yourself. Your facilitator will make sure you’re fully prepared to begin prior to the start of your rhythm event. The rest is complete magic.

Well like anything else, the more you put into the activity the more you’ll gain from it. Either way, you’ll discover your creative child just waiting to come out and play.

For more information on public rhythm events or to host your own, please contact One World Rhythm at (818) 332-0679 or on our web site at http://www.oneworldrhythm.com. We hope to hear from you soon.

Until next time, we’ll see you in the circle.

Party themes can be found in all shapes and sizes, from my little princesses to NASCAR, Star Wars to the Flintstones.  Although matching paper plates, cups and napkins are all “nice”, the truly adventurous party planner will want to think outside the box and beyond pin the tail on the Chubaka.  Which brings us to the topic of what to “do” at the party…what…to…do.

Fortunately, the subject of what to do at the party also addresses the burning question, “How Can a One World Rhythm party make my (birth) day?”  One World Rhythm has worked with all kinds of people, from the very young to the very young at heart.  And yes, we have even worked with (dare we say) teenagers (which most parents will agree) can be difficult to party plan for.  None-the-less, our unique brand of entertainment keeps your crowd engaged in a group music making experience where they make the music using percussion and other instruments that we provide.  No prior musical experience is necessary and with the help of our skilled facilitators everyone walks away feeling great about themselves and each other.  The one hour session is cleverly mixed between rhythm jams, rhythmical games and multi-media. 

Before your guests know it, time has flown by and your need to “do” something has been creatively addressed and as to your “theme” party, we can help you with ideas on that too..  The end result will be a party that stands out from all the others and a host that everyone will talk about (positively) for years to come.  One World Rhythm events work for all occasions.  Yes, we have used birthday parties in this article as a means of example, but if you have a gathering that you are planning and you want something new and different to “do” with your guests, an activity that has EVERYONE participating, then One World Rhythm is just what you are looking for.

When you are ready to go beyond the average get together, bring Rhythm to your next event and see how it can make your day!

For more information or to book One World Rhythm for your next special event, please contact us at (818) 332-0679 or visit the web page at http://oneworldrhythm.com.

Recently, a very nice Korean family participated with us in a Kids Rhythm Adventure open house. With the exception of their little boy (6-ish), no-one in their family spoke a lick of english. Although our staff had no experience speaking Korean, the language barrior was simply not an issue. Everyone enjoyed creating “in the moment” music together. After an active evening of fun music creation and activites, we parted as new friends from the experience. Although no words were spoken the night of that open house, we laughed, had a great time and enjoyed each other’s company as our group music making lifted all of our spirits in One World Rhythm. In reflecting back, I can’t think of a more appropriate name for a company such as ours.

If you have not experienced in the moment group music making, I invite you to contact us or a local drum circle in your area to check out the magic you have been missing. No experience is necessary, only a desire to have a great time.

Pete Ellison
President
One World Rhythm, inc
http://oneworldrhythm.com

By DIANE REED
Anaheim Hills News

Libraries used to be quiet zones, where no one spoke above a whisper and librarians wagged their fingers and “Shhhshed” anyone that did. That is no longer the case.

One World Rhythm rocked the Canyon Hills Library Wednesday and the library staff joined in the noisy fun.

The interactive music program was a first at the local library. And, from the moment Pete Ellison and his percussionists Debbie and Richard Keith began distributing drums, apple-shakers, boom-whackers, maracas, and tambourines to the 114 children and their parents who attended their program, it seemed certain, it wouldn’t be the last.

“Think about the last time you were at the beach and the waves were washing against the shore,” Ellison told the group. “There’s a rhythm to that sound. Today we are going to create and learn a one world rhythm using percussion instruments.”

Beginning by rubbing their hands together quietly, Ellison led the group through a variety of rhythms and sounds they could make with their hands. Gradually he added different beats and instruments and began to compose a queer kind of percussion symphony, played by novice musicians who ranged in age from toddlers sucking pacifiers to senior citizens.

Ellison, a former computer programmer and information tech, said he always wanted to do something like this, and one day he decided to just do it.

“One World Rhythm was created as a company, to fill an interest in recreational music making,” he said. “We are almost two years old and now we are serving a diverse population at schools, libraries, corporate events, senior citizen homes, birthday parties, festivals and fairs. And, we’re seeing more interest all the time.”

His program is not about teaching musical skills or techniques. “It’s about expression,” he said.

The kids at Canyon Hills Library were expressing themselves with gusto.

“I thought it was great,” Shellie Wheatley, the mother of Trevor, 7, and Hayden, 2, said. “I thought Hayden wouldn’t be interested but he was really into it.”

Library Manager Karen Gerloff was enthusiastic about the program, too.

“I loved it and the parents remarked that they had as much fun as the kids,” she said.

Although the sound level was extreme, one toddler slept quietly in her mother’s arms throughout most of the program, waking toward the end and looking bewildered by the actions of those around her.

Paula Peterson brought her daughters Lynnea, 3, and Summer, 5, and a friend Spencer Riley, 6, to the program.

“It was energetic and rousing,” she said. “I think the kids enjoyed it a lot. It allowed them to make noise like they don’t get to at home.”

To learn more about One World Rhythm, call 818-332-0679 or visit www.oneworldthythm.com.

There, before the lights of the holiday tree and roaring fireplace we gathered and created music together.Everyone had such a great time, I’ve been asked to do it again.  This is such a great way to share in an activity together and really have lots of fun.  If you don’t have percussion instruments handy, no worries.  Find things around the house that can be converted into a percussive instrument.  Here are a few hints:Get a package of chopsticks (they are really inexpensive), have your guests break apart the chopsticks (which will be used as strikers for some of your instruments).  Bust out some pots and pans, an old water bottle, a lunch box or tupperware.  Speaking of tupperware, fill a small container with rice or uncooked beans and you’ve got a nice little shaker.  The key is to be creative.  Speaking of keys, string some keys together and you have a perfect jingle type sound.  

Here’s another idea, let your guests make their own instruments with the items you’ve supplied.   You and your guests will have a great deal of fun and you will be surprised at how cool the end result is when everyone is tapping out a groove together. Let us know how your party turns out.