Local Drumming and Music Projects David Johannes ~ Thunder Bay, Ontario

	Thunder Bay Kirtan Kirtan (yoga chant) is a participatory, cross-cultural music experience that incorporates the audience right into the performance. These ancient chants contain powerful healing and transformational energies that serve to reconnect us to the Ever-present and Eternal Being that lies within us all. Although the language of kirtan is often in Sanskrit, the true language of kirtan is universal, because it is a language of the heart. Truly, kirtan is for everyone--there are no prerequisites, no religious beliefs or cultural backgrounds that are needed to experience and participate in kirtan. Resting Frog Yoga Studio is offering regular Kirtan nights with live musical and vocal support. An exciting new project is underway to record our music, hopefully by xmas 2007. Find out more here.
	Belly Dancing Although its origins are disputed, belly dance is generally considered to be an ancient dance, having evolved from various dance traditions throughout the Middle East and North Africa. In Thunder Bay, I drum with local dancers whose performances demonstrate the exotic sensual beauty and feminine power of the art of belly dancing. Click for more info on Middle Eastern Drumming.
	African Drum and Dance An exciting new group spearheaded in 2007 by Tamarack in Thunder Bay is a group devoted to learning and performing African dance with live drumming and song. A performance group Akwaba! (welcome in ashanti) has been formed to perform in local shows and communiy events. For more info call Tamarack at 683-7915 or David at 683-0450.
	Kwasi Dunyo - Master Drummer Kwasi ( Kwah-shee ) Dunyo is a master drummer born in the Ewe ( a-way ) village of Dagbamete in Ghana. He teaches traditional West African drumming, dancing and singing across Canada and the United States. Kwasi is also active in establishing performance groups in North America. When not travelling he teaches percussion at the University of Toronto, as well as York University and the Royal Conservatory of Music. Kwasi has visited Thunder Bay on many occasions, and typically visits in the third week of February each year to teach local school children during the day and workshops in the evening for adults. If you wish to experience the traditional music of Ghana ( drumming, dancing and singing ) taught by a true master, I highly recommend attending one of his workshops. You may view photos of Kwasi and the traditional instruments he teaches here. For more information visit his web site at www.dunyo.com.
	Music Recording Currently I am working on a CD which will combine my past experiences with electronic "new age" music and adding to a base of live recorded world drums. My intent is to create music which holds healing energy and dances with your Spirit. My modest home studio consists of a Athlon 3200+ computer connected to a PreSonus Firepod 8 channel interface. A Novation MIDI workstation and Roland Fantom XR provide the synth instruments. Drums played include Indian tabla, Egyptian tabla, djembe, dununs, kpanlogo, medicine drum and other percussion.
	Crystal Journey David Hickey has long had a love for music and crystals. After being introduced to his first Crystal Bowl in 2002 he began to assemble his own set which now includes over 30 different crystal tones. He plays these bowls in combination with vocals, Tibetan bowls, Oriental Wind Gongs, Paiste Gongs, Chimes and various drums to create beautiful meditative and healing music. On his latest visit to Thunder Bay in June 2006 I had the honour and pleasure of performing some healing drumming to accompany the sacred sound of David's bowls and gongs. David's intention on this tour across the globe is to bring the healing sound and vibrational energy of the quartz crystal bowls to help open, clear and balance the energy of the entire planet. View photos of Crystal Journey. Please visit his web site at www.cystaljourney.ca.
	Atikokan Healing Circles Tod Pringle is a local acupuncturist who hosts healing circles in Atikokan. Circles typically involve smudging, playing the community drum, passing the talking stick, shamanic journeying, native songs, and native hand drumming and rattling. Circles usually take place on solstices and equinoxes as well as on other special occasions. One can expect much positive energy and feeling of community in the circle room which is followed by a pot luck meal. You may read the article Spirit Of A Healing Drum Circle ... or contact David if you are interested for more information.
	LURADA - Lakehead University Rhythm And Drumming Association The concept of LURADA was to provide a weekly drum circle club for LU students and others. In 2004 a core group formed which performed at Apollo shows, Confederation College and Lakehead University. The movement has currently lost momentum but can always be revived by a motivated body of LU students.

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