Hello Friends:
This weekend is MUSIC WEEKEND!
Thursday night Oct. 25 is the Total Rhythm Fitness class in Berkeley. High energy rhythms for the body and soul. (See below.)
Saturday night Oct. 27, also in Berekely, please join me for a night of Brazilian music to celebrate the release of my 2-Vol. Pandeiro Instructional DVDs.
I am very proud of these DVDs, the first full-length Pandeiro Instructional DVDs in the English language!
We'll be celebrating at my good friend Marco Senghor's East Bay restaurant. Most of you know Marco from the Baobab and Little Baobab restaurants in SF. His across-the-Bay place is called Taxi Brousse; same great vibe, same collection of interesting, international, fun-loving folk.
Plus, the party is FREE! Details below.
On SUNDAY, Oct. 28 we are Shaking Our Seeds in Oakland with Cabello from Brazil. Caxixi are really exciting percussion instruments because they let you MOVE while you play. Cabello is a real treat, we will be learning to play caxixi, singing, AND getting sweaty with the Total Rhythm posse. Details below.
Hope to see you this weekend.
In Rhythm;
Robert Wallace
Give me a call anytime with q's or comments: 510-482-8005, Robert@TotalRhythm.com.
P.S. If you can't take a class but want to learn rhythms, get the 10 Rhythms DVD.
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Pandeiro Party THIS Saturday, Oct. 27 in Berkeley!
"The Largest Gathering of Pandeiro Players Anywhere Outside of Brazil"
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The Pandeiro (pronounced "Pan-DARE-Oh"), is a Brazilian percussion instrument that resembles an American Tambourine. However, the playing technique is completely different and the pandeiro is much more versatile.
Click here to see what I mean:
Pandeiro DVD Trailer
Why a Pandeiro Party?
This is a FREE party to celebrate the release of my 2-Volume Pandeiro Instructional DVD. I am so pleased to offer this to the community: It's the first and only full-length instructional Pandeiro DVD in English, with comprehensive instruction on how to hold the pandeiro, stretching, creating proper notes, musical fundamentals and LOTS OF RHYTHMS broken down and played VERY SLOWLY so you can really learn them: Samba, Baiao, Partido Alto, Capoeira, 3/2 Clave, Funk, more!
When I learned pandeiro many years ago, it was a real struggle! I had no instructional guides and no teachers! I learned in Brazil and it was very tough to catch the rhythms because they were played so fast.
I created this DVD set so you would have an easier time learning and enjoying this great instrument!
Click here to see the 3-minute video trailer:
Pandeiro DVD Trailer
Good News for the Pandeiro Deprived: I have TEN very nice, lightweight, handmade, natural skin "choro" pandeiros straight from Rio. I'll bring them to the party and you can give them a test-drive ($130/ea.)
Pandeiro Party
Saturday, Oct. 27
8pm-Midnight
Free Pandeiro Class at 9pm SHARP
Taxi Brousse West African Restaurant
1101 San Pablo Ave
2 blocks North of Ashkenaz on San Pablo
Berkeley, CA
(510)558-0939
FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE!
Bring your pandeiros. WE WILL BE PLAYING!!
Free pandeiro class at 9pm SHARP. Nice people. Lots of good Brazilian music.
See you Sat. nite!
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Get Your Vitamin D(rum) Here!
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Please join me EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT for the drop-in Total Rhythm
Fitness Program. No pre-reg. required. Click here to see the 2-minute
video trailer: Total Rhythm!Drums, Rhythm, Dance, Sweating, Occassional Hollering. You
don't need ANY experience. Many people take my class, and love it, and
they have NEVER touched a drum before! All drums are provided, you'll
join an interesting, fun group of people for an invigorating body and
soul workout. PLUS, for this week only (Thurs. 10/25) I am offering a TWO FOR ONE special. Bring a friend and you can both enjoy the class for only $13!!! See Coupon below. The details:
TOTAL RHYTHM FITNESS PROGRAM
Every Thursday, 6:30-7:30pm
The Beat Dance Center
2560 9th Street (at Dwight)
Berkeley, CA
Drop-ins welcome: $13
(See 2 for 1 Coupon Below!)
COME AND GET YOUR VITAMIN D(rum)!!
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Inspired Artist:
From Jamaica: Ziggy Marley
Bob's eldest son has a scintillating new album out, called "Love is My Religion". Positive lyrics, irie riddums and a relevant spiritual message. Highly recommended!
Available online at
amazon.com
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Enjoy this great weather, and remember:
"If you want to SEE it, you first must BE it".
Robert Wallace
Total Rhythm
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Who Has Higher Quality of Life: Americans or Africans?
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The Question
For the last few months, I've been pondering a deep question and I want to hear YOUR opinion: Who has a higher quality of life: Africans or Americans? By no means do I have an answer to this question; I am still churning ideas and opinions. The typical analysis looks at statistics such as life expectancy, infant mortality, education, literacy, per capita income, etc. But is there more? USA and Senegal For purposes of this analysis, I have chosen the West African country of Senegal to compare with the US. Here is a comparison list of the traditional measures of "quality of life" (Source: UNICEF "By Country Basic Indicators", 2005): USA Senegal
Life Expectancy (in years): 78 (USA) 56 (Senegal)
Infant Mortality (Under 1) per thousand 6 77
Adult Literacy Rate (%) 99.9 40
Primary School Enrollment % 92 66
HIV Prevelance Ratio (Adults) 0.6 0.9
% of Pop. Using Adequate Sanitation 100 57
Gross National Income Per Capita
(in US Dollars) 43,740 710
Are Statistics Enough?
Do stats tell the whole "quality of life" story? What about the value of walking down the street and saying hello to your neighbors? How do you quantify a feeling of connectedness and "belonging"? What good is a lot of money if you are tense and stressed all the time? What is the value of living a long life if you die alone, in a nursing home, surrounded by people who don't know you? In terms of basic humanity, i.e., treating fellow citizens with common decency and respect, are Africans actually ahead of the US?
What is the value of being content? How do we measure happiness? Does a country have a higher quality of life if it's citizens use excellent flush toilets but don't take the time to acknowledge each other?
Are our accepted indicators of "quality of life" all wrong? Do we need to re-examine how we measure standards of living? Am I romanticizing the African experience? Am I underestimating the anguish of poverty and preventable deaths? Am I totally off on this?!?
Your Comments Requested
What do YOU think? I want to hear from you! E-mail me, right now, and let me know your thoughts: Who has a higher quality of life: Africans or Americans? Robert@TotalRhythm.com.
P.S. I had a chance to live in Ghana, West Africa, very close to Senegal, for the summer of 1991, and I often wonder if my incredible experiences during this stay have incorrectly swayed me. After all, I was happy to return to the US after three months. Yet I felt a deep sense of peace and basic humanity from the Africans that we have somehow lost. On the other hand, I felt that many bright young Ghanians had little opportunity due to lack of jobs. Please let me know your thoughts!!! I want to dialogue with you about this!!!
THANK YOU!
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Caxixi Workshop with Cabello
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SHAKE YOUR SEEDS
THIS SUNDAY, OCT. 28!
Pronounded "Cah-SHE-SHE", Caxixi are exciting percussion instruments from Brazil (African origins). You can play them like shakers but then turn them and "throw" the seeds inside to make a sharp percussive sound. My friend and outstanding percussionist Cabello (originally from Piracicaba,Sao Paulo, Brazil, now residing in NYC) is touring California and we are combining for a dynamite day of drums and rhythm: 1.5 hours of Caxixi insruction (including movement) with Cabello and 1.5 hours of my Total Rhythm class. Be ready to stretch, sweat, smile and SHAKE YOUR SEEDS. Cabello has worked with fantastic musicians around the globe, including Cyro Baptista, Mestre Joao Grande, and Jorge Alabe. This is a very special opportunity to learn caxixi with a very talented guest artist. Learn more about Cabello.CAXIXI WORKSHOP
Sunday, Oct. 28
2:00 - 5:00pm
Pitts Martial Arts Academy
3298 Lakeshore Ave. Oakland
(in the heart of the Lakeshore biz district)
Price: $35 (Drop-ins OK)
All Caxixis and Drums provided!
Everyone is welcome. First-time Caxixi folks are especially encouraged to attend. Wear workout clothes!
Call if you have questions:
510-482-8005, robert@totalrhythm.com.
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