Hello Friends:
I'm now a married guy! The wedding was fantastic. Friends and family flew in from all over, we had a delicious spread of Thai food, wise words from loved ones, and beautiful Brazilian choro and samba from my good friends Crying High.
A special day of smiles, harmony, and love.
Thanks to everyone who came out to help us celebrate!!!!
We feel very supported, and are very excited about our new journey together.
Our first stop was Thailand. We arrived in Bangkok, then took trains, boats, planes, ferries, tuk-tuks (small three-wheeled taxis), and elephants around the country: Chumphun, Koh Tau, Chiang Mai, Ayuttaha, Lumpun....Click here to see "Sand Man" and more photos from our honeymoon!
For me, the most fascinating aspect of visiting any land is it's people, and two words best describe the Thais I met: gentle and funny! A strong feeling of harmony and peace (gentleness) permeates Thai culture. It's an easy place to travel, and Thais genuinely seem to enjoy sharing their land. After breaking the ice, Thais are quite FUNNY!!!! They love a good joke and tease each other with real style and originality!
Are YOU travelling this summer? If so, I've included a link to 63 cities, from Addis Ababa to Zagreb, where you can find excellent world music, courtesy of Songlines magazine in the UK.
For the local crew, I've got THREE exciting events upcoming:
Fri. July 8 - Sat. July 9:
Afro-Brazilian Workshop with Marcus Santos
Details below
Sat. July 9
SUMMAH JAMM 2011!
World Funk Dance Party
Oakland, CA
See below
Sat. July 23
Mali Magic Workshop with Ben Isaacs
Alameda, CA
411 below.
In the Flow,
Robert
Robert & Tia's Wedding Day - May 28, 2011
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MAMBO IN MUMBAI?
63 Cities to Find World
Music & Dance
Traveling this summer?
Songlines magazine is one of my most valued resources for world music news and reviews, as well as fresh tracks from emerging artists.
Based in UK, Songlines' educated writers usually have something interesting to share, and each issue comes with a compliation CD featuring new and established world artists. (I have Songlines to thank for introducing me to Trio Mocoto, Ska Cubano, Concha Buika and Staff Benda Bilili, to name a few.)
Songlines has also put together a list of 63 Cities to Hear first-rate World Music! Included are venue names and addresses, yearly festival info., and contact info. to help you access current gig listings in each city. On the same page are detailed listings of International Music Festivals!
So, whether you're headed to Montreal or Mexico City, Rio or Rome, Dakar or Dehi, check out Songline's resources and have a great trip!
Staying Local?
For the local crew, I'm cooking up a special event:
SUMMAH JAMM 2011!!!
This is a WORLD-FUNK DANCE PARTY Y'ALL! Celebrate the warmth and rhythm of Summah with us! All invited. Live rhythm sets from Grasshopper Rhythm and Soul Band, and special guest Marcus Santos and Grooversity! This is a night of Pan-African Rhythms, Samba Funk Energy, and a Celebration of the Sun! DJ Moncho Sabella will spin Soca, Dancehall, New Afro, and HipFunk to move ya. * First 20 People receive a FREE World Drumming DVD ($24 value!) SUMMAH JAMM 2011 Saturday July 9 9pm - 1am Shashamane Ethiopian Club 2507 Broadway Oakland, CA $10* *First 20 People Receive FREE World Drumming DVD! 510-967-6135 SEE YOU AT THE JAMM! All styles and smiles welcome! |
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Upcoming
Total Rhythm Events:
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Fri. July 8 - Sat. July 9
Afro-Brazilian Percussion Workshop with
Marcus Santos
Alameda, CA
(See details below)
Sat. July 9
SUMMAH JAMM 2011
WORLD FUNK DANCE PARTY
9pm-1am
Shashamane Ethiopian Club
2507 Broadway
Oakland, CA
$10
(First 20 paid attendees receive FREE World Rhythms Drumming DVD!!!)
July 23, 2011
Mali Magic
SUNU Rhythms From Mali Workshop with Ben Isaacs
2-5pm
Alameda, CA
Call to reg: 510-967-6135
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July
Percussion Workshops in
Nor. Calif.!
Marcus Santos
Afro-Brazilian Percussion Workshop with Marcus Santos
I am very excited to host Boston-based percussionist Marcus Santos (originally from Bahia, Brazi) for two days of SAMBA FUNK, original arrangements of AXE MUSIC from BAHIA, and all-around good times!!
The sessions are Fri, nite, July 8 from 6-10pm, and Sat. July 9, from 12noon-4pm. This will be an in-depth IMMERSION into Afro-Brazilian beats and I have THREE SPOTS STILL OPEN for ADVANCED DRUMMERS. Please call me if you want to join us! 510-967-6135.
Those who are ready will PERFORM with Marcus and I at the SUMMAH JAMM 2011 party in Oakland on Sat. July 9!!!
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"Mali Magic" Workshop with Ben Isaacs
 Ben Isaacs
I am honored to host talented Bay Area, CA percussionist BEN ISAACS for a session covering Malian SUNU Rhythms for Djembe and Djun-Djun!!!
Ben will be teaching complete arrangements of traditional "SUNU" rhythms from Mali, where he has traveled and studied extensively.
MALI MAGIC Workshop
for Djembe and Djun-Djun with Ben Isaacs
Sat. July 23
2-5pm
1705 Webster St.
Alameda
$45/40 adv.
This workshop is open to all intermediate and advanced drummers.
Please call if you have questions or would like to enroll in advance: 510-967-6135.
(Online enrollment will be open soon.)
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THESE OUTSTANDING PERCUSSION ARTISTS!
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"Those who wish to sing always find a song." Author unknown.
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