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The Different Drummers Drum Circle of Yarmouth, Maine is an open, freestyle community drum circle. We drum on the first Sunday
and second and fourth Fridays of each month at 6:30 at the First Universalist Church, 97 Main St, Yarmouth, Maine.
Our Mission
"Ours is an open, freestyle community drum circle. We are a diverse group of people sharing a common experience. During
the process of creating music together we create community. Our emphasis is on intuitive, improvised, and emotive rhythms
rather than rehearsed or traditional ones. We welcome your 'voice' in our group song.
Drumming is fun. Drumming can
change your mood and connect you powerfully with others. Drumming can entrance and heal. Drumming can provide a vehicle for
expressing joy, frustration and peace. Drumming can raise energies and provide relaxation. Whether we participate for the
spiritual experience, the emotional experience, the musical experience or the social experience, drumming can bring a dozen
hearts and souls to a dozen destinations. Yet we journey together...as a community."
Rick Cormier
What To Expect
We are known for our positive energy and welcoming atmosphere. Most of our drum pieces end in either laughter
or silence. We encourage participation by novices. When you decide to check us out, it is very unlikely that you'll be the
only first-timer there that night. If you don't yet own a drum, we usually have extras. There is no charge for participation.
Come when you can and leave when you must. We drum until the last of us goes home. There are currently more than 350 people
on our email list. Some people drum with us 3 times a month while others may join us 3 times a year. It's all
good.
Though we average 15 to 35 drummers per evening, you're unlikely to drum with the same combination of people twice. Our
participants are commonly about 65% women. We have singles, couples and families who drum with us... children under
10 and seniors well into their 80's.
Expect to see African djembes, Middle Eastern doumbeks, frame drums, ashikos, congas, bongos, cajons and all sorts of rhythm
instruments. We have created incredible percussive backdrops to flute, harp, oboe, mandolin, blues harmonica, didgeridoo and
vocals. We welcome dancers.
Anyone may start a beat. That person sets the tempo and the tone of the piece. That guideline keeps us from
slipping into the same rhythm patterns. It also keeps the "Testosterone Tangos" from dominating. It allows us to sound African,
Latin, Middle Eastern, Native American, jazzy and purely creative...all in one evening. It allows us to weave
delicate percussive tapestries in which every note is a significant event.
The DDDC has an email list which receives weekly reminders and announcements about DDDC and other local area drum circles
and percussion-related events and resources. We also maintain an online calendar at http://calendar.yahoo.com/differentdrummers
DIRECTIONS: 295 N or S to exit 15 Yarmouth. Go right at end of exit. Go 1/3 Mile and take a right
at the lights (Portland St.) Follow Portland St to the end. Universalist Church will be facing you. Use parking lot entrance.
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Links
To learn more about our drum circle and about freestyle drum circles, including guidelines, tips, news articles, and
poems, the link below will take you to the "Drum Circle" section of my webpage:
Link to "Drum Circles"
Rick's Homepage
Link to articles about the many benefits of group drumming.
Express Yourself:
SIGN OUR GUESTBOOK VIEW OUR GUESTBOOK
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DDDC News
Sunday, November 16, 2008, 7:00PM Frank Sanfilipo and Rick Cormier of Different Drummers will
join Robert Gass and special guests from Inanna in a Robert Gass and Friends concert at 7pm at One Longfellow Square in Portland.
November 23, 2008 Different Drummers Joyful Hearts Club Band will provide music for the 10am worship
service at the Unity Church in Windham. At 1:00pm that afternoon they will perform a concert at the Unity Church.
Sunday, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2009, 2:00PM DRUM CIRCLE WORKSHOP: The three-session workshop, offered
annually by Rick Cormier, focuses on how to hit a drum, how to 'play well with others', and how to find your 'voice' and play
creatively. It is geared toward novices who want to drum in a community drum circle but feel the need to learn some basics
first. $40. payable in advance covers all three sessions.
Sunday, March 22, 2009, 2:00 to 4:00PM LIVING WATERS SPIRITUAL RETREAT, Winslow, ME: Different
Drummers Joyful Hearts Club Band will do a one-hour performance, followed by a 10-minute basic lesson after which the audience
will be invited to join us drumming in the second hour. Fee is $15. Must register before 3/13/09. FMI go to:
http://www.e-livingwater.org/
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