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The Different Drummers Drum Circle of Yarmouth, Maine is an open, freestyle community drum circle. We drum on the first
Saturday 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, I usually bring extras which I share for free. There is also
no charge for participation. Come when you can and leave when you must. We drum until the last of us goes home. Currently,
nearly 500 people consider themselves DDDC members. 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 25 to 35 drummers per evening, you won't 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 and beyond 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, cello, sax, 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.
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.
JUST FOR FUN: Click here to see my son and I sharing an impromptu drum jam in a song.
Express Yourself:
SIGN OUR GUESTBOOK VIEW OUR GUESTBOOK
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DDDC News
Saturday, August 27 members of Different Drummers will be drumming on their DDDC float in the North
Yarmouth Fun Day Parade.
My book, "Freestyle Community Drum Circles." is available (See "My Book" link on far left)
on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and wherever fine books are sold. ;-) The news is that this summer it started
selling in Europe! How cool is that? There are loads of books available on facilitated drum circles but mine is
the first to advocate freestyle circles, the goal of "shared leadership", and the importance of allowing participants
to have their own individual experience, be it spiritual, creative, or community-building. Oh, and rumor has it it's
pretty funny, too. Members of Different Drummers get a reduced rate. See me at the drum circle.
Sunday, September 11 at 10 AM, Different Drummers Joyful Hearts Club Band returns to provide music at
the Unity Center for Sacred Living at 32 Thomas St. in Portland.
Saturday, September 17 Drums Along the Kennebec at Head of Falls, Waterville, ME
Sunday, September 18 Members of DDDC will drum for the participants of the American Heart Association's
Heartwalk in Lewiston, ME.
Every fourth Sunday of each month, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM Rick Cormier will be hosting the drum circle
at Sadhana Meditation Center, 100 Brickhill Rd. in South Portland, Maine.
Every third Friday of each month, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM Rick Cormier will be hosting the Waterville
Drum Circle at REM on 93 Main Street, Waterville.
My third book, "My Life Cracks Me Up", was officially released on 6/30/2011. I have a supply of
pre-release copies for sale at $15. each while they last (They cost $19.99 on Amazon.com and in bookstores)
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