Lynn Fleming took lots of pictures. Here’s the link to have a look:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnsphotos/sets/72157624038511521/

 If you want to get in on the fun, there is another 4-week series scheduled for Tuesday evenings, starting on July 6. Please register by Friday, July 2. You can register online at tidalbeat.ca. Just click on Upcoming Events.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwkZuJ1rH7w

Newsletter Past Issues

Please note, the Drum Up Rhythms Tidal Beat Newsletter has been replaced my new blog.

Clic the link below to download PDF

• 2010 Spring
• 2009 Winter
• 2009 Fall
• 2009 Summer
• 2009 Spring

SPRING EDITION  – March 2010

Dear Drummers, Dancers and Friends:
Ah yes, it’s spring all right! Does it seem to you that the season, and energy, has started early this time around? I certainly seem to be well into spring mode these days. New starts. Big ideas. Lots on the go.

Survey Monkey

If you ever need to do a survey for any reason, be sure to check out this site: www.surveymonkey.com.
They provide several levels of survey services, and, even at the “free” level, you can design a survey, send a link out to people asking them to complete it, and then see the results. Very cool.

In February, I did just that. Ever diligent about not over-using my e-mail out list, I only sent the link out to a few of you to ask for your participation. Now, here’s the tricky part. Your answers were anonymous. That means I can’t tell who responded, which means I can’t personally thank those of you who took the time and effort to complete the questions. So, I offer a heartfelt, albeit blanket, big thank you to all those who helped me by taking the survey. The information I gained from your answers was very helpful. (To see the survey, here’s the link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WSPQ95R.)

Here are a few tidbits from the survey results, for your interest:

• 80% rated the current tagline “Let the rhythms flow” as extremely effective or very effective
• 75% rated the current Tidal Beat logo as very effective
• 80% said yes to the question: When facilitating a Tidal Beat drum circle, do you think Heather should wear clothing with the Tidal Beat logo on it?

Now that’s enough about me and my projects. Here’s the scoop on upcoming Tidal Beat drum events so you can sign up and put some spring in your groove! Hmmm. Or should that be put some groove in your spring? Either way, here you go…

TIDAL BEAT DRUMMERS

We had tons of fun in this “rhythm band of drummers” last year. We drummed at Alderney Landing, for a diversity event at a local school, and, our finest moment, performing at the Tall Grass Festival in Seaforth. Too much joy!! So, for any hibernating Tidal Beat Drummers and others who find the idea intriguing, it’s time to get the drums rolling! I’m thinking May is a good time to start???
www.tidalbeat.ca       heather@tidalbeat.ca                   Phone: 902.431.8052        Cell: 2-3-DRUMS
Based on feedback from the group and what I learned from doing this for the first time last year, I’ve
tweaked the formula a bit. Here’s the plan:
• Four practice sessions. Practices will be on Sunday afternoons at the North Woodside
Community Centre, 230 Pleasant Street in Dartmouth from 2 – 3:30 pm. Dates are
May 16, May 23, June 6 and June 13. Also, on Sunday, May 30 there is an Open
Drum Circle at NWCC which registered TBDs are welcome to attend at no extra charge.
The $50 fee includes the four practice sessions, the open drum circle on May 30, and
the performance session.
• The performance. We will schedule a time to perform sometime after the last practice. It could be a gig we may be asked to do, or we will play our pieces on the waterfront or some other suitable location. We will be performing the rhythms we have created as a group and practiced. That is, they will be repeatable – coming from a core rhythm – with room for spontaneity in the moment.
• The band. This time, the formation of the sections in the band will be determined by who joins the band and what instrument you want to play. You won’t have to play the same instrument or be in the same section for every piece, unless you want to.
• The commitment. Last year, people could pay by the week and/or drop in for one session which made it more like an open drum circle/band practice combo. When you sign up this time, it will be for the whole series, much like a class or course. If you have to miss a week, no problem, but essentially the band members will remain the same for the duration of the series. That way, we can keep the forward momentum going and do a bit more with each piece.
• Drumming experience. As you know, I’m all about bringing the joy of drumming to everyone,
including those who have little or no previous experience. In this band, we’re creating our own
rhythms, so we are free to include complicated and easier parts. To be in the Tidal Beat Drummers, however, you do need a pretty good sense of rhythm and some ability to remember and repeat rhythms (notwithstanding those of us who are over 50!).
So there you have it. The formation of the band, of course, depends on your interest. Register today!

For pictures of the Tidal Beat Drummers performing at the Tall Grass Festival in Seaforth last fall, follow the link on my homepage (www.tidalbeat.ca).

OPEN DRUM CIRCLES AT NORTH WOODSIDE COMMUNITY CENTRE

Here are the dates for upcoming open drum circles. No experience is needed. New and experienced drummers are welcome. Instruments will be available to use, or bring your own.

Cost is $10/circle.
Sunday afternoons from 2 – 4 pm
March 28, April 25, May 30 and June 27, 2010
North Woodside Community Centre, 230 Pleasant St., Dartmouth

Dear Drummers, Dancers and Friends:

Yet another turn of the Wheel, and this time, an opportunity to bring you my very best wishes for the season. Here’s to lots of happy in your holidays, and a new year filled with peace and joy.
Tis the season of Winter Solstice…the time of year when there is more dark than light in our days. In the Wheel of Life that I subscribe to, the winter season is represented by the North, features the element water…frozen or otherwise, and the color blue. It is a time for hibernating – going within – and a time for introspection and re-establishing goals and values.
One thing I like to do around this time of year is create a peaceful space for writing (candlelight, gentle
music, whatever) and write a letter to the new year. It’s quite a simple ritual, really, but a very profound way to bring some clarity and wisdom to the change of year.
Just start off “Dear 2010: I am writing to tell you the highlights of 2009, and to outline my goals and aspirations for the new year.” Sit for awhile, and contemplate what you consider to be your five greatest accomplishments for the past year, and the five things for which you are most grateful. Then write them down in sort of a “free flow” manner. That is, try not to censor your thoughts, just let them come from the heart, as if you were writing to a dear friend. Next, turn your attention to 2010 and write about your hopes and aspirations for the new year. Here again, I find that identifying five things is lots.

I also like to pick a word for the year, and give the new year a name. My word for 2009 was
“Breathe”. By December, I ended up at a meditation retreat with a full week of focusing on the breath! (I know, I know…but you just have to trust!) Anyway, my word for 2010 is going to be “Freedom”, which has personal significance for me. (Gulp! Wonder where I’ll be by December with that one!!)
The name I give each year is often quite spontaneous. It could come at the end of your letter, or for me, it’s usually midway when I shift my focus from 2009 to 2010. I haven’t written my letter yet, so this is subject to change, but right now it feels like 2010 will be “The Year of Taking the Leap” for me.
If you decide to give this a try, I would love to know how you make out. I’ve been doing it for years and find it quite powerful. Even if you don’t focus on it all the time, but only read it occasionally during the year, you may be surprised at how some things have a way of falling into place for you.

TIDAL BEAT DRUMMERS

The Tidal Beat Drummers met for five more sessions in September before fading
away with the busy-ness of fall. The highlight of our time together was playing at
the Tall Grass Festival in Seaforth. If you haven’t seen the pictures taken by Lynn
Flemming, it’s worth a look. Nice pictures of the Tidal Beat Drummers, and also
some interesting drum pictures and shots of the tall grass. The link is on the
homepage of my website (www.tidalbeat.ca).
We were also invited to play at a very informative and enjoyable diversity event at Auburn Drive School in Cole Harbour. Although we were small in number that night, it was a very cool thing to be doing.
NORTHWOOD DRUMMERS ON BREAKFAST TELEVISION
There was a bit of excitement at Northwood Centre one day in November. On very short notice, the participants in the 5-week drumming series were invited to drum on Breakfast Television. The TV crew came up to the penthouse at Northwood and taped the group, which aired the next morning. The drumming part of the TV show was broken down into four segments: an interview with the grant coordinator from Northwood; an interview with me; an interview with two of the participants, and one segment featuring the drum circle (plus they drummed in the background during the other three interviews). A lot of drummers were up early that day to watch TV!

TV fame aside, the series at Northwood was a lot of fun for participants. The co-ordinator of the program is hoping to be able to offer it again, perhaps in February. There is also an initiative on the go to bring the joy of drumming to inpatients at Northwood. Like I always say, people of all ages enjoy drumming! I’m delighted that more people, especially seniors, are discovering the bliss.

OPEN DRUM CIRCLE IN JANUARY

Nothing quite like a drum circle to kick off the new year. If your goal is to have more fun in 2010, and you think drumming might be a way to do this, I definitely think you’re right! No experience is needed.

New and experienced drummers are welcome. Instruments will be available to use, or bring your own drum if you have one.

DATE: Sunday afternoon, January 24, 2010
TIME: 2 – 4 PM
LOCATION: North Woodside Community Centre, Dartmouth
COST: $10. Please register in advance.

That’s it for this turn of the wheel. Until next time, happy drumming, and let the rhythms flow!
Heather