Start drumming to a different beat on Mondays.
Starting Oct. 17, Monica Hofer will be teaching two six-week drumming programs in Errington.
The two programs, Drums Alive and African Hand Drumming, is through the Arrowsmith Community Recreation Association.
ACRA recreation co-ordinator Kim Longmuir said this is the first time Drums Alive will be offered in the community. She also said the beginners’ class will be the perfect opportunity to learn or refresh your African hand-drumming skills
Drums Alive combines dance, aerobic exercise and drumming.
Hofer said it’s an international fitness program started by a woman in Germany.
“The idea behind Drums Alive, is you incorporate all of the benefits of drumming in a sort of light, aerobic workout,” Hofer said.
Participants can work out to their comfort level, pounding on fitness balls while grooving to great music. No drumming experience is required. All equipment is supplied, but people are welcome to bring their own fitness ball (minimum size is 55 centimetres, fully inflated).
Drums Alive will be held at KickStart Fitness (1530 Springhill Rd., Errington) Oct. 17 to Nov. 28 (no class Oct. 31) from 3:30-4:30 p.m. The cost for the six classes is $62.
In Beginners African Hand Drumming, Hofer teaches the basic hand-drumming techniques. The class is intended for those with little or no drumming experience.
The beginners class will be held at Errington War Memorial Hall (1390 Errington Rd.) Mondays from Oct. 17 to Nov. 28 (no class on Oct. 31) from 5-6 p.m. The cost for the six classes is $75. Drums are available each week for $5 or people can bring their djembe drums.
According to her website, Hofer has studied African drumming with a master drummer from Guinea. She said she’s been teaching for more than 10 years.
For her classes, she said the rhythms are a mixture.
“I bring in some traditional rhythms, but a lot of the time I do spontaneous things,” Hofer said.
While the classes are geared toward beginners, Hofer said any level of ability is welcome.
“Everybody is welcome, no matter what level of ability or perceived level of ability,” she said.
For more information on instructor Hofer, visit her website.
For more information or to register, call Longmuir at 250-248-8515 or 250-240-7793 or email kimlongmuir@telus.net.
— NEWS Staff/ACRA release