WHAT'S ON .....

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African Drumming Workshop 

£5 at the door. 

No previous experience necessary - Drums provided. 

 I'll be on my Samba drums at a Sober rave in Bedford. 

I'm looking forward to doing a beginners drumming workshop at this local festival. 

Beginner's and Refreshers are from 7pm until 8.00pm.  Then improvers from 8.15pm until 9.30pm.  

JanJan is a passionate drumming facilitator, certified ADHD life coach, wellbeing practitioner, and storyteller who uses rhythm to bring people together. With a love of djembe and community connection, she creates engaging workshops that are fun, inclusive, and uplifting. 

At this year’s festival, JanJan will be leading adult drumming sessions to learn simple rhythms and experience the wellbeing benefits of drumming, alongside interactive storytelling sessions for children where rhythm and imagination come to life.

GRAB YOUR TICKETS NOW:
https://www.tickettailor.com/.../istokretreatf.../1837344...

I will be drumming alongside our live DJ and Audua to bring you music that will make you move. 

Book at 

www.brightemotions.co.uk/mim

Another beginners workshop - all welcome, drums provided.  

I collaborated with fellow musicians for this International Women's Performance.  We used household items as instruments. The song is written and sung by Kirsty Grace. 

 ·This week I had the joy of running two very different drumming workshops, which reminded me how the djembe can reach people (even very little people ) wherever they are and however they choose to show up.Earlier in the week I was at Wellington Primary and worked with two groups of 33 four-year-olds — 66 tiny drummers discovering rhythm together! At that age, drumming is such a wonderful way to build listening, coordination, confidence and joyful self-expression.At Swanbourne, we played a simple rhythm with  everyone keeping the beat and playing in time together.Each child was invited to create their own rhythm, and the group played it back to them in a game we called “You Play, We Play.” Belonging, confidence, collaboration and listening - all in action.  Moments like that are wonderfully affirming — every child is seen, heard and valued, and their contribution becomes part of the music.When a whole group listens to each other and locks into the same rhythm, you can feel the focus, teamwork and connection in the room — wonderful transferable skills that reach far beyond the drum. I always love sharing rhythm with schools and young people — it’s amazing what can happen when a group finds the same beat. 

 I did a workshop at Fairfield  School which caters for children with PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties.  Drumming offers a powerful multi-sensory experience for children . The vibration of the drum can be felt through the body, so for wheelchair users we took off sock and shoes and placed feet on my biggest drum so they could feel the vibrations. 

Through simple cause-and-effect experiences (“I hit the drum — it makes a sound”), children develop communication, and attention  skills at their own pace. My research taught me to play a beat and then given the child processing time.  This aim was for engagement - even the smallest response — a glance, a smile, a gentle movement — becomes part of a shared musical conversation. It was truly humbling. 

 African drumming is a joyful, accessible way to make music—no experience needed. From the very first beat, beginners can feel more grounded, energised, and connected. Drumming helps reduce stress, improves focus and coordination, and builds confidence through simple, repetitive rhythms that quickly come together as a group. It’s also a powerful way to connect with others: you don’t need to read music, just listen, feel, and play. Perfect for beginners who want to relax, have fun, and discover the pleasure of rhythm.