She Poets ROCK the DCAC in final performances - THIS WEEKEND!

Responding to the Young Women's Drumming Empowerment's opening night performance, audience members wrote:

"it was awesome"
"very powerful"
"just wonderful, phenomenal"

Imagine a collection of deeply personal, powerful and political songs and poems written and performed by 6 talented young women, sanwiched between two skillfully choreographed African djembe rhythms, and you have the She Poets of the Rizing Moon in their debut: "Djembes Have Curves."

The performances are the result of a summer-long program in which young women aged 14-18, all DC residents, met weekly with 9 local artists for workshops on team building, hand drumming, poetry, spoken word, song writing, performance technique, and staging. Artist instructors include drum teacher & facilitator Jaqui MacMillan, Deb Randall of Venus Theatre, and hip-hop artist-activist Princess of Controversy.

"I knew the Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Project's performances were going to be good, but never did I imagine them to be this good!" Noted local art blogger Alexandra Silverthorne in Solarize This.

"These performances - and the process by which the young women created them - clearly define the meaning of empowerment," states Venus Theatre founder Deborah Randall.

The young women involved have found hidden talents and inner strengths through the process of learning from experienced instructors who have empowered them to create their own material and set list, and perform it.

Says YWDEP member Stephanie Upshur, 18: "I like being part of the project because I think it’s fascinating that women are drumming, and because it has helped me build my self esteem and learn to write poetry, and to play the drum."

And Treasure Chapman, 18: "The drum is such a male instrument. If I can give play it and bring in some female energy, then I feel like I've created something unique and really powerful."

Don't miss the She Poets in their final performances, this Saturday and Sunday at the DC Arts Center, 2438 18th St NW, both shows at 7:30 p.m.

For more information: Contact Kristen Arant at 202-213-7810 or Kristen@youngwomendrum.org, and visit our website at www.youngwomendrum.org.

Be The First To See Our Printed Materials!

Our promo materials are currently at the printers, but you can check them out online here:

POSTCARDS

POSTERS

To request postcards to give to family & friends or posters to hang in the community, e-mail Kristen!

LET'S SPREAD THE WORD!

CRUNCH TIME SCHEDULE!!!

All dates are mandatory to perform unless arrangements have been made *ahead of time*

THURS. Aug. 18: Group rehearsal, 5:30-9 All Souls dining room

SAT Aug. 20: Work on performance with Deb Randall of Venus Theatre

THURS. Aug. 25: Group rehearsal, 5:30-9, All Souls dining room

SAT Aug. 27: Workshop with Jaqui; work on Shiko and KuKu

SUN Aug. 28: Finish banner, 2-7 p.m. location TBA

TUES Aug. 30 thru THURS Sept. 1: OUTREACH DAYS – sign-in for availability

THURS Sept. 1: Group rehearsal, 5:30-9, All Souls LIBRARY

SAT Sept. 3: Dress Rehearsal at DCAC, 10am-2pm

SUN Sept. 4: Dress Rehearsal 2 at DCAC, 2-5pm

THURS Sept. 8: Extra group rehearsal and check-in, time/location TBA

SAT Sept. 10: PERFORMANCE at DCAC, call time 6 p.m., perform 7:30 p.m.

SAT Sept. 10: Reception after performance, at DCAC

SUN Sept. 11: PERFORMANCE at DCAC, call time 1:30 p.m., perform 3:00 p.m.

SAT Sept. 17: PERFORMANCE at DCAC, call time 6 p.m., perform 7:30 p.m.

SUN Sept. 18: PERFORMANCE at DCAC, call time 6 p.m., perform 7:30 p.m.


Kristen Arant, Founder, 202-213-7810, kristen@youngwomendrum.org
Sheila Mirza, Intern, 202-215-3817, dcfresh@gmail.com

Creating the PERFORMANCE

YWDEP members now have a strong collection of material, and will be putting it all together in a performance creation workshop this Saturday facilitated by Margaux Delotte Bennett and Sheila Mirza.

The young women will be empowered to build their own performance by organizing their raw materials into a set with a theme and a title. They will receive 3X5 notecards each containing one element of what they have created so far, along with some other possibilities, and a couple of blank cards for them to fill in with their own brainstorms.

So far, the cards read as follows:

Carnival (song)
No Sympathy (song)
Shiko (rhythm)
KuKu (rhythm)
Group Poem
Group Movement Piece
poetic conversation featuring the combined poetry of three YWDEP artists
Poem by each individual YWDEP member
piece incorporating sax
piece incorporating keyboards

The young women will hopefully be getting together on SUNDAY as well to go over what they create at this Saturday's session.

NEXT weekend Jaqui Macmillan will be present to continue teaching and polish the SHIKO rhythm, and we'll enjoy another Sunday at Malcolm X Park. The girls are also working on a banner - a description along with photos are available on banner facilitator Alexandra Silverthorne's artist blog: http://solarizethis.blogspot.com/2005/07/banner-project.html. CHECK IT OUT!

YWDEP ROCKS!

In Rhythm,

Kristen Arant, Founder
202-213-7810
kristen@youngwomendrum.org

Sheila Mirza, Intern
202-215-3817
dcfresh@gmail.com

YWDEP performance BOOKED!!

YWDEP members, instructors and performers:

I want to let all of you know that the Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Project is now booked for 4 performances at the DC Arts Center in Adam's Morgan - 2438 18th St NW.

The dates and times are as follows:

Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 11, 3:00 p.m.
Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.

The theater is now accepting reservations for all 4 shows - there are just 30 seats per show so please reserve a spot by calling the DCAC at 202-4627833.

I hope you'll reserve at least one of these dates on your calendar to come see these incredible young women perform an original set list of their own creation featuring drumming, spoken word, poetry, song and movement.

Thanks for supporting YWDEP!
In Rhythm,
Kristen Arant, YWDEP founder
202-213-7810
kristen@youngwomendrum.org
www.youngwomendrum.org

YWDEP THIS WEEK

We're inching closer and closer to our performance, and YWDEP members can look forward to a host of great times and hard work to come.

This week, we're attending MWAZI WEDNESDAY at Cafe Mawonaj - an open-mic poetry and spoken word celebration. Members should meet SHEILA at the Shaw/Howard metro station at 8:15 p.m. (please be on time!) and walk in a group to the cafe.

On Saturday, our session features JAQUI MacMILLAN - renown female percussion artist and instructor, who will teach us the rhythm SHIKO - this is not to be missed! Be there! 10:30 a.m., All Souls church, 16th and Harvard Sts NW, in the dining room.

Then, on Sunday, we're getting together at 3 p.m. at St. Stephen's Church (16th and Newton Sts NW) to start painting our BANNER, which will be displayed at the performances.

In addition, intern Sheila Mirza and I have constructed a first draft of the performance set list, which we'll be sharing with all the YWDEP instructors and facilitators for feedback - it's a very exciting set and we're looking forward to getting started on it!

Private lessons are also going well - any YWDEP member who has not schedule a private lesson w/ Kristen, please do so at the next Saturday session.

Also - the previous blog contains the most updated schedule, so please check it out!

YAY!! Look out DC here we come!!!

In Rhythm --

Kristen Arant, Founder
202-213-7810
kristen@youngwomendrum.org

Sheila Mirza, Intern
202-215-3817
dcfresh@gmail.com

SONGS from the hearts of young women

Below find the lyrics to the TWO songs that YWDEP members created with Margaux Delotte-Bennett during two SONG workshops!!

These songs will be included in our upcoming performances.

CARNIVAL

The people, they are laughing
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho
Look at them go
The brightly colored show

The food it be sizzlin
The bodies, they are too
I wanna feel the cool breeze
I wanna dance with you

Just like on the islands
Puerto Rico, Jamaica
Cuba and Aruba
With a little bit of flavah
May not be in Mexico, but
I had me a taco too

The people, they are laughing
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho
Look at them go
The brightly colored show

A little boy is crying
While the old men are fighting
The old ladies are cooking
And the food is so inviting

The carnival is just a memory
That i miss my home
But don’t be sad my friend
‘Cause it will come again

The people, they are laughing
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho
Look at them go
The brightly colored show


No Sympathy

I am so blue
Because I loved you
And gave my life to you
But you said now we’re through

How could this be?
What’s wrong with me?
I gave you all I had,
But what have you given me?

-No Sympathy- (4xs)

I can’t stand you
And your dirty soul
You got to roll
In my heart you left a hole

-Cold blooded- (3xs)

You left my life a mess
My room’s flooded with tears
You’re like all of the rest
I’ll be cleaning up for years

I gave you my best
But you gave something less
Is this some kind of test?
Why you testin me?

-No Sympathy- (4xs)

I can’t stand you
And your dirty soul
You got to roll
In my heart you left a hole

-Cold blooded- (3xs)

No Sympathy!

Updated Schedule

SCHEDULE – STILL SUBJECT TO SLIGHT CHANGES DEPENDING ON OUR PROGRESS!

-extracurricular activities marked in bold. all other dates are required unless further notice is given to Kristen or Sheila-

WED July 27: Mwazi Wednesday – open mic spoken word at Cafe Mawonaj 8-10pm - Meet SHEILA at the Shaw/Howard metro station, 8:15 p.m.

SAT July 30: Jaqui MacMillan workshop – learn SHIKO rhythm
SUN July 31: Banner-making session w/ Alex and Sheila, 3-7 p.m., St. Stephens Church, 16th and Newton Sts NW

SAT Aug. 6: Build performance combining drum, dance, and spoken word

SUN Aug. 7: Extra rehearsal to practice for performance - 3-7, St. Stephens church

SAT Aug. 13: 2nd workshop with Jaqui MacMillan – continue SHIKO
SAT Aug. 13: Soul Fire Inside drum circle in Takoma, DC, 8-10 p.m.
SUN Aug. 14: Malcolm X Park drum circle – 4-6 p.m.

WED, THURS, FRI Aug. 17, 18, 19: run through performance with all YWDEP members, place TBA, 7:30-10 p.m.

SAT Aug. 20: Performance workshop with Deb Randall of Venus Theatre – honing in on what we have and working to improve it.

SAT Aug. 27: Work on performance

SAT Sept. 3: Dress Rehearsal at DCAC
SUN Sept. 4: Dress Rehearsal at DCAC

SAT Sept. 10: Performance at DCAC, call time 5:30 p.m., perform 7:30 p.m.

SUN Sept. 11: Performance at DCAC, call time 5:30 p.m., perform 7:30 p.m.

SAT Sept. 17: Performance at DCAC, call time 5:30 p.m., perform 7:30 p.m.

SAT Sept. 17: Reception following performance, time/place TBA
SUN Sept. 18: Performance at DCAC, call time 5:30 p.m., perform 7:30 p.m.

Kristen Arant: kristen@youngwomendrum.org, 202-213-7810
Sheila Mirza: dcfresh@gmail.com, 202-215-3817

Mid-July UPDATE!

Despite the crazy heat, YWDEP continues with fervor! We attended an outdoor rhythmic spoken word event last week, are in the midst of scheduling a private lesson for each member, and have updated our schedule AGAIN to include another poetry open-mic night, a banner making session, drum workshops with reknown drummer Jaqui MacMillan, and a host of extra sessions to prepare for our PERFORMANCE, which is now scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 17 and 18.

please READ ON for more info!!


I Last weekend
II This weekend
III Open mic poetry this Wednesday
IV website updated!

I

Last weekend we had an intense workshop with Princess of Controvery (Melissa Best) that opened us all up to our performing selves. We warmed up our entire faces, then lost some inhibitions by practicing isolations of our different body parts. (!) We then experienced a mirroring session, where everyone had to mimic every word, move and _expression of one person in the circle. This left us all with a much higher level of self awareness. We also practiced vocal inflections, breathing, critiqued each other's standing positions (confident vs. weak), and used our bodies to portray different emotional states. At the end, each member had an opportunity to read a piece of poetry, drawing upon everything learned in the workshop.


II

This weekend, Princess is back to share more of her expertise, and move us forward on reading our own poetry with the inclusion of drums and rhythm. For those who couldn't make it last week, Princess will take us through an abbreviated version of last week's workshop so that everyone can get up to speed. For those who WERE there, please remember to WRITE ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE in your journals, and be prepared to read your entries - this will assist those who were absent in gaining a deeper understanding of what we learned.

Workshop with Princess of Controversy: Saturday, July 23, 10:30-12:30 p.m., All Souls church, 16th and Harvard Sts, NW, Harvard St entrance, dining room.

III

Please note that this coming Wednesday, July 27, we'll be going to Cafe Mawonaj for Mwazi Wednesday, an open-mic spoken word and poetry event. Please bring something to read, as you may want to sign up for the open-mic, and also some money for food or drinks if you wish. We'll meet at 7:30 p.m. at our usual All Souls site - outside the Harvard St entrance - and carpool to Mawonaj. I'm happy to give everyone a ride home afterwards - we'll leave the event at 10 p.m.

IV

The website had been updated, so please check it out!!
Also, if you have pictures, send them to me!
Digital photos can be sent to kristen@youngwomendrum.org
Printed photos can be handed to myself or Sheila at a Saturday session, or send them to:
Kristen Arant
YWDEP
1395 Sheridan St NW
Washington, DC 20011


Keep on Drummin!

Kristen Arant, Founder
202-213-7810
kristen@youngwomendrum.org

Sheila Mirza, Intern
202-215-3817
dcfresh@gmail.com

This Week's YWDEP: Performance Technique with the Princess of Controversy

Last weekend, the amazing Margaux Delotte-Bennett led YWDEP on another soulful singing journey. this being her second visit, we now have 2 songs under our belts - both co-written by YWDEP members - one in the Reggae/Soka style and the other - last week's - the Blues (with a capital B!) THANK YOU MARGAUX!!!!!!

And following Margaux is.....

Melissa Best a.k.a. "Princess of Controversy," who will be sharing her performance expertise with us at the YWDEP session, 10:30 a.m. at All Souls Church in the dining room on Saturday, July 16.

Her workshop will include the following elements of performance:
*Breathing techniques
*Isolations
*Stage directions
*Confidence
*Vocal inflection

In addition, each YWDEP member will have an opportunity to read a poem or spoken word piece in a performance stance - using the above elements as guidelines.

Princess is an incredible spoken word hip-hop performing artist in DC with an incredibly positive vibration - don't miss this session!

Please call me - or respond to this email and let me know whether or not you can make it: 202-213-7810; kristen@youngwomendrum.org.

In addition - this coming week we have two opportunities to observe and participate in the local spoken word scene - the first is an outdoor open-mic with a political bent that includes both drumming and spoken word and encourages EVERYONE's participation. The second is a spoken word/poetry night at Mangos in the U St Corridor - a more traditionally-styled poetry open-mic setting. Sheila (YWDEP's intern) and I will be contacting all of you this weekend to organize these two outings:

July 18: DC Guerrilla Poetry Insurgency - Dupont Fountain 6:45-8:30 p.m.
July 19: Poetry slam at Mangos – 14th and U Sts 8 p.m.

All that said - I hope to see all of you this Saturday!!! Stay IN TOUCH!!

love and drums,

Kristen Arant, founder
202-213-7810
kristen@youngwomendrum.org

Sheila Mirza, intern
202-215-3817
Dcfresh@gmail.com

YWDEP REVISED SCHEDULE! July - Sept 2005

Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment Project
REVISED SCHEDULE: July-Sept 2005

WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS!!

Important Notes:

All Saturday sessions take place at 10:30 am until approx. noon at All Souls Church, 16th and Harvard St. Enter through the Harvard St entrance and we’ll be in the dining room – down the stairwell to your left, then all the way back. Please be on time!!

All field trips or extra curricular activities are marked in bold type in the schedule below. These include drumming at Malcolm X Park, painting a YWDEP banner, and attending a spoken word/poetry night.

In addition, Kristen will be scheduling a private drumming lesson with each YWDEP member throughout the months of July and August in order to improve technique and talk about performance ideas. These lessons will be scheduled on weeknights at 8 p.m. at St. Stephens Church, at 16th and Newton Sts NW. Please note that Sheila, our new intern, will be calling each YWDEP member to set up a private lesson with Kristen.

Please also take note that we need a final, solid, committed performance ensemble. Those who cannot make any of the dates below, for whatever reason, MUST communicate with Kristen or Sheila so that extra time can be made to work you into the performance. If any member cannot make the majority of the dates below, please let Kristen or Sheila know.

Kristen Arant, founder, 202-213-7810 kristen@youngwomendrum.org

Sheila Mirza, intern, 202-215-3817 Dcfresh@gmail.com

SCHEDULE – STILL SUBJECT TO SLIGHT CHANGES DEPENDING ON OUR PROGRESS!

July 2: Break for holiday – make-up session at All Souls.
July 3: Meet at Malcolm X Park to participate in Sunday drum circle there, 4-6 p.m.

July 9: Poetry/spoken word/writing workshop with Margaux.
July 10: Malcolm X Park drum circle – 4-6 p.m.

July 16: The principles of performance with Princess - work on delivery of spoken word pieces. Build pieces that combine drumming with spoken word.

July 18: DC Guerrilla Poetry Insurgency - Dupont Fountain 6:45-8:30 p.m.
July 19: Poetry slam at Mangos – 14th and U Sts 8 p.m.

July 23: Performance technique cont'd - Margaux joins Princess (?) - _expression, delivery, attitude, etc. Hone pieces with drum included.

July 30: Dance workshop with Candace, includes story of the drum and dance in Africa.
July 31: Banner-making session w/ Alex and Sheila

Aug. 6: Build performance combining drum, dance, and spoken word (KA, Sheila, Henry, Dre)
Aug. 7: Continue working on performance

Aug. 13: Continue working on performance
Aug. 13: Soul Fire Inside drum circle in Takoma, DC, 8-10 p.m.
Aug. 14: Malcolm X Park drum circle – 4-6 p.m.

Aug. 20: Performance workshop with Deb Randall of Venus Theatre – honing in on what we have and working to improve it.
Aug. 21: Dress Rehearsal/Recital for parents/family/friends at All Souls (or location TBA)

Aug. 27: Dress Rehearsal for our public performance – block out 10:30am – 3pm this day

Sept. 3 and 4: PUBLIC PERFORMANCES AT DC ARTS CENTER, ADAM’S MORGAN

[alternate date: Sept. 17 and 18, same place]

YWDEP welcomes intern SHEILA MIRZA!

Sheila Mirza joins YWDEP!

We’d like to welcome Sheila as YWDEP’s new INTERN – see her bio below for incredible accomplishments! She joins us through PANORAMA-A Community Arts Initiative with whom we’ve partnered to make this internship possible. Sheila is a powerful youth empowerment organizer, as well as a spoken word and graffiti artist with her roots deep in “South Asian Central,” Queens, NYC. Sheila will be helping us in the coming months as we prepare for our performance; she’ll be calling individual YWDEP members in the near future to help finalize a performance date, in addition to assisting us with performance logistics, outreach, publicity and production. If you haven’t had a chance to meet Sheila yet, please welcome her – she rocks!


Sheila Mirza Biography
Sheila Mirza is a 20 year-old youth organizer, spoken word artist, poet, and muralist who began organizing for social change at age 14 in Queens, NYC. She is a volunteer staff with the Youth Leadership Support Network in Washington, DC working to produce a variety of events including: Sisterfire INCITE - DC Women Against Violence festival; National Education Association Peace and Justice Caucus “Education Not Incarceration” conference; and Lands and Cultures “Trading Guns for Guitars” Festival. She coordinates projects in youth media, theater, movement history, open-mics and workshops at schools, colleges and conferences. She is a frequent performer at local and national events and cast member of Sol & Soul: Art for Social Change, Barrio Street Theater/Teatro de los Trabajadores production of Sin Fronteras, and Suspect Street Theater. She taught graffiti arts for DC children at the Higher Achievement Program through PANORAMA Community Arts Initiative, and is now serving as intern for the Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment Project in DC.

Photographs from Trip to Malcom X Park

Please feel free to share your experiences from the trip to Malcolm X Park!

Field Trip Report + This Weekend's Destination: Malcolm X Park

Last weekend's session and field trip...

In addition to a small but productive song writing workshop with Margaux Delotte-Bennett last Saturday, YWDEP members went on an excursion to Baltimore to see the all women's drumming group "BUMBADA" perform. It was a great trip - we had some interesting discussions and spontaneous singing episodes on the way up and back - and as for the performance itself...hear what one YWDEP member had to say:

"FIVE MEMBERS OF YWDEP RECENTLY HAD THE PLEASURE OF ATTENDING BAMBADA! A PROGRAM PRESENTED BY THE GREENMOUNT SCHOOL WOMEN'S DRUMMING CLASS IN BALTIMORE. ANYWAY THE EXPERIENCE WAS BEAUTIFUL. ALL FEMALE DRUMMERS AND DANCERS GROOVED TO AFRICAN RHYTHMS LIKE A NAKAN, KUKU, FUNGA AND MY PERSONAL FAVORITE, YANKADI. THE WOMEN AND THE ATMOSPHERE HAD A WISE TOUCH OF ENERGY THAT MOVED US ALL."


This weekend's activities...

SATURDAY - MAKE-UP SESSION
I'd like to hold a make-up YWDEP session on Saturday morning for those who have been absent. We have a performance coming sooner than you think, so it's time to get prepared!! Please contact me if you can make plans to show up at the church this Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

SUNDAY - MALCOLM X RHYTHMS
This Sunday, the YWDEP drummers will meet in Malcolm X Park at 4 p.m. to be part of the drumming magic that has infused DC with energy for decades. Drums and chairs will be provided. Please bring WATER and food if you need it - we'll be there for a couple hours.

In The Future ...
Coming up we've got at least one more session with the awesome Margaux, a dance workshop with Candace, and performance workshops with Princess of Controversy and Deb Randall of Venus Theatre. Meanwhile, we've got to keep up our drumming practice. In order to better achieve this, I'll be loaning out 2 drums each week to different YWDEP members to take home for one week of home practice. Please care for these drums as if they were your own! No rings, keep them clean and out of harm's way. My hope is that each YWDEP member will become more comfortable playing in general after having a chance to practice at home.

PERFORMANCE!
I'm trying to get us all organized around a couple of dates for our group performance. There are a range of options - all are in early September. If you're leaving for school in August, don't despair - we'll have a recital during a morning YWDEP session for family/friends to see.Below are the suggested dates for the stage performance - please look them over carefully, check them against your calendars and get back to me ASAP with 2 dates that work for you.

Preferrably we'd like to do one on a Saturday and one a Sunday, and preferrably on the same weekend:

Saturday, September 10, 3 p.m.

Saturday, September 10, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 11, 3 p.m.

Sunday, September 10, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 17, 3 p.m.

Saturday, September 17, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 18, 3 p.m.

Sunday, September 18, 7:30 p.m.

Thanks and see everyone soon!!

IN RHYTHM!!
Kristen202-213-7810
kristen@youngwomendrum.org
www.youngwomendrum.org

This Weekend: Session 7 and Sunday FIELD TRIP!

YWDEP Members and Friends - updates below!

SESSION 6 REPORT BACK: Our progress on the drums has been incredible, as proven by last week's session with drum instructor Katy Gaughan. Her diligence in teaching basic djembe technique along with providing a range of new ideas with regard to volume and speed dynamics was extremely helpful - and we received an introduction to soloing as well.

After that, a couple YWDEP members read their most recent poetic journal entries - one of which described a young woman who is always looking for what this poet called the "wrong" kind of attention. From this we began a discussion about why this young woman is always looking for attention...what's the root? what's the cause? YWDEP members said it's probably a variety of reasons - some we know, and some we don't know. The only thing that appears obvious is that this person is "addicted" to attention. For this coming week, then, YWDEP members are empowered to look into their own addictions. It could be chemical, emotional, physical, pyschological - what keeps you coming back over and over? Write about it!!

And for those of you who missed this past week's session, remember that every Saturday I arrive at 10 a.m. at the church, and am available to help you get up to speed. Our group start time is 10:30 - so please come early if you need to get caught up.


SESSION 7: This coming Saturday, our plan is to go deeper into written expression and spoken word technique with Margaux Delotte-Bennett, an incredible poet, spoken word artist and youth trainer. She brings years of experience, fresh insights and empowerment-style leadership, and will facilitate a session of written and spoken expression with creative techniques. We will also review our rhythm, "ku ku," at the end of this session.

Those of you who cannot make this Saturday due to graduation - please do not despair. Margaux will be back again on July 9, and we're working to get her on the schedule for a 3rd time as well.

YWDEP Session 7 will take place from 10:30-noon at All Souls Church, 16th and Harvard Sts NW, Harvard St entrance, Dining Room.


FIELD TRIP!!!! On Sunday, we're going to Baltimore to see a performance by the all-women's drumming group, BUMBADA! We'll leave from All Souls Church at 2:30 p.m., drive up for the performance (4-5:30 p.m.) and return to the church at 7:30. Those who can make it - please bring your permission slip to the YWDEP session on Saturday, or bring it with you when you arrive at the church on Sunday. You MUST have this permission slip signed in order to go on the field trip. If you need a permission slip, call me asap: 202-213-7810. Also, please bring $10 and a CD of your choice for the ride up! And make sure to arrange a way home from the church afterwards - we'll be back by 7:30 p.m.


UPCOMING DATES!!
Please get these upcoming dates on your calendar!

July 2: Break for the holiday - HOWEVER, for those who will miss Session 7, we could make this another session with Margaux. Please give it some thought and let me know if that works for you.

July 3: Meet at Malcolm X Park to participate in Sunday drum circle there, 4-6 p.m.

July 9: YWDEP session with Margaux


PERFORMANCE!
I'm trying to get us all organized around a couple of dates for our group performance. There are a range of options - all are in early September. If you're leaving for school in August, don't despair - we'll have a recital during a morning YWDEP session for family/friends to see.

Below are the suggested dates for the stage performance - please look them over carefully, check them against your calendars and get back to me ASAP with 2 dates that work for you. Preferrably we'd like to do one on a Saturday and one a Sunday, and preferrably on the same weekend:

Saturday, September 10, 3 p.m.
Saturday, September 10, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 11, 3 p.m.
Sunday, September 10, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 17, 3 p.m.
Saturday, September 17, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 18, 3 p.m.
Sunday, September 18, 7:30 p.m.

Thanks and see everyone soon!!

IN RHYTHM!!
Kristen
202-213-7810
kristen@youngwomendrum.org
www.youngwomendrum.org

wood

Session 6 - Bring Me Your Poetry!!

NEW INFORMATION: We will be starting our GROUP LESSON at 10:30 a.m. from now on - however, those seeking extra instruction or wanting to get caught up from missed sessions, I will be there starting at 10 a.m. Please come early if you'd like extra help.

CALL ME!! 202-213-7810
Those who cannot attend but who are registered as project members, please call me! We miss you at the sessions and need to know when you're coming back so please stay in touch!

YWDEP Session 6:
Saturday, June 18, 10-11:30 a.m. at All Souls Church
16th and Harvards Sts NW, Harvard entrance, in the dining room.

Drum Instructor Katy Gaughan will be back to help clarify our technique and give some instruction on SOLOING on the djembe. Don't miss this week's session - and also, please BRING ME YOUR POETRY!! Those who received journals, please try writing at least 3 times throughout the week - on any subject and at any length - and bring your writings back to share with the group. The more you practice writing, the better your pieces will be and the more confident you'll be performing them. Those who haven't yet received a journal - create your own - this could be anything from a notebook to just a few pieces of paper stapled together. If you haven't done a writing exercise with us yet, try the one described in the previous blog.

Session 5 Report Back: KuKu is coming along WELL - we learned part 3, the most complicated part:
Say: "KuKu - for co-co puffs"
Play: tone-tone slap, tone-tone slap

In addition, we learned the 1st DUN-UN (big bass drum) part to this rhyth, which requires playing one part on the drum and another on the bell - challenging but rewarding! I hope more young women can make it to Session 6 and get caught up!

UPCOMING DATES!!
Please get these upcoming dates on your calendar!

June 25: 1st workshop with Margaux, transforming poetry into spoken word and/or song. BRING YOUR POETRY - we'll need raw material to work with!

June 26: BUMBADA - an all women's drumming group performs in BALTIMORE, 4-5:30 p.m. If you'd like to go, CALL ME ASAP! 202-213-7810.

July 2: Break for holiday - no YWDEP seesion

July 3: Meet at Malcolm X Park to participate in Sunday drum circle there, 4-6 p.m.

IN RHYTHM!!
Kristen Arant
202-213-7810
kristen@youngwomendrum.org
www.youngwomendrum.org

Session 4 Report + Session 5 this Saturday!

SESSION 5:
Saturday, June 11, 10-11:30 a.m. at All Souls Church
16th and Harvards Sts NW, Harvard entrance, in the dining room.

NEW INFORMATION: We will be starting our GROUP LESSON at 10:30 a.m. from now on - however, those seeking extra instruction or wanting to get caught up from missed sessions, I will be there starting at 10 a.m. Please come early if you'd like extra help.


Report on Session 4:

Ku Ku, We're NOT kuku!

Last week, we started off with some drumming - continuing to learn the African rhythm, "Ku Ku," whose first two parts can be memorized by saying these 2 phrases:
1. Ku - Ku, I'm not kuku!
2. Oh yes you are!

The hand positions for both are as follows:
1. Bass -- Bass, tone tone tone-tone
2. Slap-Bass tone tone

Poetic Voices

Last week our members received a journal, and laid down their first words inside it with the Relay Writing Project. In this project, there were 5 writing prompts written on 5 cards, and each card was placed at a different location in the room.

The prompts were as follows:
1. Describe a member of your immediate or extended family using lots of detail
2. Describe your worst enemy using only POSITIVE words and images (note: if you don't have any enemies, think carefully - your enemy might not be a person)
3. Describe what gives you the most JOY, and try to make it rhyme and bounce to a rhythm in your head
4. Explain what happened the last time you got angry, using at least 3 colors
5. Talk about how you feel when engaged in a creative activity, in 5 lines (a line could be anywhere from one word to one sentence)

Each YWDEP member was given a number and sent to that post to write for 5 minutes using the prompt. After 5 minutes, the girls switched to the next prompt, and so on until each member had written about each prompt. The results were fantastic! I would like to ask those who participated to please PUBLISH your work here on the blog - by using the COMMENT section below! I was truly thrilled and amazed at the words of our young women. Those who couldn't make the session, please complete the project on your own using the prompts above - and share with us at the next session!

Session 5: WE DRUM!!

We're getting the rhythms down WELL, but need to spend a little more time practicing - the more we improve the basics, the better our rhythms will sound. So in the coming Session 5, please prepare to DRUM - i'll bring ice packs for our hands - young women should wear pants or WIDE skirts, remove all rings and bracelets, and (DARE I SAY IT!) try trimming back those nails just a bit! ANYthing extra on your hands or wrists can get in the way of technique, so keep that in mind, and I'll see you at.....
SESSION 5:
Saturday, June 11, 10-11:30 a.m. at All Souls Church - 16th and Harvards Sts NW, Harvard entrance, in the dining room.

NEW INFORMATION: We will be starting our GROUP LESSON at 10:30 a.m. from now on - however, those seeking extra instruction or wanting to get caught up from missed sessions, I will be there starting at 10 a.m. Please come early if you'd like extra help.

IN RHYTHM!!
Kristen Arant
202-213-7810
kristen@youngwomendrum.org
www.youngwomendrum.org

Session 3 Praise + Session 4 Preparation

Session 4 - Saturday, June 4, 10-11:30 a.m. at All Souls Church - 16th and Harvards Sts NW, Harvard entrance, in the dining room.

Greetings!

Last week, during the 3rd session of YWDEP, young women had the opportunity to express themselves through the written word.

With the guidance of local poet Leah Harris, we brainstormed imagery that filled up an entire page of the flipchart (and could've flowed longer...), and used it to build our first poems. The result was powerful, beautiful and inspiring - and this just on the first try. YESSSS!!

So I'm happy to report that for session 4, each YWDEP member will receive a writing journal, to have with her whenever the inspiration hits. My hope is that each young woman will write at least 3 times during the week, and bring her writings back to the group to share at every session, if she so chooses. This is how we can hone and practice writing - along with reading aloud - so when the time comes to perform, our writing and reading muscles will be polished (with the help of our incredible instructors, of course).

Also during session 3 we learned the first part to the African rhythm called KuKu - say: "Ku - Ku - I'm not kuku!" - this is a great way to remember part 1!

THIS WEEKEND we'll be reviewing part 1, and learning the 2nd and 3rd parts - GET READY!

see you there!!

peace
Kristen
202-213-7810
kristen@youngwomendrum.org
www.youngwomendrum.org

YWDEP Members: Use the "comment" section below to post your thoughts about the project, or to share a piece of your poetry!

Session 3 is POETRY

Session 3:
Saturday, May 28, 10-11:30 a.m.
All Souls Church, 16th and Harvard Sts NW, Harvard St entrance
Columbia Heights metro station.

Greetings All!

I'm excited to report that our 2nd YWDEP session on Saturday, May 21 was a great success!

11 incredible young women showed up, and four of those young women were experiencing their second YWDEP session, and brought a few of their friends to check it out. We also welcomed a crew of 4 young women from Little Lights Urban Ministries, and this coming week we'll welcome a group of young women from Kingsbury Day School for our POETRY WORKSHOP!!

This Saturday, local Poet Leah Harris will bring her artistic expertise, along with her warm, creative spirit to session 3, giving each young woman an opportunity to unleash her inner poet and express her opinions, experiences and emotions through this art form.

In addition to poetry, we'll continue our drumming workshop during the last 30 minutes of session 3. Those who haven't been able to make a session yet will be a little behind on technique, but there's still time to get you up to speed so don't despair! Come join us: Saturday, May 28, 10-11:30 a.m. at All Souls Church, 16th and Harvard Sts NW, Harvard St entrance - Columbia Heights metro station.

In closing, please note that our core membership is growing with each session, which is fabulous! However the project may soon have to discontinue enrollment once membership reaches 15 solid participants. Each session works to build skills in drumming, poetry, spoken word and performance, preparing the members for a performance in August, so the more solid our group, the better. Any young women who still want to join should contact me as soon as possible, or register NOW online on the home page: www.youngwomendrum.org.

THANK YOU for your continued support and involvement in the Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Project --

IN RHYTHM!!
Kristen Arant
202-213-7810
kristen@youngwomendrum.org

First Session Success + Still Time to JOIN!

Our first YWDEP session was last Saturday, May 14, and we had an awesome time! Group instructor Andrea Sterner started us off with some team building games that got everyone acquainted and brought us to a new level of comfort with one another. We did trust falls, and a game called "Zippers" - both of which really tested our ability to trust one another!

After that we took a break and got ready for some hand drumming basics, taught by Katy Gaughan, another YWDEP group instructor. We learned the 3 different sounds of the djembe - the bass, the tone and the slap - and the drum language to go with them, brought to America by Babatunde Olatunji. For the bass note, say "Goon-Doon." For the tone, say "Go-Do." And for the slap, say "Pa-Ta!"

At our next session - THIS SATURDAY, May 21, 10-11:30 in the DINING ROOM at All Souls Church, 16th and Harvard Sts NW (harvard st. entrance) - we'll go over the basics once again as a refresher for those who learned them last week, and also for those coming in NEW.

That being said - WE STILL HAVE SPACE AVAILABLE! Young women - if you are able to make most of the sessions, you're invited to attend. Seven participants showed up at the first session, but there is still room for more, and those 7 are committed to helping new comers get up to speed. So PLEASE COME!! You're INVITED!

You may also want to pre-register before showing up by going to the website: www.youngwomendrum.org. An online registration is available right on the homepage. Otherwise, you can fill out a registration form when you show up at the session.

If you have any questions - feel free to give me a call at any time!

PEACE and RHTYHM!
Kristen Arant
Founder, Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Project
202-213-7810
kristen@youngwomendrum.org

JOIN THE PROJECT - REGISTER ONLINE NOW!

Greetings All:
I'm writing with a few quick updates on the upcoming Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Project. All in all it's shaping up wonderfully and msyelf and the other teaching artists are looking forward to meeting and working with some incredible young women this summer. So far we have 6 members, and can take up to 8 more. Please share the following information with the young women in your circles:

We now have an ONLINE APPLICATION, accessible from the home page of our website at www.youngwomendrum.org, making it more convenient for young women to apply.

Our sessions together will begin on Saturday, May 14, and will be held for 12 consecutive Saturdays at All Souls Church, 16th and Harvard Sts NW, from 10-11:30 a.m. There will be a break on July 2, a dress reherasal on August 13, and 2 public performances on Aug. 20 and 21. Please note - the set time of the sessions may change slightly if necessary to fit the majority of girls' schedules - however the sessions will definitely be happening weekly on Saturdays.

We're exploring the option of going on a field trip with the girls to show them a concert by an all women's drumming group that performs regionally. In addition, we're in the process of setting a date for the girls to participate in a community drum jam locally.

Finally, we are still looking for a Youth Intern for the project - someone who would be willing to show up and help out before and after each workshop, help coordinate the field trip and any other outings, and help facilitate the group when needed. This young woman would be a pillar of grounding and support for the project - she must be very reliable. She would also have the choice to participate in the workshops and the performances. She would be reimbursed for her time and energy with a gift certificate to her favorite store and movie tickets. If you know of any young women who might be interested in taking on this role, please contact Kristen at 202-213-7810 as soon as possible.

Most importantly, THERE'S STILL TIME! Even after the first session, we will continue to take registrations until the group reaches at least 10 girls. Also please pass the word on to your girls that participation in this project is COST-FREE. In exchange for some incredible learning (drumming, poetry, spoken word and performance techniques), we expect the girls to show up willing to share, give and receive respect, and participate.

For more information or if you have questions, feel free to contact me at any time by phone or email. Thanks very much to all of you who have helped with the recruiting process for YWDEP - I really appreciate all your time and effort!

In Peace, Joy and RHYTHM,

Kristen Arant
202-213-7810
kristen@youngwomendrum.org
www.youngwomendrum.org