FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT: Blue Ridge Mountains AD&D, Oct 1-5, 2003,
Camp Ramah Darom, Clayton GA, U.S.

BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS AFRICAN DRUM AND DANCE CAMP AT RAMAH DAROM

October 1-5, 2003

You are invited to come and experience the inviting, high-energy sense
of community created at the African Drum and Dance Camp! This will be
the eighteenth gathering for AD&D since it was begun in 1994. Join
long-time attendees and first-time friends who all create an inviting
atmosphere of fun, play, learning and togetherness in the spirit of
West African drum and dance. The talented staff of instructors is
assembled by Chuck Cogliandro, director of T.H.E. Choir, to satisfy
anyone from the beginning beginner to advanced-level participant. Four
levels of djembe classes and two levels of dance classes are
available, in addition to classes in sabar, balafon, krin, dunun
drumming, singing and drum-maintenance. A special drum-making
session led by Tom Harris can provide participants with a drum ready
to play by mid-day Friday. Open community drumming, a Guinea-style
folklore celebration, and the closing talent show complete the evening
activities. Yoga classes led by Karen Thomson and a variety of healing
arts practitioners will also be part of the experience. All of this
takes place in the fall mountain colors of Camp Ramah Darom in north
Georgia, just west of Clayton- our first time at this beautiful site.
NOTE: THE LAST TWO AD&D's HAVE SOLD OUT A MONTH BEFORE THE EVENT!
Don't wait to register!! To avoid late fees send in your deposit by
July 10th- see website for details.

DRUM AND DANCE INSTRUCTORS!!
The staff of instructors will include: Aly Camara, a dynamic drummer,
originally from Conakry in Guinea, West Africa, currently residing in
Atlanta, GA, who began drumming professionally at the age of 11 with
Solei D'Afrique and has since performed with many African ballets
including Les Merveilles de Guinea, Fareta de Guinea, Fatala and more.
Aly is from the Susu ethnic group and brings extensive knowledge of
traditional rhythms and songs from Guinea, Mali, Senegal and other
areas of West Africa. He plays and teaches djembe, dunun, talking
drum, krin, balon and gongoma. Featured dance instructors to include
Mamady Sano and Marietou Cisse. Confirmed instructors also on the
staff: Kevin Munro of Charlottesville, VA, who will teach djembe
class; Tiani Tarr of Asheville, NC who will teach djembe, dundun and
balafon classes; Fatim Minor of Asheville, NC who will teach dance and
singing classes; Andrew Moore of Asheville, NC, who will teach djembe
classes; Tom Harris of Atlanta, GA who will lead the drum-making
workshop, and Chuck Cogliandro who will lead the event. More
instructors will be added as enrollment increases.

One of the most enjoyable weekends I have ever had! Warm, welcoming
people everywhere. We made lots of new friends. There was a spirit of
immediate acceptance. -Jim D, Reston VA

TYPICAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Wednesday Evening - Arrive, dinner, in-gathering, first drum classes
Thursday Morning - Drum-making begins, sabar, balafon and djembe
classes
Thursday Afternoon - Drum-making, djembe and dance classes
Thursday Evening - Krin and dunun classes, open drumming
Friday Morning - Final drum-making class, sabar, balafon and djembe
classes
Friday Afternoon - Djembe and dance classes
Friday Evening - Singing class, update on Sabu Int'l School, Folklore
Celebration, open drumming
Saturday Morning - Djembe and dance classes
Saturday Afternoon - Djembe and dance classes
Saturday Evening - Talent Show, open drumming
Sunday Morning - Reflective Closing Circle

MEALS INCLUDED:
Dinner Wednesday; breakfast, lunch and dinner Thursday, Friday and
Saturday; breakfast Sunday.

This camp is so much more than learning how to play a drum. It is
spiritual journey beyond compare. For me, it was about opening myself
up to the love of others, learning to trust others and myself. The
spiritual energy and sharing of love at this camp was beyond words. If
you ever get a chance to go, GO! I only wish I had known about this
for the past 17 events. Ronnie P, Cary NC



DRUM MAKING WORKSHOP!! To reserve a spot in the workshop to build
your own drum, send a deposit (no later than Sept 1st) of $100 (for
ashikos) and/or $150 (for dun duns, sangbans & djembes) along with
your choice of wood for ashikos (cherry, heart pine, mahogany or black
walnut) to the instructor, Tom Harris at 5014 Lakemont Dr.,
Douglasville, GA 30157. Drum fees (paid directly to the Instructor):
Dun-dun, $300; Sangbang, $275; Ashiko, $200; refinish and assemble
Ivory Coast djembes, $300; re-head hand drums (ashikos & djembes),
$50. If you have any questions, you may reach Tom in Atlanta at
tomharris57@... or call (770) 920-6818.

OTHER NOTES:
-All classes 90 minutes long.
-Community drum call each morning before classes.
-Self-care: Free yoga classes led by Karen Thomson; chiropractic care
and massage therapy will also be available for attendees. Fees for
chiropractic and massage are negotiated with and paid to the therapist.
-Djembe rentals are available for $5 per day, or $10 for the event.
Instrument rentals for other classes negotiable with instructors.
-Accommodations are in either double-occupancy lodge-style rooms with
private bath; or modern cabins with seven bunk beds per side, and
shared baths. A limited number of private corner rooms are available
by first request at a modest premium in the cabins.
-Delicious family-style, dining-hall meals include vegetarian and
vegan options.

This camp exceeded all my expectations. I am looking forward to the
next one. The information and inspiration I took home will last
forever, what a great gift. -Lori E, Atlanta GA

PRICES (full fees, include meals, lodging and instruction):
Adults/Teenagers
Arrive Wed dinner: Cabin, $400 (or) Hotel $515
Arrive Thur dinner: Cabin, $320 (or) Hotel $400
Arrive Fri dinner: Cabin, $235 (or) Hotel, $285

Youth, age 6-11
Arrive Wed dinner: Cabin, $285 (or) Hotel, $270
Arrive Thur dinner: Cabin, $240 (or) Hotel, $225
Arrive Fri dinner: Cabin, $195 (or) Hotel, $180

Children, age 3-5
Arrive Wed dinner: Cabin, $170 (or) Hotel, $155
Arrive Thur dinner: Cabin, $150 (or) Hotel, $135
Arrive Fri dinner: Cabin, $130 (or) Hotel, $115

Daily Commuter Rates are available for those attendees who wish to
attend day classes but do not need lodging. This rate is $75 per day
for adults and youth age 6-11, and $40 per day for children age 3-5.
The commuter rate includes lunch and dinner and all classes in a day,
as well as evening activities. All children age 2 and younger attend
free.

Discounts and late fees: A discount of $25 off the above prices will
be taken for fees paid in full by July 10th. After July 10th add $25
to the above prices, and after August 10th add $50 to the above
prices. After September 10th all reservations are locked in.
Deposits are refundable up to September 10th, after which time
exceptions will be made for health emergency reasons only. Please see
the registration form at the T.H.E. Choir website:
www.thechoir.org for all other details on pricing and registration.

I compare the overall experience of the people, place, instruments,
dancing, food, relaxation, stimulation and conversation to
being in heaven! -Molly W, Marietta OH


TO REGISTER:
Email mkdrum@... to receive a brochure and registration
form in the mail; or check the website www.thechoir.org for a
printable registration form. Send a $75 non-transferable deposit for
each registrant, to "Drum and Dance Camp, c/o Kumandi Drums, PO Box
003, Decatur, GA 30031-0003." PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO "KUMANDI
DRUMS." The deposit is applied to your final bill, with the balance
due at check-in. Deposit is refundable in the event of cancellation up
to September 10th, after this date all reservations are confirmed.
Directions, a map, and all information for the event will be sent with
your confirmation upon receipt of deposit.

FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Chuck Cogliandro,
404-577-6842 or email mkdrum@... Website: www.thechoir.org

About Ramah Darom: In 1997 Ramah Darom opened as a summer camp for
Jewish children from the Southeast U.S. From the beginning the
founders planned to expand and enhance the facility into a year-round
event location for all age groups. Now winterized and
air-conditioned, the campus is comfortable for all, year-round, with
truly glorious surroundings, a picturesque lake, a 100-foot waterfall-
all set on a 122-acre campus near Clayton, GA, adjacent to the
pristine Chattahoochee National Forest.
For more info see www.ramahdarom.org

Among the many forms in which the human spirit has tried to express
its innermost yearnings and perceptions, music is perhaps the most
universal. It symbolizes the yearnings for harmony, with oneself and
with others, with nature and with the spiritual and sacred within us
and around us. There is something in music that transcends and
unites. This is evident in the sacred music of every community- music
that expresses the universal yearning that is shared by people all
over the globe. -His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Chuck Cogliandro
Kumandi Drums
PO Box 003
Decatur, GA 30031-0003
404-577-6842
email: mkdrum@...
webs: http://www.thechoir.org
http://emersondrummers.tripod.com
http://www.sabuinternational.org