From: "Chuck Cogliandro" <mkdrum@...>
Subject: THIRD ANNOUNCEMENT: Blue Ridge Mountains AD&D, Oct 1-5,
2003,
Camp Ramah Darom, Clayton GA, U.S.

(note: the next deadline for receiving early registration discount on
the camp is August 10th! Registrations received postmarked after
August
10th will pay $25 more. It may seem a long way off, but camp is now
only two months away, and you don't want to wait too long and miss
out!
If you haven't received a brochure, or you want brochures and fliers
for your community just let me know.)


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 August 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. Dance instructors to potentially include Mamady Sano
and
Marietou Cisse. 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; Kathleen
Moloney-Tarr
of Charlotte who will teach dance class; 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, $120 (or) Hotel, $105
Arrive Thur dinner: Cabin, $100 (or) Hotel, $85
Arrive Fri dinner: Cabin, $80 (or) Hotel, $65
(note: Children's prices were originally posted too high, these
prices
are now correct.)

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