20th Annual Ladies’ Spring Fling Drum Thing

Maybe Last?

May 19-21, 2023, Oakwood Retreat Center, Muncie, IN

Join us for the 20th Annual Ladies’ Spring Fling Drum Thing! Arrivals begin at 4:00 p.m. Eastern on Friday and we end on Sunday after lunch. Djembes and ashikos are available for rent ($15) or purchase.

enjoy the world garden during WomenDrumHere’s what to expect from your WomenDrum weekend:

  • hands-on instruction using drums, small hand percussion instruments, our bodies, and voices
  • the skills necessary to play comfortably in any group, regardless of experience or skill level
  • the guidance and support you need to reach your next level of playing and facilitation skills
  • the skills necessary to best teach yourself and others
  • improvisational and part-oriented world drumming, including African drumming
  • using body movement and voice to quickly learn drumming skills and synchronize groups
  • skills for accompanying dance, singing and chant
  • how to buy and care for drums and hand percussion
  • using the power of the drum for creativity, spirituality, healing, ritual, and community building
  • exploring rhythm from a female perspective; what to do when male and female energies clash

Break-outs for beginners focus on gaining a solid basic skill-set: correct playing technique; finding and keep an even beat; accurately subdividing beats and playing syncopated rhythms; strategies for ostinato-based improvising; listening skills; and playing simple African rhythms.

Break-outs for intermediate/advanced players focus on more complex rhythmic and performing concepts: additive and divisive rhythms; playing in odd and unusual meters; more complex tihais; arranging pieces for performance; extended playing techniques; improved independent coordination and listening skills; accompanying skills; creating powerful and expressive solos; teaching and facilitating techniques; and more challenging and complex world music rhythms, including African ensemble playing.  We’ll stretch you as far as you want!

Other break-outs will include movement, dance, and chanting, and whatever you want more of. The Saturday night breakouts will include singing and chanting, and a percussion-based breakout based on what people are most interested in – we’re open to suggestions about things we’ve done in the past, or that are totally new.  Let Sally know!

Other highlights include:

 Other highlights will include:

*Oakwood’s chocolate-chip cookies * Saturday night Fire and Water party (Bonfire drumming/chanting and a pool party, weather permitting) * Optional yoga or stretching morning and evening * Optional instrument making or arts workshops * Hiking * A spring peeper & coyote serenade * Wonderful food * Cozy rooms * Walking in the World Garden * Indiana in the spring * Bluebells and eagles by the river * Vendors * And an incredible, diverse, wonderful group of women!

The movement, chant, and arts activities will be led by wonderful professional facilitators. Vendors will be on-site offering instruments, clothing, jewelry, etc., and professional body workers will be available for optional half- and one-hour massages (ca. $70 an hour).

flowerCome celebrate the spring, refresh your mind and spirit, and recharge your creativity!

Drum in a safe, supportive, and playful environment!

NOTE: Many photos are clicky… so click to embiggen!