“...Great to see a merging of communities like this. Keep it up!”
“...I've been attending conferences for 40 years and this is the best ice breaker I have ever done”
“...Fabulous! Thank you for the culture and experience!”
“...Heaps of fun - can't wait for the next full moon”
“...Just gets better and better and better and better and brighter!”
“...Thanks - I needed that!”
“I was up on top of Castle Hill, heard the drums and rushed down here!”
“Heemee-hooma heemeeleemee hooma.. dip dippy dippity doop doop dah.. Peegala peegala peegaleenee goopa”
“...It was so good to see the elderly woman in the wheelchair joining in and playing along with her shaker”
“...Who'd expect to find this in Townsville?”
“..you can really see the change in the dynamics of the staff members after the drum circle…”
“Give that man a medal! Wonderful community initiative and spirit
“This has been a very uplifting experience...”
“The kids absolutely loved it!”
“I wish we had culture like this in Melbourne.”
"Utterly fantastic!"
FAQ'S & OTHER COMMENTS
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that Alex from the Rhythm Connection has been asked in the past few years:
What if I don't have rhythm?
Everyone has rhythm. If you have a heartbeat, you have rhythm. The Rhythm Connection will help you find the ‘beat' and you will soon start expressing yourself through rhythm.
Is it hard to play drums?
To learn the proper individual techniques and culture-specific rhythms takes years. HOWEVER, the Drum Circles that The Rhythm Connection facilitates are structured in a way that there is not one specific rhythm being played or one specific technique being used (e.g. Cuban Conga drumming or West African djembe drumming). Participants are encouraged to make up their own rhythms thus creating a unique musical expression each time.
Do you supply drums for your drum circles?
The Rhythm Connection will provide drums and percussion instruments for up to 300 people and has the capacity to acquire more instruments if required.
Where can I get a drum from?
There are a number of places in Townsville and around Australia that sell a myriad of drums and percussion instruments. Drums usually range from around $150 - $600 depending on type and quality. Remember that you can just as well make your own percussion instruments using recycled material. This includes filling small water or juice bottles with rice, beans or small pebbles; cutting a piece of dowel (or broom handles) to make clapsticks; cutting a section of a steel pipe to create a bell sound - all of these create different textures of sound and add so much to the Drum Circle. For advice about the best place to purchase the right drum for you, please contact Alex.
Do you teach drumming?
Alex has been holding individual lessons or group workshops on congas and djembe for since 2001.
Contact him on 0414 803 666 for more information.
Do you do Drum Circles for parties?
The Rhythm Connection has been a part of many special celebrations around the North Queensland region. From fundraising events and birthday parties to festivals and conferences and even weddings!
