DAY 2 : Cliff Berrien— Drumming Workshop
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“African arts are to enhance the everyday life of the people, not primarily to change their conditions but to enable the people to see and hear and feel beauty. As long as the people enjoy beauty, they do not succumb to the tragic elements in their midst. Their spirits are uplifted, and in that way the arts preserve and promote the well-being of the community.”— Peter Paris, The Spirituality of African PeoplesMy name is Cliff Berrien and I’ve been drumming for over 45 years. Last year was tough, because we had to pause in our gatherings to create beauty and uplift with other drummers. For Tending the Roots, I’d like to offer an opportunity for us to gather to enjoy a collective experience of rhythm and drumming.ZOOM offers us a possibility that, while not the same as a drum circle, can still be very satisfying. So, you’re invited to bring your drum, hand percussion instrument, or dancing body to a session that will include a brief rhythm lesson and 20 minutes of collective drumming. Let’s discover together how we might surprise ourselves with what we can drum up to contribute to the goodness, truth and beauty that is required in this, and each moment.
Cliff has 35-years experience as a percussion student and teacher of several music traditions, including drumming styles from Brazil, the Caribbean, Africa and India. He has combined his music studies, degree in psychology and years of experience as a professional DJ to develop practices that promote collective joy, cultural dexterity and global healing.
Cliff has had the honor of using these practices for the past 5 years co-facilitating workshops with his mentor, Dr. Barbara Holmes, author of Race and the Cosmos and Joy Unspeakable.
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