News
Senegal Trip 2008
Video footage of Bougarabou/Serouba being played www.youtube.com/user/rhythmbridge
James Brown 1979-2008
During my recent stay in Senegal I heard the news that James had passed away, after contracting Malaria during his visit to Guinea. I like many others was stunned by the news and deeply saddened. James was a wonderful human being and I am sorry that our new found friendship and mutual love of Djembe and all things West African has been cut short.
I will miss him.
My thoughts are with his family and those close friends who were with him on the Trip.
These words are from the Poet Rumi that say what I cannot.
At last you have departed and gone to the Unseen.
What marvelous route did you take from this world?
Beating your wings and feathers,
you broke free from this cage.
Rising up to the sky
you attained the world of the soul.
You were a prized falcon trapped by an Old Woman.
Then you heard the drummer's call
and flew beyond space and time.
As a lovesick nightingale, you flew among the owls.
Then came the scent of the rosegarden
and you flew off to meet the Rose.
The wine of this fleeting world
caused your head to ache.
Finally you joined the tavern of Eternity.
Like an arrow, you sped from the bow
and went straight for the bull's eye of bliss.
This phantom world gave you false signs
But you turned from the illusion
and journeyed to the land of truth.
You are now the Sun -
what need have you for a crown?
You have vanished from this world -
what need have you to tie your robe?
I've heard that you can barely see your soul.
But why look at all? -
yours is now the Soul of Souls!
O heart, what a wonderful bird you are.
Seeking divine heights,
Flapping your wings,
you smashed the pointed spears of your enemy.
The flowers flee from Autumn, but not you -
You are the fearless rose
that grows amidst the freezing wind.
Pouring down like the rain of heaven
you fell upon the rooftop of this world.
Then you ran in every direction
and escaped through the drain spout . . .
Now the words are over
and the pain they bring is gone.
Now you have gone to rest
in the arms of the Beloved.
At last you have departed and gone to the Unseen.
What marvelous route did you take from this world?
Beating your wings and feathers,
you broke free from this cage.
Rising up to the sky
you attained the world of the soul.
You were a prized falcon trapped by an Old Woman.
Then you heard the drummer's call
and flew beyond space and time.
As a lovesick nightingale, you flew among the owls.
Then came the scent of the rosegarden
and you flew off to meet the Rose.
The wine of this fleeting world
caused your head to ache.
Finally you joined the tavern of Eternity.
Like an arrow, you sped from the bow
and went straight for the bull's eye of bliss.
This phantom world gave you false signs
But you turned from the illusion
and journeyed to the land of truth.
You are now the Sun -
what need have you for a crown?
You have vanished from this world -
what need have you to tie your robe?
I've heard that you can barely see your soul.
But why look at all? -
yours is now the Soul of Souls!
O heart, what a wonderful bird you are.
Seeking divine heights,
Flapping your wings,
you smashed the pointed spears of your enemy.
The flowers flee from Autumn, but not you -
You are the fearless rose
that grows amidst the freezing wind.
Pouring down like the rain of heaven
you fell upon the rooftop of this world.
Then you ran in every direction
and escaped through the drain spout . . .
Now the words are over
and the pain they bring is gone.
Now you have gone to rest
in the arms of the Beloved.
Paul Dear March 2008
Senegal Trip
Paul will be visiting Abene in Senegal for the whole of February to study Bougarabou and Serouba with Lamine Bodian and Koulaty Kabo.Hopefully pictures and recordings will follow.Check out the Blog from March onwards.
New Drum Circle Dates For 2008
This years dates have been agreed with the square chapel and can be found in our community section.Please come along and play.
Big Winter Community Drum Circle 2007
This years Big Winter Community Drum Circle was an enormous success.It was attended by over 100 people from all walks of our community who all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The feedback was all positive. A big thank you to Steve Hill and to Steve and Olly Parker for their guest facilitation slots and for their continued support of what is without a doubt a living and vibrant annual event.Pictures to follow soon I hope;)
Winter drum circle dates for the Square Chapel are now available on the Rhythmbridge Foundation Web site.(See Below or visit our community section for a direct link))
Rhythm and Grooves Festival of Drum and Dance Sept 2007.
The festival was a huge success.Visit the site for pictures.
The Rhythmbridge Foundation
The Rhythmbridge Foundation now has its own web site. Visit them at www.rhythmbridgefoundation.org.uk where you can find out all about evening classes and drum circles.