Drumming Up - Community Economic Development

A New Drumming Event IS Coming!


We are working on a new drum event!  Our plan is to run it sometime in late May, or early June of next year, the fateful 2012 (can't do it in March, my birthday is the 2nd)  We need to start planning now to get the most impact and attention.  We are also concerned that we don't conflict with existing community events planned around that time.  It will be on a Saturday so we can get families there.  We're looking for volunteers to help us plan and execute the event ... it will be named "Drum Out Poverty." ... and we'll use it to focus on the need for community based jobs that bring income, commerce, and hope to those who are without work or even hope for gainful employment.

Our parent non profit www.microventuresupport.org has a program called The Family Fish Farm Network and the intention is to build a network of aquaponic urban micro farms around the inside of the beltway and in particular in the most effected wards of DC.  These are wards 5, 7 and 8.  You can find out about The Network by going to our Blog at: familyfishfarms.blogspot.com

I'll be checking this blog on a regular basis and will be updating it as plans become firmer and our team begins to come together.

Changing Name: to Drum Out Poverty

Can We Make Drumming a Source for Self Funding Social Change?

For some time now, I''be been trying to monetize the value of drumming so that it can become a motive force for social and economic justice.  I think we may have come upon a strategic solution.  Our intention here is to begin to move from a purely philanthropic funding model to a commercial fee for services approach.  Presently I am in the process if finalizing my research on the therapeutic and social benefits of transformative drumming as both a means to heal the mind and a way to promote social cohesion in small to large groups.

I plan to join forces with my friends in the drumming community.  First, with Jeff Wolf, a teacher, drummer, facilitator, scientist and committed social activist.  We will call the collaboration: " Stillwater Drums,"   You will see and hear more of this collaborative effort here and on our website as time moves on.  Our first effort will be to work with the Veteran's Administration to support Vets with PTSD AND TBI as drumming is calming.  It creates alpha wave states in the brain and participants are less hostile, excited and they usually sleep better at night.

Watch the blog as I will be posting regularly over the next few weeks.  I will share copy for the papers and brochures we are to produce and our success and failures as we move forward.  Anyone wanting to participate should contact me directly at:  jpel@fastmail.fm   ... or, call my cell at 410.227.0498

Jeff Wolf to Facilitate March for Jobs and Justice at MLK Memorial

Jeff Wolf will be at the Memorial and at the National Mall with us to help make the drumming inclusive and fun.  He brings his trailer, tent, and drums to the event, along with great energy and expeirence.  I worked with Jeff at our Drum Out Poverty Day here in Brookland in NE Washington last Summer and it was a universal success.  We'll get started playing at 10:00 AM at the Memorial site, then march over along the reflection pond to the "I have a dream" location for a one-hour rally for jobs and justice.   We only have a license for the two hours so please be on time ... there's parking available along the Ohio ave for those who will be driving.

A Call to Action for Drummers NOW!

We have been asked to organize a Drum Circle at the National Mall on the 17th in honor of MLK.  We need everyone who reads this blog to get in touch with us and arrange to bring your drums along to the site of the new MLK memorial at 10:00 AM on Monday, January 17th 2011.  This is a call to action and a chance to play your drums on National Television and be part of history.

The March for Jobs and Justice is reflective of Dr. King's original march.  We will gather at the Memeorial and march to the site of the great speech on the National Mall.  We have the requisite Park Service Licenses.  Come play into History.