Greetings All,

We visited Treasure Beach last January and loved the people and the atmosphere - so, we'd like to come back with a drumming workshop, discounted for Jamaica residents...please read on if interested.

Mountain Spirit Institute, a non-profit based in New Hampshire, USA is hosting an African Drumming Program at Treasure Beach, Jamaica from February 7th-11th at the Calabash House Lodge.

The program will be taught by Master Teaching Artist Bob Bloom. Engaging to first-time and to seasoned drummers, this workshop will send you home with skills to create catchy rhythms to play to the beats of your favorite rock & roll, boogie, African, swing, and funk music.

Says Bloom, "This program is based in an oral tradition method of teaching music. The workshop conveys basic skills to play hand drums from the cone family: djembe, ashiko, and conga. There will be quality time to simply make music together at a beautiful ocean setting.” Please bring a conga, ashiko, or djembe drum. Any of your favorite percussion and melodic instruments are welcome. For questions about drums and other instruments, please contact Bob Bloom at 860-429-9280.

Bloom's certification as a Master Teaching Artist was awarded by The Connecticut Commission on the Arts in 1997. For over a decade, Bob performed as a member of Dr. Babatunde Olatunji's troupe "Drums of Passion", and as a faculty assistant to Olatunji for his "Language of the Drums" courses at The Omega Institute.

In keeping with its mission of responsible travel, MSI is offering a tuition discount for local residents of Jamaica who would like to attend the program. Also a portion of the program tuition will go to local schools in Jamaica to benefit the local school children in Treasure Beach.

More information is available by contacting Mountain Spirit Institute at 603-763-2668 or visiting their website at www.mtnspirit.org/jamaica.html.

Thanks for spreading the word where you can.

Cindy Heath & Henry Homeyer

Might any of the money be able to go to Treasure Beach Foundation for their scholarship students?

Cindy, this sounds like a very rich workshop of education, fun and cultural mix on the same plate.Wish I could be in Jamaica then to be part of such a rich program.

I hope the budding musicians,students from the surroundings schools and ordinary music lovers will cease this opportunity and make use of this rear blessing in these parts.

Being from that geographical area I feel very thrilled that you have chosen to display your gifts with our treasure. Thanks for your generous consideration. I hope a bond will develop between your group and Treasure Beach.Hope it will be a great success.

TBF Supporter --

Cindy ment to be a little clearer about this, from speaking with her directly, I believe a portion of the collected tuition does go to the Treasure Beach Foundation.

I suggested she do a post on this forum. It sounds like a wonderful experience and great time!

This is great to know. Thank you Nicole.

Your welcome TBF Supporter, I was happy to hear they were donating a portion to TBF.