Current members:

L-R: La Tanya Carmical, Sandy Mills, Nina Roberts, Charlene Gumbs, Shawn Nealy-Oparah, Mar Stevens
(kneeling) Jillian Lyles, Mya Cross

Sistahs of the Drum events for April, 2013

Commitment Ceremony
When: April 20, 2013
Where: Sigmund Stern Grove, San Francisco

Sistahs of the Drum events for March, 2013

Transformative Visions : One Life Institute for Spirituality and Social Transformation
Art Show ● Spoken Word ● Jazz Concert
When: March 16, Saturday, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: Studio One, 365 45th St, Oakland, 94609
Admission: Free
painting (c) Ras Terms

Sistahs of the Drum events for February 2013 : New Event Added Below!

Drum Sundays 
Djembe Vibrations! with Mar Stevens
Come and experience the power of the drum thru traditional West African rhythms. Class will start with a short drum meditation to connect with the vibrations of the drum as you continue on your journey. This class will help improve your technique, timing, listening skills, and confidence as you sit with the drum.
Class is open to all levels. Bring your djembe, djuns, congas, hand percussion, etc. There will be extra drums available on a first come first serve basis.
When:  February 3, 2013, Sunday, 1 pm – 3 pm ~ Doors open at 12:30
Where: 4148 MacArthur Blvd. Oakland, CA 94619
Drum Sundays are wheelchair accessible
Cost: Sliding Scale, $25 – $10  Under 12 free
No one turned away for lack of funds

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Expressions of Faith: Our Sources of Strength
Join us for an unforgettable evening of song, story and inspiration! Part of Black History Month Celebrations at Mills College, "Expressions of Faith" will celebrate the many different ways we turn to spirit for encouragement and sustenance.  
When: February 7, 2013, Thursday, 7:00 pm
Where: Mills College Chapel, Oakland, CA
Cost: Free
See video taken of this event:

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Black History Month Celebration
When: February 28, 2013, Thursday, 6:30pm
Where: Howard Elementary School, Oakland CA, 94609
Admission: Free

Sistahs of the Drum events for June 2012


Northridge Cooperative Homes 3rd Annual Neighborhood Community Festival
June 23, 2012, 11:30am–5:00pm
http://www.northridgecoop.net/

One Billion Rising Bay Area 
Sunday, June 24, 2012 • 6pm-8pm
Civic Center Park (MLK @ Allston Way) in Berkeley, CA
http://66.147.244.133/~bayarek2/

Sistahs of the Drum drum events for February 2012


Drum Sundays with Mar Stevens: February 5, 2012



Mar will lead a lively, interactive workshop on February 5, 2012, with an emphasis on West African rhythms. All levels welcome. Please bring a drum -- djembes, djun djuns, congas -- and/or percussion instrument. Extra djembes and congas will be available on a first come first serve basis.
Here are the details:
What: Drum Sundays, led by Mar Stevens
When: Sunday February 5, 2012
                  1:00 - 3:00 pm

Where: 4148 MacArthur Blvd. (The Conscious Collective)
Oakland, CA 94619
Drum Sundays events are wheelchair accessible

Cost: Sliding scale $10 -$25 Children under 12 free -- must be supervised by an adult
No one turned away for lack of funds

What to Bring: Bring a drum if you can -- djembes, djun djuns, congas -- and/or percussion instrument. Extra djembes and congas will be available on a first come first serve basis.

You’re welcome to come early to set up your drum -- we'll be there at 12:30. Some of us will be going to World Ground after the workshop for coffee or lunch or....All are invited. The coffee shop at 3726 MacArthur Blvd (between Loma Vista Ave & Brown Ave)

Check our website for more information about WDI and our events: http://womendrummers.org
 

Sistahs of the Drum will lay the foundation for these events in October 2011:


10/14/11 The Fire Inside 15th year anniversary - http://womenprisoners.org/

10/22/11 2011 Women Healing Women Conference - http://www.womenhealingwomenconference.com/

Drum Sundays with Mar Stevens: April 3, 2011

                                                    image by Mollie McClure
Mar will lead a lively, interactive workshop on April 3, with an emphasis on West African rhythms.  All levels welcome.  Please bring a drum  -- djembes, djun djuns, congas -- and/or percussion instrument.  Extra djembes and congas will be available on a first come first serve basis.  
 

Here are the details:

What:    Drum Sundays, led by Mar Stevens

When:    Sunday April 3
                  1:00 - 3:00 pm

Where:  4148 MacArthur Blvd.  (The Conscious Collective)
                  Oakland, CA  94619
                  Drum Sundays events are wheelchair accessible

Cost:    Sliding scale $10 -$25   Children under 12 free -- must be supervised by an adult
              No one turned away for lack of funds
What to Bring:   Bring a drum if you can -- djembes, djun djuns, congas -- and/or percussion instrument.  Extra djembes and congas will be available on a first come first serve basis.  

You’re welcome to come early to set up your drum -- we'll be there at 12:30. Some of us will be going to World Ground after the workshop for coffee or lunch or....All are invited. The coffee shop  at 3726 MacArthur Blvd (between Loma Vista Ave & Brown Ave)

Check our website for more information about WDI and our events:  http://womendrummers.org

Welcome Sistah Charlene!



Charlene Gumbs tears it up in her debut performance with Sistahs of the Drum who were honored to participate in the recent fundraiser for Lora Chiora-Dye. Donations can still be made to assist this amazing woman in her recovery from a brain aneurysm.

Doing it for the Kids












Backstage at Menlo School where Rosetta Saunders teaches history to inquiring young minds. Sistahs of the Drum were invited to participate in the schools International Day celebration. It is always a great experience to bring our version of African drumming to groups of folks who aren't always exposed to it yet, are open and incredibly receptive. We enjoyed sharing our music and loved witnessing the audience (students, parents and faculty) jump up and clap and dance along.

Founding members of Sistahs of the Drum continue their Drum Journey

Zenju Earthlyn Manuel and Simbwala Schultz have retired from Sistahs of the Drum but not from drumming.  In their new formation the Ancestor's Daughters, they will answer the call to use their drumming and use of other percussion instruments in healing rituals and spiritual ceremonies.  Stay tuned for future collaborations with Sistahs of the Drum and any rituals and ceremonies led by the Ancestor's Daughters.