Caribbean Rhythms

Written by Greg Whitt Sunday, 23 January 2011 00:00

DRUM DREAMS DO COME TRUE!  

Drum for Change was selected as one of 18 recipients of a 2011 Regional Artist Project Grant by the United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County.  My proposal was to study folkloric drumming in Haiti.  The idea came from friendships developed with the founders of the Resurrection Dance Theater.  Annelies and I planned to travel to Jacmel so that I could study rhythms from the African Diaspora (VOUDOU!) and she would explore arts applications as part of her study-abroad program at St. Augustine's College.

The idea hatched before the earthquake hit in January 2010, devastating much of the country's infrastructure.  Since then conditions there have barely improved despite a flood of dollars and relief efforts. In fact, things worsened with an outbreak of Cholera in epidemic proportions.  Things continue to deteriorate as the very people with whom I hoped to study, priests and practitioners of these African-based religions, are being attacked and lynched in the streets.  Considering the health conditions and political unrest, we've had to reassess our plans....

With a little digging and correspondence with famed educator and drummer Chuck Silverman, I've been encouraged to participate in a research trip to Cuba instead.  The trip is scheduled for late June and travel includes a week in Havana and an additional week split between Matanzas and Santiago de Cuba.  It's an opportunity of a lifetime to engage in serious ethnomusicology and folkloric study with some of the most-reknowned percussionists in the world.  While I'm drumming the day away, Annelies will be partnered with local artists to study art as it relates to Cuban society and social change.

As US travel and trade restrictions begin to shift under the current administration, this may be a last chance to engage a culture largely untouched for the past sixty years!  With the potential influx of tourist dollars, things there may never be the same.  It is our hope to bring back a rich cultural time capsule of sorts by capturing a glimpse in time that we can then share through our art, music, community projects, and school programs.  

The trip to Cuba is considerably more expensive than the original project proposal.  The $1500 grant only covers a fraction of my $4000 trip, not to mention an additional $4000 for Annelies' travel.  This is where we can use your support.  We're asking for your financial donations to help offset the cost of this journey.

Whether $5 or $500, every dollar helps.  Please use the convenient button below to make contributions via PayPal.  Thank you for helping us be the change we wish to see in the world.  Thank you, too, for being a part of it!