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UPBEAT TIMES, INC. • September 2015 • 19 Musical Notes in Sonoma County by Shekeyna Black • Shekeyna@AMiracleProductionAMP.com  HELP!


These fl eas are driving me nuts!!


SONOMA COUNTY, CA. ~ Drums and drumming refl ect the heartbeat of the people on Earth. Beautiful handcrafted drums mirror the pulse of the people by express- ing the themes of daily life. “The story of the drum; which is the back- bone of all music, it’s the beat, it’s the rhythm and we use it as a metaphor for freeing up of the


spirit. Music is the storyteller,” says Bruce Rhodes of Drums for Solar.


Drums for Solar, a non-profi t collaboration between long- time Sonoma County resident, Bruce Rhodes, and some West Africans, is a cultural exchange whereby people can benefi t and learn from one another. Ac- cording to DrumsforSolar.com, “By building with respect to culture, we are able to collabo- rate on equal terms and work to


share our humanity with


the drum as a tool for sustain- able community development.” “Drums for Solar is about help-


ing communities be self-sus- tainable” Rhodes states. The goal of the current project is to install portable solar gen- erators at two schools in Mali, West Africa. The two small villages called, Karengui- mbe and Kati, will benefi t from having the solar-powered generators located at their schools so that even when the frequent power out-


ages occur, the students will still be able to have access to electricity created by harnessing the sun. The portable solar generators provide basic electrical needs required to power lights and computers.


“What makes it a village,” Rhodes explains, “is that there is a water well that is ancient.


The people


live in hamlets that circle around the well and that makes up the village. The well is the focal point for all the people


who live around it.” Rhodes continues, “The drum is the instrument that brings people together in rhythm. This is the tool that all indigenous people use throughout the world. To understand this story and be a part of this dance of humanity, is the most important part of Drums for Solar.” Experience the West African Music and Culture benefi t event for Drums for Solar on Septem- ber 26 from 4pm-8pm at Arlene Francis Center located at 99 6th St. in Santa Rosa. Patrons will enjoy African food, live music, dance and video.


The


educational and inspirational event is family-friendly where no one will be turned away for lack of funds. This special event and the primary goal of Drums for Solar, is to communicate posi- tive information about “people helping people,


sharing our humanity.” Email DrumsforSolar@gmail.com to learn more.


What a wonderful life I’ve had! I only wish I’d realized it sooner. ~Colette Vaccination clinics every Sunday from 9:30am to 11:30 am


Since 1967 we’ve been the favorite place to shop for your pets & farm animals!


Western Farm Center (707) 545-0721


21 West 7th Street • Santa Rosa


www.westernfarmcenter.com Mon-Sat 8am-5:30pm • Sun 9:30am-4pm


UPBEAT TIMES, INC. • September 2015 • 19


You Lucky Dog! (or Cat) We have Advantage® and Advantix® on SALE this month!


(with rewards card) (Sale begins Sept 15th


$7.00 OFF


& ends October 15th , 2015)





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