The deep thud of Djembes echoed through the last Thursday night (March 9), as members of the homeless community gathered for a drumming workshop.
Hosted by Michelle Duckett, known as the 鈥楧rum Whisperer,鈥� participants played small goblet shaped drums and percussion instruments as Duckett guided them through pop songs and music exercises while playing her own drum kit.
This is the third time that Duckett has brought her workshop for free to the shelter.
鈥淚 know how healing it is for me, and I know that this will be healing for people who come here,鈥� Duckett said.
鈥淢usic is medicine. And so I feel like I鈥檓 giving medicine to them, and allowing them to play their own beat, play to their own drum.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 really important to be true to yourself, and I find that drumming is really 鈥� there鈥檚 no words. It鈥檚 easy to express yourself through drumming, and I mean, I was just looking at some of the faces of the people here, and they were so into it, they were just in the moment. And that鈥檚 why I love drumming so much, and music. It鈥檚 in the moment, and that鈥檚 where you find peace and joy.鈥�
The workshop was part of the Gateway鈥檚 Coffee House 鈥� a weekly event that takes place Thursday evenings from 5 to 6:30 p.m., where participants have the opportunity to eat a hot meal, and enjoy coffee, treats and music.
One of the drumming participants was 91原创 City Coun. Gayle Martin, who has been volunteering at the shelter for the past five years.
On Thursday nights she oversees the Coffee House, helping with the set up and take down, and the serving of cookies and coffee.
鈥淓verybody really enjoys it. It鈥檚 a way for people to relax and interact with each other,鈥� Martin said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just something away from their life that they normally live.鈥�
Each week a different musical act is brought in by volunteer Sandy Dunkley, ranging from soloists and bands, to line dancers.
鈥淚鈥檓 supposed to be at my Rotary meeting every Thursday night, but you know what? To me, this means a lot,鈥� Dunkley said.
鈥淎nd the people, my bands 鈥� they are the same. They have that heart, that giving, so they come without even a question... I never have a problem finding anyone for this Thursday night, ever. And they鈥檙e all good.鈥�
After the workshop, one of the participants walked up to Dunkley to thank her for the evening.
鈥淚 waited all week, I was stoked all week,鈥� the man said to her.
鈥淒id you have fun tonight?鈥� Dunkley asked.
鈥淵es,鈥� he replied.
鈥淪ee, isn鈥檛 that awesome?鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat, to me, says it all. That鈥檚 why we do this.鈥�
