Create a Djembe Strap.

Playing your djembe standing up, as you should instead of sitting down, is by all means a much enjoyable experience, and also, an exhausting one.
Looking to purchase a strap for my djembe I looked first on the musical stores online. Remo has a djembe strap for about $28, Sageman Drums has another option for $30, theirs “is available in 3 types of trim: Brown & Yellow, Blue, and Rasta” [Mmmm Rasta straaaap, yes, finally a rasta strap] Ebay had two options, but both didn’t look like anything very special, some nylon strap with green, black, and…yes, rasta themes. There were some more artistic versions such this one but by this point, I was determined to make it myself.
So I went back to Google, and found this two invaluable sources of strapping knowledge:

Rhytm Traders - They also sell Djembe straps
Djembe Straps’s FAQ - All you ever wanted to know about straps and were afraid to ask

After reading trhough all the posts, I went ahead, and order some nylon webbing from Onrope1.com. I wanted to get the tubular webbing, my idea was to get a wide one and then fill it up with some sort of foam to make it easier on my arms [Imagine holding a big djembe’s weight, plus hitting on it hard while playing! :S]
I finally got the 2 in wide seatbelt nylon webbing, tubular was much expensive, and I imagine that filling it out with foam was not the best solution, it’s better a wider material than narrow one. FAQ refers to the karate belts as one of the best options, problem is, karate belts are not as long as you would hope for this job…

Editor’s side note:I try to get nylon webbing locally. I could only find a store that had something like this down here in Miami. I went to West Marine, both stores on Biscayne Blvd. They weren’t even aware that they did have nylon webbing. They had also tubular webbing, but on an absurd price, so I ended up buying it online.

When I got the strap, I realized that the Rhytm Traders tutorial is as confusing as the ascii drawing on Djembe Straps’s FAQ. Not sure why the pictures are so focused on the character doing the tutorial instead of the djembe/strap itself. So I asked Mark to show me how to create it, an it’s a very simple thing if you know what are you doing

I’ll promise to post some picture of how it works…

Full moon eve and full moon - October 25 & 26

The Broward drum circle has schedule a full moon drum circle at Pompano beach:
Friday October 26, 2007 - 8:00 pm - 1:00 am. North side of Pompano Beach Pier on the waters edge
if rain at pavilion north of pier. for location contact Debe - debe24@aol.com 954-292-1581

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Dade people can attend the good old Miami beach drum circle at 85th and Collins Ave: “Full moon drum circle party is commonly held at 85st and Collins. That’s on the wonderful sands of Miami beach. Serious drummers attend to the Full moon eve, since less people is aware of the previous day celebration. Both days, Full moon and full moon eve are filled with music (and people) playing and dancing.” It usually starts as earlier as 8:30 - 9:00 Pm

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Floating drum - Saturday 10/27 from 5 to 7PM:
The Floating Drum is an open drum circle held, this weekend, at Peacock Park in Coconut Grove, right next to the playground. Bring your kids. Bring your drum. Bring your own seating.Some interesting options for Thursday, Friday and Saturday…

Delou Africa Dance Ensemble auditions - October 21 from 2-5

Delou Africa Dance Ensemble auditions for the 2007-2008 season will be held Sunday, October 21 from 2-5 p.m. at FIU Biscayne Campus

On going class dance:
Sunday. 2–4 p.m - Community Dance class (West African and Caribbean). Taught by dancers from Delou Africa Dance Ensemble or guests. A $3 donation is requested unless guest artist is there (then it is $12 for dance class, $15 for drum class). FIU North Campus (151st and Biscayne) Academic Bldg 2, 2nd floor. Call Njeri, (305) 978-3866 for more info

DRUM: Tuesday 7:45 – 9:30p.m. – Learn authentic Manding style drumming with Master Guinean Percussionist Moussa Soumah at The Sadkin Center 1176 NW 42nd Way Lauderhill – Contact Trina, 954-687-5789 for more info

13th and 14th of October at The Coral Castle - Moonfairy

According to Armando Almirall, from the Coral Castle at Homestead, FL. Moonfairy is a “Celebration Of Nature,Earth Spirits And Magick”. Interesting topic for an event at such a special place like a Coral Castle.
The event aims to have a drumcircle in place for the entire celebration, making it the heart beat of the entire activity.
“We have setup the inner circle to our vendors village for open drumming all day. Inside the white tent in the center you will find plenty of seating.”

Entrance is $5.00 if you bring any instrument ( regular $9.50 Adults)

More info at http://www.thewitchsgarden.com

Floating Drum in Miami - Saturday October 13, from 5 to 7PM

Open drum circle
Saturday (10/13/07) from 5 to 7PM
Peacock Park in Coconut Grove
next to the playground (bring your kids)
bring your drum
bring your own seating

Information by Mark Richards

Sunday 14:00hs Drum circle Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Drum Circle every Sunday 2:00 p.m. at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park,
A1A and 3109 East Sunrise Blvd. 33304. In the Pavilion 3 Area. This is
an open New York Style Drum Circle, no facilitator, everything goes.

Hand drum only. No politics or religion allowed. Beginners to advanced.
Membership available. Beginners get a free lesson at 1:30 p.m. Bring
food, chair, drink, and a positive mental attitude. We drum until Sun
down or the park rangers lock the gates. We are in an overhead covered
area. Dvd and cd drum music exchange among all members. An experience
not to miss!!
info: Randy (Atu) Robinson President 954-839-5732