Wow that Year 2011 just flew by!  Before it fades, be sure to check out what’s going on over at DrumFace. Don’t miss out!

First, how lucky are we to be represented by 2 of the best music stores in Chicago?!  Andy’s Music (2300 W. Belmont) has been a supporter of DrumFace since Day 1, and now the Old Town School of Folk Music is a fan, too.  See our work at the Lincoln Square “Different Strummer” store (4544 N. Lincoln).

Not in Chicago?  DrumFace drums are also available through the online Raquy Drum Store, which is based in Brooklyn, New York. (www.raquy.com/store).  You can also spot our drums in the Northerrn Liberties area of Philadelphia, at a sweet shop called “Colors by Padmini” (906 N. 2nd St.)

For a little seasonal cheer, we will be hosting a studio show and sale on Sunday December 4th, from 2-6pm.  Stop in and have a hot drink, see the newest of our instruments and enjoy the warm atmosphere that is DrumFace.  (3231 W. Armitage) Selected prints from our “Morocco Sketchbook Retrospective” show from earlier this year will also be available.

As I write, Thanksgiving is tomorrow.  It falls on our “Last Thursday” open house and veggie potluck night, and for a while we weren’t sure what to do.  But a few inquiring minds wanted to know, so we will not disappoint!  Swing by DrumFace between 7 & 9pm on Thursday, November 24th and enjoy an evening of music and smiles, and whatever veggie leftovers are brought to the table.

There will be no ‘Last Thursday’ potluck in December, since it falls directly on Quentin and Heather’s 10th wedding anniversary!  We will resume the regular pattern in January 2012, with open studio and potluck on Thursday, Jan. 26th.

Free Doumbek practices will continue, on the first Wednesday of each month from 7-8pm.  (Dec. 7, Jan. 4)  Multi-level session, bring a drum or use one of ours.  Learn rhythms and practice techniques on this very popular Middle Eastern style drum.

To finish off the year, let’s not forget Quentin’s Solstice Birthday, December 21st.  It falls on the same Wednesday that we are due to host the “Chicago cavers” social meeting, so DrumFace will be opening wide and saying “aaaahh”.  Cave fun will kick off the evening from 7:30-9:30, with birthday drum party to follow.  Anyone with an interest in caves and caving is welcome to attend “city cavers” (no experience required); acoustic instruments are welcome at the birthday drum jam.  Drums preferred, of course!  We have an inkling to do another “Party in the Dark” so you might want to bring a flashlight!

Hi there.  Nice face.  Where’s your drum?  Well okay then.

Did you know DrumFace hosts at least 2 free events every month?  That’s just because we’re nice.  No need to camouflage yourself like little Mothy here (who can’t really drum anyway of course).  Come out of hiding and have a little fun, why not?

Catch an open house, every month on Last Thursdays from 7-9pm. (9/29, 10/27)  See & play our newest drums, meet other nice people like yourself, and give us a really good reason to clean up our art studio!  Bring a dish or beverage to share in a veggie potluck, then grab a drum and play along with Chicago Aissawa (or other special guests)!

For the advancement of your ‘little grey cells’, Quentin will continue to offer monthly darbooka practice nights.  (10/5 & 11/2, 7-8pm)  Whether you just need a little motivation to stay in practice, or want to try some new skills n’ drills, you’ll be glad you set aside the time.  Free of charge; donations are welcome.  Great fun for any level of player!

Teeny-weeny ‘little grey cells’ are totally welcome at our Open Houses and occasional  family-friendly events.  Young people ages 14+ are welcome to join in the darbooka practice sessions; for more information please give us a shout (773) 772-4778; or email to:  info (at) DrumFaceChicago (dot com)

Keep on keepin’ on – your DrumFace, that is!

Also at DrumFace on October 19th: meetup for Chicago cave explorers and people interested in caves.  BYOB, 7:30pm

Yes, he truly is the nicest guy.  Rami El-Aaser, everybody.  Get your doumbek and push back your plans for Friday night, because Rami’s going to be delivering some seriously cool beats at DrumFace.

Think you’ve got the fastest fingers in the west?  Let’s put it to the test!  Work on techniques that will astound your friends and flatten your audiences.  Be amazing!

Friday September 9, 7-8:30pm.  $15  No matter where you are with your playing, there’s always somewhere to go!

See poster for details, or contact DrumFace (773) 772-4778; info@ DrumFaceChicago .com

Need a little warmup session?  Swing into DrumFace from 7-8pm on Wednesday Sept. 7th for a practice session with Quentin!  Part of our monthly series of FREE events.

Time running out on summer?  No way!

Here are some dates you may want to add to your calendar:

Thursday, 25th of August, 7-9pm.  Veggie potluck, DrumFace open house, and Aissawa Kbir (big Aissawa) drumming session.  3231 W. Armitage Ave.  Free; donations welcome.

Sunday 28th of August, 3:30pm & 4:30pm.  DrumFace presents Chicago Aissawa plus Middle Eastern dumbek drumming performance at Rumble Arts Center’s Back to School Event; 3413 W. North Ave.

Doumbek Drumming session, Wednesday September 7th, 7-8pm at DrumFace.  Free; donations welcome.  All levels.  Practice and learn techniques & rhythms on the goblet-shaped darbooka (doumbek) drum.  Have fun, no pressure!  Bring your own drum or try one of the DrumFace instruments.

Once again, last Thursday in September (that’s the 29th), 7-9pm Open House, Aissawa Kbir, Veggie Potluck.  Hang out in the studio, chat with some really nice people, and do a little Aissawa drumming!  What a nice way to spend a Thursday.

New on the DrumFace site, we’ve added a page called “Getto Gnome Records”, our in-house record label.  2011 marks the first crop of CDs by Getto Gnome in several years, with the release of 5 albums of Moroccan field recordings, new work by Chicago Aissawa, and the current hot seller, the “2011 Morocco Sampler: Folkloric Music of Meknes”  (get it for $5!  email us: info @ DrumFaceChicago.com)  All of this work is self-funded, recorded and released by Quentin & Heather, and with the approval of the musicians.  As our part to save the environment and well, because we’re Getto Gnome, track lists and printable album art from all 5 CDs are on the new page.  Someday soon it will get updated with a full catalog of our past work.

If you didn’t get to read through our Morocco blog posts back in March, you’ll find the postings all together on the Morocco 2011 page.  Enjoy!  If you’re interested in joining the contact list for possible future trips, give us a shout.

Drum Care Cards.  If you need help caring for your natural skin drum, download this card!  We’re giving them out with all of our new drums, because more and more people are choosing to play real skins rather than plastic.  (Do we need to post a picture of the mass of plastic debris floating in the Pacific Ocean?) They need a little more specialized care, but the rewards of natural skins can be great.

Plus, check out these new photos by our pal and photographer extraordinaire, Dan (DanMerlo.com)!

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New recording & photos of Chicago Aissawa have been posted online, at www.CoachHouseSounds.com !  Matt and his crew met with us back in February to record on their reel-to-reel tape.  We think it sounded great, and who knew there were photos?!  Sweet.

Next Aissawa/DrumFace open house & veggie potluck is Thurs. July 28th, 7-9pm at DrumFace, 3231 W. Armitage Ave.

Also, remember to catch one of our free doumbek drumming nights; there’s one coming up on Wednesday July 20th at 7pm!  There are some pretty sweet doumbeks in the DrumFace studio, but bring your own if you can.

That last open house was so much fun we’ve decided to add it to our monthly calendar!  Join us on the last Thursday of every month, from 7-9pm, for a vegetarian potluck and good times hanging out in the DrumFace studio.  See and hear what we’ve been working on, from our newest drums to some fresh compositions by Chicago Aissawa!  Pick up a drum and join us for another Aissawa Kbir drumming session, and you’re sure to go home dancing to a different beat.

Thurs. May 26th (8-10p.m.) = Fun time in the DrumFace studio!

For your enjoyment: live music from Chicago Aissawa & guests, an exhibition of new DrumFace drums, and selections from a decade of Moroccan travel sketches by Quentin and Heather.

Partake in a vegetarian potluck with a bunch of nice people, and get the whole room drumming and dancing with our new project, “Aissawa Kbir”.

Take something home, whether it’s a new drum, Aissawa CD, or just a smile and a new Moroccan beat (and a DrumFace card)!  What more could you want?  See you there!

DrumFace (773) 772-4478

3231 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago

Mark your calendar and leave work early! Chicago Aissawa just recorded at Coach House… it’s quite likely you may hear us on your free CD, if you get to Logan Square in time.

the WHISTLER :::::: 2421 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011 at 06:00 pm

50 FREE RECORDS

What an amazing month we have had, away in Meknes on a musician’s retreat! Watch for the trip report and photos, which we will post soon.  Meanwhile, read our travel diary entries for Morocco 2011 and enjoy this, a cute snap of H&Q.

6Apr: link to the Flickr page ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/heatherfeather/sets/72157626313394659/with/5593238331/ )

Stay tuned for release info, but here’s a photo from our recent recording session at Coach House Sounds:

Check it out, we’re featured as Artists of the Month (January 2011) on Raquy Danziger’s site: http://www.raquy.com/motm/

Raquy & Liron holding Q drums at a Cave in Indiana

Contact Quentin & Heather for more information:  info@DrumFaceChicago.com

Deposits being accepted now!

All the best for 2011, from Heather & Quentin @ DrumFace!
We are excited about our new, bigger & better Darbookas, and also about making continued progress with Chicago Aissawa.  Possibly even a CD, but we’re superstitious and can’t talk about it…   In a couple of months, we hope to be in Morocco with a group of music students- until then, you can find us hard at work on our fantastic new drums.
Drop us a line or pick up the phone and call if you want to know more about what’s happening with DrumFace, and of course if you haven’t already, you should subscribe to this blog!

Catch it if you can!

Visitors to the Chicago Children’s Museum next Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday will have an opportunity to make their very own drums with Heather in the Art Studio.  She will be giving demonstrations on the potter’s wheel, then leading the kids through making and decorating drums of their own, using a pre-fired terracotta form.

Thursday, December 16th     5:30 & 6:30pm

Saturday & Sunday, December 18th & 19th     1, 2 &  3pm

here’s a photo from last Summer’s workshop series, which played with the concepts of rhythm and pattern, using drums & clay tiles:

DrumFace is the place to solve that case of Dumbek Fever!

We’re thankful for all of our friends and loved ones, and for a great first year as DrumFace.  Yay for you!

There’s no Black Friday sale (sorry, we’ll be sleeping off all that yum-yum), but don’t worry, we’re working on a whole fleet of new drums to satisfy all your gift-buying needs.  Stop and see us!

All the best to you & yours, until we see you again.  Keep making that face!

Halloween Sunday Fun Day

Trick or Treat!  Oct. 31st, 4-9pm

Kid-friendly, spooky fun costume party at DrumFace!  Come for the games, contests and fun; stay and hand out treats to neighborhood goblins and ghouls.

Check in with DrumFace HQ for details: (773) 772-4778.

Saturday, October 9th

7pm to midnight

Quentin & Heather’s new drums.

Hang out in the studio and meet friends old and new!

DrumFace

3231 W. Armitage Ave.

We’ll be droppin’ beats like a tree losin’ leaves.

How about you?

NEW DrumFace All-Ages Fun Day

Playtime in the studio!  11am-1pm, once a month on Saturdays.  (September 11, October 9th, November 13th) Inspired by our recent children’s workshops, here is a chance for kids big AND small to enjoy creative fun in the DrumFace studio.  Projects may be musical or movement based, and also exploring visual-arts.  See our FaceBook page for details and what to bring:  (in the ‘Links’ sidebar- look to your left)                                            FREE; Donations accepted. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chicago/DrumFace/120098508016453

Or you can always call DrumFace HQ: (773) 772-4778

Drop us a line: Info<at>DrumFaceChicago.com

Get your drum & go to: DrumFace,  3231 W. Armitage Ave.

Aissawa Open House

Thursday, September 16th. 7:30-9:30pm   Listen-in on Chicago Aissawa practice night and enjoy a potluck dinner.  Bounce along to the rhythm and fill your belly- and your soul- with good times!  (check out the Chicago Aissawa page on this site for more info)  All ages.

Moroccan Drum & Dance Workshop

Explore polyrhythms and instruments of Moroccan folkloric music, and learn key movements of mystical North African dance.  Drums are provided.  Intended for adults, but contact us if your child would like to accompany you.  Call (773) 772-4778 for more information.  7p.m., $7.  Friday September 17th & Wednesday, October 20th.

DrumFace DrumFest 2010

Soon to be known city-wide as the “Chicago Percussion Festival”, we’d like to kick off our festival for drum lovers on Saturday, October 9th.  Stay tuned for updates on activities & programming!  Contact us now if you’d like to volunteer: (773) 772-4778.

Find yourself at DrumFace!

3231 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL  60647

Reminder!

Moroccan Drum & Dance Workshops at DrumFace

Gnowa:  Saturday August 28th at 6pm; $6.  

Tareja:   Tuesday August 31st at 7pm; $7.

DrumFace: 3231 W. Armitage Ave.    Info: (773) 772-4778

Moroccan Drum & Dance Workshops: Jebela, Aissawa & Gnowa

Explore polyrhythms and instruments of Moroccan folkloric music, and learn key movements of mystical North African dance.  Drums are provided.

Saturday, August 28th at 6pm; $6. Gnowa drum & dance.  Experience the primal unity of rhythm and movement, as expressed by Carbabeena-style Gnowa percussion. (bass drum & metal double-castanets)  Long regarded for their Sub-Saharan “magic”, the Gnowa are one of the most popular sacred trance societies in Morocco.  This is an active session- be prepared to boogie!

Tuesday August 31st at 7pm; $7.  Tareja, the “littlest” drum.  Popular in Moroccan Aissawa, Dakka, and Melhoun music, it is surely one of the most distinctly “Moroccan” drums.  We will play interlocking rhythmic patterns, designed to be played in groups, similar to the way clapping is used in Andalucian/Flamenco music.

It’s just gonna be wonderful.  As part of their reunion tour, the Congregation of Wonderful will perform a mixed soul/funk revue at DrumFace on Saturday, August 28th, at 9pm.

BYOB ($ donations accepted)