I saw these guys at a fund raising/ awareness rally, there apart of the East London University.  There based in the DockLands, they have a campus built next to the DLR station.I was invited to come down on there Thursday night rehearsal.  

I was welcomed by Fred (he was a guest teacher/leader for the night)I was started off with a shaker called a the Chocalho (pronounced shi-cal-lio) I shook the life out of this thing, it was fun but I must admit that I wanted a drum.  We learn what to play from Fred, he lead every rhythm for all the different instruments. 

After a short break (fags and chatting) we got back into the groove and I got offered to play the Caixa (snare drum).  For what felt like 20 mins I played double strokes, in the Mummy-Daddy rudiment or doubles.  My arms got a great work out from the playing.  It was a great feel playing on the drum, its been a while since I’ve played with other people!  

The energy that Fred was showing and giving was helping everyone keep together, it added a smile to my face!  After we’d finish the rehearsal, me and two other guys that were playing snares’ with, started a very impromptu jam, we had a few minutes before being told to stop because people could hear!! (typical, excited me!)  One guy was called Paul, I never got the other guys name.  

It was very enjoyable, getting involved is very welcome, it could be easier, not really given an idea where to go other than Cyprus DLR station and ask around, but I’m going back again next week!

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 22nd, 2008 at 2:58 pm and is filed under Site News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.