In celebration of Cuba Week, the Bowdoin community will be presented with the unique opportunity to explore and participate in an engaging Afro-Cuban drumming workshop this weekend.
The workshop will commence with an introduction of rumba and Cuban rhythm by ethnomusicologist and Assistant Professor of Music Michael Birenbaum Quintero. Percussionist Dylan Blanchard will then provide hands-on instruction to 20 participants on playing the Cuban drums.
Lecturer of Romance Languages Eugenia Wheelwright, president of the Brunswick-Trinidad Sister City Association (BTSCA), initially approached Birenbaum Quintero to ask if he would be interested in some kind of participatory workshop with Cuban music.
"Every year the BTSCA organizes a week of events to celebrate Cuba Week," said Wheelwright. "This is a celebration of our sister city relationship with Trinidad, Cuba, a relationship that goes back to 2003."
The workshop promises to be a truly engaging and exciting event and a rare experience for participants.
"I love the idea of having a participatory music event where the public can learn to play some drums and create music together," said Wheelwright.
The workshop will take place tomorrow from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Cram Alumni House Barn. It is free and open to the public.