WINDSOR, Mass. — The 15th annual Tamarack Hollow Berkshire Drum Fest "Honoring Ancestors" Saturday Oct. 12 at the Windsor Town Hall in Windsor.

 

The fest will featur multi-level drum, song and cultural classes with master drummer and cultural ambassador of the Malinke people Namory Keita from Sangbarala, Guinea, West Africa and a community performance featuring Namory Keita, Aimee Gelinas and Dan Cohen with members of Gaia Roots and the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers plus Youth Alive and the Offbeat Womyn Drummers. This year's anniversary fest is dedicated to Chris "Stix" Hairston, a master drummer and member/former co-leader of the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers and student of Aimee's plus the beloved drum fest matriarch Georgene "Cuffy G" Gelinas. Commemorative anniversary t-shirts will be available at the fest.

 

Drum classes from 10:30-12 (limited space) & 1-2:30 (the afternoon class is FULL) Intergenerational, multi-level drum class with Namory Keita (registration required, email aimee@gaiaroots.com to register and for fee info and drum rentals)

 

3pm Intergenerational community concert featuring Namory Keita, Aimee Gelinas, Dan Cohen + members of Gaia Roots, the Berkshire and Valley Rhythm Keepers, Youth Alive and the Offbeat Womyn Drummers. Free, $20+ suggested donation at the door.

 

The drum fest is an annual community experience to gather and celebrate in the spirit of the drum. Drum classes will be led by master drummer & djembe Fola Namory Keita from Sangbarala, Guinea, West Africa. Aimee Gelinas is a master woman drummer who has been performing, teaching and studying West African and Caribbean drumming, singing and culture for over 30 years. She co-founded the group Gaia Roots in the 90's with co-founder Shanti Starr to empower women in drumming. Aimee and Dan lead the community drum group the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers that is comprised of multi-generational drummers from age 17 to 90. Youth Alive is drum and step team from Pittsfield featuring BIPOC youth performance artists. The offbeat women drummers also led by Aimee Gelinas features a multi-generational women drum group from the Ct River Valley.

 

Fest proceeds will support the drum fest artists and the Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center's year round environmental education for all ages, the "Raise the Roof" fund to build a sustainable nature and cultural education center and to continue to conserve 88 acres of highland boreal forest in Windsor, MA for future generations.