Drums, Stories & Song: A Women’s Weekend with Chris Sylla and Rachel Murray
About the event:
This weekend, in the glorious setting of Braziers Park, will give you space to connect with yourself and others through drumming, singing, and listening to stories. We like to keep it fairly fluid, so there is no fixed “programme” so far, but here are some of our ingredients. There will be rhythm work, drumming with djembes under Chris’ guidance, percussive fun and games, a bit of singing, and a whole lot of laughter – possibly also tears. We will have a fire, either inside or out, weather depending, and listen to Rachel’s tall tales; bring a few to tell yourself if you want. We hope to do a night walk, weather permitting, with a few surprises, and you will have some “unscheduled” time to explore the house and grounds. Fully catered and with delicious cake. Suitable for anyone; no previous experience of drumming, singing, or any kind of “doing things like this” required.
About the facilitators:
Chris Sylla is a community musician and resident at Braziers Park, where she also runs the kitchen (though the team will be cooking without her this weekend). She has nearly 30 years of experience teaching percussion and specialises in West African drumming, particularly djembe and dounun. Since 2000, she has travelled frequently to Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea for study and inspiration. Chris has led women’s days, weekend retreats, and workshops across the UK, and especially values collaborative hosting. She and Jo are long-time friends and have worked together at camps and workshops in both the UK and Gambia.
Chris and Rachel have worked together for many years and run fairly regular “Women in the Woods” days at Shining Cliff Hostel in Derbyshire. Rachel is a storyteller with a great sense of rhythm, and both Chris and Rachel sing. This is their first collaboration at Braziers.
Costs:
Residential tickets from £190 per person. Tickets include two nights' accommodation and all meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch, plus refreshments.
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