On yer left is Pete, Luke, and
Ace all drumming out during a
meditation exercise at the Drum
Workshop.
On yer right is the evening show
by Jim Donovan and friends.
They played two hours of high
energy African tribal music.
Ace all drumming out during a
meditation exercise at the Drum
Workshop.
On yer right is the evening show
by Jim Donovan and friends.
They played two hours of high
energy African tribal music.
It was kinda weird prowling around downtown this Saturday. I took the whole day off to participate in the Jim
Donovan event at the new Creative Arts Center. What was strange was the level of activity downtown.....every
place was hoppin: The Beef Haus, L'Italia, Better Days, The Texas Hot, The Creative Arts Center, The Library,
and the Clubs(Moose, VFW, Elks, Legion). You couldn't find a parking spot. It's a good sign of things to come
as the amount of progress in our little town is undeniable.
The most recent, and probably the most significant development, is the Creative Arts Center. In case you
haven't been there or heard about this place I'll give a quick overview. Andy Glanzman bought the Carter
Hardware building, next to the Texas Hot, a while back and has been tireless in building a place that would
benefit everyone. So he literally created a Creative Arts Center for people to paint, sculpt, cook, play music,
learn, relax, and connect with a bigger picture. They also have a coffee shop that has desserts, soup, salads,
and sandwiches. It really is worth seeing this place first hand and I encourage you to support it and get a
ticket for the next event. Check out the website: www.wellsvillecreativeartscenter.com
So Me and Luke started out the day attending the Drum Workshop by Jim Donovan, founding member of
Rusted Root, a successful rock band. About fifty people all sat in a semi-circle around the stage and learned
how to play a hand drum like the once pictured above. Jim made it really easy to effectively use the drum by
teaching us the basic notes that can be played. For about four hours we did all kinds of stuff with the drums
and learned how the drum can be used for music and meditation. Hard to explain but the energy and vibes
created by fifty people drumming in concert is very very powerful.
Later on in the evening Jim brang some friends and put on a two hour performance that was top of the line.
Leading the band was a fellow from Ghana (i think, Africa anyway) who introduced several important traditional
African songs. He told some good stories and explained how the drum is the core of tribal cultures: it is used
for organization, communication, music, and medicine. It is interesting to consider that way of life: we call each
other on cell phones to find out what is happening or check our email. They stand outside and listen to distant
drumming to find out what is happening in there community and even surrounding communities. The
topography in Africa allows for sound to travel miles and miles, allowing different villages to communicate back
and forth. Just imagine listening for the drum beat from Andover way to start up before you decided what you
were doing that night. Well anyway I appreciated the show and think it is pretty cool that we've got that kind of
venue with that caliber of performance available. Great Job to the Arts Center crew!!! Keep it up.
After that show me and Jumper noticed some music over at the Wellsville Library so we went to check it out.
Unknown to me they had a fund raiser for the Montessori School that had live music with food and beverages
available. That place was packed with all kinds of people. Partying in the library was kinda cool as well and
what a great idea. I'm glad they finally seem to have gotten over the whole "quiet please" policy and I hope the
Library serves as a new place to have parties and fund raisers!!!!
Back at the pub, which I figured would be dead, was another hoard of folks out having a good time. We were
swamped all night long and really didn't get that much overflow from either competing event. Its a really good
sign for Wellsville and I have a feeling we will see more of this in the future. We've got such a great little town
and we should be excited about what is to come.
Donovan event at the new Creative Arts Center. What was strange was the level of activity downtown.....every
place was hoppin: The Beef Haus, L'Italia, Better Days, The Texas Hot, The Creative Arts Center, The Library,
and the Clubs(Moose, VFW, Elks, Legion). You couldn't find a parking spot. It's a good sign of things to come
as the amount of progress in our little town is undeniable.
The most recent, and probably the most significant development, is the Creative Arts Center. In case you
haven't been there or heard about this place I'll give a quick overview. Andy Glanzman bought the Carter
Hardware building, next to the Texas Hot, a while back and has been tireless in building a place that would
benefit everyone. So he literally created a Creative Arts Center for people to paint, sculpt, cook, play music,
learn, relax, and connect with a bigger picture. They also have a coffee shop that has desserts, soup, salads,
and sandwiches. It really is worth seeing this place first hand and I encourage you to support it and get a
ticket for the next event. Check out the website: www.wellsvillecreativeartscenter.com
So Me and Luke started out the day attending the Drum Workshop by Jim Donovan, founding member of
Rusted Root, a successful rock band. About fifty people all sat in a semi-circle around the stage and learned
how to play a hand drum like the once pictured above. Jim made it really easy to effectively use the drum by
teaching us the basic notes that can be played. For about four hours we did all kinds of stuff with the drums
and learned how the drum can be used for music and meditation. Hard to explain but the energy and vibes
created by fifty people drumming in concert is very very powerful.
Later on in the evening Jim brang some friends and put on a two hour performance that was top of the line.
Leading the band was a fellow from Ghana (i think, Africa anyway) who introduced several important traditional
African songs. He told some good stories and explained how the drum is the core of tribal cultures: it is used
for organization, communication, music, and medicine. It is interesting to consider that way of life: we call each
other on cell phones to find out what is happening or check our email. They stand outside and listen to distant
drumming to find out what is happening in there community and even surrounding communities. The
topography in Africa allows for sound to travel miles and miles, allowing different villages to communicate back
and forth. Just imagine listening for the drum beat from Andover way to start up before you decided what you
were doing that night. Well anyway I appreciated the show and think it is pretty cool that we've got that kind of
venue with that caliber of performance available. Great Job to the Arts Center crew!!! Keep it up.
After that show me and Jumper noticed some music over at the Wellsville Library so we went to check it out.
Unknown to me they had a fund raiser for the Montessori School that had live music with food and beverages
available. That place was packed with all kinds of people. Partying in the library was kinda cool as well and
what a great idea. I'm glad they finally seem to have gotten over the whole "quiet please" policy and I hope the
Library serves as a new place to have parties and fund raisers!!!!
Back at the pub, which I figured would be dead, was another hoard of folks out having a good time. We were
swamped all night long and really didn't get that much overflow from either competing event. Its a really good
sign for Wellsville and I have a feeling we will see more of this in the future. We've got such a great little town
and we should be excited about what is to come.