Different Drums linking cultures one beat at a time
Different Drums linking cultures one beat at a time
| CAPTION: Photo courtesy Different Drum Different Drum mixes Irish and African music for a unique sound. The group is performing at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Calumet Theatre. |
By KELLY FOSNESS, DMG Writer
CALUMET — By combining traditional Irish and African drums, pipes and voices, The Different Drums of Ireland create a unique blend of Celtic music with a world beat twist.
“It’s a high-energy romp with rhythm,” Davey Holmbo, artistic director for the Calumet Theatre, said of the upcoming performers, set to take stage at the Calumet Theatre Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. “What’s unique about this group, compared to other traditional Irish groups, is that they’re not only playing the basic pipes, they’re combining traditional instruments from a variety of cultures. They’re showing through music, that diversity and cultures break down and become one — that we are just one people.”
Hailing from Northern Ireland, Different Drums was organized by singer/songwriter Roy Arbuckle in 1991 as a community relations project. Since then the group has performed for occasions in the White House, for Irish Presidents and for crowds of up to 40,000.
During the summer of 2004, the group made their first appearance at the Calumet Theatre and because they were “so greatly enjoyed” Holmbo said he wanted to have them come back.
“They were so intriguing,” he said. “They play traditional folk songs, jigs and reels. Like I said, they’re not just your traditional Irish group. There’s a whole underlying rhythm with this group that I found attractive.”
On Wednesday, Different Drums will bring together the drums of Ireland including the Bodhran, pronounced “bow-ron” and the Lambeg. When played together, the group symbolizes racial harmony, forming a unified “heartbeat.”
Their music also features the Uilleann, or elbow pipes, whistles, guitar, four voices, and the African djembe.
In an e-mail response Wednesday, Arbuckle wrote, “The theatre in Calumet is a national treasure. We just loved it and the people gave us such a warm welcome. We’re really looking forward to being back in Calumet.
“We were lucky enough to take a trip around the U.P. with a great tour guide, Laneah Holmbo,” he continued, “and we saw some eagles; which was a breathtaking experience. Unfortunately eagles were wiped out here in Ireland. Over the past few years some Golden Eagles have been reintroduced and seem to be thriving.”
However, Arbuckle said his connection with Calumet didn’t start just then, rather years ago when he heard Woody Guthrie’s song about the 1913 massacre.
“It really touched me and it was a very emotional thing for me to go to the memorial,” he said of the Italian Hall disaster. “The power of music always gives me hope.”
Tickets for the Different Drums of Ireland are $20 and $18 for theatre members. They are available by phone or by visiting the Calumet Theatre Box Office. Box office hours are Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and two hours before show time. For more information, call the Calumet Theatre at 337-2610 or visit www.calumettheatre.com.
Events at the Calumet Theatre are sponsored, in part, by the Keweenaw National Historical Park and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.
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