African drumming taught locally | News, Sports, Jobs

Residents in the Mid-Ohio Valley have a chance to learn African drumming in a monthly class at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Marietta Social Hall.

In Saturday’s class, participants were able to practice various forms of African rhythm drumming.

“The fun part is the rhythms themselves are a lot of fun to play, and I also think it’s something to see people learning to play something,” instructor Lawrence Greene said. “While they are playing, I can see this whole process of them thinking the stuff through. It really opens your mind not just to a different culture.”

He also said it helps people file things away and grow as drummers, and that it becomes much easier as they progress.

Greene teaches primarily West African drum rhythm drumming.

“It’s good for the community because it’s not offered anywhere else,” said the Rev. Kat Hawbaker, pastor at the church. “It’s been going on for 10 years, but probably three years regularly.”

She was participating in the class with everyone else in attendance.

Another participant in the class was neighbor to the church, Shelley Khatib.

“My husband met Lawrence, and Lawrence mentioned that he was a drummer who told me, and I contacted Kat, and I said, ‘let’s get some drumming courses on,’ and it started,” she said.

Dan Sapp, alongside his son Cody Sapp, from Parkersburg, attended the class for the first time Saturday.

He said his son, Cody, has some mental health issues and finds the drums to be therapeutic.

“That’s the reason why we’re here, to give him some positive reinforcement to his life,” Dan Sapp said.

“He loves the drumming. We do music ourselves,” he said, adding that Cody likes the socialization.

The duo plan to be back participating in more classes.

Classes are open to the public and take place the second Saturday of the month from 3-5 p.m. at the church, located at 232 3rd St. in Marietta.

For more information, call Hawbaker at (740) 373-1238 or Khatib (703) 340-5502.