What's my line...

Any creative, out-of-the-box ideas out there?

drumfest — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:51:17 GMT

I posted a blog about wanting to connect with apps developers, particularly -Google. I work for a children's museum in Baltimore MD. This past school year I created a project that connected a classroom of 4th graders in Howard County MD with a group of students who live in the Central Arava region of Israel. Think "Dune", deep desert region that is also a major agricultural hub in Israel. For the past school these students collaborated in descriptive and narrative writing activities, illustration, story-crafting and storytelling as a means to improve literacy skills. These students worked towards a culminating project that centered on an ancient storytelling art form from Japan, Kamishibai (paper drama. See www.kamishibai.com. Below are two recently posted videos regarding the project. This will offer a solid idea as to the scope of the project. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=207rucGt4HY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n6Q7sNN7lk What I am looking for specifically are applications that can allow a teacher or project manager in MD, for example, to plan activities or team teach a lesson with a classroom in Israel or Australia or any other site that has internet access. There are some important limitations that need to taken into account. For example, Skype is not allowed in Howard County schools, neither are most social network sites. The vast majority of teachers have very limited time to spend learning how complicated e-learning systems work. For applications to be useful in a classroom, the apps need to be literally downloadable and ready work. They need to be intuitive in their workings and in-expensive. Pie-in-the-sky? Perhaps, but if no one asks then nothing will ever get done. Any creative, out-of-the-box ideas out there?

Needing help connecting with Google

drumfest — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:51:06 GMT

I need help connecting with someone at Google. I've heard they sometimes collaborate with organizations to develop apps. What I am looking for is a suite of apps for school teachers or Museum project managers to collaborating w/ teachers/partners in other counties, w/o having to have a tech in the room at all times. It has to be a seamless set-up that requires very little training or teachers won't use it. Ideas or suggestions? Thanks!

Daveed is featured in interview

drumfest — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:22:35 GMT

Yesterday in Columbia MD was the culminating event for a project that I have been working on for the past year. This project has taken up the lion's share of my working life since last May. I am very proud of this effort and wanted to share it with others. Please check out the video that is linked below. It can offer a glimpse into my creative passions for the past 13 months. Enjoy...Daveed Kamishibai International Project Kids from Phelps Luck Elementary School in Columbia, MD and the Matnas Community Arts Center in Sapir, Israel participated in a year long literacy and cultural arts program, created by Port Discovery and the Matnas. They wrote stories, illustrated them, and performed through an ancient Japanese storytelling technique called Kamishibai. On June 10, 2009 the two groups of kids shared and performed their stories over a live web chat. http://www.hocomojo.com/video/international-kamishibai

IT'S OFFICIAL!!!

drumfest — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 19:03:07 GMT

I am going to Israel in May for two-weeks. Since last fall I have been working with two classes of fourth graders: one is located in Columbia MD and the other is in the Central Arava region of south-central Israel. They have been collaborating together as part of a story-creating, storyboarding and storytelling project that builds on descriptive & narrative writing exercises that targets their visual interpretation skills. Just another way of integrating the arts to teach core classroom curriculum. No trip would be complete without a heavy dose of drumming. I'm taking one drum: a 20" Cooperman bodhran. So as not to miss out on an opportunity I am planning on taking a hand held Digital Recorder. The one that I am looking at is the M-Audio Micro Track II Portable Digital Recorder. The possibilities are boundless. This is fun!!!

Thoughts for today...

drumfest — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:15:16 GMT

I am deeply moved today by the images that have soared around my head. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. envisioned a land where his children “would be judged not by the color of their skin, but rather the content of their character.” It is appropriate that we are celebrating the life and sacrifice of Dr. King today and inaugurating our first African-American President, Barack Obama, tomorrow. As a capstone to this year of change, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is celebrating their Centennial. Dr King believed… "When you are right you cannot be too radical; when you are wrong, you cannot be too conservative." He also held that… "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." Just felt that it was important to say. Words can inspire change. One life can make a difference. Thank you, Dr. King.

Religion and Violence

drumfest — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:23:12 GMT

Once again, fanatics reign terror upon the innocent in the name of religion. I refuse to believe in a God or higher power that requires terrorism as a tool to reach out to the masses. A vengeful God...not in my way of thinking. Check out "Letters from Earth" by Mark Twain. I really respect his point of view.

What's it Worth to you?

drumfest — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:57:59 GMT

JFK set the US on a path that took us to the Moon and back all within the 1960's. He set the goal and America delivered. It was a difficult, arduous path. With costs in the tens of billions and human lives also being lost, we were still able to dig down deep to into our creative centers. And, through some extreme "out-of-the-box" thinking, meet JFK's brave and global-changing challenge. Today, we have a far greater challenge before us that requires as extensive a commitment upon the part of our leaders, government and centers of industry and creativity. The reinventing of our entire energy producing culture and infrastructure. This is no simple task. This is so huge a task that it may require the joint efforts of every industrialized country on the planet. As naive as this might sound, for once we need to look beyond who will financially profit from such changes. Why must everything that is created for the benefit of humanity have to come at the expense of others? Why can it not be created and available simply because it is the right thing to do? The creativity is available to meet this challenge, but it first requires a commitment on the part of those who have not only the political will, but the financial resources to make it happen. Then it requires a sacrifice from those same people who might want to take advantage of others just for the sake of money. We are not Ferenghi. Capitalism, at the expense of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" is the same thing as rape and murder of the innocent and thus presents a "clear and present danger" to the security and peace of the whole planet. Remember the scenario of "RoboCop"? In order to save money, Detroit allows a private corporation to take over City's Police Department. As a result, the corporation, that has no political oversight to protect the citizens from corruption and mismanagement, goes unchecked and ordinary people are catastrophically harmed. Think back to Gov Arnold's movie, "Total Recall", where the head guy on Mars is actually a very evil dude, who thinks nothing of exposing innocent people to radiation and cutting their oxygen supply just to get what he wants. Some of you might think that I am totally out in left field some where, but I truly believe that if someone can fantasize such a storyline for a movie, then a corporate exec, who has the power and the will to use it, can equally be just as spiteful and as criminal. Has anyone watched Ted Koppel's latest, "The People's Republic of Capitalism" series? It is an eye opening series. With what is happening in China and how fast their electric and gas needs are growing, if something isn't done soon our children and grandchildren will end up living in a world that tragically polluted, power starved and hungry. Just a thought to add some light to the day...

Baggage

drumfest — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:18:08 GMT

There's a theme that keeps popping up, when I'm reading other ladies profiles. It's not alway overt, but most often lies just under the surface. It's called baggage. After a very intense conversation with my brother this morning on the baggage he carries and chooses to do nothing about, it once again has hit home to me that a true test of a person's character is how they handle their own baggage. We all have baggage and unfortunately some baggage is heavier than others. We can either allow that baggage to define who we are or we can use that baggage to help us redefine and shape ourselves into who we choose to be. Unfortunately, his choices are very limiting and he continues to wallow in his own muck. I choose a different way. I get up every morning and choose to create. I choose to take an active role in the world around me. Some days I am better at it than others, but I don't let anything stop me from trying. It's the journey that counts and not where I might end up. I am an invested stakeholder in my future. I will not allow "shoulds" and "coulds" to define who I am. Rather, I am responsible for what I choose to do. The key word here is DO. The "shoulds" and "coulds" can keep their own company, for I have not place for them. If it is not about creating and actively participating in life, then I am not interested. Time to go start my day. I've got drums to play and children to teach.

God--Yes or No?

drumfest — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:21:19 GMT

Today I have some questions about God, being that from Fri through Sunday is suppose to be his time according to Islam, Judaism and Christianity. When reading the Ten Commandments, it begins with: "And God spoke all these words, saying: 'I am the LORD your God… " and continues with... ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.' TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.' THREE: 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.' Now, I am confused, if these are actually the words of God, how does one square such words that could be interpreted as being jealous, arrogant, and envious? According to 1 Cornthians 13: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." The line about not having carved images... what about the statues of saints and the crosses with Jesus, are they not carved images? Do people not pray to thdem as fervently as they do to God? I think Mark Twain got it right, when he write "Letters from Earth". If you are not familiar with amazing work, I highly recommend it as a powerful testament to the possibilities of spirituality, without having to be dragged into organized religions that are not always loving and that often times appears jealous, arrogant and envious. I believe is goodness and joy, love and respect, I believe that all people have a right to dignity, family and peace, without be forced to conform to other's belief systems. That does not mean that those who do believe in God are completely wrong, but that they are also not completely right.

Follow the Money

drumfest — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:33:50 GMT

Some rambling thoughts today... In Zimbabwe yesterday, an independent agency stated that the opposition candidate actually won the election. So today, the ruling party had this agency's office raided and people arrested. The pictures show soldiers enforcing the raid. Do they not know that once Mugabe is dead, those who survive are going to remember who enforced the illegal raids and who made the false arrests? Follow the money... With gas prices skyrocketing, I wonder if we are going to see the big oil companies posting more huge profits for their management teams and claim that they are not doing anything wrong, nor that they hold no responsibility for escalating food costs or so-called food shortages. Follow the money... It is now costing approximately 700 million dollars a day to run the war. Who is getting all of that money? Surely not our soldiers, who are doing all of the fighting and dying. Follow the money... Good, ole' King George sits on his throne in Washington DC and now says that, yes the economy is not doing as well as he'd hoped. No more is he saying things are alright. Weeks ago he proclaimed that the rebate checks, that are suppose to going out from the IRS soon, will provide a needed boost to our economy. Today he is quoted as saying that he now hopes that the rebates will help, but that he is not sure that it will be enough to make that big of a difference. Now< I know he didn't say exactly that, but between the lines that is what he means. Follow the money... Are therse various people so blinded by money and power not to see that if things do not change for the better soon, change will be forced upon them by powers that they will have little control of stopping unless the world de-evolves into a police state. When that happens, those who have will rule and those who don't will suffer. It's happened time and again throughout history. Ultimately though, when that happens, a time will come when the people will rise up and take back what has been stolen from them and they will follow the money and punish those who took advantage of difficult times or who were actually responsible for opening chaos' door and allowing the weak to suffer just so that they can get fat and rich off of the efforts of others. Follow the money...

What did the Dalai Lama Do?

drumfest — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 18:29:50 GMT

The Chinese government has lost face ofver the Tibet crisis. And, like the local bully, they are placing the blame on others, rather than looking at their own behavior. Below is a statement taken from a Yahoo article... "The Chinese government said through official media that formerly restive areas were under control and accused the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, of trying to harm China's image ahead of the summer games." "The Dalai clique is scheming to take the Beijing Olympics hostage to force the Chinese government to make concessions to Tibet independence," said the People's Daily, the main mouthpiece of the Communist Party." Yet, the behavior attributed to the Dalai Lama is so out of character for Tibetian Buddhists. This is not how Tibetian Buddhists really act. If, why has the Dalai Lama always professed peaceful solutions to problems. The Dalai Lama is about peace and the Chinese government is all about blame. They need to grow up and start acting like adults who are serious about solving problems, rather than just wanting to point fingers like a spoid child, who didn't get their way. It's getting old and tiresome.

Bill Clinton...Shut Up!!!

drumfest — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 16:46:02 GMT

Good afternoon... For this first time in too many years, the Democrats have the ability to take the White House and Congress. Unfortunately, like children who can not play well together in the same sandbox, the Democrats have this uncanny ability to screw things up just by opening up their mouths without taking the time to really thnk about what they are going to say. Below, is a recent statement by former President Bill Clinton: "I think it would be a great thing if we had an election year where you had two people who loved this country and were devoted to the interest of this country...And people could actually ask themselves who is right on these issues, instead of all this other stuff that always seems to intrude itself on our politics." Shut up, Bill!!! Once again, you are messing things up for the party. If the US is going to have a chance at fixing the mess that the Republicans have saddled us with then the Democrats need to clean up their message and start acting like leaders. Perhaps a careful study of "The West Wing" might be helpful. At least there, the fictious candidates are campaigning on issues and not on crap. Instead of criticizing opponents, why can't this year's campaign be solely on the issues and not on the back stabbing. That is how young children behave. It's time that we have real adults running for real office and let's leave the babies at home. We can get them a sitter who can change their diapers wheneven they spout out more poop. President Clinton either stop with the BS and address the issues (that would help your wife out more) or shut up and get off the stage. This is a Presidential campaign and not a Toastmaster's club.

Just a thought

drumfest — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 22:17:38 GMT

Close your eyes... Imagine our world without colonialism. Imagine what our world would have been like if no 1st World country ever tried to create a 3rd World country in their image. What would today look like. The human race has accomplished much. But in doing so, we have also given up much, as well. At what price? For everything has a price. It might not be measured in dollars, euros or yen, but it still has a value. Just a small thought to engage your imagination.

A Call for Vounteer and Other Help

drumfest — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 16:28:01 GMT

Putting a call out for folks for volunteer to help during the Baltimore International Rhythm Festival, this coming Friday and Saturday, September 28 & 29. Thursday evening, I need help decorating the main stage, inside St John’s – Clark Room. For Friday, we need help with selling tickets and security. We might, also need help selling bottled water and other beverages. Saturday, will also need people to sell tickets and handle basic security tasks. In addition, we will need people to help with the outdoor festival stage, assisting groups with transitioning on and off stage, supporting the MC & Host of the Street Festival stage, Stu Needel etc. Further, the World Rhythm Drum Circus will be set-up and in full swing. This is a veritable percussionist’s playground that is completely kids safe: percussion instruments from all over the world and several junk yards. We will need fellow drummers to help supervise this wonderful activity. There you have it. This call for help covers much of what we need to make this event really work as smoothly as possible. That said, there is only one thing that I can think of that we need more than anything else, and that is for you to attend and bring all of your friends with you. With out the community, the Baltimore International Rhythm Festival would be nothing more than a nice idea, waiting for someone to show up. Make a difference and contribute to BIRDS future. You can make a tax-deductible contribution to the Baltimore International Rhythm & Drumming Society on-line at: www.drumtogether.net or during the festival. Your financial support will help BIRDS be able to create unique drumming and educational opportunities for youth and adults. It truly does take a village. Shalom… Daveed Korup

The Taliban and their religious war...What a crock!!!

drumfest — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:54:30 GMT

Please, could someone explain to me how murdering someone in cold-blood serves any divine purpose. On Yahoo, an article was posted about the Afghani's finding one of the 23 kidnapped South Korean tourists dead. below is a brief clip from that article: "The bullet-riddled body of a South Korean hostage was found by police Wednesday in central Afghanistan after a purported Taliban spokesman said the militants had killed one of the captives....The male victim had 10 bullet holes in his head, chest and stomach..." They will saw off the heads of innocent people whom never caused them any harm. They will riddle people with bullets, and in general terrorize the public all in the name of G-D. How dare they...How dare they... I guess that I am just too naive. These are not people who make any sense to me. It seems that the only thing that they understand is violence and mayhem. They practice a religion of hate and lies. From my own research and from conversations with other Muslims, I have come to believe that the Taliban have perverted Islam to suit their own sick purposes. This has nothing to do with G-d. This is all about power and control. Since the world does not wish to act as they do, they have declared war on all of us. If we are not with them, then we are their enemy. What do we do with rabid dogs? We shoot them. I hate the whole idea of absolutes. However, I only believe in two absolutes: breathing and not. Outside of those two, the rest is negotiable. To the Taliban, there is only their way and nothing else is negotiable. Sorry for venting, but when I read such horrible stories about people who act without any regard to human dignity and decency I am left empty and angry. As as an open society, we can not allow others to dictate how we choose to live our lives. Then we will have lost all that we have gained as human beings, through centuries of unrest, racism, political corruption, religious persecution and single-minded absolutism. Here's the Catch-22 kicker: I guess what I am trying to say is that I am absolutely against all forms of absolutism. All absolutionists should be killed and eaten, just like shoplifters. Except for me, of course. Because as an absolute hater of things absolute, I must be right, absolutely!

The WORLD Rhythm DRUM Circus is almost here

drumfest — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 20:35:33 GMT

Tomorrow is the day. I'm getting ready to load-in the new WORLD Rhythm DRUM Circus at Port Discovery Children's Museum, in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. This is going to bea fun play set-up, that doubles as the framework of a learning lab for both structured and more non-matrixed sessions. Next week I'll be working with Pre-K through 4th grade classes. Greet them at the entrance, sort of a modern day Willy Wonka, but instead of chocolate, they get to drum. Not a bad trade. Anyway, each class gets a 40 minute session filled with free play and guided activities. Here is a brief description of each of the WORLD Rhythm DRUM Circus' attractions. There have been some changes from an earlier blog. · Great Gate of the Drum Circus Giant PVC wall of single headed drum gongs and double headed barrel drums --- The drums are made from 50-gal plastic barrels, ABS pipe (corrugated drainage pipe), PVC pipe, and washing machine drums, all ranging between 15" to 24" in diameter. Note: All drums will be headed with recycled, outdoor billboard vinyl · Drummer's Row A drums from 50-gal plastic barrels, ABS and PVC pipe and swimming pool sand filters, all ranging between 12" to 30" in diameter. · The Gong Garden Gongs Racks Hub Shrub – a steel shrub covered in hubcaps Eliz'abell Tree, covered in bells, cymbals and chimes Brook- eo-sarus (for my granddaughter, Brooke – age two) --- A stainless steel metallophone (xylophone) Water Gongs – 5-gallon water jugs · The Toy Box A diverse assortment of barrel drums, frame drums, and goblet drums; along with frogs, shakers, ratchets, bells, blocks and other percussive toys from all corners of the globe. _______________________________________ Numerous Tribe Mates have written to comment and share their energy. Thanks for the support. I am so excited about this project. As a teaching artist, this new program opens for me a whole new atmosphere to work within. I am planning on using this set-up for a four-week summer drum camp in Baltimore's Hampden district, at the Roosevelt Park Recreation Center. I'm collaborating with the Mill Valley Cultural Arts Umbrella, who has written two grants to provide funding for the drum camp. This will allow me to run three to four, 90-minute sessions for Pre-K thru 1st, 2nd & 3rd, 4th & 5th, and a middle school session. There would be an indoor space and the Rec Center might allow the camp to build and install some outdoor percussion play stations. More on that later. First, tomorrow and Port Discovery. I'll post pics and youtube video, as soon as they are available. I will also be getting written comments from parents and teachers. I'll be glad to share them as well with anyone who is interested. Shalom...Daveed

Daveed's World RHYTHM Drum CIRCUS at Port Discovery, Baltimore MD, March 10-17

drumfest — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 06:56:11 GMT

Greetings, Daveed here... I wanted to let you know about a little project that I have happening in Baltimore. Here are some details: Daveed's...WORLD RHYTHM DRUM CIRCUS PORT DISCOVERY Inner Harbor, Baltimore MD March 10 – 17 Instillation Descriptions • DRUM TOWERS Two PVC towers, With single headed drum gongs and double headed barrel drums --- The drums are made from 50-gal plastic barrels, ABS corrugated pipe, PVC pipe, and bicycle tires Note: All drums will be headed with recycled, outdoor billboard vinyl • TREES Hub Shrub - a metallic shrub covered in hubcaps The Elizabeth Tree of bells, cymbals and things • GONG GARDEN 17 to 24 gongs on rackets • BROOKEOSARUS (named for my granddaughter, Brooke Cleveland. She just turned two on Jan 24th) A stainless steel metallophone (xylophone) • WATERWORKS Water Gongs – large plastic water jugs The Pond, with frogs, shakers, rattles, & other small hand percussion • DRUMMER’S ROW Drum clusters made from 50-gal plastic barrels, ABS and PVC pipe and sand filters • THE GALLERY An assortment of goblet drums, barrel drums, and frame drums • MISCELLANY Cowbells, blocks, mounted washboards, ratchets, etc. Additional details for Port Discovery project... Basic Nuts & Bolts Load in and set up will be on Friday, March 9, 2007 after 1 PM Tear down and load out will be on Sunday, March 18, 2007 Schedule: • Fri 3/9 Load In & Set up after 1 PM • Sat 3/10 11 AM – 4 PM • Sun 3/11 1 – 4 PM • Tues 3/13 10 AM - Noon • Wed 3/14 10 AM - Noon • Thurs 3/15 10 AM - Noon • Fri 3/16 10 AM - Noon • Sat 3/17 11 AM – 4 PM • Sun 3/18 Tear down and Load out This program can accommodate up to 40 students per 40 to 50-minute session. Basic Program Flow… Students are greeted at the MPT door and brought into the foyer by the Ring Master (this is like entering Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory) • Simple orientation is given in foyer (rules of the road) 5 minutes • Students are free to explore and have free play 10 minutes • Guided music play 20 to 30 minutes • Students Exit Exhibit 5 minutes • Total Running Time per Session 40 to 50 minutes Educational Elements ... Multiculturalism, through historical, cultural and social context; the environment and recycling; and creative expression through a guide music creating process. Within the confines of 40 to 60 minutes, there is only so material for much students can absorb. A program guide will, hopefully be available for teachers and, there is an outside change that I'll get one done for students, as well. __________________________________________ Thought you folks would be interested...Daveed

Istanbul Snippets

drumfest — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 15:05:23 GMT

I've been back for a few weeks now and with all that is happening in my world it is so difficult to find the time to work through all of my impressions of Istanbul. However, during my trip I maintained a "snippets" journal, basically, these are impressions. They are not complete thoughts, but rather, they are simple notes so would tease my mind to remember the specific details of a specific memory or image. So, I've decided to start my processing of all of this information by posting my Snippets Journal and then I can slowly work through them in future blogs. If anyone has any specific comments or questions, feel free to jump right on in. One thing to note, I can't wait to return and really spend some serious time there, as well as have an opportunity to travel throughout the rest of the country. Here goes.... Daveed's Istanbul Snippet Journal Dec 19 - 30, 2006 Dulles to Frankfurt to Istanbul via United and Lufthansa... United 747 a bit cramped, while Lufthansa was like being in a sardine can. An Istanbul Journal • Cars: Grey, blue, white, black, with an occasional red. However, takis (taxis) are all bright yellow. • Men pulling and pushing carts laden with goods. Immense weight. • Sea of Marmara filled to the horizon with empty cargo ships waiting their turn to dock and be loaded with sacks of cement for China. • Everyone with a Nokia pressed to their ears. • Asian toilets brings a whole new meaning to the term “cop-a-squat”. • Boxy cars. • Gypsy Kleenex urchins make sport for the local polis (police). A regular cat and mouse game of hide and seek. Finally, one is caught and hauled away into a van by three grown men. • Rhythmical embossing of drums. • Drum factory filled with dust and strong industrial odors. No masks for protection and poor ventilation. • Ancient spires point to Heaven. • Massive tourist buses negotiate narrow, cobble stone streets like they are sports cars. • Alevi dinner • “Amerika…Murderer, Murderer” • Roman aquaducts • Hippodrome • Aya Sofia • Blue Mosque • Men, arm in arm. • Mothers dressed very conservatively, with their heads covered, walking down the street with daughters or granddaughters in leather, spiked heals, tattoos and piercings. • Roads seeming to go nowhere in all directions, like silk on a spiders’ web. • Mosaic streets of stone • Tarkan, Ghengis Khan, and ‘takis’ driving cons. • East meets West…Welcome to Asia…Welcome to Europe… • No traffic lights, except on major boulevards. • Cigarettes…cigarettes…cigarettes • Polis…polis…polis • More cargo ships appear out of the fog on the horizon. • Roman monuments, Byzantine walls, Crusader castles, Ottoman mosques • No long hair on men, except for tourists. • Cay (tea), cafee (coffee)…formally three times a day. • Everyone wants to offer you drinks and food. • Sheque says “The Turks want to keep us.” • They are the most hospitable people that I have ever met. • Everyone works. • Ataturk…Ataturk…Ataturk • Lamb, bread, cheese • Bread…bread…bread • Carrots, slivers of cucumbers, lettuce, red cabbage, tomato, rice and more lamb. • Kara Deniz (Black Sea) • Fish, Raki, Fehti, Sheque, tsunami • Lira (YTL-Yeni Turkish Lira), Euros, Dollars • Pay toilets, Turkish style (.50 to .65 YTL) • KRAL TV---weepy men and brazen women • TRT channel 4 raqs • Futbol mania • Protest in the Grand Bazaar • A world of contradictions. • Cherry juice • Grid lock • Cars snaking through cobblestone streets, that seem like alleyways. • A careful choreography of cars and trucks • Takis Sōfür – taxis driver • Outside Cümbüs, the taxi driver’s slight of hand trick with our money • In Aziz’s shop, at one time Turkish, English, Italian, Russian, Spanish and two different dialects of Kurdish, all the while lookings at Uzbeki coats and Turcoman rugs and Armenian kilims. • Galata Tower, built by the Venetians • Sultanahmet • Taksim Square • Hippodrome • Milyon –the Egyptian obelisk • Hamid Resturant, overlooking the Golden Horn • Karpali Carsı (Grand Bazaar) --- over 4000 shops under roof built in the 1500’s • 43 Hans (back alley, open air shopping nooks) • Emin, Cümbüs, Istanbul Cymbals • Raki and the tiny glass balls • The laundry owner spoke Turkish, English and Japanese • Fehti • Hasan • Halil • Necati (c=g) pronounced Nahgati • McDonald’s in Istanbul…Double Kofte burger with patates and Koke • Walking aroung the Karpali Carsı, without getting lost • Complimentary, hotel breakfast is always the same… • Bread, cheese, yogurt, tomatoes, cucumbers, dry cereal, olives, eggs, coffee or tea, cherry juice, and for an extra 5 YTL fresh squeezed pomegranate and orange juice.

Fighting social and religious indifference, intolerance and injustice

drumfest — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 15:26:17 GMT

My friends, I wish to start off by posting a brief cutting from a recent news article: Tehran, 4 Jan. (AKI) - Habib Moftah Bushehri, an internationally renowned musician, has been sentenced to two years in jail in Iran on charges that his music offends Islam. Bushehri, who lives in Paris where he performs with his group, the Ensemble Busherhri, had recently returned to Iran to visit his family. The musician, who is well known with his group as a performer of folk music from southern Iran, is accused of offending religion with his melodies, which mix music performed during Islamic Shiite ceremonies with contemporary pieces, mainly jazz - a combination which has made him extremely popular. --> --> --> Now my comments: This situation weights heavy on my heart. We live a world where those with the power tell those without, what to do. This is not about religion, by any stretch of the imagination, but about power. Islam has taken a beating at the hands of the world press and in the minds of uninformed world citizens, because of the abuse of power that exists. Religion is used as an excuse. I will never believe that the "Divine Spirit", that has inspired such majestic creations as, the Aya Sofia, Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony or the drum, itself could want the children of the Earth to kill, maim and torture one another in the name of all things holy. This is a perversion of the spirit and the soul. It must be condemned from every corner of the globe. Nothing less than the total elimination of all religious and social intolerance will be sufficient to guarantee true peace. These are not the words of a fool or one who does not understand the complexities of the world, but from one who is just tired of people in power using the infinite names of the Divine to justify their oppression of others who do no agree. In America we have a tradition of separating church and state. Politics and religion make horrible bedfellows, as our world's history bares fully out. Both have been misused and misinterpreted to feed the malignant and twisted of those in authority whose thirst for power and wealth is insatiable. Therefore, I support Peyman's desire to start an online petition, which shows respect for the faith of all people: Muslim, Jew, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, etc, etc. To imprison someone for playing music is beyond my comprehension or faculty for reason. If melodies can inspire those people of faith to praise the Divine, then who is to say that by playing them in other venues and along side other voices is not also seeking to praise the Divine. Several years ago, I was reading the liner notes for the soundtrack for the National Geographic's production of "Suleiman the Magnificent" by Omar Faruk Tekbilek. As I recall he wrote about the connection that he has with the Divine and that each and every time he plays, he is playing and singing to the Divine. His intention is to praise, regardless of the setting that he is playing his music in. Like Faruk, each time I play my drum I am connected to that divine spark that resided within my spirit and within my soul, for I too am creating music, that is intended as praise of that beauty and essence that I call the Divine. The world is full of contradictions. People in power, talk of love and justice, all the while plotting to grab more and more of what does not belong to them. No one can own the Earth. No one can own humankind. No one has the right to pervert all that is sacred and holy for unsacred and unholy purposes. Musicians, artists, people from all corners of the world... I say that we must unite to fight social and religious injustice and indifference, through our work, each and every day. This is my belief and this is what I shall commit myself to do. With respect... Daveed Korup

Conservatives say religion under attack? What B.S. is this?

drumfest — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 19:50:13 GMT

On Yahoo today, I read an article about a group of conservative religious folks who believe that religion is under attack. I can't imagine why!!! Religious zealots blowing up innocent civilians, including children, the elderly and those who are incapacitated. The very notion that in this country, conservatives who are afraid of losing their fear-mongering control over their flock are worried that they might not be able to preach the Gospel. According to the article, "...Religious conservative leaders, sensing declining alarm over same-sex marriage, are warning that the debate over homosexuality has prompted attacks on religious freedom." They are worried that if they can not get the country to see their point of view of homosexuality and same-sex marriage, that this is a threat to their religious freedom. What about the religious freedom of those who are gay or those believe that marriage should be for all people, regardless of sexual orientation? Is their religious freedom not as valid as those of the conservative right? What kind of a loving God would not want to see all his/her/its children happy? Being a Pagan Jew (yes a Pagan and a Jew, it is possible--religious freedom, you know!), I am mindful of the idea that religious zealots preach hate and not love. They preach dogma versus a personal realtionship with the Divine. They see those people who think differently than themselves, as being a danger to the whole world and should, therefore, be destroyed. The only people who are threatening religious freedom in this country are those who preach intolerance and hate. Being fundimentally against all fundimentalists, I believe that religoius zealots should be sent back to where they came from. Oh, yeah. They come from here and there and everywhere. So, I guess we'll just have to let them live in peace, which is a whole lot more than they wish for us. I wonder what Jesus, who taught to love unconditionally and to never judge others lest they be judged themselves, would think of this crap today? Shalom...

"White House invokes privilege in spy cases": What kind of crap it this anyway?

drumfest — Sat, 27 May 2006 23:11:30 GMT

Excuse me folks, but really. NSA spies on US citizens' private phone conversations. Recently, the Justice Department had to drop an investigation into allegied illegal wrongdoing on the part of the NSA, because the NSA would not issue the Justice Department the necessary security clearances to examine thetop secret evidence. Now, we have the former NSA Director, the man responsible for overseeing this alleged illegal wiretapping program, as the new CIA Director. Finally, from the Associated Press (David Caruso, AP Writer): "The Bush administration has asked federal judges in New York and Michigan to dismiss a pair of lawsuits filed over the National Security Agency's domestic eavesdropping program, saying litigating them would jeopardize state secrets." "Justice Department attorneys said in their legal brief that the legality of the president's actions could only be properly judged by understanding "the specific threat facing the nation and the particular actions taken by the president to meet that threat." "That understanding is not possible without revealing to the very adversaries we are trying to defeat what we know about them and how we are proceeding to stop them." I agree with the comments of "...Shayana Kadidal, an attorney for the Center for Constitutional Rights, (he) called the administration's motion "undemocratic. Ample safeguards could be put in place to allow the case to continue without disclosing classified information, he said. The center has also argued that the court already has enough information to decide whether the program was legal." "The Bush administration is trying to crush a very strong case against domestic spying without any evidence or argument," Kadidal said in a written statement. "Can the president tell the courts which cases they can rule on? If so, the courts will never be able to hold the president accountable for breaking the law." I must be crazy, but I really thought that we were the good guys. THE ENDS CAN NOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS!!! No weapons of mass destruction. Poor stewardship of prisoners, to the point of torture and complete disregard to basic human rights. Making sure the "Good Ole Boys Club" gets a huge share of the kingdom's treasury before leaving town. Making sure that it's legal to destroy people's lives, with having to be accountable. Appointing judges and then asking them to dismiss lawsuits so that they are never accountable. Keeping everything so secret that once the truth gets out, nobody will care, or at least those that do won't have the ability to do anything about it because they won't be able to get the appropriate security clearance to prove their case. Look how we are still paying for it centuries later. The Native American and African-American communities whose histories are filled with total disregard to their basic human rights, without the benefit of due process. We look back and tell ourselves that we feel bads about that, but we weren't there so it doesn't have anything to do with us. Really? I know people who think that way, but I guess that I am to much of an idealist. I look at our most recent history, WWII, when America came together to face the evil that was plaguing the planet. They came together. They were a can do people. Today we teach our children what to think, at the complete loss of teachingthem how to think. We place the mighty dollar above all things and "to the devil" to anyone who tries to get people to look at things from a different point of view. Just like in "River City", "...there's a new pool hall in town..." and the local bully has a lot of powerful friends. The VP shoots someone and it's fodder for the pundits, soundbite masters and the late-night shows. However, if a black or latino were to have been in exactly the same situation, but on the streets...SWAT would be called and all hell would break loose. And, oh yeah...Leno would never hear about it. There ya go. The soapbox is yours.

Daveed 2006 Touring Schedule

drumfest — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 22:04:11 GMT

With my departure looming closer and closer, I wanted to let folks know that I might be coming to a town near you soon, especially if you live west of the Mississippi (the Big Muddy). However, I am also including dates eastward, as well from mid-Mar through June. Below is my tentative schedule. If anyone is interested in getting together to play or wishes details regarding my workshops, perhaps a private lesson or hafla in their local area, I will have some flexibility in my travel plans to make detours along the way. Jan 18 - 22................Los Angeles (NAMM Show) Jan 22 - Feb 7...........SF Bay area & Monterey CA Feb 8 - 14.................Phoenix AZ Feb 14 - 20...............Estrella (SCA event outside Phoenix) Feb 20 - 25...............Tucson AZ Feb 26 - Mar 4..........Albuquerque NM Mar 7 & 8.................Chicago Mar 10 - 12..............Columbus OH Mar 13.....................Carolinas April........................Carolinas, Florida May.........................Washington DC June........................DID (Sherman VA), Free Spirit Gathering (MD), & IL June 23-25...............Tribal Revolution - Chicago (Blue Lotus Tribe) July.........................NY, IL, PA Aug.........................Pennsic (PA) Well folks, that's it so far. I'll be posting links to sites with more details regarding specific events as the trip progresses. Please feel free to contact me at anytime. It is my wish to meet and play with as many tribe members as possible. A small piece of magic that I will be sharing with folks on the road is my new DVD/CD project, "Whirlwinds-the tao te drum sessions". This is not your typical instructional experience. Four grand music and dance sets, complete with detailed instruction on how to play the central rhythms for each set. The rhythms covered include: Chaka.....6/8 Slow Turkish Five.....5/8 Fast Turkish Five.....5/4 Samai.....10/8 Beladi.....4/4 Moroccan 6/8 Persian 6/8 Single Stroke Roll Riz (thumbs w/middle or ring fingers) Later this spring I will be releasing a new CD project with Turku violinist, Farzad. The current working title is "Hafiz". In addition, I am working on a new edit of my "Tao Te Drum" video. Along with new footage still to be shot, my goal is to have the "Tao Te Drum" DVD completed by fall. 2006 is going to be an exciting and busy year. I look forward to all of the amazing creative possibilities that are ahead of me as I embark on this new leg of my continuning travels. Alechem Shalom...Daveed

New Pics from a magical reality

drumfest — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 22:20:15 GMT

It began with the planting of seeds into the fertile minds and spirits of many creative souls. Now it is time to begin the process of tending to the rhythmical seedlings. In a very short period of time, fruit will begin to burst forth. It takes patience and a careful eye (and ear) to the insure that the mix is just right. The synchronicity of dance with drums often times creates a singular expression of fluid rhythm. There are new pics up on My Tribe page. Check em' out. Each one holds it's own unique rhythm.

Percussive Arts Society Int'l Con-Columbus OH Nov 2-5

drumfest — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 21:21:03 GMT

Daveed Here! I am planning on being in Columbus OH for the 2005 PASIC (Percussive Arts Soc. Int'l Conv.) Mid-East Mfg is going to be hosting me so that I get to show off my new drum design that they are marketing. It is also my intention to plan a halfa for during the convention. There are going to be some of the most amazing drummers present at the convention. I hope to invite a number of them to join me in making some fun music. With this all said, I need help. I am looking for a venue, dancers, musicians and other folks who can help me make this happen. Mid-East is going to be the main corporate host. They are going to promote it during the convention. Please let me know if there are any people out there who might be willing to help. I would also be willing to teach a workshop during the afternoon before the hafla. Shalom...

TURKU donating CD Profits to Disaster Relief

drumfest — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 21:04:56 GMT

My Friends... This is a announcement from Turku that I feel is worth everyone checking out. Thanks....Daveed Turku & friends, Turku has made the decision to donate all profits from sales of Turku's cds through our major independent distributor, CD Baby. Until further notice CD Baby will donate $8.97 from each Turku CD they sell to the American Red Cross Distaster Relief Fund. Hundreds of artists are banding together to donate their profits and together we can make a difference to relieve some suffering in this disaster. You may access Turku's cds on CD Baby at the following links: http://cdbaby.com/cd/turku3 http://cdbaby.com/cd/turku2 http://cdbaby.com/cd/turku1 Ted Monnich Turku www.TurkuMusic.com