Drum up interest in an African beat

LOCAL resident Federico Martinengo is excited to be drumming up a storm in his home town of Healesville in early May.
Over the weekend of 3-4 May Federico will hold a drumming retreat at the Hermes Institute in Badger Creek Road, Healesville.
Federico is passionate performer and teacher of West African drumming and percussion and believes in the power of the drum for healing and most of all, for fun.
“There is a definite need for more avenues for people to express themselves in a fun way, drumming is infectious, addictive and extremely therapeutic,” Federico said.
“It also happens to be empowering and strengthening, both physically and mentally.”
Highly talented female drummer and percussionist Simone Lang will join Federico in organising and facilitating the retreat.
Both Federico and Simone have independently travelled to Guinea, Senegal and The Gambia in West Africa to train intensively under some of the world’s finest master drummers.
They have also teamed up to create the fiery traditional West African drumming group Afo.
Afo has just finished recording its record Speak which received funding from the Victoria Rocks grant scheme through Arts Victoria.
Federico said that retreat participants need no prior drumming experience, just a willingness to give it a go and have fun.
For further information contact Federico on 0410 722 541 or Simone on 0431 434 538