Djembe Journal » Healing

Chris Berry Workshop in Christchurch

jeff — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:00:52 +0000

African Dance, Drum, and Music workshop with Chris Berry March 27 and 28, 2010

Come learn the healing rhythms, songs, and dances with drums and mbira and storytelling taught by Chris Berry

After 23 years of study, initiation & immersion in African music, Chris Berry has been Given the name Gwenyambira “one whose music calls the spirit”. A distinction reserved only for those who have mastered both the complexity & magic of the music. Now Based in New York & touring regularly with his incredible world fusion dance band PANJEA, Chris, advised by many of Zimbabwe spirit mediums has embarked on an international journey to share the ancient knowledge of Njinji using storytelling music, drum, and dance. It is the hope that people around the globe will become practitioners of this powerful healing art form & use it as a means of strengthening ourselves, our communities & ultimately restoring balance & joy back into our societies

Music, drumming, dance, craft and knowledge will be taught at the Workshop that will be used in the final ceremony on the Sunday evening. The ceremony will be one of cleansing, healing and re-connecting with our deeper selves. The structure of the ceremony will be based around the four elements and directions whose sacredness is shared by many cultures around the world. The emphasis will move from acquiring more dances and rhythms to using music and dance as a catalyst to the sacred.

The people of Zimbabwe use the M’Bira as a way of calling the Ancestral Spirits and Chris uses it as a powerful tool in his storytelling to immerse the listener in the deeply meaningful journey that these stories can take you on.

Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm Yaldhurst Memorial Hall, corner of Yaldhurst and Pound Rd, Christchurch,

Map here for Saturday venue

Sunday, 10 am – 10 pm at North New Brighton War Memorial and Community Centre, 93 Marine Parade, New Brighton

Map here for Sunday venue

COST: $170 Earlybird rate ( $200 After March1st)

Deposit: $80 (non refundable, to confirm your place)

Further information: Ra Mc Rostie 03 434 8224 or mob 021 1154884

or Jeff Duyndam 03 357 2217 or mob 021 02737514

Email: ra@korudance.com jeffduyndam@xtra.co.nz

Website: www.drumtalk.co.nz

I exist right here right now

jeff — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:53:39 +0000

I exist, right here, right now. This is the meaning of the first dance move of Nika, the earth rhythm. We learned this rhythm and three others at the Chris Berry workshop that was held over Easter three months ago.

This 3 day “camp” up in the Coromandel on the North Island of New Zealand was very profound for me. Chris is grounded in the spiritual aspects of African drumming, dance, and song. His teaching style naturally includes the spiritual healing qualities that come from participating in African drum and dance.

I have always felt the powerful energy and joy that comes from African dance and drumming. The Chris Berry retreat focused on the healing aspects that are a big part of African dumming and dance.

here is the song and first dance move to Nika, the earth rhythm

Chris Berry Drum and Dance Camp

jeff — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:18:36 +0000

I’m at a loss for words…

I’m back from an amazing healing experience. Sorry to get “woo woo”, but this is real, this is life at it’s best.

We learned that playing music, dancing, drumming, and singing is for healing and is healing. But to get this deep inside is shocking in a good way. I am appreciating Chris and his gift of music. Thank you!

You can listen to his songs at his website panjeamusic.com

You can also download 10 live mp3 tracks from their shows around the country at the website