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Dhoom Dhamaka Bhangra Beatbox Workshop Participants Wanted

Dhoom Dhamaka Bhangra Beatbox Workshop Participants Wanted

As part of this year’s Dhoom Dhamaka celebration, Readipop will be bringing an afternoon of bhangra inspired beats to the bandstand at Forbury Gardens on Sunday 6 June, 3pm - 4.30pm.

Readipop have been working with dhol drummer Johnny Kalsi from The Dhol Foundation and dholak player and percussionist Bindi Sagoo to create a unique drumming performance that will bring together drummers from Reading’s community samba drumming group Beatroots with the Dhol Foundation for the first time since their legendary WOMAD parade and jam session over 10-years ago.

In the lead up to the performance Johnny, Bindi and Beatroots will be running special workshops for people who want to get involved. 

If you would like to join in the fun contact Readipop via the website at www.readipop .co.uk

Fans of The Dhol Foundation can also see them perform a DJ set featuring tracks from the new album at Play on Saturday 5 June. The DJ set is a cut down version of the live band but still features live drummers alongside a DJ and other band members More info and tickets from playinreading.com

READIPOP is an arts charity that creates community projects and workshops that explore music, sound, image, technology and beyond. Readipop specialises in work with young people. Readipop is based in Reading, UK. We deliver local projects via our host studio, PlugnPlay Studios as well as working across Berkshire and the South of England.

JOHNNY KALSI leads The Dhol Foundation. The Dhol Foundation is now both a dhol drum institute in London and an incredible group playing Bhangra music. The Dhol is a traditional North Indian instrument made from a large wooden shell played with cane on one side and a hard curved stick on the other. Vibrant and loud, the infectious beats rush through the sound of electronica elements together with folk traditions of song and dance of the Punjab. The Dhol Foundation has recently completed recording their new album DRUMSTRUCK in Reading at PlugnPlay Studios and it features some samba beats supplied by Gavin Lombos leader of Beatroots on the track Favela Dog Funk.

BINDI SAGOO has played with such artists as Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, as well as all major bhangra bands in the UK. Currently, Bindi still plays and is a regular member of Alaap, B-Funk, The Dhol Foundation and the Mona Singh band.

BEATROOTS like The Dhol Foundation is another regular WOMAD feature. Their last collaboration was as part of the the SOS All Stars drumming group that opened the LIVE EARTH concerts from Wembley in front of a worldwide TV audience of 55 million or so. One way to take part by is by going along to a Beatroots workshop on a Tuesday evening or by going along to one of their Samba101 beginners workshops. You can find out more at www.beatroots.co.uk

21 April 2010