Drumming for Wellbeing in July.
Shamha at Stockwell Community Centre throughout July. Everybody welcome.
There are many African drum styles and rhythms from across the African Continent.
Some are for dancing, incredibly complex and take many years to learn and understand.
Other rhythms are ceremonial or spiritual, intended to provoke feelings of excitement and transcendence, or of peace, healing and harmony.
Shamha Vibration use rhythms from North and West Africa, rhythms which are quite easy to learn in a short space of time, so that our workshops are mainly spent playing the rhythms, breathing deeply and feeling the flow of energy through the body, the good vibrations, that drumming together in a circle can produce.
People say that they feel ‘lighter’, ‘happier’, ‘less stressed’, after one of our 'Drumming for Wellbeing' sessions.
Some are for dancing, incredibly complex and take many years to learn and understand.
Other rhythms are ceremonial or spiritual, intended to provoke feelings of excitement and transcendence, or of peace, healing and harmony.
Shamha Vibration use rhythms from North and West Africa, rhythms which are quite easy to learn in a short space of time, so that our workshops are mainly spent playing the rhythms, breathing deeply and feeling the flow of energy through the body, the good vibrations, that drumming together in a circle can produce.
People say that they feel ‘lighter’, ‘happier’, ‘less stressed’, after one of our 'Drumming for Wellbeing' sessions.
Djina at Benjamin Zephania memorial event.
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Henri GaoBi and Pete at Benjamin Zephania memorial event, Brixton library.
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Qian Zephania and family friend Sheba at Benjamin event, Brixton.
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Midsummer Drummer.
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Summer So Far With Shamha.
Djina and Pete have been continuing their weekly 'Drumming for Wellbeing' sessions at Stockwell Centre, along with appearances with Henri GaoBi at the Benjamin Zephania 'Legacy' event at Brixton library and two days of fun drumming in the sunshine at Lambeth Country Show 2025. Come along to more events this Summer, everybody welcome.
Remembering Benjamin Zephania.
Shamha will be drumming at a special event at Brixton Library, as part of their 2025 Literary Festival, to discuss the legacy of Benjamin, along with poets and musicians who have been inspired by his life's work.
Summer Drumming in June.
The Summer starts in Brixton in June, with a month of Drumming for Wellbeing and a weekend of drumming fun at The Lambeth Country Show. Come along. Everybody welcome.
Always Drumming, Always Welcome.
Spring Sessions with Shamha.
We're having some lovely weather and it's a great time to come along to our Friday drumming sessions.
Drumming Sessions March.
Fab Feb with Shamha.
Let's Go in 2025.
Come along to Shamha's weekly Drumming for Community Wellbeing sessions this new year, part of our Community Music programme which encourages people to engage in creative Community activities to improve their wellbeing. This programme has been recognized by the Guildhall School of Music as part of their international ‘Music For Social Impact’ project. Everybody welcome. Drumming for Wellbeing is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, contributing to UK culture and arts for 30 years.
Communal Drumming Circle in South London in December.
Everybody welcome.
Warm up this November.
It's October Already.
September at Stockwell.
Drumming for Wellbeing will be happening at Stockwell Community Centre every Friday during September. Come along for some uplifting fun and connection.
Sessions in August.
During August, Shamha will be at St Vincent's Centre, a cultural and social venue in the heart of Brixton for our weekly drumming for wellbeing sessions. Come along, everybody welcome. Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, these sessions are free to attend.
Summer in London, so far.
It's been hot and sunny some days, wet and windy other days but the drumming goes on. The Summer so far with the Shamha Vibration Community.
July in the Park.
Getting outdoors in the Summer feels good and you can come along to the Roundhouse in Myatt's Fields Park Brixton every Friday in July for our fun, interactive and uplifting drumming sessions. Everybody welcome.
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Community Drumming in June.
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Come along to our drumming sessions this month and enjoy the health benefits, which include - improved cognitive function, increasing blood flow to the brain and promoting neural connectivity; helping to lower stress hormones like cortisol and increase the production of endorphins, the body's natural mood lifters; aerobic exercise that can help improve cardiovascular health and burn calories; providing a sense of community and help build relationships through shared musical experience and the rhythmic nature of drumming can lead to a meditative state, fostering mindfulness and reducing anxiety. Yes, everybody is welcome to our sessions.
Also this month, it's the 50th Anniversary of the Lambeth Country Show, London's favourite Summer festival and Shamha Vibration will be holding our Drumming for Wellbeing workshops on Saturday and Sunday, so why not be there for this wonderful weekend of culture and fun. |
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Young Vic Theatre Mayfest 2024.
Shamha were invited to appear at the Young Vic Theatre in London for this year's Mayfest Variety Night.
Djina, Pete and Master Drummer Henri GaoBi gave a sensational performance of traditional African drumming which had the audience on their feet, dancing, clapping and cheering with excitement. Thanks to all the Cast and Crew at the Young Vic.
Djina, Pete and Master Drummer Henri GaoBi gave a sensational performance of traditional African drumming which had the audience on their feet, dancing, clapping and cheering with excitement. Thanks to all the Cast and Crew at the Young Vic.
Djina Jones, Henri GaoBi and Pete Phillips at the Young Vic.
Djina, Henri and Pete with the amazing and talented Company at the Young Vic Theatre Mayfest 2024.
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New Season of Community Drumming.
Thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund, Shamha's free to attend Community Drumming for Wellbeing sessions will be continuing from May 2024 throughout the year, as the Community Fund will be funding our project into the future. Everybody welcome.
Get Together in April.
You are welcome to come along to our free to attend Drumming for Wellbeing sessions this month.
Dance to the Drums.
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That Drumming Feeling.
Come along to our Drumming for Wellbeing sessions throughout March.
Everybody welcome.
Everybody welcome.
Happy New Year 2024.
Shamha's Drumming for Community Wellbeing sessions
brought good vibrations to our Community in 2023.
With thanks for continued support from The National Lottery Community Fund.
brought good vibrations to our Community in 2023.
With thanks for continued support from The National Lottery Community Fund.
Drumming in December.
Come along to our warm and uplifting drumming sessions this month, including a festive celebration on 15th December. Everybody welcome.
Brighten Up November.
Shamha's free to attend Drumming for Wellbeing sessions continue at the very warm and welcoming Stockwell Community Centre.
The centre is open every week day for homecooked food and a variety of Community activities. Everybody is welcome.
The centre is open every week day for homecooked food and a variety of Community activities. Everybody is welcome.
Black History Month Events.
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Shamha's performance group 'Shamha Allstars' (Henri GaoBi; Djina Jones; Pete Phillips; Keitou Saydou; Alex Carr and Abraham) were busy in October.
With their amazing and authentic African Drumming and Dance Show, The Allstars headlined the Lambeth Children's BHM Event at Lambeth Town Hall in Brixton. The event was a whole day of performances; talks and presentations for families and children from across the borough. Shamha's Community Concert happened on the 27th October at Stockwell Park Community Centre in South London. The free to attend Community concert also included some delicious North African food, prepared by Djina Jones and Moroccan Kitchen. Everyone had a great time enjoying the food, drumming and dancing. |
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Into October with Shamha.
The warm and welcoming Stockwell Community Centre in South London will be hosting our Drumming for Wellbeing sessions during October.
Including our fantastic Shamha Community Concert on October 27th, featuring a performance by the Shamha Allstars featuring Master Drummer Henri GaoBi,
with a rare chance to see an authentic Zaouli dance performance in the UK.
Including our fantastic Shamha Community Concert on October 27th, featuring a performance by the Shamha Allstars featuring Master Drummer Henri GaoBi,
with a rare chance to see an authentic Zaouli dance performance in the UK.
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September Sessions.
After a month of wonderful drumming sessions in Myatt's Fields park Roundhouse, we'll be back at Stockwell Community Centre throughout September.
Here are some comments from some of our participants during August. 'Fabulous vibrational fun', Sarah. 'Amazing, great fun, can't wait til next time', Kit. 'Awesome time. So much connection and expression', HJ. 'Just cool vibe. I love it', AR.
Here are some comments from some of our participants during August. 'Fabulous vibrational fun', Sarah. 'Amazing, great fun, can't wait til next time', Kit. 'Awesome time. So much connection and expression', HJ. 'Just cool vibe. I love it', AR.
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August in the park.
Shamha are bringing our Drumming for Wellbeing sessions to Brixton's beautiful Myatt's Fields Park every Friday in August. Come along, everybody welcome.
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Summer Drumming.
You are welcome to come along to our Drumming for Community Wellbeing sessions at the warm and welcoming Stockwell Park Centre every Friday in July.
June in Stockwell.
Shamha's new season of Drumming for Community Wellbeing sessions continues throughout June with the wonderful and welcoming Stockwell Community Trust Centre, who are hosting our increasingly popular sessions in this friendly local Community Centre.
On the 10th and 11th of June, Brixton's favourite festival will be happening, The Lambeth Country Show with it's massive variety of performances; workshops; cultural activities; food and amazing atmosphere. Shamha will be appearing at the show on both days, see flyer.
On the 10th and 11th of June, Brixton's favourite festival will be happening, The Lambeth Country Show with it's massive variety of performances; workshops; cultural activities; food and amazing atmosphere. Shamha will be appearing at the show on both days, see flyer.
New season of Drumming for Community Wellbeing.
Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, Shamha's popular Community Wellbeing drumming sessions will be happening again, starting at Stockwell Community Trust in South London during May.
Free to attend, everybody welcome.
Free to attend, everybody welcome.
2023 Update.
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Shamha Vibration CIC and The Guildhall School of Music 2023.
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Shamha were invited to be involved in the ‘Music for Social Impact: future directions for practitioners in the field’ research project by Professor John Sloboda of the Guildhall School of Music in 2020. That research, which involved Community Music organisations from the UK; Finland; Belgium and Columbia, has now been completed and will soon be published by the Guildhall School. Shamha’s ‘Community Drumming for Wellbeing’ sessions were held up as an excellent example of what Community music can achieve when trained musicians work with groups of individuals in pursuit of outcomes which go beyond the purely musical and contribute to the health and wellbeing of those Community members and the Community as a whole. Shamha’s Djina and Pete attended a conference recently at Rich Mix in Bethnal Green, London, with the research team and other participants and enjoyed a day of discussion about the research and our experiences in Community music.
You can find more details of the research here. |
The panel led a discussion about our experiences- Minoti Parikh, Consultant Dance Practitioner with Culture Health and Wellbeing Alliance; Jide Ashimi from Raw Material, Brixton; Victoria Hume from Culture Health and Wellbeing Alliance and Richard Ings from Arts Council England.
Dr Jo Gibson, who is part of the Guildhall research team, had this to say after one of her visits to our Drumming for Wellbeing sessions in Angell Town, Brixton- Thank you Djina and Peter for welcoming me to your drumming for community wellbeing session. It was a wonderful evening of meeting new people - seeing and experiencing the joy of others as they played, danced and listened to the music. Highlights include Mary's dancing and seeing the ripples of the drumming extend beyond the group to passers by - for example, the motorcyclist who beeped their horn to the rhythm, the young family with a baby slow their pram to watch, the children dancing in the background and passers by smiling and clapping. The excellent tuning of the drums and food topped it off. It was wonderful to hear/see the contributions of others ... the girl that spontaneously sang, summed it up nicely with her lyrics:
'That's why we sing, that's why we play, That's why we do it everyday' |
A piece of art made at the conference summing up some of the things we discussed.
Drumming for Community Wellbeing Summer 2022.
Shamha's National Lottery Community Fund award helped us provide
another successful year of Drumming for Community Wellbeing in the
Brixton/Myatt's Fields/Loughborough/Angell Town areas of South London.
another successful year of Drumming for Community Wellbeing in the
Brixton/Myatt's Fields/Loughborough/Angell Town areas of South London.
July in the park with Shamha.
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This month we're going green, with all our drumming for wellbeing sessions in the parks of Brixton.
Myatt's Fields Roundhouse is a perfect place to make good vibrations in the Summertime. And Lambeth Country show is happening in Brockwell Park after being an online festival for the last two years. Let's get together for some drumming in the Show's Arts and Culture Zone. Come along, everybody welcome. |
Thanks to Angell Town.
After some wonderful drumming sessions at Angell Delight Community Centre, we're saying thanks to Angell Town in Brixton. Here are some photos from various sessions with the Angell Town Community.
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Angell Delight.
Shamha's popular weekly drumming sessions continue at Angell Delight Community Centre, Angell Town, Brixton, London. Come along and enjoy some good vibrations. Everybody welcome.
Djina Jones drumming in the sun.
Sarah, Roz, Djina and Mary getting into the groove.
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Jacqui Dyer, Deputy Leader of Lambeth Council, joins Shamha for some good vibrations.
Enjoying some drumming for wellbeing at Angell Town.
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Regular weekly wellbeing sessions return for 2022.
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After more than two years without regular Drumming for Wellbeing sessions, due to the global pandemic, Shamha are pleased to announce that our popular weekly free to attend sessions return, from 14th May, at Angell Town, Brixton. Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. Everybody welcome. Always. Let's get out and about again and get together to make good vibrations. |
Evening Concert in Brixton.
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Shamha Vibration will be appearing at the exciting Festival Of Light on the 27th January 2022 at Myatt's Fields Park in Brixton, celebrating the lengthening days and the approach of Spring and Summer. Also appearing will be the Brixton Chamber Orchestra and opera with Siobhan and Richard.
Shamha's new season of 'Drumming for Wellbeing' funded by the National Lottery Community Fund will be starting soon in Brixton. Check Instagram here and Facebook here for updates. |
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Drumming for Wellbeing 2021.
After more than a year, Shamha's 'Drumming for Wellbeing' sessions are happening again. All are welcome to come along to Myatt's Fields Park in Brixton on Saturday to get together for some good vibrations.
Getting back to drumming.
Our 'Community Drumming for Wellbeing' sessions will be restarting very soon in Brixton, thanks to popular demand and thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund. We very much hope to see you there, now that more people seem happy to get together. Details will follow.
Shamha are also now available to provide African Drumming workshops or performances at your venue or event.
Shamha are also now available to provide African Drumming workshops or performances at your venue or event.
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Successful and popular online virtual event.
The virtual Lambeth Show took place on Saturday and Sunday 17th and 18th July and was a great success, with lots of people watching live and then later online. Shamha's contribution was greatly appreciated as were the many other local participants. Workshops, demonstrations, singalongs, dancalongs and an evening Main Stage section with some superb performances. Thanks to everyone involved. Check it out here.
Djina and Pete with Yassin Bin Doub.
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Shamha's Gnawa set at the Virtual LCS2021.
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Lambeth Country Show 2021.
With many social restrictions still in place because of the Covid pandemic, this year's Lambeth Country Show will once again be happening online, on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th July. Shamha Vibration will be appearing at the Show.
Details to be announced soon.
Details to be announced soon.
World Health Day 2021.
We're looking forward to World Health Day on April 7th, an opportunity to recognise the diffculties people around the World have faced during the last year due to the Covid pandemic, get together and enjoy some beneficial and healthy activity.
You can join Healthwatch Lambeth and Shamha Vibration CIC on Wednesday April 7th for an all day online event for World Health Day 2021. Join in or just enjoy watching from 7am throughout the day until 10pm as a wide variety of experts, practitioners and members of the local Community share their arts and skills.
You can join Healthwatch Lambeth and Shamha Vibration CIC on Wednesday April 7th for an all day online event for World Health Day 2021. Join in or just enjoy watching from 7am throughout the day until 10pm as a wide variety of experts, practitioners and members of the local Community share their arts and skills.
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Shamha Vibration Drumming for Wellbeing project.
We are now at the end of our National Lottery Community Fund project, which has been happening in Brixton since June 2019. We will soon be starting a new Community project which will be announced in the coming weeks. But here Djina and Pete would like to remember what brilliant sessions we had during the project and thank all the participants along with the various venues in Brixton that hosted us, including Azawala Gallery; Angell Delight Community Centre; Myatt's Fields Park Roundhouse and Longfield Hall. Many thanks and looking forward to many more drumming inspired activities.
Situation update.
Many venues and events are reopening and Shamha will soon be starting new 'Drumming for Wellbeing' sessions in the South London area. Myatt's Fields Park in Brixton will be our first location and we look forward to seeing drumming friends there during September. Details to be announced in the coming weeks. We hope you are well and managing during these difficult times for all, especially musicians and performers around the World.
Shamha online event with Gida Live.
Gida Live presents this exciting event on Sunday 21st June. Djina and Pete from Shamha Vibration will be playing drums for some of London's top poets, along with music and art from local artists.
Lambeth Country Show 2020
The annual Country Show in Brixton's Brockwell Park will not be happening this year because of the virus outbreak. However, happily, the Lambeth Show will be doing some online content, including some made specially for the event, like this clip from a performance that took place in Azawala Gallery in Brixton on the 29th February, in which Djina Jones and Pete Phillips from Shamha are joined by Pete Goodall on guitar and Poet Lisa Lore. The event was the opening of an exhibition of paintings by Jamaican artist Jos Peart, at which some of London's finest poets performed work inspired by the paintings. Lisa is reciting her poem 'Chosen', inspired by Jos Peart's painting of the same name.
More information about the online Lambeth Country Show will be posted as soon as dates are confirmed. Watch this space. Best wishes to everyone at this difficult time.
More information about the online Lambeth Country Show will be posted as soon as dates are confirmed. Watch this space. Best wishes to everyone at this difficult time.
'Chosen' by Jos Peart.
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Because of concern
over the current Covid virus and advice from NHS England, Shamha Drumming sessions will not be taking place until further notice. The Shamha Concert at Habesha on the 28th March is also cancelled. We can all still drum at home.
Keep in touch via our Facebook page.
Keep in touch via our Facebook page.
Next Community Wellbeing Sessions.
We're happy to be back at Azawala Gallery for this month's drumming sessions, every Saturday evening, free to attend.
Wish You Were There.
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Here is a clip from the Nakupenda performance at Azawala on Saturday 29th Feb 2020, featuring Lisa Lore and her poem 'Chosen', backed by Shamha drummers Djina Jones and Pete Phillips with Pete Goodall on guitar.
You can visit the Jos Peart exhibition of previously unseen paintings at Azawala Gallery until the end of March. These paintings deserve to be seen. |
Nakupenda Art exhibition by Jos Peart 1923-2008 is on at
Azawala Gallery,
55 Loughborough Road,
Brixton SW9 7TB,
Thurs - Sat 11am - 6pm.
Throughout March 2020.
Tel 07932 850 839.
Jos Peart Exhibition in Brixton, London.
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Shamha Vibration are involved in a new exhibition of paintings by Jamaican artist Jos Peart. Jos lived in Birmingham UK and made a large number of oil paintings inspired by Jamaican and African history. On February 29th 2020 there will be an exhibition of Jos Peart’s paintings at Azawala Gallery in Brixton London, along with performances by local poets including Sheda, Beadyman, Lisa Lore, Lantern Carrier and Spoken Word 2020 winner Uncle Errol, who have all written work inspired by Jos Peart’s paintings. Shamha will be performing with renowned guitarist Pete Goodall and accompanying the poets as they perform. https://en-gb.facebook.com/azawala/ https://en-gb.facebook.com/shamhavibrationcic/ |
Shamha Community Drumming for Wellbeing
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Shamha are welcoming in 2020 with a new series of our weekly Drumming For Wellbeing sessions in South London. Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, our drumming sessions are open to everybody who wants to enjoy the benefits of gathering in a friendly local venue and sitting in a circle playing the drums. These benefits can include excercise; increased brain activity; reduced anxiety, tension and stress and a boost to your immune system. Our Saturday sessions are free to attend so come along and enjoy an uplifting couple of hours on a Saturday evening.
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Shamha in 2019.
Shamha's Djina and Pete with Jah Diafilola
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Drumming session at Azawala Gallery
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We love drumming together
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We've had some wonderful and popular drumming sessions in the past few weeks, with lots of people of all ages coming along and feeling the benefits of drumming together.
We have also had some memorable and exciting performances at our Community Concerts, including spiritual Gnawa musician Yassin Bin Doub and mesmerising drumming and dancing from Cuba Allstars. This month, all our sessions and our Community Concert will be happening at the Roundhouse in Myatt's Fields Park in South London.
All are welcome. See you there for some good vibrations.
We have also had some memorable and exciting performances at our Community Concerts, including spiritual Gnawa musician Yassin Bin Doub and mesmerising drumming and dancing from Cuba Allstars. This month, all our sessions and our Community Concert will be happening at the Roundhouse in Myatt's Fields Park in South London.
All are welcome. See you there for some good vibrations.
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June/July sessions.
Djina and Pete at Angell Delight Community Centre
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Enjoying drumming at Longfield Hall
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Myatt's Fields Roundhouse.
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Longfield Hall.
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Djina at Azawala.
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Drumming at Azawala.
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Shamha at Lambeth Country Show July 2019.
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Shamha Crew Amber, Pete, Djina on bench, Yassin, Martha and Aldo.
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A new Shamha project in South London,
funded by the National Lottery Community Fund,
begins on 21st June 2019 at Angell Town Community Centre in Brixton.
This is the first of our new weekly free drumming sessions
and monthly events taking place in our Community
over the next few months,
offering local people the chance to enjoy drumming together
in a circle at a local venue and feeling the benefits
that drumming can bring.
funded by the National Lottery Community Fund,
begins on 21st June 2019 at Angell Town Community Centre in Brixton.
This is the first of our new weekly free drumming sessions
and monthly events taking place in our Community
over the next few months,
offering local people the chance to enjoy drumming together
in a circle at a local venue and feeling the benefits
that drumming can bring.
Djina Jones and Peter Phillips.
