672. Muhtadi International Drumming Festival – June 4 & 5, 2016

The beat of a drum, the rumble of many drums – has become more prevalent, more loved in Toronto in recent years.

Toronto’s wonderful drum culture started with our First Nations residents. It was discouraged at first and then suppressed during the Residential Schools period, but the “heart-beat of Mother Earth” resounds proudly now with every Pow Wow, and you can hear it every Thursday evening at the Native Canadian Centre on Spadina Road.

Our immigrants have also contributed to the prevalence of drumming in Toronto: the Brazilian rhythms of the Samba Squad, the delicate waist drums of China, the sweet infectious sounds of Caribbean steel drums. Harbourfront Centre’s drum classes are popular. The drums at our Hindu Tamil temples are positively thrilling. Afrofest with its drums are a huge attraction.

Drums are of course the focus of the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival which will be at Woodbine Park, June 4 and 5.