World Beats Drum Festival at Canterbury School

March in Northeast Ohio? Many complain that this is their least favorite month, but Canterbury Elementary School will be hosting an event to shake off the winter blahs and welcome spring with a bang.

The World Beats Drum Festival will bring music, art and culture to the Canterbury stage, and is open to the community. Proceeds will support future arts programs at the school. 

The school has hosted a monthly community concert series for the past year. Organizers wanted to create an interactive event that would appeal to families. Co-organizer Gina Gillombardo spoke to a number of percussion groups in developing the series, and thought it would be fun to bring several groups together for one event.

Creating a musical work tour fit with Canterbury’s goals as an International Baccalaureate candidate school and a Fine Arts Pathway school, Gillombardo said.

Adam Kukuk of Deep Grooves, and also a Canterbury parent, helped plan and organize the event. “He brings experience in leading interactive drum activities for all ages, and we’re thrilled to have him involved,” Gillombardo said.

The event is intended to be hands-on and will include a drum-building workshop, a percussion instrument ‘petting zoo’ and a drum circle during the first part of the evening. Performances by a range of percussion groups will follow, as will a final jam session, to include musicians and audience members.

The World Beats Drum Festival will be held at Canterbury Elementary School, on March 28, 6–8:30 p.m. Tickets, $5 for adults and $3 for children, will be sold at the door. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.