June 23 - 27
The 10th Annual Boulder River Rhythm Retreat
Drum Brothers - Central Montana
South of Big Timber, Montana

Camp Mimanagish south of Big Timber, Montana

We’d like to invite you to join Drum Brothers and friends for this special 5 day retreat. Our time together will include rhythm classes in the West African tradition, song circles, the option to build a drum, and African dance classes. Each evening we’ll gather for a community rhythm circle and in the mornings, we'll be treated to a musical wakeup. Here's a sample: Morning Flute. Instructors for the event will be Matthew Marsolek and Lawrence Duncan of Drum Brothers, and Chet Leach of the Rhythms drum and dance community in Bozeman. For our special Friday Evening of Quiet Rhythm and Melody (Now in its fouth year), dance teacher and artist, Tracy Topp, will be offering beautiful henna designs for those interested. She’ll also be available for henna body-art throughout the week.

All ability levels are welcome at this event. “If you have a heart beat, you have rhythm”. The drums call us to come together and celebrate this life and all we’ve been given. There’s nothing like having 5 days to enjoy the company of new friends and to take the rhythms deeper than ever. This is a time to get recharged with rhythm and community!

Participants can register either for rhythm exploration (which includes hand drumming classes for all levels and dance and movement classes) or drum building. Those who choose to build a drum will be making a 12"x 24" ashiko drum with a cedar or hardwood shell and a goat skin head. These dynamic hand drums are perfect to play the variety of West African rhythms Drum Brothers teach. Drum building registrants will attend the regular class schedule when not assembling their drum.

We’ll be staying at beautiful Camp Mimanagish on the Boulder River. The water will be high this time of year and in the evening you’ll hear the rumbling of the rocks rolling on the river bottom! Weather permitting; we'll meet outside as much as we can. Of course, as with all of our retreats, we'll be fed tasty gourmet cuisine prepared by our favorite chef, Darry Stearns. There will also be free time to enjoy the pristine scenery of the area. For lodging, participants will be bunking together in the many cabins available at Camp Mimanagish. There will be separate men's and woman's cabins and designated space for couples and families.

Choose one of three options:
• Rhythm exploration (includes drum and dance classes for all levels)
• Drum Building cedar Ashiko drum
• Drum Building hardwood Ashiko drum
(Drum Builders will attend all the rhythm and dance classes when not assembling their drums.)
Click here to visit the on-line registration page: Boulder Retreat
Would you prefer to mail in your registration? Here's a Printable Registration Form.
Scholarship Fund: If you're able, please consider donating any amount, large or small. These monies will be used to cover food and lodging costs for scholarship recipients.
Special offer! If you bring a friend or relative along with you to their first Drum Brothers Retreat, you'll receive 10% off on your registration fee! Just include their name on the registration form, and when they register, we'll give you the discount! Only one discount available per person.
Difficulties? We know what the economic climate is like these days. If you’re having financial or scheduling problems, please contact us to talk about other options. There may be some scholarships available. And while we do recommend that people attend the full event for the best possible experience, we can offer 3 or 4 day participation to those who cannot come otherwise. More thoughts on the matter: For some weekend events, it feels like you’re just getting settled in and then you have to leave. But with the Boulder Retreat, we’ve found that the instruction, music making, and community connection build and deepen greatly over the course of 5 days. Participants have the opportunity to settle in and truly “retreat”. We want to balance this ideal with the desire to serve the needs of our circle. We know what it takes to get away. And sometimes a sip of spring water is as good as a plunge in the creek!

August 13 - 15
Montana Outdoor Rhythm Retreat
Drum Brothers - Western Montana
Montanaqua Sanctuary [80 acres bordering the Flathead National Forest], near Kila

For the 9th year running, Drum Brothers and a circle of rhythmists and drum-makers will gather outdoors in Montana forest lands for a weekend retreat celebrating rhythm, community, and glorious summertime in Montana. Drums were made to be played outside; our bodies, to dance on the earth; our voices, to lift melody and song into the sky. Whether you're just beginning to explore the drum, or you're already a seasoned practitioner, join us as we camp together and celebrate through music this season of heat, light, and nature's beauty. Click the link below for more information!