Rhythmic Roots:
The Backbeat of Healing, The Heartbeat of a Community

For Immediate Release - 5/25/06

About the Events

DATE: 6 SUNDAYS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER (6/4, 6/18, 7/2, 7/16, 7/30,
8/13)
FIRST EVENT: SUNDAY, JUNE 4TH, 2006
TIME: 5:00 TO 7:00 PM
PLACE: ST. AUGUSTINE CHURCH YARD
                1210 GOV. NICHOLLS ST., NO, LA 70116
EVENT: DRUM CIRCLE
ADMISSION:  FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, some instruments will be
available or you may bring your own drum.

Over the course of six Sundays throughout the Summer of 2006 (June
4th, June 18th, July 2nd, July 16th, July 30th, and August 13th),
Mercy Corps invites all members of the community to join together to
create a series of healing drum circles.  Rhythmic Roots: The
Backbeat of Healing, The Heartbeat of a Community will provide an
opportunity for everyone to commune together in honor of the culture
and people of New Orleans. Each drum circle will feature
professional percussionists with Ken "Afro" Williams leading the
group efforts.  The inclusion of Mardi Gras Indians and brass bands
will highlight the cultural interconnection and organic evolution of
music in New Orleans. 

Rhythmic Roots will bring together pivotal elements of New Orleans
musical culture focused around the pulse of the drum.  The rhythm of
healing will involve the community with a free event reflecting the
spirit and culture of New Orleans. 

The Rhythmic Roots drum circles will be held in the field of the
churchyard of St. Augustine Church in the historical Treme
neighborhood.  St. Augustine provides an ideal venue to inspire a
diverse crowd to experience Rhythmic Roots.

Come out to experience the first Rhythmic Roots on Sunday, June 4th,
2006 featuring Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Backstreet Brass Band
featuring Charles Joseph, and Percussionist Ken "Afro" Williams. 
The Rhythmic Roots: The Backbeat of Healing, The Heartbeat of a
Community series is presented by Mercy Corps.

Produced by Hypersoul, L.L.C.
For additional information and vendor opportunities contact Paige
Patriarca at
Paige@... or (504)301-4600