Thursday, February 18, 2010

Beating Heart


IMG_1824
Photo & Text Copyright 2009 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.
If you are a fan of hand drumming and percussion traditions from around the world and are visiting Seattle, John''s Music is a place you will want to drop in while you are in town. Located in the the heart of the Wallingford neighborhood and owned by percussion educator John Avinger, John's Music has a 30 year history of carrying a wide variety of hand drums and hand held percussion instruments that will delight and amaze you. John was instrumental in founding the Seattle World Rhytm Festival put on since 1994 by the Seattle World Percussion Society, to be held at Seattle Center April 23-25. In my old neighborhood there were several drum circles and also informal outdoor gathering places where two to ten hand drummers would be slapping the skins together, filling the air with amazing rhythms, learning from each other. I miss hearing that. It is very magical to watch and listen to. Here in Seattle, this shop is the heart of that community. Hey, did you see the film "The Visitor"? It is set in NYC, but carries the magic people new to drumming seem to find.

UPDATE FOR CDPB FRIENDS:  Rejoicing today with the news that our photoblogger friend Amir Sadeghi of Tehran 24 and Tehran Live daily photo blogs has been freed from Evin prison in Tehran.  Amir is free. What a wonderful day this is!

16 comments:

Ming the Merciless said...

Nope, I have not seen the film called, The Visitors. But I distinctively remember receiving my first cassette tape of ABBA's album "The Visitors" as a Christmas gift.

Kim said...

:-)
You are too funny, Conrad!

brattcat said...

Excellent film. And excellent news about Amir. Thank you for letting us know!

dianasfaria.com said...

I loved that movie! & I like this mural too.

PJ said...

I hope they beat the drums and all the pots and pans loudly for him. That's such wonderful news!

Gold Coast College said...

WOw..


I've been wanting my whole life to learn how to play a drum.. But unfortunately, I don't have much time for it..

Luis Gomez said...

Great photo. I am really glad for Amir and for you as well. I am returning from a week of work in Atlanta and just read your post. I know how concerned you were.

Don and Krise said...

What a great shop. I don't know of any other that specialize in the rhythm or drumming aspect.

Congratulations Amir!

Pat said...

A drum roll for Amir!!! --I have seen this shop, but never went in...too loud :) and I'm not a drummer!

Jilly said...

No, haven't seen The Visitor. Not sure I could cope with drumming - I need relaxing music, easy sounds but in fairness, I've not heard it.

Thanks for the great news about Amir. I've mentioned it on both my blogs, Kim, and linked to yours.

Kim said...

Thanks for your kind comments, one and all. Bibi, love the "drum roll" :-). It was so cool to hear of Amir's release. I hope he and his family have no further harassment from the government and that all the bloggers and journalists and other political prisoners are safe and released very, very soon.

I did enjoy the film "The Visitor." It's theme is immigration, isolation and connections. Well acted all around.
-Kim

Oakland Daily Photo said...

Thank you for posting the good news about Amir.

Maya said...

That is great news about Amir. Thanks for keeping us all informed!

Maya said...

Also, I loved that movie!

Janet said...

Great photo of John's Music Store. I know it well. They helped me make contact with the Recorder Society.
Janet

Dina said...

Yes, sound the drums for Amir's release! Thanks for the good news.