Women's Drum Center

Rhythms of Wellness Event Alert!
Join us for this session on Sept. 12 from 1-3pm to experience Rhythmic Cognitive Restructuring. In this session, Dr. Cindi Glidden-Tracey will introduce the concepts and describe the methods of Rhythmic Restructuring. She will then lead participants through a demonstration covering three types of stress management techniques, all reinforced with percussive activities and polyrhythms. The techniques include mindful breathing, thought stopping with thought replacement, and entraining self-messages with matched cadence on a drum or with hands and feet. Cindi will lead the group in playing hand drums and using body percussion techniques to rhythmically reinforce written and spoken messages designed to focus and calm the person.

$45
Ages 16+
Register on our website.

The fall 2026 Drumline Camp is here!
You'll explore stick drumming using easy, energizing exercise to build skills. This is your opportunity to explore an enriching musical experience in a safe, low-stakes learning environment. Join us for four Wednesdays in September where the focus is on having fun!

Drums are provided and pre-registration is REQUIRED.

Ages 16+.
Workshop is for women and marginalized genders only.
Cost: $80

Event alert! Women's Drum Center at the Minneapolis Music in the Parks at Minnehaha Park.

We're looking forward to being part of the Minneapolis Music in the Parks series on Thursday, August 20th and cannot wait to see y'all there! Search for the official event page from Minneapolis Music and Movies in the Parks on Facebook for all up-to-date event information.

About the show:
You will hear from three of the five performance ensembles from the Women's Drum Center (WDC), each bringing a unique array of sounds, rhythms, and grooves from around the world.

Djembe Diyamu is WDC’s co-ed group, led by Dan. The group performs traditional West African music, paying careful attention to the cultural context and history of the songs. Djembe Diyamu educates and enriches any event with their high-energy performances.

Women Who Groove is WDC’s lively community-based ensemble, led by Bettie. The groovy women enjoy sharing their drumming and songs, measuring their impact through audience members’ smiles. Their repertoire includes West African drum songs, original pieces, and bucket drumming. Women Who Groove also sings several traditional songs that feature drumming and voice.

drumHeart is the WDC’s longest running performance drum ensemble, currently directed by Alexandra and Jo. For over 30 years, drumHeart has delivered powerful drum music for community fundraisers, walks, and runs. They are equally at home at the Orchestra Hall as at the Minnesota State Fair! Their repertoire includes original songs composed for the group, traditional West African music, and Brazilian samba music. Through this variety, drumHeart delivers unique performances that leave audiences energized by world music.

Event alert! The Women's Drum Center will be participating in the August 13th Thursdays in Highland Park Music at Wandering Leaf Brewing Company just next to Sibley Plaza beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Performance ensemble Djembe Diyamu will be leading a dynamic drum circle, open for all ages, genders, backgrounds, and community members before the live music kicks off around 6:30pm. Come experience world percussion for yourself and connect with community for a fun-filled, family-friendly event!

More information available online or check out the Wandering Leaf Brewing and Highland Park Music Facebook event for real-time updates. They'll also posted weather updates by 4.p. the day of the event.

Join us for our August Friday All Gender Drum Circle, led by Dan.
The circle is open to all backgrounds, genders and skill levels. You'll experience an evening of West African rhythms and hand drumming in a fun, dynamic, and exhilarating environment. Register in advance or drop in.

We accept digital payment through our website, Venmo or Paypal. We also accept exact change (we don't usually carry cash on hand) or check made out to the Women's Drum Center.

See you there!

Did you play last week's game? We want to know!
Which instrument will you be trying out next?
How many words can you find?

Good news: The Women's Drum Center offers a variety of classes and workshops to help you take this game offline and into real life at our studio where you can try out new instruments, refine existing skills, and more! You can find all our women-only and all-gender workshops and classes on our website.

It's August 1st and our workshop line up for the next few weeks just dropped. Which class or workshop will we see you at, next?

Note: Some classes and workshops require registration in advance. Review the descriptions on our website for everything you need to know and register today!

Can you believe it's already August? Neither can we!
There's still plenty of time to attend a performance or find an open drum circle with the Women's Drum Center this summer, though. Check out this list and stay tuned for even more events to be added!

Did you know the Women's Drum Center has five groups that provide entertainment for fundraising events, public concerts, and private parties? You'll see a variety of these ensembles at any one of our upcoming shows and events around town. You can also bring drumming to your event by contacting us through our website at womensdrumcenter.org. Performances are high-energy celebrations of world music, perfect for audiences of all ages and backgrounds!

Upcoming Event Alert!
Taikollaborative will bring booming taiko drum energy to the 2026 Tour de Tonka to keep you biking along with gusto.

Stop at the Minnetonka Middle School East location between 8:00-10:30 a.m. to listen or pedal faster as you groove on by - whatever works for you, we can't wait to be part of your day.

Event Alert!
You can catch drumHeart at the St. Anthony Village Fest Parade on Friday, July 31, 2026 beginning at 7pm. Find a spot anywhere along the ~1 mile parade route and keep your ears open for the booming stick drums. We can't wait to see you for this kick-off to the weekend!