African Drumming with Drum Mania in Gardens, Western Cape

The only interactive show in Cape Town dedicated purely to drumming! This exciting activity runs every Wednesday from 20h30 to 22h30 (doors open at 20h00). The Drum Mania band opens with a short performance of a simple rhythm and most people join in! Newcomers are then shown the basic technique of playing djembe including good seating posture. The more experienced players attending use this time to warm-up their hands or they just relax at the bar with a beer!

The first session is quite “instructional” and lasts about 40 minutes. After a short break the real deal commences and the facilitation becomes “on the run”. This means that the group is divided into smaller groups and are shown how to play interlocking cross-rhythms and even some simple solo pieces, all supported by the Drum Mania band. The facilitators come off stage and mingle with the group to make it a personal interactive experience. The advanced players are encouraged to do their own solos and are shown more complex parts, all on the run. Within an hour everyone is perspiring good African drumming sweat and we take a break!

The last set is usually about 30 minutes and is called a “foliba” (West African for jam session). The band guides everyone with a simple rhythm and then they are encouraged to add to this making any rhythm in time to the bass drum. The jam increases in tempo with the Master drummers on stage doing exhilarating solos and performance and advanced drummers joining in until eventually it is so fast that it becomes a “rumble”. The beat is so enthralling that very often people jump up and start dancing!

The great thing about this event is that it is suitable for all levels from “beginners” to advanced players and is also a great showcase of African talent for tourists and locals.

The Tafelberg has a separate restaurant facility and a full bar. It is advisable to book your meals in advance, especially for larger groups.