Master Drummer Frisner Augustin. View his biography at Makandal.org

DATES: Monday, July 11 - Saturday, July 16, 2005 Twice Daily: 9 AM - 11 PM and 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM .

Award-winning Master drummer and percussionist Frisner Augustin will be in New Orleans for a week in July to once again share his expertise with musicians and drummers of all backgrounds and skill levels.

Frisner will hold a workshop from July 11-16 giving drummers and musicians the chance to learn traditional Haitian "roots" rhythms. The focus of this series is on Ceremonial Drumming for Vodou rituals, at which Augustin is considered the best.

In this series of classes, students will not only work on the rhythms themselves, but learn to interface with the Houngan/Mambo (priests), Hounjenikon (choral leader) and the Hounsis (ritual dancers). Rhythms to be taught will include the Yanvalou, Mahi and Zepol - all used in the Rada Rite; Nago, Kongo and Ibo rhythms in addition to drum parts for Djouba, Petwo and Banda. These classes are ensemble workshops, meaning each participant will learn to play individual parts of a larger, more complex multi-drum rhythm.

Maestro Frisner will explore the Drums of Vodou in ten two-hour sessions held at the MISTIC, 2267 St. Claude Ave., the only authentic outdoor Peristyle in the United States. Each class will be held daily, once in the morning and again in the evening to accommodate as many schedules as possible.

The culmination of these lessons will be on Saturday evening, when an authentic Vodou ceremony for the Maitresses (female Spirits of the religion) is held. This is the real deal folks! Students will have the opportunity to sit in with members of La Troupe Makandal and demonstrate what they have learned during the week- coordinating their drumming with the traditional Vodou chants, sung in Haitian Kreyol by members of the Vodou Society. This drum workshop is being held in conjunction with a Vodou dance workshop and dancers will also participate in the ceremony.

Cost and Payment

Each two-hour session is $30, but there are discounts for the entire series. Five sessions are $120, and participation in the Vodou ceremony is at no charge. Please note, class size is limited so register early. A $60 deposit is required to pre-register.

Payment may be made with cash (in person), money order (via mail) or with visa/mastercard at the the time you reserve your space.

You may call the Mistic at (504) 944-5772 to book, or make your advanced reservations online

VODOU DRUM WORKSHOP - Here you can reserve your space for the six day workshop series. Please call the shop to make arrangements for individual sessions or private drum instruction.

Check out our news page for our other scheduled events.

Or read a short article on the history of Haitian Vodou.