Anansi Beat

This is a review for the drumming classes and the African dance classes.
I’ve only taken one of each, so I can’t speak to consistency, but my limited experience was great! His was the very first drumming class I’ve ever taken, and the first African dance routine I’ve ever learned as well. Both were really difficult, but all of us were able to do it in the end (although a couple bowed out when it got too mentally taxing).
I had the good fortune to take both classes with over four or five people, so we really got to make some complex, amazing music with each person doing just a simple, repetitive rhythm.
He teaches in a repeat-​after-​me style, first introducing the most basic rhythms or movements, and then slowly adding more and more to increase the complexity. Usually, you start by speaking the rhythms, or clapping them. Weird if you’re not used to it, but REALLY helpful when you get lost: you can just vocalize to find your spot again. It’s not typical of many American teaching methods, so students expecting something different may feel frustrated at first. Stick with it! He’ll just keep you working at it, over and over, until he sees that you get it, and/​or it’s time to move on.
As the other reviews have indicated, this guy is also really fun and interesting. He’s been playing and dancing since he was a little kid, with professional performances around the world. Super cool guy — we are lucky he loves it in Portland so much.

what a great affordable drum store. and what a great man behind the counter. lovely conversation and I bought some goodness. very fun. see you next visit.

Nice collection of hand made drums, instruments, and imported
figurines. Loved the fabrics. Nice Reggae CD selection & Bob Marley
T Shirts. African Dance classes sounds fun. Ya man