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Children, parents form drum circle at Grissom Library

Families explore drumming

Connie Ralston, a lifelong drum player, had the audience form a circle with parents stationed behind their children and provided about 30 drums for them to explore. Together the crowd played songs of various origins including Cherokee, Nigerian, and Latin.

Children and parents try out various types of drums on July 6 at Grissom Library as part of the Summer Reading Program.

Children and parents had the opportunity to try out many types of drums on July 6 at Virgil I. Grissom Library.

Connie Ralston, a lifelong drum player, had the audience form a circle with parents stationed behind their children and provided about 30 drums for them to explore. Together the crowd played songs of various origins including Cherokee, Nigerian, and Latin. The free event was part of the Newport News Public Library System’s Summer Reading Program.

Using instruments such as congo drums from Latin America, aluminum-bodied and synthetic covered middle eastern drums, African drums, and Native American drums, Ralston spoke, sang, and laughed about her 25 years as a drummer.

She also spoke of the various books and CDs Grissom has to offer.

“Search the word percussion,” she told the captivated drum circle.

The performer also introduced the audience to lightening drums. The small handheld drums consist of a long metallic spring that when shaken against the skinned cover of the instrument create a sound similar to a thunderstorm.

Ralston will also share her drums at 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 13, at Main Street Library and 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 14, at Pearl Bailey (to be held at Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center).

The Summer Reading Program, an annual event, runs through July 31, and participants can sign up anytime. The Summer Reading Program is made possible by the Friends of the Newport News Public Library. For more information, visit http://www.nngov.com/library/resources/srp.

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