Tori on the djembe

Some of the time here on the island spontaneous occurrences present themselves. One night, my friend Terry Kingen was visiting me with his daughter, Tori, and she spotted my drums lined up along the wall. Being very curious about this, she asked to hear what they sounded like. What came from that was about 3 hours of a wild drumming jam session!

Tori had never drummed before in her life, and it was so amazing as she began to play and the rhythm touched her heart. Her hands began to move and she picked up every single rhythm we played that night perfectly!

Terry was laying down the basic beat, holding the steady foundation, as I ripped it up a bit and helped Tori focus on the rhythms. Another friend of ours from the island was playing along as well. It was so fun to feel the vibration in the walls of the house, and see the joy on the faces of not only those of us who are playing, but Terry who was watching his daughter coming to such joy.

Magic Desserts Complement The Rhythm of the Drum

Drumming jam session at Toby's Hawaii house

Another joyful experience of this evening was the  unexpected visit by my friend Danny Hashimoto. Danny had been on an outing to the beach and stopped by the house on his way home . . . once again loaded with his magic desserts and sweet delights!

I will say it was also a bit distracting watching Danny pull these amazing treats from his cooler setting them beautifully on the counter awaiting our consumption. But we drummed on, laughing, smiling, getting into the rhythm of the drum, the rhythm of community, and the rhythm of the island. The drumming continued until everyone’s hands were so sore they couldn’t feel their fingers. There was so much laughter and fun.

Kauai: The Island that Creates Community

One of the things that the island does is creates community. People come together, and even if they have never met each other, they become instant friends. In the same way that the island welcomes everybody to its magic, that magic seems to draw everyone to each other. And the spontaneous merging of energy occurs. Family occurs, community occurs.

Danny Hashimoto and Toby Christensen

One of my dear friends, Malidoma Somé, from Burkina Faso, West Africa, talks often about how people in the village will spontaneously unite, just to enjoy each other and bring the rhythm of the drum or the song of the voice or the sound of the Balaphone to the people in the village. It is wonderful to experience these kinds of spontaneous events in a world where most things are planned and organized. I want to especially thank Danny for bringing his magic to our party and making a fun, spectacular time even more dynamic and spectacular!

I hope that next summer many of you are here on the island for the workshops that I will be offering so that you, too, can experience the magic of the island, the spontaneity of community, and the true feeling of aloha!

Stay tuned for more adventures throughout my visit to Kauai!

One of the kindest and most amazing people on the planet is Sam Bonanno at Larry’s Music in Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii. I met Sam a couple of years ago while visiting the island. Although a drummer by trade, I have had a passion for guitars and was feeling the call of the ukulele. When I walked into Sam’s store, the energy of Aloha was present–the energy of unconditional love, welcoming, and home. We talked and fooled around with some ukes. It was awesome. Sam’s enthusiasm and knowledge was infectious. I walked out of the store with a very nice instrument.

I visited the store several more times that trip and was blessed with Sam’s willingness to sit with me and teach me how to play! What a guy! I visit Same several times on each visit to Kauai. What a joy!

I am now the proud owner of a beautiful Kamaka Ukulele and I play it every day that I am home. While jamming with Sam one afternoon, he began to play a beautiful rendition of “I’ll Be There” by Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5. I’d like to share it with you. And if you ever go to Kauai, Larry’s Music is a MUST!!! Go meet Sam and buy a uke! In the words of George Harrison, “Everybody should have a uke. You cannot play the ukulele and not be happy.” So ENJOY!