On May 11, 2013, the Rhythm! Discovery Center presents interactive drumming programs and offers free admission for all attendees in celebration of the grand opening of the Center’s new exhibit, Drums From the Circle City: The Leedy Drum Company from 1895-1930.

This interactive exhibit explores the rich history of the Indianapolis-based Leedy Drum Manufacturing Company and showcases the importance of percussion and manufacturing in Indianapolis at the turn of the 20^th Century. The beginning of the Leedy Drum Company was a notable chapter in the history of Indianapolis and an integral slice in the history of the music industry, creating many innovations that still drive the drum and percussion industry today.

Rhythm! Discovery Center details the influence of the Leedy Company through archival photos, videos and sound recordings, as well as interactive displays highlighting some of the company’s first catalogs and magazines. A number of Leedy instruments manufactured in Indianapolis will be on display, both from our permanent collection and those generously loaned by the Leedy family and drum historian and Indianapolis resident, Harry Cangany. Drums From the Circle City will be on display until April, 2014.

“We are excited to bring such a relevant exhibit to the city of Indianapolis, which focuses on a snapshot into the city’s diverse musical and industrial history,” stated executive Director Jeff Hartsough. “From this unique perspective, The Leedy exhibit appeals to all ages, musicians and non-musicians alike. We invite the entire community to the Rhythm! Discovery Center to have a fun, educational, and hands on experience.”

The May 11 opening of Rhythm!’s Drums From the Circle City exhibit intersects with the Get Down On It grand opening celebration of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, a world-class urban bike and pedestrian path that connects Indianapolis’ cultural districts. To celebrate both occasions, Rhythm! will feature Indianapolis high school students performing on repurposed percussion instruments on the Trail in front of the Center as well as interactive drum circles inside the museum throughout the day. As an added bonus, admission to the Center will be free for the day so the community may celebrate Indianapolis’ rich history.

The schedule for Saturday, May 11 at the Center is:
10am-5pm: Free admission to Rhythm! Discovery Center
11am-11:45am: Drum circle inside the Center
Noon-12:45pm: Rhythm! repurposed percussion ensemble performance on Cultural Trail in front of the Center
1:30pm-2pm: Rhythm! repurposed percussion ensemble performance on Cultural Trail in front of the Center
4pm-4:30pm: Drum circle inside the Center

Johnny Lee Lane at PASIC 2011

As we approach the final stretch of the 2012-2013, Rhythm! Saturday Programs is pleased to offer some great family friendly options to enjoy with your community. Mark these dates down on your calendar and be ready for some great fun!

February 23: Johnny Lee Lane Drum Circle (Black History Month Presentation)
March 9: Rhythm! Drum Circle
March 23: Children’s Build A Shaker Workshop (limited to 10 spots. Please RSVP)
April 6: Jazz Appreciation Month Celebration with the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation
April 20: Jazz Appreciation Month Celebration with the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation

Rhythm! Drum Circle

The great Rhythm! programming continues this Saturday as Lawrence Clark III arrives to lead an exciting and educational community drum circle. Bring your own drums and hand percussion or just show up and use the instruments supplied by Rhythm! Discovery Center. Lawrence Clark III is an Indianapolis music legend and one of the nicest gentlemen you will ever come across.

The drum circle begins at 11am and is open to all ages and abilities. Come on down to Rhythm! this Saturday, January 26 for a great time with your community and play some music with us!

Spreading the history of Indiana Jazz

Rhythm! Discovery Center and the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation, in association with The NAMM Foundation, present a special discussion and performance on Monday, January 21, 2012 at 11:00am in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. In addition to this great joint program, Rhythm! Discovery Center is offering free admission to the Center from 10am to 5pm on Monday, January 21 to honor the legacy of Indianapolis jazz and Martin Luther King, Jr.

The program, titled The Rhythm of Indiana Avenue, includes a presentation by Indianapolis drummer Lawrence Clark III discussing Indianapolis’ jazz tradition and Indiana Avenue, a mile-long street just northwest of Indianapolis’ Monument Circle once filled with jazz clubs, restaurants, cafes and theaters. Indiana Avenue served as a training ground for Indianapolis jazz masters and some of the greatest musicians in the history of jazz, including Wes Montgomery, J.J. Johnson, Slide Hampton, David Baker and Freddie Hubbard. Following the talk, drummer and Indianapolis Jazz Foundation Hall of Fame member Gene Markiewicz will lead a group in a performance of jazz standards, many written by Indiana composers and musicians.

Invite your family and friends to this special event honoring Indianapolis Jazz and Martin Luther King, Jr. the Rhythm of Indiana Avenue will begin at 11:00am on Monday, January 21, 2012.

Happy Holidays

Rhythm! Discovery Center will be closed December 25, 2012 and January 1, 2013 to celebrate with our families. The Center will be open all other days during the holiday season. We hope to see you at Rhythm! with your families and friends very soon.

Rhythm! Drum Circle

Wow, Thanksgiving week has already been busy here at Rhythm! Discovery Center. So many families have come the the Center to enjoy our special brand of interactive fun. We hope you will join in the fun during the rest of Thanksgiving week. Will will be open regular business hours every day but Thursday, when we will be closed to celebrate with our own family and friends.

For a special treat, stop by the Center on Saturday, November 24 at 11am for an awesome Holiday Drum Circle with the unbelievable Lawrence Clark III. Bring all of your out-of-town guests and show them why USA TODAY listed Rhythm! Discovery Center as a Top 10 Great Place for Hands-On Music Making in the USA! See you this week!

Building Workshop at the Center

October 27, 2012 introduces the Children’s Build-A-Shaker Workshop. Last year’s build-a-drum workshops were so much fun for the kids that we decided to expand the workshops to include shakers.

Bring your child or children to the Center at 11am to design, decorate and build their very own shaker to help them keep the beat.

Please RSVP by contacting Rhythm! as space for the workshop is limited to 10 children.

Drumming at Rhythm!

Head on down to Rhythm! Discovery Center this Saturday, October 13, at 11am for the next installment of theRhythm! Saturday Programs as the Center’s staff leads the Rhythm! Drum Circle. Always a grand time, sit down with your family and jam to the beats of drums and hand-held percussion instruments, learn new rhythms and make new friends during this hour-long drum-filled program. We hope to see you there!

Spreading the history of percussion

After a hiatus during the Summer months, Rhythm! Discovery Center is excited to bring back the Rhythm! Saturday Programs for the 2012-2013 school year. These family-centric programs include exciting drum circles, jazz performances, storytelling with African drumming and educational and interactive drum building and shaker building workshops for kids.  All programs begin at 11am and are free with your admission price. Check out the full program list below and make your plans to be a part of the great Rhythm! Saturday Programs.

Rhythm! Saturday Programs 2012-2013 Schedule

September:
9/14: Lawrence Clark III Drum Circle
9/29: Griot Drum Ensemble (part of Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day Live!)

October:
10/13: Rhythm! Drum Circle
10/27: Children’s Build A Shaker Workshop

November:
11/17: Batesville Middle School Gyil Ensemble
11/24: Rhythm! Drum Circle

December:
12/8: Children’s Build A Drum Workshop
12/15: Joyful Sound Handbell Choir Christmas Program

January:
1/12: Lawrence Clark III Drum Circle
1/21: MLK Day Presentation with Indianapolis Jazz Foundation
              special Monday program with FREE admission to the museum
1/26: Rhythm! Drum Circle

February:
2/9: Children’s Build A Drum Workshop
2/23: Johnny Lee Lane (Black History Month Presentation)

March:
3/9: Rhythm! Drum Circle
3/23: Children’s Build A Shaker Workshop

April:
4/6: Indianapolis Jazz Foundation (Jazz History Month Presentation)
4/20: Indianapolis Jazz Foundation (Jazz History Month Presentation)