O G A D E

For 2007, we're winding up the busiest year in OGADE history. Since we began in 1995, we have always made public appearances, but they have increased in number from maybe half a dozen in a year to easily six times that. In that time, our numbers (regular attendance) usually fluctuated between ca. 5 - 6 and 7 - 8. We now often number 10 or more for many gigs and weekly sessions. As a group, we've arrived at some important milestones this year. We opened a bank account and are saving toward a selection of decent amplification equipment. We've upgraded our website drastically, with the help of some nice recordings/pictures from Marcia, Kat, Larry, Bill, and Jo. We've experienced our first full year of activities in the new drum barn, and our first-ever semester of Friday sessions, to accommodate class scheduling. Individual members have been making notable strides, too. Jo has taken the website to a whole new level and does a lot in addition to keep communications flowing. Bill has added many tunes to his balaphone repertoire while developing his unique choreography. Hannah has also been a choreographic innovator on the standing dundun set, and brings much enthusiasm (and sometimes Ray) to the thumper rhythms. Kim, Ben, and Larry have been finding new contacts at Miami to bring our talents to the campus and new talents from campus to us. Patti has expanded our outreach to a wider community in Hamilton County. Kim remains our direct link to Africa, bringing back souvenir items and tales of adventure. Paul and Lew are zooming ahead in their acquisition of rhythms, learning guides, and instruments. Marcia, Patti, Pete, Paul, and Lew made it to the Sogbety Diomande weekend workshop in August, and Lew and Pete took in the Raquy Danziger doumbek workshop last month. Lew, Marcia and Pete have been busy making and repairing drums and mallets, while Larry, Bill, and Mary are doing much the same in the gourd instrument department (including balaphone). Mary stormed back from her year-long medical layoff. Marcia became our account treasurer and provided numerous behind-the-scenes services to the smooth operations of our organization. Jessi, Kat, and Patti added a colorful West African dance to our growing repertoire, not to mention the Middle Eastern flair that Jan and the Circle of Rhianon brought our way. I'm certain to have overlooked many other fine individual accomplishments and contributions. We look forward to a 2008 full of excitement and new discoveries. -- Pete Carels