WAUKESHA – Returning for the second year, the Native American Seven Springs Drum group will perform at noon Thursday, April 3, on the Hub stage in the Commons at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha, 1500 N. University Dr., Waukesha. The program is open to the public at no charge.
The presentation is both social and spiritual. “For us the drum is the heartbeat of Mother Earth,” says Gary Adamson, keeper of the drums for the group. “We use it to express honor, tradition, and good times, and we sing with the drum.”
Seven Springs is comprised of drummers from several nations, including Bad River Ojibwe, Cheyenne, and Choctaw, among others. Twelve in all, the members come together from throughout the community to perform. About six or seven are expected to participate on April 3.
Tribal elders invite members to form drum groups, and their music speaks of the sacredness of friendship, honor, and of spiritual healing.
Lead singer Billy Bob Grahn founded and operates The Red Road House for Living Recovery from alcohol and other drug addictions in Janesville. In the medicine wheel of existence, the Red Road represents one’s life. Upon death, one takes the Blue Road.
After the presentation, the drum members will speak to Janet LaBrie’s English composition class about the drum and its meaning to their nations. The public is welcome to stay for the conversation. |
