<I>Photo by LeeAnn Neal</I><BR>Ginny Salkowski leads the Tsunami Drummers in a performance at one of Manzanita's summer art walks.

MANZANITA – Two years after the Tsunami Drummers crashed onto the North Coast music scene, their leader is prepared to take on a new batch of students.

Beginning in March, Ginny Salkowski, drumming teacher and Manzanita resident, will offer a two-month beginners’ djembe and djun djun hand percussion course. The class is designed for those “who want to learn the rhythms and songs of West Africa,” she said.

The djembe (pronounced JEM-bay) originated with the Malinke people of Guinea and Mali, in West Africa. It is a goblet-shaped instrument covered in highly pitched goatskin, capable of emitting a variety of tones.

Salkowski, a djembe player for more than 10 years, has led her current students – known collectively as the Tsunami Drummers – in performances at a number of local events, including Manzanita’s summer art walks. Students in the existing class “have progressed past the point of beginners and are ready to tackle new challenges such as solo originals, performance dynamics and new styles of percussion,” she said.

“It’s hard to give enough energy to new folks within the intermediate class, so I decided to renew the cycle once again at the beginning – with new rhythms and songs for the drummer just starting out.”

Those planning to attend the beginners’ course will need to bring a djembe. Salkowski, who owns It’s Only Fair, in Manzanita, can order a Ghanaian fair trade djembe with a bag and strap for $250. Or “there are a few djembes in the community that can be loaned out if you want to try it out and see if you like it,” she said.

The eight-lesson course will cost $80 to $150 on a sliding scale. Students may pay $15 per class on a class-by-class basis.

Lessons are slated for 6 to 7:30 p.m., Fridays, beginning March 2, in Manzanita. The exact location will be announced later. “The course may continue on past April, depending on the availability and interest of students,” Salkowski said. “All are welcome to join, get rhythm and have fun.”

For more information, contact Salkowski at (503) 368-3044 or (fairtradediva@nehalemtel.net)