Workshops for all levels, communal bonfire jams, plus great vibes!
Come experience a fantastic line up of teachers in a special natural setting.
Please navigate using the tabs below:
Our Spring Retreat offers drum classes with awesome teachers for all levels; beginner, intermediate and advanced!
♪ Teachers
Djembe & Dun: Boubacar Gaye, Mohamed Camara, Simon Fraser & Guests TBA
Dance: Appiah Annan and Jacqui Dreesens
Welcoming: TBC
♪ Drum with Bouba, Moh, Simon and Guests
An excellent opportunity to learn from some of Australia’s best players and teachers.
There will be classes in djembe and dun for all levels, so your playing will be pushed to grow as much as possible across the weekend.
Learning in this environment will do wonders for your drumming: the djembe always repays the time you invest in it. You will be challenged in areas of stamina and retention, as well as the content you tackle. After the weekend is actually when you’ll notice the difference in your playing – your technique will have improved considerably and you’ll find your ear can pick up the polyrhythms more clearly.
♪ Dance with Appiah and Jacqui!
Enjoy fun dance sessions facilitated by Appiah Annan, with live drumming! Whether you have two left feet or were born with rhythm – no prior dance experience is needed.
Our workshops are fun, educational and stimulating for all ages, levels and backgrounds! Definitely for anyone who is looking for a fun way to keep fit as well as enjoy an energising cultural experience!
Jacqui will treat us to a Body Awakening session on Sunday morning and an infectious Hoodie Boodie Dun dance session across the weekend to – so much to enjoy.
♪ Testimonial
“Just wanted to say what a great weekend Crystal and I enjoyed. What a fantastic group of people. Across the board from Masters to Beginners we found everybody to be so pleasant. Also the teachers that I encountered were fantastic. Laura is so amazing at teaching and explaining clearly. We learnt so much from all including yourself. Once again thank you for all you did to make the weekend successful and amazing. Cheers.” – Cliff Strobel
Program
[2025 schedule to be confirmed]
Friday
♪ Arrival: Anytime after 4pm
Casual dinner, followed by an informal bonfire jam – a great warm up to the camp.
Be warned, this jam can go for hours and hours!
Saturday
♪ 9.00am: Registration
♪ 10.00am – 10.45am: Opening Ceremony with special guest Valanga Khoza (South Africa)
♪ 11.00am – 12.30pm:
Beginners Djembe with Mohamed
Intermediate Djembe with Bouba
Advanced Djembe with Bassidi
♪ 12.30pm – 1.45pm: Lunch
♪ 1.45pm – 3.15pm:
Beginners Djembe with Bassidi (technique)
Intermediate Dun with Mohamed
Advanced Djembe with Bouba
♪ 3.30pm – 5.00pm:
Beginners Djembe with Mohamed
Intermediate Djembe with Bouba
Advanced Dun with Bassidi
♪ 5.00pm – 5.30pm: Tea Break
♪ 5.30pm – 6.30pm:
Dance Class with Appiah and live drumming (take your pick!)
♪ 6.30pm – 8.00pm: Dinner
♪ 8.00pm: All-Stars Live show with Dunu Teke & Teachers
♪ 9.00pm: Bonfire Jam
Sunday
♪ 8.00am – 8.45am: Body Awakening Stretching with Jacqui
♪ 9.30am – 10.30am:
Dunun dance “Hoogie Boogie” session with Jacqui
♪ 10.45am – 12.15pm:
Beginners Djembe with Bouba
Intermediate Djembe / Dun with Mohamed
Advanced Djembe with Bassidi
♪ 12.15pm – 1.30pm: Lunch
♪ 1.30pm – 3.00pm:
Beginners Djembe with Mohamed
Intermediate Djembe with Bouba
Advanced Djembe/ Dun with Bassidi
♪ 3.15pm – 4.00pm: Final Group Show/ Jam
Communal Pack up & Leave
** If everyone can help clean up the campsite & kitchen that would be AWESOME!
Location
Completely surrounded by the pristine Great Otway National Park and set in a peaceful valley. You will feel like you have experienced a real getaway, but at an easy 90 minutes out of Melbourne.
♪ Comfortable bunk-style log cabins
♪ Camp sites or campervan parking available (same rate as normal accommodation)
♪ Large communal kitchen with utensils and cutlery
♪ Big performance hall with a fireplace
♪ Bonfire area
Sokil – 90 minutes from Melbourne
425 Breakfast Creek Road
Wensleydale
Melways Ref: 611 C10
http://www.sokil.com.au/location_map.html
Directions
Take the M1 heading West
Bypassing Geelong, this becomes the A1 (Princes Hwy)
Turn Left onto Cape Otway Rd
Continue through Moriac and Modewarre
Turn left at Wensleydale Station Rd. Wurdiboluc Reservoir will be on your right
Continue approximately 7kms, until the road turns to gravel
At the intersection, follow the road straight into the Great Otway National Park (do not turn left here into Gum flats road)
Continue on the gravel road, past Alsop Track
Turn left onto Breakfast Creek Rd (do not turn right onto Hammonds Track)
Continue 3.5km into the valley
Sokil’s gate is on the left – just over the small bridge!
Meet your Teachers
Simon Fraser: Djembe & Dun
Simon has been drumming his heart out all his life. Starting with plastic drum-kits and pots n pans as a kid and then graduating to a drum kit, he’s played many styles of music and found his passion in West African rhythms. Annual trips to West Africa since the mid 1990’s have seen him collaborate with some of the regions’ great percussionists. Simon returns to the region every year in search of new music, running a Tour to Africa. His love and knowledge of rhythm translates to his teaching where he focuses on tapping into your creativity, dexterity, honoring tradition and having fun.
Boubacar Gaye: Djembe & Dun
Bouba first laid his hands on a drum in Senegal at the budding age of 14. Inspired by the musical mentors around him he became a member of the infamous Mama Afrika. Under the guidance of ballet professor Joseph-Raphael Bouschanzl, Bouba’s skills and passion grew quickly and soon he was also a member of the renowned Foret Sacre Ballet. In 1997 Bouba ventured to Europe and then onto Japan where he established himself as a leading African percussionists. With an energy and peace of mind that resonates from deep within – Bouba speaks a thousand words with his drum.
Mohamed Camara: Djembe & Dun
Originally from Guinea, Mohamed’s beautiful nature, infectious smile and skill as a performer has led him to become a favourite among young children and students. He is a wonderful drummer and kora player and can be found performing all over Melbourne.
Appiah Annan: Dance
Appiah is a rare talent originating from Ghana, West Africa. His diverse practice spans many forms of dance including traditional African, contemporary, freestyle, hip hop and acrobatics, along with his impressive skills as a master drummer using both stick and hand drums. Appiah maintains a strong connection to community and devotes a lot of his time to working within a range of sectors including performing and operating workshops for youth, the elderly and disadvantaged. Having studied Community Cultural Development at the Victorian College of the Arts, he aims to use the arts to encourage respect, togetherness and understanding among all members of our diverse society. Join Appiah’s BoomSa class here
Jacqui Dreesens: Dance
Jacqui is a community arts practitioner in choreography, lecturing at Deakin University in Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary Arts Education. She has extensively studied dance styles of the African Diaspora over the past 25 years with a plethora of artists from Caribbean, Cuba, Brazil, Congo, Tanzania, South Africa, Senegal & Ghana.
Jacqui’s company Wild Moves was founded in 1994 and is her dedication to Mother Africa and all the mentors who have shared their cultural wisdom and influences on her own Afro-Surf Coast style.
Valanga Khoza: Welcoming
Valanga is a consummate storyteller and musician, shaping tales of his life into captivating presentations.
Valanga was born in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. He grew up in a traditional setting surrounded by lively singing, drumming and dancing. The Limpopo area is rich in traditional healers, orators and storytellers, highly respected throughout Africa. These were his neighbours. Their nightly ceremonies carried songs and rhythms passed down through thousands of years. Valanga carries these influences through his songs and storytelling.
He is also influenced by his travels throughout the world which were driven by his struggle against racism and his fight for freedom of the black people in South Africa.
Rates
Payment to be made in cash on the weekend.
We are happy to provide a discount for families or large groups – just call or email us for details.
Non-drumming friends and family are very welcome.
Tuition & Saturday Accommodation-$270/$240 (concession)
Friday Night Accommodation- $40
Standard Day Rate-$150/$130 (concession)
Non – Drummers weekend (includes Sat night/ not Friday night)- $140/$120 (concession)
Non Accommodation full weekend (for people staying offsite) -$220/$200 (concession)
** You are welcome to stay on site in your own Van or Camping set. All facilities will be made available to you and standard accommodation pricing applies.
Non – Drummers day-$50
Drum Hire (booking required)-$10
FAQs
What should I bring?
A drum if you have one – otherwise you can hire one for $10
Your own drum stool if preferred, or Sokil has loads of plastic chairs which are also suitable
BYO food/drinks (Sokil has a big commercial kitchen with ovens, microwaves, cutlery, glasses etc)
Shoes to dance in
Sleeping bag / sheets / blanket (A pillow & pillowcase is supplied on each bed)
Warm clothes
Sun Hat
Accommodation
Can I bring a campervan or sleep in my tent?
Yes, you are welcome to do either and make use of all the amenities at Sokil. There are several excellent areas for camping or setting up your vehicle. Pricing is the same for camping/campervan as it is if you are using a bed.
What kind of rooms/bed options are there?
All rooms are bunk bed style rooms. There are 8 rooms with 4 bunks (8 beds).
We can arrange private room for groups of 6 or more, and occasionally family groups (depending on camp numbers)
Generally, we will allocate rooms to you all and keep men/woman and families together.
I’m an absolute beginner, can I come along?
Sure! We welcome beginners and our sessions will suit you. The retreat is a fantastic chance to mingle with those who have been drumming longer while picking up tips from peers.
If I choose to camp, is there power at the camping spots?
There are powered camping spots across the campsite.
Please note, the ones at the upper oval, above the cabins (and near the bathrooms) are not powered.
What’s the address?
Sokil
425 Breakfast Creek Road
Wensleydale
Melways Ref: 611 C10
The Power of African Drumming
In an article written about African Drumming, Dr Dawn Joseph reached fascinating findings when she visited our spring drum retreat in 2019.
This research explores why people came together to share music-making and practice at a drumming retreat, and what they experienced as a recreational group music activity.
Two overarching themes are explored: drumming for leisure and cultural connections.
Dr. Joseph argues West African drumming is a “shared energy” experience which has the power to positively impact participants’ lives as well as fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Here are a few of our favourite points from the article:
♪ African Drumming builds bridges and foster dialogue, allowing for a better understanding of the people, culture and music in Africa.
♪ African Drumming brings a positive effect to participants’ lives.
♪ There is a deep sense of belonging in the drumming community, being part of something intangible and ancient.
Wala means LIFE
Abli, Ago Odai, Seth, Ben will give us a soulful evening show on Saturday night. When the power of percussion meets dazzling vocal harmony in the dance of life.
A dynamic fusion of drumming, dance, percussion and soaring vocal harmonies. Three passionate, exuberant and talented performers present audiences with an exciting display of Ghanaian culture.
Odai
To see Wala’s spirited lead-vocalist Odai perform is to witness a genuine love of expression through song. He has performed as vocalist, flute player and percussionist since the age of 8 and won the prestigious National Cultural Award in Ghana in 1984.
Ago
Is a vital and awe-inspiring master drummer from Nungua in Southern Ghana. He describes his music as ‘soul food’ and it is impossible not to be touched by his passion and impressive talent. To see him perform is to witness a display of invigorating power and vitality.
Abli
Has been playing music for 17 years, joining local Teshie group ‘Gye Nyame’ when he was still in primary school as an apprentice to the master drummer! He honed his talent before joining the ‘Wassa African Ensemble’ and touring with them to Côte d’Ivoire in West Africa, France, and Italy where they featured at festivals in Catania and Canicatti.
Bookings
Please book early to ensure your spot!
Family and group rates are available – just ask us.
