| OCTOBER 21, 2011 -- It’s drumming for a great cause. On Sunday, Oct. 23 from 3 to 6 p.m, head to the Norfield Grange for a drum circle, proceeds from which will benefit Westonite Randy Brody.
Brody, a musician, had a life-threatening bout with Babesiosis, a tick-borne blood illness, which landed him in the hospital for about a month over the summer. Then Tropical Storm Irene ransacked Connecticut, canceling Drums Around The World, an event on which Brody depended on financially.
So his friends decided to put together a benefit for him. Donations will be accepted at the door there.
“This a drum and dance event and it's totally interactive. Everyone who attends will get to see some great performances of drumming, guitar, and flute—and they will also have the opportunity to play some ethnic hand drums and percussion instruments,” Brody told Patch. “People can bring their own drums or play one the provided drums. There is no experience necessary to join in the drum jams. Of course, you can dance to the rhythms, or just listen. Drum and dance facilitators will be there to guide the audience, when needed.”
Brody said his bout with Babesiosis was very scary because it took a long time to diagnose.
“I didn't know if I was going to make it or not, especially since four different antibiotics were having no effect on the disease. The team of doctors ordered a blood transfusion and that started to help. I had a second blood transfusion two days later, and finally the red blood cells where nearly free of the Babesia parasites,” Brody said.
The team of doctors at Norwalk Hospital was great, he said.
“The infectious disease control department saved my life. And many of my musician friends visited me in the hospital and played music for me. When I was feeling up to it, I played a frame drum in my room, which was very therapeutic,” he said. “Now I'm going through the healing process and slowly getting my life back on track. I am very happy to be alive, and blessed to have so many good friends who supported me during this challenging time.”
There will be drum circle facilitators, drummers and dancers from all over Connecticut and New York at the event, including Mark Zarrillo, Suzanne Tribe, Craig Norton, Virginia Lynn Anderson, Bob Werme, Lydia Smith, Damon Jackson and Sue Armstrong.
Those who can’t attend the event on Sunday can still help Brody out. Email Craig Norton at drumflight@sbcglobal.net for more information. |
