Drumming at Tha Myx, Denver, Colorado

From Last Friday to last Sunday I was in Denver, Colorado at a church conference on urban ministry. I brought along my djembe in case there might be opportunity to play. I had two opportunities for public performance. The first chance I had to play was during an "urban plunge" last Saturday. The idea was for a group of us to walk a predetermined route through the city of Denver and observe the sights, sounds, smells and texture of the portion of the city we had been assigned. Our route took us downtown. I brought along my Toca fiberglass djembe, hoping to play and create a spontaneous musical encounter. When we got downtown we took a side route to an open mall area near 16th street. There weren't many people around on on a Sunday afternoon, but I broke out my djembe and began playing downtown. A few people stopped to listen. Some waiting for a horse drawn carriage moved to the beat. Others on the benches nearby listened as I played for about 20 minutes.

The second opportunity to play was at a congregation called "Tha Myx" billed as a hip hop church. I brought my djembe to church, which I've done if I suspect the church is spontaneous and rhythmic. Tha Myx was that kind of church. The pastor, "Age" is a hip hop recording artist. His congregation ministers in a tough part of Denver. The members were predominantly Latino/a. Like the pastor, a number of the members are former gang members and felons. During the week they have a hip hop service.The service I played at was only the 5th service they have held on a Sunday morning. Some of the members belong to the Holy Rollerz Christian Car Club: http://www.myspace.com/464874255

When I came in I asked "Age" if the church would welcome a guest drummer. He said, "Sure" and introduced me to the music director, who led the contemporary praise band. He set a seat for me on stage and I joined in the music during the service. The musicians appreciated what I added to the "mix." I loved playing along with the contemporary Christian praise music, but didn't care much for the conservative theology. I have yet to find a church that has funky, rockin' music and at the same time progressive, prophetic theology. Maybe someday I will find that mythic church.

Links to the articles on Denver experience: http://www.mennoniteusa.org/Home/News/tabid/65/EntryID/132/Default.aspx; http://www.mennoweekly.org/byline/brian-yoder-schlabach/