About us
Our classes, programs, and events include many drum types and styles of drumming and percussion from around the world along with programs that use the drum for health and healing. Programs are done both at the Center and at other locations that contract with WDC for services. e.g. daycare centers, senior centers, schools, churches.
Upcoming events
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Introduction to the Washboard with Mikkel Beckman
Women's Drum Center, 2242 University Ave W, St Paul, MN, USJoin us for this popular workshop led by Mikkel Beckmen.
Introduction to the Washboard, Saturday, April 18, 6:30-8:30pm
In the U.S., washboards are mostly associated with pre-WWII blues, jazz, jug band and old-timey music. It has been used around the world as a handy percussion instrument by many cultures. Discover why the washboard is the perfect percussive accompaniment instrument for acoustic music!Learn through playing, listening and composing brief percussion pieces.
Washboards provided; please bring your own washboard if you have one.
All gender identities are welcome. Cost $35, age 16+.
Register here: https://womensdrumcenter.org/events-calendar/washboard-workshop-april-2026About the instructor: Mikkel has been playing the washboard live on stage for over 27 years. His washboard sounds have appeared on over 50 albums. He currently performs around 200 shows per year with Ice Horse, Corpse Reviver, Jeff Ray & the Stakes and other Minnesota musicians.
He is the host of the weekly Workers Playtime series at the 331 Club as well as the Acoustic Thursday Happy Hour at the Dubliner. His playing has taken him around the USA & Europe.
Note: Please be prepared to remove your street shoes at the door. You're welcome to bring slippers or non-street shoes to change into upon arrival. We also have a limited supply of clean socks available to borrow. Our no-street shoe policy is designed to protect our new floor for posterity.
Our center is located in the basement of the Dow Building; it is accessed by one flight of stairs.
1 attendee
West African Drumming Level I, All-gender Weekly Drop-in Class
Women's Drum Center, 2242 University Ave W, St Paul, MN, USWest African Drumming Level I, all-gender weekly drop-in class, Sundays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. with Dan Engebretson.
Beginner to advanced beginner-level class, drums provided.
Cost: $15 per participant per class.
This class is structured to teach basic West African rhythms and techniques while building confidence and understanding of the music. Walk-ins are welcome.
Go to https://womensdrumcenter.org/weekly-classes-levels for more information and to register.
Getting there and accessibility:
Please be prepared to remove your street shoes at the door. You're welcome to bring slippers (with a grip) or non-street shoes to change into upon arrival. We also have a limited supply of clean socks available to borrow. Our no-street shoe policy is designed to protect our new floor for posterity.Our center is located in the basement of the Dow Building; it is accessed by one flight of stairs.
Getting there and accessibility:
Please be prepared to remove your street shoes at the door. You're welcome to bring slippers (with a grip) or non-street shoes to change into upon arrival. We also have a limited supply of clean socks available to borrow. Our no-street shoe policy is designed to protect our new floor for posterity.Our center is located in the basement of the Dow Building; it is accessed by one flight of stairs.
1 attendee
Hand Drum for Beginners-weekly drop-in class
Women's Drum Center, 2242 University Ave W, St Paul, MN, USHand Drum for Beginners, drop-in class, Tuesdays, 5:00-6:00 p.m. with Bettie Seitzer.
This class is designed to get you started comfortably with the most accessible instruments in the world while having fun in a nurturing community.
For beginners or those who want to revisit the basics. No drumming experience is necessary, drums provided, women-only.
Cost: $15 per participant per class.
Open to women and gender expansive folks only.
Go to https://womensdrumcenter.org/weekly-classes-levels for more information and to register. Walk-ins also welcome.Contact the Women's Drum Center to connect with the instructor and confirm whether classes are held on certain holidays when this class lands on a holiday.
Getting there and accessibility:
Please be prepared to remove your street shoes at the door. You're welcome to bring slippers (with a grip) or non-street shoes to change into upon arrival. We also have a limited supply of clean socks available to borrow. Our no-street shoe policy is designed to protect our new floor for posterity.Our center is located in the basement of the Dow Building; it is accessed by one flight of stairs.
1 attendee
WDC Annual Concert & Celebration
Location not specified yetOur popular annual concert is moving from the fall to the spring starting this year. Instead of holding the annual concert in October, we will be holding it on Saturday, April 25, 2026. We are excited to bring you the same level of energy, community, and new songs that you've come to expect of these invigorating events in April.
We hope you can join us!
Tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-womens-drum-center-annual-concert-and-fundraiser
ABOUT THE EVENT:
Before the concert starts, concert ticket holders will be able to try out instruments, listen to pre-show performances, and learn more about all the Women's Drum Center has to offer.Doors open at 6pm and the concert begins at 7pm and will end between 8:30-9pm.
Every registration to this event will support our community outreach, help us pay our teaching artists fair wages, and ensure that everyone gets a chance to experience the power of drums!
Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for all.
Thank you for being a part of our our mission; your support is invaluable.
ABOUT OUR THEME:
Ubuntu is an ancient African philosophy rooted in Bantu languages (Zulu/Xhosa) that defines humanity through interconnectedness, often translated as, "I am because we are" or "a person is a person through other persons." Originating from Nguni cultural values, Ubuntu emphasizes community, compassion, and shared humanity over individualism.The Women’s Drum Center chose this for our 2026 concert theme because we believe now, more than ever, we need to emphasize and uplift and our interconnectedness to ALL people. The Women’s Drum Center values community and inclusivity and our annual concert is a joyous celebration of our connectedness to each other: performers, audience members, and even the cultures we honor by performing their music.
To quote Anton Armstrong, director of the St. Olaf choirs, "When you sing music of another culture and you pay homage in the best way to that music, then all of a sudden it’s not ‘them and us’; it’s ‘we.’”
We look forward to sharing music together on April 25, 2026 at our Annual Concert and fundraiser.
GETTING THERE AND ACCESSIBILITY:
Minnehaha Academy High School
3100 W River Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 554063 attendees
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