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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A: What to Bring?
Dumbek, Riq, Frame Drum
NoteBek
Metronome
Ear Plugs
Tape Recorder
Slippers
Toiletries
Dress Clothes for Final Concert
Video Camera
A: Where is the New York State Raquy Retreat?
144 Broadlea Road Goshen, New York 10924 Phone – 845-294-3181
Our retreats are currently meeting at the beautiful Empowerment Center in Goshen, New York. A 150-acre retreat where people can relax, breathe fresh air, and rock that drum! Only 60 miles northwest of New York, the space includes a beautiful stone house, fields, pond, hiking trails, a small playground, two large basketball courts, and an organic garden.
BY BUS from NYC
Take Shortline Bus from Port Authority to Downtown Goshen.
For Schedule and rates go to www.shortlinebus.com or call 800-631-8405 (toll free) or 201-529-3666.
We will pick you up from the Goshen Main St or Park and Ride stations. Please contact us by email to let us know your plans and we will provide you with a number to call on arrival
A: What if I'm a total beginner?
The workshop caters to all levels from novice to professional.
The groups often split into different levels so that the beginners feel comfortable yet the professional will get a nice challenge.
It is recommended for drummers to work with Raquy's Instructional Kits Dumbek Fever I, II and III in preparation for the workshop.
A: What are the accommodations like?
The group will stay at the Empowerment Center, a former school house converted into a retreat center. Beds and linens are provided in shared room with others of the same sex. Limited private rooms for couple available- please reserve in advanced.
There are separate men's and woman's common bathrooms with showers.
There is wireless internet so you can bring device.
A: What's a darbuka/doumbek / tabla
A Drum of Many Names; About the Arabic Tabla , Darbuka or Doumbek
The Egyptian doumbek or tabla is the probably the best known style of Arabic drum. Doumbeks (aka darabukeh, derbekeh, dumbelek, tabla, tarabuka); traditionally hail from throughout the Middle East and North Africa, Turkey, Greece, and the Balkans, and vary slightly in technique and manufacture according to region.
A goblet or chalice drum, doumbeks were traditionally made from clay and animal skin, and that style of drum is making a comeback.
Most drums today are cast aluminum with plastic heads, a sturdy design that withstands travel and weather.
Tabla are popular worldwide, and are showing up in drum circles being lighter and with more potentially ornate finger technique then djembe.
They are now copying the look of Egyptian drums in Turkey because the design is well-suited to advanced technique, but the Egyptian drums are generally heavier then their Turkish cousins (an asset in tone and playability).
Our Pro Darbukas
Our line of professional drums are made custom by Egy Gawhara co (formerly Ghawarat el Fan) one of the most reputable longstanding Egyptian instrument maker.
As drummers, we only want the best instruments and have a mission to provide great instruments with a consistent level of quality.
They are cast aluminum, and finished with a coating and mother of pearl inlay. Plastic heads, tunable. We select for sound quality.
We are also carrying a line of domestic drums with natural heads, metal and maybe soon ceramic.
A: What's For Dinner
Chef Rami continues to delight us, spoiling us rotten with the most healthy delicious vegetarian food you can imagine. Many ingredients come straight from the organic garden on the premises!
The favorites such as the olive tapenade and Rami's famous hot sauce appear every year, but Rami always surprises us with his new delicacies.
Most of the food, including scrumptious desserts is totally vegan but Raquy does allow some eggs and cheese for those who need more protein.
Chef Rami will make sure you're well nourished and have enough energy to drum all day and night!
A: What is the daily schedule like on the retreats?
A typical day at Raquy Retreat
Saturday
9:30 meditation
10:00 breakfast
11:00 group practice
2:00 lunch
3:00 nature walk
5:00 technique level I
6:00 technique level II
7:00 yoga
8:00 dinner
10:00 intro to Riq
11:00 accompaniment
Fire
A: What other activities besides drumming are there?
Yoga, meditation, basketball, nature walks and eating gourmet food. Sometimes the gardener can use a hand.
A: Can people come to the final recital?
Guests are welcome to come see our final free outdoor (in summer) concert!
They are also invited to join us for dinner and bon fire party afterwards for a suggested donation of $15 a person.
A: Did we answer your question?
Hope so... If not, please contact us at ramitabla@gmail.com