Golden Drum

Around 2009 Maestro Manuel Rufino had a group of students that came together regularly to study the sacred traditions of the world. With no space of their own, they would rent out yoga studios or meet in each other's apartments. Maestro Manuel made the recommendation that it would be beneficial for the group to join together and create a space of our own. In October 2010 several students came together to begin the process of finding a community space. In November 2010, some students moved into Golden Drum in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The group came together and renovated the space using donated and recycled materials. Within a year the community had an events space and acquired the apartments above and adjacent to the original studio. Since its official opening in February of 2011, Golden Drum has invited shamans, sound healers, monks, local and international musicians, Native American elders, vegetarian chefs, film makers, artists, dancers, healers, and teachers from many traditions to come and share their gifts. Golden Drum is the educational program of the non-profit M.A.I.S.C., and is dedicated to serving the community by focusing on sharing Amerikua Wisdom (Amerikua is a Mayan word meaning “Land of the Winds” - the original name given by the original people of the continent we now call America), and supports all native traditions of the world. The program offers classes, workshops, musical performances and events with the purpose of bridging cultures, sharing knowledge, promoting peace and bringing people back to nature.