Playlist
UBAKA HILL is an inspirational visionary artist and influencer who leads by helping to improve the quality of life through art, music performances, workshops, and community initiatives. She is a solo and ensemble performer of spoken word, world music, and percussion.
Learn more about Ubaka: https://touchmotherearth.com/ubaka-hill/ And on her website: https://ubakahilldrumsong.com/
For many, this was their first time seeing a woman teaching the drum and Ubaka Hill was in charge! Her stories and songs were mesmerizing and the drummers were captivated. The group learned multiple parts (for djembe and djun + cowbell) at the Touch Mother Earth BEST Fest in Farmingdale, NJ.
Saturday evening was a spectacular sight at Camp Sacajawea. For many, this was their first time seeing a group of women performing on drum on stage and Ubaka Hill was in charge! Her stories and songs were mesmerizing and the audience was captivated.
She is joined onstage for ‘The Spiral Dance’ by Drumlady Kristen Arant @Kristen Arant (The Drumlady) and Tammi Hessen @Tammi Hessen along with invited guests from Drumsong Orchestra of Hudson Valley, NY as well as members from the audience! UBAKA HILL is an inspirational visionary artist and influencer who leads by helping to improve the quality of life through art, music performances, workshops, and community initiatives. She is both a solo and ensemble performer of spoken word, world music, and percussion. Learn more about Ubaka: https://touchmotherearth.com/ubaka-hill/ And on her website: https://ubakahilldrumsong.com/
Always a favorite at Touch Mother Earth, The Mystical Kirtan of Mirabai Moon and her band pleased the crowd at the BEST Fest. Here is an excerpt of Gayatri Mantra from her concert. Follow @Mirabai Moon for more Mystical Kirtan!
Mamoudou Konate Simbo brings us authentic drum classes and performances.
Mamoudou Konate Simbo @Mamoudou Konate Simbo is a wonderful drum teacher from Burkina Faso. He currently resides in NYC. Here he teaches his local rhythms at the festival with the help of Yahaya Kabore on djun.
Join us at home and check out the other videos from the Touch Mother Earth BEST Fest held May 24th – 27th with 10 drum facilitators and plenty of dancing!
Visit www.TouchMotherEarth.com to learn more about our events.
Recorded by Touch Mother Earth Productions
for Touch Mother Earth Non-Profit
We Bring the Outside In!
Visit www.TouchMotherEarth.org to learn more.
What do you get when you blend seasoned drummers from 4 states around the fire at Camp Sacajawea for one long drum circle? Here is a short and inspiring excerpt. Join us at home and check out the other videos from the Touch Mother Earth BEST Fest held May 24th – 27th with 10 drum facilitators and plenty of dancing! BEST Fest was largely popular because of the drum circles around the fire at night with workshops for djembe, djun, and frame drum during the day. Many fine drummers sat in at night including Mamoudou Konate Simbo, Tommy Purple Hayes, Remmi Nicole, Yahaya Kabore, Clyde Willams, Jr, Floyd Joynes, Dave Miller, Cheryl Miller Glover, Stephen Hoog, Karen Lawson, Evans W Chigounis, and others.
Sadhana Om session with Bharati Carla. We had amazing Yoga workshops at BEST Fest.
Gaia Raga with The Meaning of Life . Gaia Raga is a magical group blending harmonies and musical styles. One moment, the sitar and harmonium take hold, and another, the soaring saxophones over strummed ukelele and mandolin move you all while sonorous voices lead the path. In this song, The Meaning of Life, a cacophony turns into lush acapella with Niki and Karsyn, followed by more cacophony as the drumming comes in with a backbeat. A jam session ensues, more like a party onstage, a celebration of the band’s roots, now in their third year! Andy scats and sings Happy Birthday and the music takes a turn featuring the harmonium (sorry it gets cut short).
View the whole concert on our BEST Fest playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvBGrKNeXY8cORJu0H_K5sy6pXiWPSRsP
Featuring: Andrew Dreamos – sax, sitar, percussion, backing vocals Niki Arrowsmith – ukelele, harmonium, vocals Karsyn Wagner – vocals, percussion Matthew Thrice – bass, alto sax Chris Smith – drums RJ Testa – mandolin, alto sax Anath Rayar – violin Additional drumming with Tony DePlano, Andrea Rebmann
You can reach Gaia Rage on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/GaiaRagaMusic
Making history at the Touch Mother Earth BEST Fest, 2 all-women drum ensembles joined onstage for the first time! The result is a mind-blowing, top-notch performance with dynamics from soothing voices, handpan, djembes, and djun performing Mother I Feel You.
Drumlady Kristen Arant @Kristen Arant (The Drumlady) from the DC area leads the Bele Bele Rhythm Collective and Tammi Hessen @Tammi Hessen from Pennsylvania leads the Bumbada Women Drummers. You can find Drumlady Kristen Arant on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/kristen.arant.37 and at: https://www.facebook.com/drumladyarts/ Tammi Hessen on Facebook is: https://www.facebook.com/womendrummersrock Touch Mother Earth BEST Fest 2024 was held at Camp Sacajawea in Farmingdale, NJ. This video is part of the playlist BEST Fest 2024 from @Touch Mother Earth .
Returning drum teacher Clyde K Williams Jr leads the students with parts for the djembe and djun. Join us at home and check out the other videos from the Touch Mother Earth BEST Fest held May 24th – 27th with 10 drum facilitators and plenty of dancing! BEST Fest was largely popular because of the drum circles around the fire at night with workshops for djembe, djun, and frame drum during the day. Many fine drummers sat in at night including Mamoudou Konate Simbo, Remmi Nicole, Yahaya Kabore, Clyde K Willams Jr, Floyd Joynes, Dave Miller, Cheryl Miller Glover, Stephen Hoog, Karen Lawson, and others.
Recorded by Kristal B @Kristal Bee
The State Street Belly Dancers with FatChanceBellyDance were a treat at the Touch Mother Earth BEST Fest 2024 held at Camp Sacajawea in Farmingdale, NJ. Here is a portion of their performance.
Faye Adinda and Friends at the Touch Mother Earth BEST Fest featuring Faye Adinda ukelele, vocal, Karsyn Wagner vocal, and Broccli Rob, djembe. Take Your Time is an original written by Faye Ma. Visit www.TouchMotherEarth.com to learn about events.
May 24th-27th, 2024
BEST Fest
Are you ready to experience the BEST Fest in New Jersey? Get ready for four days of non-stop excitement, entertainment, and unforgettable memories. Whether you’re a local resident or visiting from out of town, this event promises to be the highlight of your year. Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect at the BEST Fest:
Friday: May 24, 2024 – Grand Opening Extravaganza
Location: Camp Sacajawea, Farmingdale, NJ, Monmouth County
The BEST Fest kicks off with a bang at Camp Sacajawea in Farmingdale. Join us for the Grand Opening, featuring live music, food trucks, and an awe-inspiring drum circle around the fire.
Bring a camp chair or drum stool and enjoy a relaxing evening with your family and friends as we set the tone for an incredible festival weekend.
at Camp Sacajawea in Farmingdale, NJ, Monmouth County,
BEST: Belonging, Emerging, Synergizing, Transforming
Touch Mother Earth non-profit returns with BEST Fest. May 24th – 27th 2024. (Renamed from Gathering of the … Festival & Positive Vibe).
How would it feel if you joined the community at Touch Mother Earth BEST Fest. May 24th – 27th 2024 held amidst the serene surroundings of Monmouth County Girl Scout Camp Sacajawea in Farmingdale (central NJ)? It’s a magical Weekend awaiting you, brimming with an array of captivating activities: workshops, live music, drum n dance classes and circles, yoga, Kirtan, massage, sound, and energy healing, ceremonial gatherings, hand-picked vendors, camping, hiking, healthy food, and new friends.
Can you imagine the enchanting experience of escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life as you immerse yourself in the heart of the forest for a day or four? Picture a realm where you can indulge in sound healing, embrace the tranquility of forest bathing, revel in live music, dance to the rhythm of drums, practice yoga, participate in enlightening workshops, explore enticing vendor offerings, engage in activities for kids, and even opt for a camping adventure to truly unwind.
Best of all the BEST Fest brings together varied interests with villages like Music, Drum and Dance, Mind-Body-Spirit, Sacred Moon and Earth Camp all at Camp Sacajawea, nestled in the trees of Monmouth County, NJ (NOT SPARTA)
Saturday: May 25, 2024- BEST Fest brings you Music Madness: the main stage will have continuous performances while yoga, healing workshops, dance classes, drum classes and nature walks take place in the forest setting. Roam the villages including the select vendors or sit at the food court and enjoy the music while conversing with new friends.
Saturday night the whole community comes together with special performances featuring drum and song artist Ubaka Hill, Sanford Mack and The Mystical Kirtan of Mirabai Moon.
Check out the Schedule for the amazing talent we have.
Then join us around the fire for a heightened drum circle. Stay tuned for the daytime music lineup and get ready to dance to your favorite bands!
 |
Now is the time to reunite in community with all that we have learned and set into practice with unique workshops, new presenters, and performers mixed in with some favorites! We will blend live music and jam time on stage, offer even more yoga, have time in the woods, and offer dynamic workshops, plus spiritual connections.
SUNDAY: May 26, 2024 – You might have noticed that this is Memorial Weekend – 4 days of vacation. Sunday brings us another full day of continuous entertainment! Additional music performances on Sunday evening feature favorites Tony and the Trees and Gaia Raga .
Also performing over the weekend will be local favorites Tommy and Mommy, Swardas and Friends, Dennis McDoNoUgh, Sawmill Run Old Time Band, Scott Pehnke , Amanda Conti, and special guest: Bele Bele Rhythm Collective featuring Drumlady Kristen Arant, with other artists TBA.
DRUM n DANCE CAMP
Mamoudou Konate Simbo & Clyde Williams Jr will offer djembe classes to get your hands tingling and We will have a Middle-Eastern Doumbek class.
African dance instructor Audrey Davis-Dunning with Victor Marshall will return with a new class! 
Our Drum n Dance program is sponsored by Hub City Drum n Dance of New Brunswick, NJ
Drum circles, hikes in the woods, yoga with Bharati Carla activities for kids, food vendors and plenty of shopping!
Immerse yourself in the magic of music, love, friendship, spirit, nature, and acceptance. Make new connections with the diverse, mindful culture of people, workshops, classes, and performances plus shopping found at the BEST Fest by Touch Mother Earth happening May 24th – 27th at Monmouth County Girl Scout Camp Sacajawea in Farmingdale (central NJ). Note, this is not up north- NOT Sparta ( NOT Sussex County).
PARKING is at the Program Activity Center 127 Yellow Brook Road, Farmingdale, NJ
The festival is not just a fun experience, not just a learning experience, it’s a bonding experience where your facilitators, teachers, leaders, vendors, and others are all together in the communal forest. You may to come for a day or camp, hang out in a village, learn together, share meals, and talk together in one place and all workshops are included!
Float from village to village.
Music Jam Stage
Sacred Moon Market
Drum N Dance Camp
Mind Body Spirit Zone
Mother Earth Village
Touch Mother Earth Kids
Sacred Moon Market
Food vendors will be onsite or you can bring your own. We will have vegetarian/vegan food options also, drink, and snacks available! We have flush toilets, compost toilets, outdoor swimsuit showers, picnic tables, and pavilions onsite. Weekend campers may use the onsite grills. We are a pack-in, pack-out camp so plan to take the general trash and recycling away.
SHOP OVER 50 HAND-SELECTED VENDORS
Find unique gifts and treasures at the Sacred Moon Market, Drum and Dance Camp, and Mind Body Spirit Zone with custom silver, gold, wrapped jewelry, beads, homemade wellness products, room sprays, soaps, salves, tinctures, oils, crocheted items, tote bags, customized African jean jackets, scarves, and clothing, tie-dye items, and inspired fashions of Asia.
You will also find hand-blown glass, pottery, ceramics, crystals, gemstones, minerals, fossils, botanicals, teas, art, prints, African tapestries, wood carvings, flutes, drums, books, incense, smudge, candles, angel, tarot, and oracle cards, Runes, medallions, charms and pendants, readers, chair and Thai massage, Shiatsu, muscle testing, sound and energy healers, BioMat sessions, and more!
Support your local artists and bring some cash .
Doors Open to the Public
3 pm – 11 pm on Friday
10 am – 11 pm Saturday
10 am – 11 pm Sunday
9 am- 4 PM Monday
Create new memories this Spring Weekend filled with 4-days of workshops, live bands, hand-picked vendors, African drum n dance classes and performances, Belly dance classes, talking circles, yoga, Kirtan, massage, sound and energy healing, ceremonial gatherings, camping, hiking, healthy food, and new open-minded friends!
ALL WORKSHOPS INCLUDED!
Kids program also!
Friday evening, we let loose around the glowing fire with plenty of drumming and dancing with Ubaka Hill, Mamoudou Konate Simbo, Tommy Purple Hayes, Jim Dav, Clyde Williams Jr, and Dave Miller with Cheryl Miller Glover from
EarthMovers Drum Collective. We have another drum circle on Saturday after the concert ends starting at
11 pm for the campers.
All dance classes are held at the Pavilion between the Drum n Dance camp and the lower Camper Parking Lot.
Come for a day or stay the weekend.
Don’t forget to shop at the Sacred Moon Market.
We have multi-culture drum, dance, music and workshops.
Touch Mother Earth is a 501c3 Non-Profit that streams real content to disabled, aged & institutions. Donate Here
and on stage, dance to the live music, do yoga, meditate on a sound healing, get a massage or hike the trails!
Choose from the onsite tents already set up on platforms or huts (each sleeps 2 – 4), or pitch your own tent in one of the villages complete with a fire circle and vendors! Camping Choices
Food vendors 
will be onsite or you can cook over the fire if camping. Hand-picked vendors will be set up in the villages and along the paths, so you can buy a drum, pick up some handmade soap, jewelry, tinctures, and more!-
$44.00 – $48.00
-
$39.99 – $42.00
-
$32.95 – $34.45
-
$30.00
-
$24.99
You must be logged in to post a comment.