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 Vodou ceremony is an art. The priest, the hounsi choir and the tambor work together to create the alchemy of possession in service. The voice of the priest
is paired with the rhythms of the drum. The hounsi's feet answer and their sweat becomes the holy river that the Lwa travel down and into the Temple.
Their body is the chalice from which They drink, the music Their voice, the drum beats Their heart rhythm. A unified expression of Divinity, wrought from sticks and skin, hands and feet, hearts and voices.
Drum rhythms are a life time of learning, mastering and work. The voice of the
drum must work with the Ougenikon, to bring down the fire of heaven into the temple proper. And we are proud to say that our temple fire is kept by a Master Tambor.
 James D. Armstrong is in Philly! Jim is a specialist in Afro-Haitian and Afro-Cuban folkloric music, with over 15 years of performance and research
experience. He has authored several articles on the sacred drumming of Vodou and Santeria, and is the author of "Vodou Drumset: Traditional
Afro-Haitian Rhythms Applied to the Drumset (Carl Fischer, 2002)." He continues to perform for Haitian ceremonies and dance classes throughout the greater New York City and
Philadelphia regions and incorporates many of these folkloric styles into his work with the internationally acclaimed MARASSA DUO.
The master percussionist is residing here, teaching and offering classes to folks interested in
learning Vodou rhythms. We are very proud to have Jim drum for our services, and we are working to bring his knowledge and talent to the greater drumming community. Jim is
available for classes on Vodou drumming. And as an extra incentive, we're offering the evening fet to attendees. If you come for class, then you can stay for the ritual!
Classes here at the Sosyete are held on the day we serve the Spirits. Our next class/fet day will be a Petro service for the
Kongo nation. We will be holding service on March 8, 2008 at the houmfor. If you attend the drum class, then we invite you
stay and celebrate the Simbi Nation alongside the beloved membership of Sosyete du Marche.. Classes are two hours in
length, and will cover one major rhythm of the Vodou repertoire. Class is $100.00, payable via cash or credit card.
For information on class, the sosyete or Vodou, please contact Mambo Vye Zo
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