Local Motion | Rhythmic Skill Building

Experience the joy and healing power of rhythm in this interactive workshop with award-winning percussionist Tom Teasley. Open to all—whether you’re a musician, dancer, educator, or simply curious about rhythm—this session blends global traditions with creativity, movement, and community connection.

Participants will step in time, engage in call-and-response patterns, and explore Solkattu (South Indian rhythmic solfege) alongside traditional rhythms from the Middle East and African diaspora. The journey continues through South America and into the U.S., tracing how these rhythms evolved into styles like the Bo Diddley beat and foundational funk grooves.

The workshop emphasizes the connection between voice, breath, and movement. Using egg shakers, participants will build coordination by performing one rhythm with one hand while reciting another aloud. Small groups will work together to create interlocking and hocketing rhythms for a dynamic and collaborative experience.

The session includes space for self-expression through improvisational dialogue with Tom and fellow participants. No experience is necessary—just a willingness to listen, move, and explore.

Open to adults and teens interested in the healing power of rhythm and community.

Local Motion’s Rhythmic Skill Building is a unique chance for visitors to engage in Alexandria’s dynamic cultural scene through rhythm, movement, and creativity. Led by award-winning percussionist and cultural ambassador Tom Teasley, a lifelong Alexandrian, this hands-on experience blends global traditions with an uplifting sense of play.

$15 (must purchase tickets in advance)

This workshop is made possible with support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Thanks to their grant support, the rate is already discounted, and no additional discounts are available.