Elec Simon    

Elec Simon will host 4 Drumming Jam sessions on June 26, July 10, July 24, and August 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Canton Farmer's Market.  These jam sessions are free and open to kids of all ages.  Please bring your drum if you have one, otherwise some buckets and drumsticks will be availalbe.   The drumming jam session will be held on 4th Street NW, just West of Cleveland Ave. N (road will be barricaded).  This activity is thanks, in part, to ArtsinStark.

Here is a little more about Elec:

Elec Simon is a multi-talented percussionist, vocalist, self-taught tap dancer and performer. Elec is a full time cast member of the New York Broadway show “STOMP”.  He co-wrote the show “HeartBeat Afrika,” which is a percussion movement of traditional African rhythms, a drum and dance ensemble that blends street and body percussion with traditional African drum, tap dance, and African dance. HeartBeat Afrika has performed all over North-eastern Ohio in places such as the Tribute to Gerald Levert in Canton, Ohio, Hiram College, Ohio State and Akron and Kent State Universities, Lorain & Grafton Correctional Facilities & numerous elementary, junior & senior high schools. HeartBeat is not only a percussion show but is also dedicated to teaching and mentoring youth. HeartBeat Afrika even though co-written by Elec, has taught him the real meaning of African drum and helped him learn where his roots of rhythm and percussion began.  His other performances include; the play, The Wiz, played role of the Wizard (Weathervane Playhouse, Akron, OH.) a teacher and participant of the show Crew which had a drug-free theme for youth, written by Chris Rubio (San Diego, CA.), one-man show called Rhythm Method written by Ace Boogie performed at all Canton City Schools, Camp Jukebox which he taught MRDD children percussion movement and dance (Canton OH.), also taught master tap classes at A Time to Dance studio (North Canton, OH.), drum teacher at YEPAW-Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshops, an 18 year running workshop where kids from all over the world come to learn how to strive for excellence (Akron OH.) put on by the Arlington Church of God, performed at the Tap Extravaganza with Rod Ferrone, other special guests included Savion Glover and Jimmie Slyde (New York City, NY.). Elec is very dedicated to mentoring youth and wants to tie in a non-violent message to HeartBeat Afrika when teaching and doing workshops. Elec has watched HeartBeat grow from a dream to what it is today and is very proud and happy for all their successes and the successes to come.