Sun City resident Dr. Lydia A. Woods, Founder and CEO of Drum Arizona, Inc., a non-profit 501c3 organization, was awarded a $7,400 grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, and a $4,000 Glendale Arts and Culture grant.

Her Arizona grant proposes for 45 seniors in the Sun City area to make/paint their own 15” Native American style hand drum and beater. In 2022, she was awarded that same grant that successfully offered 45 teens to make/paint their own Native American style drums.

This is the third year Drum Arizona is receiving the Glendale Arts and Culture grant that facilitates a 50-person Native American style drum circle that celebrates Native American cultural history month in November and a 50-person African Djembe drum circle during African American History month in February, at the Foothills Library in Glendale.

For the past eight years, Drum Arizona has facilitated African Djembe and Native American style drum circles for Sun City residents. Those circles are 2-4 p.m. on the fourth Saturday of the month at the Lakeview United Methodist Church. All are welcome to participate.

Woods’ organization also gives away handmade/painted drums to children who have experienced various forms of trauma. To date she has given away more than 600 drums made by many volunteers in the Sun City area.

Recently, Drum Arizona has partnered with the Doing Grief Community Healing Project at the Church of the Palms, with Rev. Shea Darian. This circle is opened to everyone and meets 3-5 p.m. every third Sunday. It promotes healing and self-expression, not only for those who are grieving but also the entire community.

Recent research shows that circles can reduce tension and anxiety. Drumming helps to control pain, induces deep relaxation, lowers blood pressure and reduces stress. The powerful rhythms produce endorphins and endogenous opiates, the bodies’ own morphine-like painkillers. The sound of drumming generates neuronal connections in the entire brain. No experience necessary and everyone is welcome.