Art Heals: Bongo it out!

On Sunday, the final day of Cinema Revival: A Festival of Film Restoration, our noon screening of Val Guest's musical satire Expresso Bongo will kick off with something that not only promises to enhance the fun of the film viewing, it'll give you an opportunity to let go of some stress, expend some energy, and do good things for your body.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Espresso Bongos will pair espresso and pastries from Heirloom Cafe with a drum circle sponsored by Columbus Percussion and led by Wahru Cleveland, an accomplished percussionist and the founder of Columbus Community Drummers, as well as the National Women's Music Festival Drum Chorus. You can bring your own bongos or borrow one of the extra sets that'll be on hand to join in the chorus of percussion sounds. While attendance for the film is highly recommended, it's not required for participation, nor is any previous drumming experience.

The belief that drumming can be a form of ritual healing goes back thousands of years and spans multiple cultures. In recent years, researchers have backed up ancient ideas with data that indicates drumming can foster a sense of relaxation and assist with processing trauma. It can also bump up the production of t-cells, an essential element for a healthy immune system. These are just some of the positives mentioned in a 2015 Psychology Today article on the topic. Being part of a circle adds a feeling of camaraderie and connectedness to the list of benefits. Come out Sunday and experience them for yourself.