(VIDEO) Bringing Beats to All in SLP

"Drumming vibrates every bone in your body," said Chico Perez. "You can't help but move."

Perez was one of two professional drummers who spent last Friday morning drumming with developmentally disabled adults at in St. Louis Park, brining his love of percussion to all.

His words certainly rang true, as within a matter of minutes, the room was filled with noise, laughter and movement.

With help from St. Louis Park Friends of the Arts and its "Our Town: Beats & Streets" program, Perez and longtime friend and drumming partner Stanley Kipper are taking drumming workshops to a number of groups in the community.

Last week, it was Partnership Resources and Perspectives, Inc., which is a local nonprofit that helps homeless and at-risk families. In August, Perez and Kipper will visit seniors at Sholom West and , and youngsters at and the .

"This is exactly what Friends of the Arts is about," said organization president Susan Schneck. "Brining people together to be creative, be part of a group, and connect together through creativity."

Funded in part by the Metro Regional Arts Council and the St. Louis Park Community Foundation, the "Our Town" program also features free concerts and community drumming circles all summer long. The next concert will be on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Wolfe Park and will feature Japanese taiko drumming.

The free community drumming circles, led by Jeff Scroggins, co-founder and Musical Director of Earthshake World Rhythm Ensemble, will be on the following dates:

• July 19 - 5:30-7pm - Wolfe Park 
• July 26 - 5:30-7pm - Wolfe Park 
• August 5 - 5:30-7pm - Oak Hill Park
• August 12 - 5:30-7pm - Oak Hill Park 
• August 19 - 5:30-7pm - Oak Hill Park 
• August 26 - 5:30-7pm - Oak Hill Park  

All are welcome to attend, and drums will be provided.