Local drumming group Beleza has beat of their own

For Beleza, a five-piece drumming performance group, it's all about connection. The drums speak and the audience engages.

Beleza performs South American and West African rhythms.

The word "beleza" means beauty in Portuguese. "It represents who we are and how we feel and what we do," said Jo Thiele of Norfolk while rehearsing at a fellow member's home.

Who they are often surprises their audience, said member Connie Ralston of Hampton.

"They would come around the corner hearing the music not knowing what to expect, and then they would find middle-aged white women playing West African drums," said Ralston, who has been drumming for 25 years. "It was a surprise to them."

The women met while participating in drum circles and workshops; some were part of another drumming group before they formed Beleza.

They began performing in public at BeachStreet USA in Virginia Beach. The work made them better, said member Jacquie Whitt.

"Three hours a night of drumming in the heat will make you jell as a band," said Whitt.

You also learn the effect your work has on your audience, particularly other women, said Thiele.

"Just the fact that we can get up in front of crowds and drum with these big instruments inspires them to take steps to do things that they have always wanted to do but didn't have the courage to do before," she said.

Besides Thiele and Ralston, the other members are Patty Westcott and Jacquie Whitt of Virginia Beach and Pat Vedomske of Portsmouth. Westcott is a trained facilitator with HealthRHYTHMS. Ralston hosts private workshops and a monthly drum circle for women in Newport News. Whitt is the director of international travel programs at Virginia Beach Friends School, and Thiele is the director of music programs there. Vedomske works for the Planning Council, a local nonprofit, and is a system administrator.

"It's an ecstatic escape," said Whitt. "Like most women, I'm a mother and have a couple of jobs. (Drumming) is the highlight of my week. It puts me in a trance. I forget about all my troubles and worries, and it's pure joy."

"It's just fun," said Vedomske. "I enjoy playing the music. I enjoy playing with this group. We become one instrument."

Beleza will perform at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk as part of its Horticulture Open House on Saturday.

Performing with more than 50 instruments, including West African hand drums, Beleza will offer a multicultural experience for all ages.

"A lot of drumming is about letting go. So when we see our audience letting go, we know we have made that connection," said Thiele. "I guess it is all about the connection."

Patty Jenkins, (757) 446-2298, patty.jenkins@pilotonline.com