Hannaford’s Drum Group Entertains at Napa Porchfest

Get ready for rhythm when Napa’s premier hand percussionist, John Hannaford, brings his Pacific Rims ensemble to the Migliavacca Mansion porch at 1475 Fourth St. downtown.

Recently retired from the after a long and active career teaching both music and art, Hannaford founded the renowned Temescal High School (now ) percussion ensemble and has played in groups including OM-I and .

Hannaford describes Pacific Rims as “a community-based adult instructional and performing percussion ensemble.”

The focus of the group, which meets Monday evenings, is “to go beyond the drum circle, to learn ensemble pieces in an instructional setting,” he says.

At the Migliavacca Mansion July 31, Hannaford is leading Pacific Rims members Juan Baerga, Kevin Carreno, Greg Cordes, Tina Gastelum, Mark Lucas, Eduardo Ramirez, Adrian Rodriguez, Noreen Rodriguez and Erika Pusey.

Their instrumental arsenal, he said, includes “djembes, congas, bongos, ashikos, dununs, ngomas and a multiplicity of (other) hand percussion instruments.”

Hannaford added that there are opportunities for audience participation during Pacific Rims' show.

The drummers will be sharing the Migliavacca Mansion “stage” with the Richard Perot-Frank Hernandez duo as part of , a new festival taking place in historic neighborhoods around the city.

Free to all ages, Napa Porchfest encourages listeners to get out of their cars and stroll or cycle the city’s neighborhoods, enjoying the sounds of live music and the sights of historic homes from earlier times.

In the words of Napa architect, preservationist and City Council member Juliana Inman, “vernacular porches and homegrown music” make a perfect match.

So mark your calendar for July 31 from 2 to 5 p.m. and watch Napa Patch for our daily Porchfest updates!

Find out more about Pacific Rims by emailing Hannford at johnnycalifornia8@ymail.com.

Learn more about Napa Porchfest by clicking the “Porchfest” tag below.