Yes, its that time of year again! Drumfest 2009 will be upon us in a matter of days and we here at the site are proud to be supporting it.

If you haven't cleared Sunday the 12th July, now is the time to do it as you will get the chance to see Gregg Bissonette, Jojo Mayer, Jason Bittner, Simon Phillips, Carmine Appice and Jason Bonham do their stuff. Drumfest is being held at the NIA in Birmingham which should be good for pretty much all the country so do yourself a favour and get down there. As well as the performers there will be gear by many major (and minor) manufacturers and distributors.

The following day (the 13th) you can support Stick It To MS (SITMS) which will be the UK's first World Record Breaking attempt to bring together more than 600 drummers all under one roof all in the name of a good cause - to raise the profile of drumming, awareness of Multiple Sclerosis and raise thousands of pounds for the MS Society.

Most of the positions are now taken (with Dolbearians getting an area to themselves apparently) but please go down and support this great cause.

If you cast you eyes slightly to the left you can win an exclusive Drumfest snare or pairs of tickets for the event so visit the competitions page and see what you can walk away with.

‘The Ultimate Drum Experience''

Yes, as well as the site, the teaching and the clinics, this year Mike is putting on the Ultimate Drum Experience in partnership with Vic Firth and in association with Drummer magazine. This will run from Monday 27th to Friday 31st July 2009 and its aimed at advanced drummers and teachers with resident teachers Steve Smith, Ralph Salmins, and Craig Blundell supported by various special guest teachers including Jason Bowld, Vic Firth, Stanton Moore, Jeff Davenport and Mike Dolbear.

There will be workshops, seminars, advice clinics, Q&A and opportunities to observe these professionals in action and even the opportunity of ‘sitting-in’ yourself. Seminars will include world drumming, electronic drumming, the session drummer, tuning, and business skills - the aim being to take you and your playing to the next level.

Places are strictly limited and the week is only suitable for the serious teacher/player over the age of 16. Workshops and classes will run from 10 – 5 every day with a maximum of 15 students per class with over 7 hours of tuition with each residential teacher. There will be several informal evening events scheduled including clinics by the artists and a jam night. The venue is situated conveniently close to the M1 and M25 and accommodation is available at the venue in a top hotel with leisure facilities or alternative hotels nearby.

There are only a couple of places left so if you are free, serious and fancy it, contact www.mikedolbeardrumschool.com  or email: mike@mikedolbeardrumschool.com  or call +44(0)7526 536199