The BIRDS Rhythm Festival 1995. The Baltimore International Rhythm and Drumming Society (BIRDS) hosted an annual Rhythm Festival held at St. Johns church in Charles Village.
The festival made rhythm accessible through workshops, performances, an open-air market, kids activities, and an all day drum circle. It was an event that brought communities together to recognize and celebrate the power of rhythm to connect. The Festival hosted many amazing, internationally renowned musicians and dancers throughout the years, such as Glen Velez, Orlando Cotto, Ubaka Hill and Tony Vacca. One great teacher, person and musician who performed, taught and spoke at the 1997 Festival is Babatunde Olatunje, featured in the photo to the left with John Millen (BIRDS founder).