Enjoy world drum and dance performances at World Rhythm Festival, April 28-29, at Seattle Center or have some fun at the farm at the Kelsey Creek Farm Sheep Shearing in Bellevue April 28.

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Wear comfortable clothes and shoes and get ready to let loose and join in drumming and dancing to music from around the world at the World Rhythm Festival Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 27-29, at Seattle Center. The Seattle World Percussion Society hosts performers from around the region and the world to watch and, if you’re inspired to join in, there’s a full schedule of  drumming and dancing workshops to be part of the rhythm and fun.

Music, dance and drum performances representing world cultures including traditions of India, Ghana, Ireland, Nepal, Cuba, Brazil, West Africa, Zimbabwe and many more fill the Armory and Mural Amphitheater stages. Workshops on drumming from an array of cultures along with “Learn to Bring Your Inner Music Out,” “Drumming for Stress Relief” and “Jamming with Shakers” are available  Saturday and Sunday. Bring any drum that’s easy to carry to class. If you don’t have a drum, a limited number of djembe and tubano hand drums will be available to rent for $5 a day. Vendors with a selection of all kinds of drums will be on hand. Dance workshops also welcome all to learn to dance to reggae, Brazilian and African music and try out beginning belly-dancing and other styles.

The World Rhythm Festival opens with performances Friday evening and closes with the Great Northwest Drum Circle from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday. All events are free and everyone is welcome.

Also this weekend, have a day on the farm at the Kelsey Creek Farm Sheep Shearing event on Saturday, April 28. The Bellevue park is on the site of a former dairy farm that was sold to the city when it was surrounded by suburban development in the 1960s.  It’s home to historic barns and one of Bellevue’s oldest structures, the Frazier Cabin, built in 1888 by Bellevue pioneers and relocated to Kelsey Creek Farm Park in 1974.

A few animals still live on the farm, which is open to visitors daily, and lots of sheep will be brought on site this weekend to be shorn of their long winter coats. Sheep Shearing day also includes wool-spinning and fiber-craft demonstrations, food vendors, pony rides and tractor/wagon rides.  Admission is free, with fees for some activities, cash only. Parking is limited at the park, and free shuttles to the popular event are available from Wilburton Park and Ride and Bannerwood Sports Park, Bellevue.

World Rhythm Festival

Time: Performances 7 to 10 p.m. Friday; 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 6:45 to 10 p.m. Saturday; 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 27-29; workshops 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, April 28-29

Location: Seattle Center Armory, Fisher Pavilion and Mural Amphitheater, Seattle

More info: 206-684-7200 or swps.org/swps

Kelsey Creek Farm Park Sheep Shearing

Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 28

Location: Kelsey Creek Farm Park, 410 130th Place S.E., Bellevue

More info: 425-452-7688 or farmerjayne.com/Special_Events.html