It's the beat, the beat, the beat. For drummers everywhere, the beat is joy. Does your son or daughter love to tap out rhythms on the table - or anywhere else they can find?

Perhaps the Drummin' Up Some Fun For Kids classes at Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District is the perfect place to bring your aspiring drummer. Held each Friday evening at the Sycamore Drive Community Center, 1692 Sycamore Drive, Simi Valley, drummers ages 10 years and under get the chance to beat on a real drum. The class members play at the same time, so it's a fun and friendly atmosphere.

Instructor, Marcie Kraft, has been teaching the class for the last few years, helping those little drummers learn to play a variety of hand drums and percussion instruments from around the world. Her emphasis is on recreational drumming and all skill levels are welcome to attend. She even provides the drums for class participants to use at no extra charge.

Kraft is a national award-winning drum circle leader. Her enthusiasm for drumming and its benefits shows in her work with the children and parents who take her classes.

To sign up for the program, go online at www.rsrpd.org or call the district office for more information at (805) 584-4400. The class information is listed in the Reporter magazine that was delivered to Simi Valley homes during the week of December 24-28.

The next class session is four Fridays, February 1-March 7 (no class February 8 and 22) from 6:30-7:00 pm. Participants must be ages 10 and under and parent participation is required. Classes are $33 per parent and one child, although up to two additional family members may be registered at no additional fee.