SPC’s fourth-annual Groove Day to feature Omar Hakim

The South Plains College Creative Arts Department will host its fourth-annual Groove Day, featuring world-renowned drummer Omar Hakim. The free event will start at 10 a.m. on March 28 at the Tom T. Hall Production Studio in the Creative Arts Building on the Levelland campus.

Hakim has performed with popular music artists including Sting, David Bowie, Madonna, Daft Punk, Journey, Anita Baker, Miles Davis, Dire Straits, Thundercat and many others. 

Attendees are encouraged to arrive early when the doors open at 9:30 a.m. to register for sponsor prize drawings. The event will start at 10 a.m. with a drum clinic by Phillip Smith, director of percussion in commercial music at SPC, followed by Hakim’s drum clinic.

“We are honored to welcome Omar Hakim to South Plains College,” Smith said. “He has been one of the preeminent drummers of the last 40 years. In addition to his legendary performance career, Omar is an equally skilled educator, highlighted by his former role as chair of percussion at Berklee College of Music. We can’t wait to build on last year’s event, which welcomed Kenny Aronoff and 120 attendees.”

Ahead of Groove Day, attendees can register to participate in the Groove Contest taking place at 1:30 p.m. Each contestant will perform five compulsory grooves as well as a groove of their choice. A panel of judges will award prizes to the winners. Participation will be limited, but all ages and experience levels are encouraged to participate. Registration can be completed at spccreativearts.com/grooveday and will be first come, first served.

At 3 p.m., attendees can participate in a Q&A session with Hakim. Following this session, he will conduct a private masterclass at 4:30 p.m. Students with valid IDs from SPC and other schools can participate in the private masterclass for $50, and non-students can attend for $100. Space will be limited.

To register for the private masterclass and for more information about Groove Day, visit spccreativearts.com/grooveday or contact Smith at 806-716-2290 or psmith@southplainscollege.edu.

For media inquiries regarding this event, please contact Adán Rubio at 806-716-2212 or arubio@southplainscollege.edu.