At pagan pride this year they had a drumming circle hosted by Thunder Drums ... it was absolutely amazing. It started with the lead drummer blowing a conch shell ... the sound of that thing was unbelievable! It stopped people in their tracts and made you pay attention, it drew pagans in from across the park to join the circle and to chose a drum from the waiting bamboo mat that held an assortment of instruments.
The 3 drummers taught 4 basic beats and took it from there .... lol people who had never held a drum in their lives were totally involved. For me, it gave me a new outlook on my own drumming and let me expreience a kind of energy I have only read about in drumming ... being relatively new to the drum it was an eye-opening and exhilerating feeling. Nym and I went together and she mentioned afterwards that she did not like it, and she wasn't the only one since, one or two walked away from it (more were drawn to it though)... so its not for everyone. Its the kind of thing that starts deep in the gut, travels up into the heart then floods the brain ... talk about a rush afterwards, lol
There was a variety of drums, I did miss the sound of a bodhran (my favorite drum) but beside me was a wide native drum that really captured my attention, although it was no match for the big double ended one on its stand ... the woman beating that drum sent sound thundering out across the park. Listening to the drums beat out basic rhythms set the tone for a bit of imprompt dancing ... lol women and children danced inside the circle obviously enjoying themselves. I noticed though that there seems to be a real connection between dancer and drummer ... one woman took the music in and danced WITH the drums ... again something I've only read about... but the 3 drummers obviously lead the rest of the circle, but they also drummed for (or to?) the dancer ... lol, obviously a relationship from the beginning of time.
Anyways, I had a fantastic time in that circle and will definitely watch for more in the area ... wish you could have been there!
Bright Blessings,
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