The Drum Circle Experience

My family has travelled to the Gulf of Mexico for 4th of July fireworks at Siesta Key Beach for as long as I can remember. The picture-perfect combination of pure white sands and calm water has not only made this MY favourite beach, but it has landed Siesta Key on America’s top ten beach list almost every single year. Heck, it was even voted #1 beach in the United States in 2011. Over time it has turned into my second home. You would think someone would know their second home a little bit better…Turns out there is this extremely popular drum circle that takes place every Sunday at sunset, and I have never been! I should have figured that there was some kind of hippy-fest in Siesta Key. It actually suits their culture perfectly. The little beach town definitely has the artsy/funky vibe that would embrace a weekly drum and dance circle with wide open arms.

Wide Open Arms Exhibit A:

Week 7: The Drum Circle Experience

 

The circle is located at the public beach between lifeguard stands 3 and 4. It is an astounding collaboration of dancers, drummers, tourists and locals. The beauty of sunset on the Gulf of Mexico, and the pulsing tribal beats of the performers, makes this one of the most interesting jam sessions that I have ever been a part of. That’s right ladies and gents, I said A PART OF! The chances of me dancing in public would have probably been pretty slim if I wasn’t holding a solo cup of red wine at the time. My Mom looked at me and said, “If you are going to blog about this then you had better get out there and dance.” She was right. I felt like if I was going to really experience this thing then I had to participate. I have been a drummer most of my life, would have definitely been more comfortable playing a bongo, but I didn’t have space in my beach bikini to bring a drum set believe it or not. I was stuck with the dancing. Not half as bad as I thought it would be. Laughing loudly and dancing poorly, my mom and I darted to the center of the circle and started our best disco routine. We had a ball!

Week 7: The Hippies and Drum Circle Experience

We walked there in a pretty large group. Honestly, if I had to guess I would probably say about 9 or 10 people. Of everyone that I went with, no one had ever tried dancing in the circle. This was shocking considering that I was the ONLY person in this group that had never been to the drum circle. Obviously, we had to change that, and almost everyone took a turn dancing in the circle. It was an experience that I a sure none of us will ever forget.

The only words that can describe what I felt like dancing on those sugar sand beaches are an intoxicating freedom. Let’s be real, I am a kinda stiff and awkward person when I attempt to dance. This was different. This is the first time I have ever felt liberated dancing. I felt connected to those around me, but still disengaged from any reality outside the beach. My eagerness to participate began to match the fervor of those around me. Before long,  my spirits were flying so high. Too high. For the first time since I began the 52 Things Project I felt at complete war with myself. Part of me struggled to remain cool; to calm myself down and maintain that hardened military like persona I have worked so hard my entire life to preserve.  Another part of me felt…exuberant. The more time that we spent at the drum circle, the more gleeful abandon I experienced. It was exhilarating.

 

The drummers rockin out! Coming from a family drummers, and being a drummer myself, I really appreciated the show that they put on for everyone.