Driving through Georgia again.....
July 8, 2009
July 6, 2009
A drum circle has no head or tail--everyone is equal
What I love about drum circles is that they attract a diverse group of people--skilled drummers, beginners, young, old, black, white, latino, kids, dogs, and dancers. Everyone smiles and laughs a lot but there is little conversation--it's more about making rhythm and sharing an emotion.
It's the same everywhere--when people drum together a collective voice emerges. Usually a master drummer starts a rhythm, a slow pattern that everyone can follow; quickly, the other drummers get in tune with one another on congas, djembes, hoop drums, even plastic bottles. Other musicians join with bells, shakers, didgeridoos, flutes, a conch shell. Soon, dancers are up and moving and listeners are swaying and tapping their feet to the beat--everyone infected by the music, everyone making music together. The energy builds until it lifts you right off the ground--it's really an unforgettable experience.
It's the same everywhere--when people drum together a collective voice emerges. Usually a master drummer starts a rhythm, a slow pattern that everyone can follow; quickly, the other drummers get in tune with one another on congas, djembes, hoop drums, even plastic bottles. Other musicians join with bells, shakers, didgeridoos, flutes, a conch shell. Soon, dancers are up and moving and listeners are swaying and tapping their feet to the beat--everyone infected by the music, everyone making music together. The energy builds until it lifts you right off the ground--it's really an unforgettable experience.
These shots were taken at drum circles at Taste's in Safety Harbor, the Dunedin Brewery, and the mega circle on the beach at Treasure Island.
July 5, 2009
Drumming every day
Drumming has become a big part of my life!
It started when we were driving the back roads of Belize and came upon Emmet, an Ibo descendant from a tribe in Nigeria who was drumming in his village. We stopped and Ann chatted with him in Ibo (she learned Ibo in Peace Corps Nigeria). He told us he learned drumming from his grandfather and that he carves drums. We stayed for a long time listening, enraptured. When we left, Ann said she wanted to study drumming as soon as she could.
That day came in Mexico when we met Bamba, a Senegalese musician, and his wife Claudia. They run a small African art shop in Playa and Bamba teaches drumming in the evenings. For Ann, it was a dream come true.
The minute we got home, Ann bought her first djembe. Then another; then other drums. Now we have bongos, a Kenya drum, shamanic hoops, cow bells, tambourine, shakers, and a rain stick--enough instruments to make a drum circle!
Uh-oh...this is becoming long and we have to leave for West Virginia in the morning ....to be continued...
Tonight we drummed at Treasure Island in a circle of over 100 drummers! I can't wait to post some photos.
It started when we were driving the back roads of Belize and came upon Emmet, an Ibo descendant from a tribe in Nigeria who was drumming in his village. We stopped and Ann chatted with him in Ibo (she learned Ibo in Peace Corps Nigeria). He told us he learned drumming from his grandfather and that he carves drums. We stayed for a long time listening, enraptured. When we left, Ann said she wanted to study drumming as soon as she could.
That day came in Mexico when we met Bamba, a Senegalese musician, and his wife Claudia. They run a small African art shop in Playa and Bamba teaches drumming in the evenings. For Ann, it was a dream come true.
The minute we got home, Ann bought her first djembe. Then another; then other drums. Now we have bongos, a Kenya drum, shamanic hoops, cow bells, tambourine, shakers, and a rain stick--enough instruments to make a drum circle!Uh-oh...this is becoming long and we have to leave for West Virginia in the morning ....to be continued...
Tonight we drummed at Treasure Island in a circle of over 100 drummers! I can't wait to post some photos.
July 4, 2009
July 3, 2009
A day at the beach
Honeymoon Island State Park has one of my favorite beaches--it's beautiful and clean, but you better get there early!
July 2, 2009
Hovering two feet off the ground
I went to my first meetup with local photographers this week but didn't take my camera out--I was daunted by the fancy equipment and collective talent and experience. It's good to be humbled every once in awhile! Everybody was wonderfully friendly and kind and Loyce put me at ease instantly. I also learned tons...some people teach without teaching.
I've been walking around Safety Harbor marveling at the place. It's unbelievable--everywhere I turn, a cool bird, a prissy flower, something terra cotta, a dimple on the water. I simply can't put my camera down.
June 28, 2009
June 27, 2009
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