Find Your Beat At a SWFL Drum Circle
People flock to the beach for a variety of reasons. For many, the beach is their playground for suntanning, exercising, socializing with friends, or just engaging in the vast and beautiful water-filled scenery. The overlapping waves create a soundtrack for whatever is happening in the foreground. It is their church, where the meaning of life and other lofty ideas somehow get worked out, or given reprieve, if for only an hour or two. It is their place of inspiration, where invigorating scents of coconut and salt-infused air meld fresh ideas into a stagnated mind. The beach is mythical and nurturing.
If you have been to Siesta Key beach on any given Sunday, something special happens late afternoon. About an hour or so before sunset,as the sun begins its slow journey to the horizon you will start to hear the faint murmurs of rat-tat-tat-tat. You will see the migration of sunworshippers banding together to form a sacred circle. It feels primal, and you find yourself drawing nearer as the sound of the beat grows. If it is your first time at the Siesta Key Drum Circle Siesta Key Drum Circle | Siesta Beach, you might be hesitant to join. Afterall, it is one of the largest drum circles in the nation. But as the beating intensifies and people join in with everything from professional to makeshift drums, you realize this communal experience will leave you changed.
The Siesta Key Drum Circle is wonderful because they really do make room for everyone to participate. Bongos, congas, tambourines, shakers, and anything that can be considered a percussion instrument is allowed within the circle. Dancing is encouraged, especially if accompanied by streamers and butterfly wings. There are rules of etiquette, mostly remember the drum circle isn’t about your individual performance but a joining of voices, with everyone holding space to pound a drum, move their body or just be in the moment. It is about as an expressive and immersive experience you will have. It feels special and it feels uniquely, “Florida.” You can catch the drum circle every Sunday about an hour before sunset, south of the main Siesta Beach pavilion.
Though immensely popular and a mecca for thousands, the Siesta Key Drum Circle is not the only weekly beat going. A little further south, you will find the Nokomis Beach Drum Circle at 207 Casey Key Road in Nokomis. Nokomis Beach Drum Circle – NOKOMIS BEACH BUM. Running every Wednesday and Saturday, a couple of hours before sunset, you will find drummers gathering, dancing, and enjoying the vibe. This circle has gained popularity and attracts hundreds to thousands of visitors in season.
In Englewood, you can catch the Englewood Sunday Drum Circle YouTube currently at Indian Mound; however, they have also met at Rotary Park, (due to ongoing post-hurricane work), so check their website or Facebook page before heading out Drum circle Sunday on Englewood Beach before Sunset. The drum circle is celebrating its 14th anniversary this year as they meet each Sunday about an hour and a half before sunset. You’ll find tots to teens, and multi-generational families enjoying this local celebration of drumming.
In Punta Gorda, the Charlotte Harbor Drum Circle meets each Saturday at Gilcrest Park. Gilchrist Park | City of Punta Gorda, FL Charlotte Harbor Drum Circle. You can enjoy the scenic views of the harbor, with the rhythmic sounds of the drummers. Again, all drummers welcome despite experience. Throughout the summer there will also be opportunities to gain techniques as skilled drummers will be on hand to share the best practices. Bring a picnic, let the kids run and play. When they are done with their sand buckets, they can turn them over and enjoy participating in the drum circle.
Find your own beat this summer at a local drum circle. Winding down a wonderful day at the beach with the primitive sounds of beating drums, while watching the glowing sun slowly descending is soul satisfying. For a list of Florida Drum Circles, please visit Drum Circles on West Coast of Florida – All About the Sunshine State.
Photos courtesy of Nokomis Drum Circle and Siesta Key Drum Circle Facebook pages.