THE VENICE DRUM CIRCLE: An Acre Of Peace In A World Of Terror....
by Marc
Madow
Its only about an acre or so on
the sands of Venice Beach, where every weekend in a world of turmoil peace
breaks out. A few hundred people arrive in mid-afternoon with drums, rattles
and everything rhythmic to do what is called the Venice Beach Drumcircle.
The drummers, dancers and onlookers escape
from CNN, FOX and ABC’s version of the world to do something rhythmic,
healing, mystical and yes, sensual. The phenomenon of the drum circle is
exploding in popularity all over the world, but nowhere is it done in the almost
Woodstock proportions that are seen on Venice Beach every Saturday and Sunday.
While the media exposes new ways that
the human race is destroying itself, these people, these members of warring
races, religions, and financial strata who would never be seen playing golf
together, dance and make awesome music together.
You might call it a daytime, outdoor
rave, except for the fact that they're not spinning CD's but rather making their
own tribadelic thunder. This harmonious mayhem is a message in a bottle to the
world that yes, we can get
along.
Venice has long been
bohemian. The drum circle fits into this counterculture potpourri perfectly. It
begins to happen in the early afternoon when the first few drummers arrive where
Breeze Avenue hits the beach.
These
guys are the regulars who have been coming from all over the city for years. By
one o'clock they begin the “calling of the drums” on their congas,
djembes and cow bells and begin to elevate everyone's spirits. More
drummers, dancers and onlookers begin to arrive, and the group starts to morph
into the rough shape of a large circle. By now, burning incense and sage add
invigorating aroma to the already intoxicating salt
air.
French, German, Spanish, Hindi and
Arabic are just a few of the languages you'll hear spoken around the circle by
tourists who visit Venice from everywhere. Dancing in the center of the drum
circle are these people from everywhere with friends they didn't even know they
had. This is a money-free zone where there's nothing to buy and the people are
at one with the sun, sky, water and earth. Strangers seem to smile and say
“Welcome
home.”
Children gyrating on
their parents shoulders overlooking the crowd imitate the drummers and
dancers. African, Latin and Middle Eastern rhythms are all intertwined into
a blend by the leaderless drum circle. Nobody controls the drum circle. The
musicians influence and inspire each other and the dancers with their drumming.
That's what makes it true spiritual synergy. The crowd and the music build
steadily all afternoon toward a climax at sunset. This is when everyone
celebrates and cheers the setting sun. It’s impossible not to be moved by
the hundreds of people, burning sage, dancing, drumming, flutes, horns and bells
which crescendo at sunset.
As dusk
arrives the drumming continues and an altar for world peace is presented with
burning candles and flower petals. As the Venice Beach Drumcircle drums and
prays for world peace, there may very well be another bomb or
bullet shaking the earth somewhere. The hippies had a
popular expression which went, “What if they gave a war and
nobody came?” The drum circle seems to be trying a variation of this theme
by posing, “What if we give a drum circle and everybody
comes?” If your life is in need of a little magic, go spend a sunset
with the drum circle.
Further
information about the Venice Beach Drumcircle can be found at:
<www.venicebeachdrumcircle.com> and
<www.crazybeach.com>.
Posted: Sat
- March 1, 2003 at 06:43 PM