Friday Night Arisia thoughts...

Arisia first night thoughts…

Despite the very late addition, the drum circle was well-attended. It started off very strong and comfortable. Lots of dancing. Lots of energy. Everyone was enjoying the rhythms that were being created. It started off well—and I was quite happy, considering that as of Monday, no circle was even on the schedule. We had fifteen to twenty people dancing. The energy that was building was fantastic.

And then a woman named Sarah (who had a staff button) arrived. At first, she jumped in with everyone else. But as the song died, she quickly took control of the circle, making comments to someone else about how she’d been to many other drum circles—REAL drum circles, she said. Apparently she and a couple others were regulars at the Cambridge Drum Circle—one I’ve wanted to attend, but never really have had the chance to go to. Based on their behavior tonight, I don’t want to attend it—ever. Because this “real” drum circle ended up being a power play. Not a community of rhythms.

She began starting every drum with a chant. Which is fine. However, she had a very poor voice and dragged the chant on far too long, not allowing the drummers to start blending into the rhythm as their hearts desired. She seemed focused on specific drumming patterns as if she was teaching a class, trying to “educate” people on drumming. Even stopping when people didn’t immediately bond onto the pattern that she supposedly was starting (but didn’t). It was a very quick turn off. The magic of the circle died.

As the amount of dancers diminished, the quality of the circle diminished as well. These “real circle” drummers may have an effective circle for the type of drumming they do in Cambridge. But with an actual altar set up on the floor, the power play was disgusting.

Oh, and did I mention that these people insisted on drumming in a V shape, rather than a circle? It’s supposed to be a circle, folks. Connecting one another together. In a V shape, you cannot see the other drummers. You are not side by side. Some are left behind, taken out of the binding circle of rhythm.

The fact that almost every single drum rhythm was forced into a frenzy of fast drumming was also annoying—it left anyone who was unfamiliar with the rhythm out, or in a desperate attempt to catch up. It also was virtually undanceable. While the drummers stayed, the dancers (save a couple) left. Because how were they supposed to dance to such a blur of drum thumps. There was no heartbeat to the melodies, simply because few people could keep up. More than once, I just stopped. On one set, started in a stupidly fast pace, I just didn’t even drum.

Sorry—but from my education, drum circles are to speak to the human heartbeat. The heart doesn’t always beat at 160 clicks per minute. Sometimes it’s good to keep a very low, steady rhythm. Something basic. Allowing even the most unskilled drummer to participate happily, easily. Something welcoming. Something slow and mesmerizing. A couple fast songs? Sure. But not every one should speed up. That shows no control (or soul, for that matter).

On my way back upstairs, friends of mine as well as a few strangers commented on how horrible it turned once these people power played the circle. They commented on the kick ass circle of two years ago—which was amazing. The energy raised that night was unforgettable. Yet these people had the gall to call their way the “real” circle. I doubt they’ve been to one. Or perhaps have never been moved by one, and missed the point.

Next year? Hopefully things will change. I will be contacting the organizers of Arisia in late May once they really start thinking about next year, and will offer to host the drum circle. And we’ll return it to the spiritual, welcoming place that it was for years, welcoming everyone and expecting egos to be left at the door.

Just a heartbeat. One heartbeat. Full of many fingered voices.

It needs to return next year.

At 11 p.m. where it belongs. And without these bullshit egos.