Intersection

Beat it

It takes a village to make a drum circle

By Nick Divito

I spotted the following ad in the “artists” section of craigslist.org, and knew we had to check it out:

“Cool people, Revolutionists, Musicians, Artists, Poets, Scenesters, Misfits, Teachers, Students, Promoters, Followers, Masters, Apprentices, Punk Rockers, Yogis, New-Wavers, Healers, Anti-racists, Enlightened beings, Rudies, Creators, Destroyers, MILFS, Gurus, Activists, Cooks, Couch-Potatoes, pretty much everybody IS INVITED TO JOIN THE REVOLUTION OF LAS VEGAS DRUM CIRCLES …”

Every Sunday, the ad continued, at Desert Breeze Park. Starts at 1 p.m., continues until sundown. Bring a blanket.

Being the curious sort, I braved Sunday’s wind and wandered blindly through the park, past the soccer players and the picnickers and the kite-fliers, in search of a circle of misfits banging away on drums, all the while keeping an ear out for a booming chorus to serve as our audible beacon.

What I found, on a wedge of half-dead grass at the northeast corner of the park, were three strangers, forming more of a triangle than a circle, wielding dumbeks and remo djembes (simply “drums” to laymen) and happily carrying on, pounding away and making impromptu rhythms.

“Drum circles are very spiritual,” said Gary Gallerie, a 59-year-old poker dealer who sported a Band-Aid on his face with the words “spider bite” written on it so he wouldn’t have to repeat himself every time some nosy git asked about why he was wearing a Band-Aid on his face.

After participating in a drum circle in Southern California for five years, Gallerie decided to start his own here in Las Vegas three weeks ago, and advertised on craigslist.org to, uh, drum up interest. The first drum circle, held three weeks ago, drew five revelers, despite the rain.

“When I’m in a drum circle, it’s almost like I’m transporting myself to another dimension,” said Gallerie.

Added Alan Denning, a 57-year-old wastewater-treatment-plant operator: “It allows me to get out, get some fresh air and meet like-minded people—geeks, dorks, nerds, whatever you wanna call us.”

But don’t be scared, pleaded Lori Brown, a 26-year-old graphic designer. “It’s for children. It’s for 59-year-olds. Everyone should really come and check it out. They might be surprised.”

Gallerie even brings a few extra dumbeks with him for those who want to participate but don’t own their own drums.

Last Sunday’s event was cut short by the windy weather. By 3 p.m., after the total number of participants had swelled to six, the drummers decided to pack it up and focus on returning next week.

“We’re gonna be starting at 3 p.m. instead of earlier next Sunday,” Gallerie said after the event. “There was no parking today with all the soccer players.”

Drum Circle, 3 p.m. Sundays, Desert Breeze Park. Free.

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