The Awesomeness of a Drum Circle: Malcolm X Park, Washington DC

I’m a Northern Virginian who goes into Washington DC for independent movie theatres, consignment shops, and a little taste of culture every now and then.

I recently experienced something awesome: a huge drum circle in Washington DC’s Malcolm X Park (aka Meridian Park, between 15^th and 16^th Streets NW).  Go there on a Sunday afternoon in the summer, bring a blanket, a picnic, a Frisbee or a drum of your own.

As Washington Post’s Jahi Chikwendiu writes:

“[T]he circle is a rainbow of people, the rhythms a soundtrack for yoga, hula-hooping, slacklining, whatever.

The gathering is open to anyone with something to strike, shake or scrape, but there’s a fine line between individuality and democracy. The playing must serve the beat, and the beat must serve the group.”

I felt this balance of “individuality and democracy” as I watched the crowd roll in recently on a warm Sunday afternoon. People arrived toting drums of all sorts: large bongo drums, tambourines, small hand drums and full drum sets with sticks and cymbals.

The participants didn’t seem to talk much, they just shared time together.

I soon became mesmerized by the circular rhythms, the crescendos of intensity as the drummers neared the end of one jam, and moved on, seemingly intuitive about the moment, and what was coming next.

Elements of the DC Drum Circle

1. Dance.  The crowd is a welcoming place for dance.  I saw women dressed for the occasion in the middle of the circle.  OR you can join the crowd on the lawn, have some drinks and take your time about it.
2. Meditation.  There is nothing like feeling the beat of twenty or more drums for an extended time, weaving rhythms together, listening to each other and impromptu performing solos for the crowd.  It inspires thinking…or not thinking.  Whatever you so desire.
3. Collaboration.  In this time of unrest in so many parts of our world, the drum circle brings unity and acceptance.  It is a place where people value people and our collective power of being.
4. Conversation. The casual atmosphere and volume of the music allows you to have your own party and conversation right there. You don’t have to feel like you are at a concert.
5. Peace. For me, the experience was peaceful.  It was a place for all people, all races, all ages.  The intensity of the music left me feeling calm and energized for a new week.

If you’d like to read more on Malcolm X Park (Or Meridian Hill) go here.