May 2008 Activity -- Drum Circle

Drum Circle
Esoterica
Leesburg, VA
Friday, May 9th, 7:00-8:30
Cost: $15
(Option of joining the Open Drum Circle after class from 8:30-10:00 for $5)
http://www.esotericaofleesburg.com/
703-777-4642

Amy found this on Craigslist and it stated that "all percussion instruments are welcome and that extra drums may be available, but only on a first-come first-served basis."

Walking into Esoterica, we were directed past a lot of incense and witchcraft paraphernalia to a loft area above the store via a narrow and rickety staircase. The loft area was dim and there was (what looked and smelled like) pot burning in a dish in the center of a table. We immediately wished we had brought some cool ranch Doritos confirmed that it was NOT pot or anything potentially harmful to pregnant Amy.

There were five or six guys that regularly participate in this Drum Circle and every single one of them was amazingly nice and welcoming. (We did feel a little like we were invading a very intimate gathering. Probably because we were.) These guys told us about the different instruments they played and knew the history of many different types of drums.

We did a lot of meditation exercises while beating on our drums in the very dimly lit room -- including one where we closed our eyes and tried to follow our animal spirit guides. We were happy enough to go along with this until they then wanted everybody to share what they "saw". I mean, at this point do you let them know you were replaying last night's "Biggest Loser" in your head or do you make up something about your spirit guide being a wolf and leading you away from danger? (I believe we went with secret option "C" and claimed it was too personal an experience to share.)

After drumming and meditating and being in the moment for about an hour or so, we had the option to join in a much larger drum circle that anyone can join in on Friday nights at the store. We opted for dinner and drinks at Lightfoot Restaurant instead (our animal spirit guides led us there).