Paralounge Drum Circle

 A drum circle is a community function based on rhythm and dance. Many cultures throughout the planet have traditions that include drum circle activities. Each culture has drum circles that function differently for different purposes. Ancient tribes of man used music to bring the members closer as a functioning group. The instruments they created mimic the sounds of nature around them. Utilizing these sounds and placing them in rhythmic patterns created a communal effect that was advantagous to the groups intent. All forms of music may have begun in a drum circle. Drum and dance has celebrated Harvest, Weddings, and Religious Ceremony.

 Do not let the name fool you. Drum Circle is the name given, but it allows all forms of musical instruments. It is the group intent that rules the ingredients. The African Djembe is the most widely used among modern drum circles. The African Djun Djun, Japanese Taiko Drums and the Native American Mother Drums are present to keep the heart beat strong and steady. The Agogo Bell and Skakere can cut through the drums easily and set up layers of rhythms that compliment each other. Gongs and whistles add wonderful texture. According to the size and awareness of the participants, Flutes and Didgeridoos are beautiful additions. Any instrument can be used in a drum circle, but you must be aware of what you are expressing into the music.

 The Drum Circle is in circle form to allow everyone to participate at full potential. Most drum circles are set up with a center big enough for dancers to move about. In the center ring grows in layers as more participants play. Normally we observe the most confident players are in the center ring. The circle allows those players to have eye contact with everyone in the center circle. You can also use everyones hands as reference to rhythm. In a circle you can observe all aspects of the musicians. If you get a group on one side that has locked together without the entire group, you will here the effect on the music. It's like a record on a record player. It wobbles! Of course you will hear different rhythms from different areas. It's the one beat that counts! In the circle everyone should have an equal opportunity to find that one beat.

The Paralounge Drum Circle is a celebration of Human Spirit with drum and dance. The Paralounge Drum Circle is for entire families to experience the magic of rhythm and dance and become aware of the rhythm that surrounds us everywhere. Here are some guidelines for enjoying a Paralounge Drum Circle.

• Absolutely No Drugs!
• No Glass. Please put it in a cup. Some dancers have bare feet.
• Ask permission before playing someone elses instrument.
• Only enter the center of the drum circle if you are dancing.
• No Nudity
• Standing drummers play behind sitting drummers.

Be aware of your surroundings. Please don't blow away the person behind you.

 Drum Circle enthusiest from around the world are attending the Paralounge Drum Gathering. The drum circle community in Florida has been growing for some time. Each large city has developed a drum circle community and many of them have regular times and places where they meet to celebrate drum circle. The Paralounge Drum Gathering brings these drum circle enthusiest together to enjoy a great weekend of music and dance.

 The Paralounge Drum Circle begins with hundreds of drummers! From the inner layer of drum circle superstars, to the outer layer of grinning faces and dancing feet. The Paralounge Drum Gathering is not complete without a great fire in the center circle. The fire is lit at dusk and burns till dawn. Throughout the night the drummers slowly give in and leave the fire to find slumber. As the numbers get smaller the rhythm becomes more intimate and creative as the drummers get closer in the circle and create the eye contact they need to function at full potential.

Fire spinners are welcome to enjoy the Paralounge Drum Gathering. Please do not enter the drum circle area with live fire! Please stay to the outside region of the field and respect the drum circle space. Safety is number one. If you are spinning fire, please have proper safety equipment available.

The Ego is by far the loudest instrument in the Drum Circle. No matter what instrument you play, it is your ego that will play the loudest. Observe the drum circle. Make eye contact with everyone. Listen. The loudest drum has the most confidence. You will hear it every time. It may or may not be the heartbeat. When you hear the loudest drum, make a decision. Is that drum playing for their ego? Or is that drum playing for the group intent?

 If the loudest drum is playing for their own ego, you can look and see they are oblivious to the group intent. They will not be paying attention to the dancers. The drum circle is like a record player. If a group clicks on one side, but not the other, you get a lopsided drum circle. People are playing, but not locking in.

 What every drum circle needs is a confident drummer that is self aware and knows how to play for the group intent. That drummer knows how to mark the one beat, make it simple enough for the group to follow, but easliy manipulated to add complex rhythms for the superstars, and is aware of the responsibility. Remember the most important player in the drum circle is the one that recognizes the one beat. Sometimes beginners feel overwhelmed by the more complex rhythms. The best thing to do is find the one beat and play it. The more people that lock into the one beat, the more it will ground the entire circle and create a musical expression.

 Everyone that has taken the time to learn the drum and play it correctly should understand the responsibility of that accomplishment. When you can take a large group of beginner drummers and play them into that moment of bliss, you should! That moment when the beginner feels the self empowerment of confidence, if you can bring them to that moment then you have found the true meaning of the drum circle. Our blessing to you.