San Diego Area Drum Circles |
Weekly Events Other Southern California |
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Drum circles were a major part
of the Grateful Dead concerts I attended. That's my hand in the foreground. |
About San Diego Drum Circles |
| There's a lot of drumming in San Diego. It's usually warm and clear here
all year around, so outdoor drumming happens almost every weekend. There
are also a lot of open spaces, mostly in parks, along beaches, and in the
deserts to the east.
For traditional drumming, there are Brazilian, African, Cuban, Arab, Indian, Amerind (Native American), and Taiko groups, among others. For improvisational community drumming, there are drum circles. My first exerience with a large drum circle was at a Grateful Dead concert. Indeed, many of the people I see at circles since then wear Deadhead attire. At that time, the conga set was dominant (see the photo above). Today, the jembe (djembe) has become the fashionable drum; indeed, they tend to dominate drum circles today. The drum circles I've been to also have other instruments, including flutes, guitars, various drums, and the moaning didgeridoo. You can also see other kinds of attractions, like singers, face-painting, fortune-telling, magic, fire-eating, and of course, dancers. The people are usually peaceful, respectful, and mellow (when they don't have a drum in their hands). As you might expect in these kinds of surroundings, they are often progressive, and sometimes political. They are of all ages, sometimes with children. |
Monthly Events |
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San Dieguito Park |
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In contrast to the drum circles above, the San Dieguito Park circle is more of a family event. People bring their children, and spread out blankets on the grass. The adults average a bit higher age than the people at the beach events. It's arguably the prettiest of the three drumming sites. This event has the feeling of a picnic. Musicians bring a mixture of jembes, doumbeks, and other assorted drums. Someone always brings a flute, guitar, and/or didgeridoo. One recent event was enlivened by a guy on pan flutes, and someone brought a steel drum, which people took turns playing. |
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The park is located off of I-5 (again). Take the Lomas Santa Fe exit. Go east for almost a mile. Turn left on Highland Dr. You will see a sign on the corner that tells you that you are at San Dieguito Park. Continue past the the upper park entrance; you want the lower park. After going down a grade, Highland will end at a T intersection with Camino Real. Turn right at the yield sign, and the entrance to the lower park will be on the right. The fee is $3.00 to enter, or you can park along the highway for a short walk. The drummers meet up the grassy rise, beyond the end of the last parking lot. |
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San Diego Women's Drum CircleOn the 1st Sat each Month from 7-9 PM there is a women's drum circle at the Universal Spirit Center in Hillcrest. Drums are available to borrow or purchase. Located at Universal Spirit Center in Hillcrest - 3858 Front St., S.D.
92103 - SW corner of Front & University (Masonic Lodge Building). Contact: Vicki Morgan Before the circle, from 5:30-6:45 PM, Elisa teaches a drum class including
technique and history of the rhythms (cost $8). |
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This event happens at different locations in the community of Fallbrook on the second Saturday of each month. It has occasionally featured workshops with such well-known administrators as Paulo Mattiolli. For information on times/locations, call Tom Rondeau at Rainbow Designs (760-723-1899) or e-mail: FallbrookDrum@aol.com |
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Meyoma Drum CircleThis is a facilitated circle organized by Frank Lazzaro of Damaru. It occurs on every Wednesday. 7-8:30pm at Meyoma, 250 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas. There is a requested donation of $5.00. |
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Urban DrummingOn the 2nd Sunday each month, people gather in the parking lot of Metro Floral/Peggy Walker Designs for a drum circle. If it rains the circle is held inside the studio (Ste B)."Join with neighbors and friends
in rhythm. Everyone welcome to 5:30-7pm For more info: www.urbandrumming.com |
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Annual Events |
Earth Day in Balboa Park |
| This event is part of the Earth Day celebrations in San Diego. It occurs on the third Sunday of April. Drummers gather to the immediate west of the botanical gardens near the reflection pool. In addition to drummers, there are dancers, and a ton of spectators. Some years, vocals, announcements, and sometimes song introductions are amplified through a PA system. The rhythms are most-frequently Mandinke (West African), although the 2007 event began with a large array of congas beating out afro-cuban rhythms. The event usually gathers a very large crowd and even media attention. |  |
Idyllwild Community
Drum & Dance From Your Heart! |
A facilitated and carefully organized drum circle to "help bring
peace, love, and healing to our world" and "melt away stress,
personal barriers, and emotional blockages." These events have a
fee (see below). Saturday, December 13th, 2008 2-7 p.m. Presale ticket prices (until December 1) |
LinksHere are some good sites I've
come across |
| Hear is the ultimate Drum Circle Reference.
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| This site is for a drumming community center north of downtown San Diego. |
| This site is a great collection of drum circle locations around the world.
It includes the circles I listed above, and the descriptions are very accurate.
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SCROLL has information about Southern California drum circles, including a schedule of Black's Beach full-moon events.
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| Arthur Hull seems to be the guru of community drumming. He holds
classes and seminars on drum circles and the community. This site is another
list of drum circle locations.
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| This site is a good source of general information. It has a message
board and chatroom.
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How to contact me:If you have any questions about this stuff, please write me an e-mail at:
My name is Brian
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