Moving his Phat Drum Circle a little father down the beach at Junipero St. was a good idea.  Located right on the water in Long Beach, under a large oak tree providing ample sun on a hot summer’s day, the drum circle couldn’t be in a better spot at the beach. Looking out to the water, sailboats cruise by Long Beaches’ oil islands decorated with palms and huge boulder rocks. The water glistens with the sun shines down, all withing the amazing urban backdrop of downtown Long Beach.  Honestly, for a city setting, it doesn’t get much better. The drum circle brings its array of hand drummers with lots of percussion skills.  Capri, Country and Charles, some of the wonderful brothers of the drum circle kick up the beat and the energy.  Not to be outdone, some of Santa Ana’s Latino, Manos de Fuego drummers from the Santa Ana Urban Drum Circle join in. Higgy Vasquez, Katarina, the Professor, Carlos and Eduardo plays their congas, djembes, chekeres, abrijos (Brasilian whistles) and dance to the beat.

Where there’s a drum circle, drummers converge.  It’s a gathering of the great drum spirit and the hearts of people. The energy is not wasted on an unappreciative crowd. People walking by stop for a minute to enjoy the drumming, but end up dancing, playing an instrument and stay an hour. Thought you were leaving the beach? Think again. The vibrant, lifting spirit of the drum circle will hold you there and at the end of the day, that’s what you’ll be talking about. Families, ladies, guys, kids, everyone joins in on the bliss. Children sense the freedom of the drum circle and uninhibitedly jump in and dance. They want to play and be a part of everything and their parents let them, knowing it’s a safe and fun place to be.

The beat intensifies and the drumming reaches a zenith, the drummers won’t stop and the beat goes on and on, then in the middle of it all, the cue comes in, “On three, on three, on three, one, da di dut dut da, two and then three, fini. Everyone stops on cue, but occasionally someone misses the cue and everyone breaks out in laughter. Then it all starts again and someone new jumps in the center circle to dance. 

Charles, a Jamaican man with an incredible happy smile, brings out his marimba.  Marcus directs the group to lower the sound and Charles shares his special instrument.  Right then and there, you think you are in the Carribbean, with the brown and black spectators of Long Beach and some whites thrown in, this multi-ethnic experience could just as well be on a beach in Jamaica or Cuba. Latino grooves on the conga by Higgy add to the marimba sound and you are transported in time and space to a place of happiness and joy where everyone gets along. Honestly, it’s one of those times where you think maybe the world will actually be at peace. Eduardo brings in the bongos and before you know it, the entire group has joined in and the drum circle is in full swing again. The groove finishes up at twilight, people slowly leave for home with a smile on their face and hopefully a note to make it again next summer. 

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