Austin hand drumming circles's topics - tribe.net

Dance and Drum circle in the North

Justin — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:14:08 GMT

OK since things went so well this last go around I plan to make this a regular thing.

next gathering is July 18th once again at the park in Liberty Hill

see you there
Justin

posted in Austin hand drumming circles - 0 replies

Posible Drum Circle in Liberty Hill

Justin — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:49:05 GMT

I am putting out feelers for interest in a drum circle in Liberty Hill I'm aiming for a monthly event at a nice park I have scouted with a fire pit and nice aria to dance and play June 20th is the current target more details will be posted at http://tribes.tribe.net/austindrums/thread/537a785f-021c-425f-8fd3-8fac333c07b8

Thanks for looking
Justin

posted in Austin hand drumming circles - 5 replies

What is a drum circle?

Blackbirddreamer — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:18:50 GMT

This was an attempt on my part to describe what an urban drum circle is and answer a few questions.

Any feedback, thoughts, or modiifications?

A hand drumming circle is an event where individual hand drummers participate in unison to play improvisationally together creating an overall sound that is usually complex and unique to experience. Percussion instruments range from plastic pails to master crafted or personally created drums.

Who are all of these people?
In addition to drummers known participants in drum circles include spiritualists, dancers, spinners, acrobats, hula hoopers, and musicians who wish to participate in the unique improvisational nature that drum circles provide. Some musicians may bring other instruments to accompany the drums. Many other people attend drum circles for various reasons including audience. There is a unique energy level created by a drum circle that many people are drawn to.

Why do you say a drum circle is peaceful?
A successful drum circle depends on a certain level of harmony. The drummers must hear each other to properly respond or play accompanying rythms. Because of this drum circles although often found in high energy settings are generally known to be friendly and peaceful environments.

What kind of people attend drum circles?
The "type of people" that attend a non-sponsored public drum circle is limited only by it's location and accesibility. Because it is without sponsor or ownership all people who attend a drum circle are individuals that choose to be in the location at the same time. Every individual is a self responsible member of the community. Because of the public location an urban drum circle is more prone to being visited by audience or spectators due to popularity. The purpose of a drum circle is self fullfiling and any audience members or spectators are considered non-participants. One thing that almost all attendies of a drum circle have in common is an interest in cooperation, harmony, and community experience.

Where's the party?
Away from the drum circle. Because many drums are expensive the owners appreciate self responsible and respectful individuals. Disorderly individuals are usually handled by someone that knows them. If someone is unavailable to handle the person who came to the drum circle in a disorderly state passive but effective methods are used to distract the individual or keep the drums away from them. This is a reality of a drum circle in a public place accesible to all. The drummers are unable to restric access to the circle area because a public location is open to all with control rights extending only to the protection of individual personal property and safety.

May I bang on your drum?
A hand drum is a musical instrument and to many they are spiritual tools. Anyone who wants a toy to bang on should go buy one for themselves. Most drums in drum circles are cherrished items and some are to be played only by the owner or trusted individuals. If someone lets another individual use their drum as a non-owner the individual has a responsibility to observe respect for the drum they are touching as well as the other drummers in the circle.

What kind of drum is that?
Although there are many other types of drums hand drumming circles are most often found with Djembes, ashikos, doumbeks, cajons, bodrans in abundance. Alternate stick played drums are commonly found at drum circles. These drums are usually designed or built with the intent of being played along with hand drums. These are general statements offered only as example. The combination of drums and which work best together or are appropriate are matters for discussion and opinion.

How loud are these drums?
Drums can vary widely in volume depending on how they are tuned or who is playing them. The drums are much softer in comparrison to kit drums in that the volume is limited to how hard they can be hit with a hand which is a soft object. Most drummers set volume cooperativley with each other. through cooperation but sometimes volumes will still vary. Usually volume is set by the overall feeling by the drummers of what volume they believe is appropriate at that time. Sustained volume levels are relatively low compared to amplified music events. In our urban circle we began discouraging certain types of drums including pro-tuned congas that we found to lend themselves to high volume or easy disturbances when accessed by the wrong people. The fact that congas stopped appearing serves to demonstrate the self responsible and cooperative nature of drum circle participants.

posted in Austin hand drumming circles - 0 replies

Spectacular news for cold people!

Blackbirddreamer — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:01:39 GMT

I called and spoke with the City of Austin permit office about permits required because I like to see people warm on cold nights.

The question was what permits would be needed for portable propane heaters, portable propane stoves, or portable hot water heaters. The answer is none. On city sidewalks, and very specifically on the pedestrian bridge is it completely legal and acceptable to use portable propane stoves, portable propane heaters, and portable propane water heaters.

The criteria is that they have to be portable defined as pack it in with you, and pack it back out with you and they should be self contained. At first we were unsure about the stoves but the city representative tripple checked and confirmed that since the stove is portable and meets safety standards it is fully acceptable.

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Invite to Aug. 07 Amy's Ice Cream Social with WyldeFyre

AmberBarbara — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:26:18 GMT

Amy's Ice Cream Social
1st Thursday
August 2nd

Amy's Ice Cream South
3100 South Congress,
one block north from Ruta Maya's

Drumming from 7-10PM
Belly, hoop, and tribal dances before sundown
fire arts from sundown til dark

dance and play to the sounds of Austin drums,
share the joy of an ol' time social,
everyone can just get together and have a good time, eat ice cream, and watch or participate in the show.
We do a sign up sheet for those who want to dance –
email ahead to reserve a space if you know you can be there.

This event is family friendly.
Bring whatever you need to be comfortable and
your drums or a dance
be a part of the show!

Sign up starts at 6pm.
If you have a troupe or an act you would like to present,

Please email in advance for a time slot.
for fire arts classes and questions please contact
Willow wildwindsdancer@yahoo.com
belly and tribal arts please contact
AmberBarbara Amberbarbara@hotmail.com

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