You might think, if you are not a drummer, that you wouldn't enjoy an all-drumming festival. I thought that, but a friend convinced me to go to the Paralounge Drum Gathering several years ago, and it was great. This is not your festival drunks playing badly at 4 a.m. while you're trying to sleep. They might be playing at 4:30 a.m. at the Paralounge, but it's gonna be good.
When I went, there was a huge variety of percussion that was super-interesting, every day there were learning workshops (and drums available for everyone,) there was yoga, evening bonfires with hot dancers, kid's activities, awesome guest performances by world-class drum ensembles, cool vendors, and these folks know how to throw a lovely gathering.
The Paralounge's October gathering happens this weekend, Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at Camp Kiwanis on Mill Dam Lake, which is (oddly) a private campground located in the Ocala National Forest (Silver Springs, Fl.)
This year features a performance by Dimas Sanchez and “Traditional Bomba” from Puerto Rico. This percussion style reaches back to the early 1800’s when African slaves from Ghana brought their traditions to the sugar plantations of Puerto Rico. Traditional Bomba will also give instructional workshops.
I really dig this little treatise the Paralounge has on "drum circle etiquette."
Admission is $50 for the weekend, $30 for the day -- pay at the gate. Kids 12 and under are free. You need to bring an above ground fire pit or grill if you want your own campfire (but going to the main drum circle fire is preferable in any case)There are no RV hookups at the festival, but there is an RV camping area across the lake (not sure how far.) No pets. If you want to tent on the lake, bring a wagon to cart your stuff. Or, you can camp by your car away from the lake.
There are dorm rooms available also for a fee, in case you don't want to camp. But be prepared: they are rooms filled with camping bunks, meant for scouts!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment