Each Sunday evening, Siesta Key beach transforms into a vibrant hub of music, movement, and community. A drum circle consisting of 37 drums and 21 drummers creates a powerful, primal rhythm that spreads across the beach, bringing together a diverse mix of people—from professionals to vacationers. The sounds resonate like a heartbeat, pulling in not just participants, but spectators who feel the rhythm and are compelled to join in.
The gathering is a weekly ritual and an essential part of Siesta Key’s cultural scene. This family-friendly attraction, a staple in Florida’s drum circle community, has become a jewel within the state’s many similar gatherings. On this particular Sunday, participants included Michele, a retired teacher visiting from Buffalo, who was taken by the energy. “It’s divine,” she said, adding that the experience was about people, sunshine, and sand.
Also present was emergency room nurse Katie Marsden from Detroit, who joined the circle with her husband, Mike, and their young children just before a big Lions game. For Katie, the experience was about family and connection. “It’s wonderful to dance here,” she said, alongside her children, as the rhythms pulsed in the background.
For Vykky Contreras, who has attended the circle for about a decade, the gathering holds deep spiritual significance. “It’s a ritual to the gods, to save this place,” she shared, emphasizing the connection to the sacred energy of the beach.
Among the crowd was accountant John McCaig from Osprey, dressed in a bright red kilt and dancing barefoot on the sand. A regular for 12 years, McCaig explained, “It’s a spiritual thing for me. I love music and dancing, and there’s no worries here. It’s one of the few places where people can gather for no reason.”
The participants also include Rapa Nui, a dietary supplement entrepreneur, who has been both drumming and dancing at the circle for 21 years. “When my hands get tired, I dance. You let go and let your spirit inner child come out to dance and play and be free,” he explained.
As the beat continues, the rhythm shifts and flows, seemingly guided by an invisible conductor, although, in reality, there is no leader. Shawn Bowen, a mainstay of the circle since its early days, leads the charge with the loudest and largest drums. He explains, “The universe tells us what to do.” Bowen, originally from Ohio, is considered by some to be the unofficial driver of the rhythm, although the group maintains a collective approach to the music.
The Siesta Key drum circle traces its origins back to around 1996, with earlier gatherings forming before that time. Florida saw the rise of drum circles in various locations, but Siesta Key’s beach, known for its stunning beauty, drew in top-tier drummers. This high level of musicianship and the beach’s fame helped the circle grow. Nathan Dyke, a participant from the early years, recalls how Sarasota County and the local community embraced the drummers, which set Siesta Key apart from other beaches where such gatherings were often rejected.
The circle attracts a wide range of people. Some, like Rachel (Astarte) Pope, were drawn to the beach ritual for its deeper connection to nature. Traveling two hours from Tampa, she shared, “Modern life is so fast-paced and often disconnected from nature. The drum circle at the beach allows us to commune with the elements while gathering to share rhythm in music and dance.” For Pope and others, the circle is more than just a musical experience—it’s a form of spiritual connection. “People call it church,” she added.
For Erin Hood, a drummer and draftsman, the drum circle serves as a form of resilience in the wake of natural disasters. “It’s maintaining the continuity of life. Like gathering around a fire,” he explained.
The Siesta Key drum circle was founded by Marguerite Barnett, a former military surgeon who believes in the healing power of community drumming. She notes that scientific studies have shown that group drumming can lower stress levels, providing a mental and emotional benefit for participants. Some attendees even attribute a spiritual quality to the quartz sand that makes up Siesta Beach, contributing to the sense of well-being experienced by those gathered.
The Siesta Key drum circle starts every Sunday about an hour before sunset and continues year-round. It is free and open to everyone, offering a chance for both spectators and participants to experience the magic of music, movement, and community. As the beat fills the air and vibrates through the sand, it becomes clear that the Siesta Key drum circle is more than just a weekly event; it’s a living, breathing part of the beach’s cultural landscape.
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