Dozens ranked in the New Year with a high-energy community drum circle at the lakefront Sunday.
Heather Poyner organized the Arctic Circle New Year’s Day Drumming at noon outside the historic Southport Beach House, 7825 First Ave. Poyner, of Rhythm in the Round Drum Circles, has organized the lakeside event since 2002.
All ages were welcome to create improvised, lightly facilitated drum songs celebrating the start of a new year around the sun.
Participants played handheld instruments, some of which simple as a bucket with a stick. Others brought their own djembes, wooden flutes and chimes.
Poyner said attendance at the event varies each year depending on weather and interest. This year about 50 joined in.
Poyner, who facilitates the playing, said there’s no right or wrong way to play. Anyone was invited to join in, regardless of musical training or talent.
People are also reading…
“Twenty-three years ago, at the dawn of the millennium, I discovered drumming at a circle in Milwaukee,” Poyner said.
Dozens rang in the new year with a high-energy community drum circle at the Kenosha lakefront Sunday.
Daniel Gaitan
“In Milwaukee in 2000, we were in a basement all drumming together. There were people that I had never met before, with the camaraderie and the instant bonding — there were people were wearing curious costumes and dancing and whatever — it was cool. Just after the millennium hit 6 in the morning, it was dawn, and one guy said let’s go to Bradford Beach. We caught the sunrise, and it was kind of an epiphany moment for me.”
After that emotional experience, Poyner decided it would be beneficial to folks in Kenosha.
“I was like whatever this is, it’s good for people and I want to share it. So a couple years later, I decided it would be a New Year’s community event to celebrate a new chapter,” she added.
Anne Wasilevich brought her own drum to the circle Sunday. It was her first time attending the event.
Daniel Gaitan
Anne Wasilevich brought her own drum to the circle Sunday. It was her first time attending the event.
“I’m very excited,” Wasilevich said. “I just want to start the new year off right.”
IN PHOTOS: New Year’s Day drum circle 2021 on Kenosha lakefront
NEW YEAR DRUM CIRCLE
Scott Sparkman keeps the beat during a drum circle at the Southport Beach House on Friday.
KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC
NEW YEAR DRUM CIRCLE
Mercedes Dzindzeleta participates in a drum circle.
KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC
NEW YEAR DRUM CIRCLE
A small group of drummers ushered in the new year with a drum circle at the Southport Beach House on Friday.
SEAN KRAJACIC photos, KENOSHA NEWS
NEW YEAR DRUM CIRCLE
Dani Lockwood plays an instrument during the drum circle.
KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC
NEW YEAR DRUM CIRCLE
A small group of drummers ushered in the new year with a drum circle at the Southport Beach House on Friday.
KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC
NEW YEAR DRUM CIRCLE
Heather Poyner leads a drum circle at the Southport Beach House on Friday.
KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC
NEW YEAR DRUM CIRCLE
Heather Poyner bundles up to lead the Jan. 1, 2020, drum circle at the Southport Beach House. The New Year’s Day event returns Saturday. The weather forecast calls for a brisk wind that day, so bundle up!
KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC
NEW YEAR DRUM CIRCLE
Dani Lockwood plays a percussion instrument during a drum circle at the Southport Beach House on Friday.
KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC
NEW YEAR DRUM CIRCLE
Mercedes Dzindzeleta plays multiple instruments during a drum circle at the Southport Beach House on Friday.
KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC
NEW YEAR DRUM CIRCLE
Ed Soler and Heather Poyner tap on a fence during a drum circle.
KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC
NEW YEAR DRUM CIRCLE
Collin Simonsen participates in a drum circle at the Southport Beach House on Friday.
KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC
NEW YEAR DRUM CIRCLE
Brian Lockwood plays a percussion instrument.
KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter.
Comments are closed.