Happy New Year, 2009

Okay, a New Year is upon us. 

We've already learned that "One voice can change the world."

We can participate with drums or dance.

What is your pleasure?

Siesta Key Drum Circle

My second day of birthday celebration (see below) started as the sun began to make its descent. Every Sunday on Siesta Beach, crowds begin to gather and form a large, open circle. People bring chairs, drums, maracas and beverages. Soon there is standing room only around the periphery of the circle. 

As the drummers start beating their rhythms, children are first to enter the circle.

A regular dancer begins a ritual that invites others into the circle for the dance. 

This was a great opportunity to test my new lens from across the drum circle.

The big drums beat a rhythm that is enhanced by smaller drums and maracas.

Children, and the young at heart, are eager to join the dance.

For more drum circle, see Drum Circle II, below.

Drum Circle II

When the drumming gets hot and the sun cools near the horizon, 

children join the hula hoop dancers to the delight the audience.

As the sun approached the horizon, more people entered the drum circle to dance.

Smiling faces were the rule both inside and outside of the circle.

This is my last birthday shot at the beach. A few clouds add texture to the blue sky, a con trail sweeps toward the setting sun, and Venus (or is that Mars?) seems to bid us adieu.