The Beacon Drum Circle Enters Second Decade

By Jennifer L. Warren

BEACON – It’s an early Thursday evening, around 5:50pm, and a hard, steady rainfall is beginning to show signs of letting up as an ensemble of cars, loaded with excited people and their eclectic sets of colorfully, handcrafted drums, peek out of their windows, hopeful the 6:00pm scheduled show time will not be deterred.

“We always come to play, and expect to play,” explains a woman in a bright fuchsia-hued, silky gown and sandals holding a pair of drum sticks as she surveys the nearby Hudson River. “The rain is not going to stop us; it’s only going to make it a more spiritual experience, a cleansing one with the wind, land and water all right here, just missing the fire.”

The woman is Stephanie Tuck, the Beacon Drum Circle Leader- Facilitator for the past few years, and the location, laden with that spiritual ambience, and many will say elusive “fire”- she and around 30 drummers are about to create is Beacon’s Long Dock Park, site of the free weekly music and dance venue. Carrying the distinction of the only female African-American Drum Circle Leader in the Hudson Valley, Tuck prides herself on the role that allows her to unleash her passion while positively bringing people together to such a sacred locale.

“Most drum circles are run by white men,” points out Tuck, who has arduously worked at growing the Beacon Drum Circle “behind the scenes,” since taking over at the helm a few years ago. “We started out as just 4-5 people and have now evolved into as many as 30 on any given Thursday.”

That number could be seen Thursday, exiting their vehicles, setting up their drum gear, and after being welcomed in and reminded by Tuck “The drum circle is what we make it,” immediately taking a seat while aligning their hand formations, striking different parts of the drum with varying intensities. The result is a creation of rhythmic melodies from all genres, inciting impromptu, energetic dancing while drawing in an impressive crowd of onlookers. Meanwhile, Tuck, weaving in and out of her drumming duties at the front of the circle, is smiling and interacting with all she encounters, introducing herself while making sure they are all welcome.

“I really want the public to know they have a free-there is no donation bin- and very personable drum circle here in Beacon,” said Tuck, who pays out of pocket any time her vast entourage of equipment, which she always has available to loan out, breaks or is even stolen. “I also want them to know it’s a very special, scenic spot we have here on the incredible Hudson River.”

Another priceless nugget Tuck wants to ensure all who consider or enter the Circle are absolutely aware of is that drumming and their rhythms come from a very personal, intuitive space, and is something all are capable of creating, regardless of gender, age, color, experience, or any other variable.

“If you have a heartbeat, you can play a drum; what you bring is what we play,” affirms Tuck, who is in constant motion, delivering positive vibes during the two hour, weekly Circle. “You will catch up with the speed and beat of that heartbeat as you play; the rhythm of a drum is all about slap, tone and bass.”

On this night, a wide range of contributing heartbeats are all converging, as the music emerges in what appears to be a completely perfect symphony of melodies which a trio of animated dancers begin to feel and continue the story being unraveled. Hands are clapping, people are full of joy, forgetting their worries and for a couple of beautiful hours time appears to be standing still. It’s exactly the type of contagious scene that inspires Tuck to keep going, growing this Circle even more.

“We are just out there having a really good time, dancing and drumming, while decompressing and relaxing,” said Tuck as she observes the events which have ensued from people coming together and creating. “I’m just a vessel being used to support the community, and I am enjoying every single moment of it.”

The Beacon Drum Circle is held at Beacon’s Long Dock Park, from April through the third week of September. It is currently scheduled from 6:00pm-8:00pm with a switch to 5:30-7:30 as summer fades and the school year approaches. And yes, it is most times held rain or shine, as Tuck is always hopeful the rain will ease up and “the show will go on.”