Arts Center hosts drum circle event

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City Arts Center offered a banging new experience on Saturday, May 17, with an event from Drum Iowa.

“We go to different communities in the state to foster drum culture,” said Drum Iowa founder Myquawn Bailey. “What drumming has the potential to do is to bring people together that may not know each other.”

Based in Waterloo, Bailey brought his collection of instruments to the Arts Center for an interactive presentation on the history and benefits of drumming.

Open to anybody, people were free to join the circle and pick up a percussion instrument of their liking as Bailey led the group through a variety of drum beats, creating a communal experience as strangers played together as one.

“It’s really fun,” said Roxanne Barritan. “It kind of relaxes you.”

The Arts Center has already booked Drum Iowa to return for another session on June 14.

“It’s awesome,” said Arts Center assistant Shaune Fields. “I love that he’s able to come and give us some music in Charles City.”