Go - Go - Gadget Rhythm

For those of you readers who have never been to Washington DC, one of their favorite claim-to-fames is the creation of Go-Go music. Typically, youll recognize this music as that black dude who hangs out side the Metro stops, drummin' away on buckets, pots and pans, cowbells, or whatever kind of percussion he can find. All done at an extremely fast pace.

Expanding on this during the 1970s, a drum circle began in Meridian Park/Malcolm X Park in the Northwest quadrant of Washington DC. It is currently the longest running drum circle in the nation. Gathering every sunday from 3-9 pm, drummers are invited to contribute to a rhythm that makes you drum, dance, or just sit in complete enchantment.

Last weekend, not only did I have the opportunity to visit the infamous drum circle, but I actually partook in the experience. Bringing my bass conga at the initial get-go at 3:00 sharp, myself and about 3 others literally started it. "Hosted" by a man named Experience ( an overweight black man wearing a bucket hat, a black kilt, and an american flag sleeve-cut tee) we jammed until the neighborhood rocked and the kids were a dancin'.

As you may have caught, drumming is not the only joy to be offered. Some attend just to feel the groove and dance the hot summer heat away. Ranging from short haired middle aged women to freaky youngens, all type and colors get down to the sound of the beat.

If your every in the neighborhood on those sundays, grab a triangle, a symbol, or a textbook and go bang away. You wont regret it.

(Apologies for the video quality - apparently BlackBerries arent all their talked up to be)

Keep on Skankin'

Abe Froman