Feelin’ the rhythm

• Promotes a sense of community
• All skill levels welcome

It’s a Wednesday night and sounds of rhythmic drumming fill the halls of the Rotary Centre for the Arts (RCA).

Nine drummers gather in a dim, mood lit room. Each, lost in the music that the percussion instruments provide. It’s noisy, but peaceful.

“It helps with your health and wellness. It reduces stress. It allows our energy to come out naturally,” facilitator Jim Copeman told Kelowna10.

“It gets us out of our thinking just into the moment when we're playing with others, and we’re connecting with others and ourselves, too. It’s a spontaneous activity that lets us be ourselves.”

The circle relies heavily on a sense of community. Each drummer adds their own piece to the rhythm, creating a unique sound each time.

“In the drum circle we have to connect with each other. We have to listen to each other,” Copeman said. “We talk with each other, and so when we connect that way we’re giving and receiving and the whole rhythm is a community effort.”

He said everybody has something to contribute, be it a simple pulse or a fast, complicated rhythm.

Copeman made it clear anyone is welcome in the drum circle. It doesn’t matter if someone has prior experience with drumming, or no experience at all.

“It’s a fun activity. It’s not meant to be a performance, it’s just meant to be something to do and enjoy,” Copeman said.

Retiree Joy Kimler decided to give drum circle a try after her husband got tired of her slamming on the side of the car.

“It’s amazing,” Kimler said. “I love it. It’s relaxing. You just can’t think of the worries of the day, you just melt into the rhythm of the drums. And it’s very relaxing and very tranquil.”

Meanwhile, three year drumming vet Tyler said after a busy week, he “can come and sort of put my rhythm back into rhythm with drums. It’s really great.”

Human connection drew Honey Badger to the circle.

“I love this drum circle, because after two years of COVID it brings us together in a 3D way, and I’m sick of 2D,” he said.

As for Heather, getting her hands on the drums is all about the sense of community it brings.

“Certainly, after a hard day, it’s a great way to de-stress,” she said.

The drum circle takes place every first and third Wednesday evening at the RCA.