Some Pics from the Halloween Bash at the Gallery....2015

Sometimes its just us.........

December 14,2014

Sometimes its just us. Standing really close to the fire on a really starry, clear night. We've still got all the drums and flutes going and our conversation is in this kind of way. We're not talking, but we are with our drums and flutes and sax and whatever we've brought to the circle. Play em if you got em!  We're waiting for YOU !   Happy Holidays to you and yours! Please put a visit to our circle on your bucket list for the coming year. You'll be really glad you did!

Inside and Out

We had a nice drumming the Sunday Night before Thanksgiving. A Fire, and some Good beats to provide a Groovy Sunday Eve.

 

But when it Rains we have to be under some kind of cover. We try to drum in the rain for awhile but eventually things start getting wet and then its time to head under cover. Usually inside the Gallery. That's what we did last Sunday night. We went inside what I call the 'Boom Room'. Its a big wooden box that almost echoes to a whisper. Drumming is loud and so those who drum know how to regulate their own strength of sound. But, you get caught up in the moment and next thing you know your drumming so hard that you could swim across lake kaweah.

 

And we have been doing it for a number or years now. Here's a pic from about 12 years ago.

 

 

Gary and Larrisa

Update..November 20, 2014

Well at least it wasn't a year that I haven't posted. Now that there's Facebook we're pretty live with our thoughts and events. Its still nice to check in here and see some of our past and pretty close to present. I'm posting some pics from last Sunday Nite. We're still hard at it putting out the beats. Every Sunday still has folks showing up and having a good and grooving time. We are holding a spot for you on any Sunday so come on up and play your instruments around a fire by the river....

Merry Christmas to YOU !

Thanks for Drumming with us all these years!!!!

Making a Drumcircle Video..........

Pic by Dark Siever

We've been kicking this idea around for awhile, making a drumcircle video that shows Drumming and Dancing and lots of it. Something that shows what we do best when its the best. This takes some doing it turns out. Hoping that people will show, drummers and dancers for sure. It helps to have some of our stars there too. You know who you are. So, you get all this together on a Sunday nite then, you have to have someone to catch it. And catch it as we are thinking it. A good camera and a good eye. And, since its dark, good light, which we get by building up the fire. Lots to think about but we're moving forward. First, we have Karl and Markus who have volunteered to do the job and got on it last week, Sunday before this last. We are lucky in that lots of talent comes to the circle! We would love to do all this filming and getting recording but we're Drumming. Now we have a really good start to our goal of doing this and its for YOU! So, at some point in time you will be seeing us like never before. This may not be all good so we'll have to check it out.

Fall Stories

Its that time when the green grass is finally starting to pop up. Its been hot for a long time, now its pretty darn chilly at night. Its been nice to go to the drumming's Sunday nights and have a nice fire going. Different members have been bringing wood and so far its been really good wood. Oak. As we get going with fires at the circle, we'll be going down to the riverbed and getting the wood all around. Wood that the river brought down. Its tempting because its usually everywhere. We bring it up when we run out of wood at the circle. It happens and it'll be Sunday eve and we'll be looking at no wood at all and soon they will come. Drummers from towns all around expecting a nice warm fire and we live to provide that. Its what makes a good drumming. A nice warm, hot fire makes all the difference. So, we end up burning that punk wood from the river. Soon though it will get smoky and the only way to get rid of that is to get it all so hot that it will just incinerate everything in the fire pit but the punk wood, which will finally start burning nice...........for awhile.   Its a talent to know how to make a fire. Making a fire with any kind of wood using just a lighter or matches is even harder and if you make it with just  sticks , twigs, bark, and dry materials its an art that will serve you well in your life. No gas or any of that of course. Enjoy this time and come on up or come on over to our drumming's.

Nice last Tuesday on the River at Slickee

Great Dummings go late..........

A Real Nice Drumming last night! Mid August, the weekend of the annual Meteor Showers . We didn't see too many as we drummed along to the grooves of the night. It was a really dark starry night with the quarter moon going down early. People came as the drumming evolved and in the end we drummed till way after we were supposed to quit. Its that way sometimes when we're all in the moment and its just too nice to leave. So, we grooved on into the wee hours and we're glad we did! You should plan a Sunday night to come up..............you'll be glad you did!

Good Drumming last Sunday Nite! I know I always say that, but I'm not kidding, they are all good. New Friends and Old Friends and Core members coming to bring the Drum to the world. Getting the Grooove down for all in Three Rivers to hear. Sunday Nights are popular for the town. Wherever you go if you listen, you can hear Drumming going on. Where is that coming from say the tourists driving through? Where is that Groove coming from that makes the person working nearby tap their feet? The Drum Circle groove generator of course!  The last post was from an old recording that we made. I've got a lot of the old recordings I made in the day and hope to post them up. I've been trying to find a good way and decided to make little Videos and add the song to them. It kind of makes a complete package and something nice to watch while you enjoy the music. I'm totally new at this so I'm hoping to get some feedback from you all..................Thanks to You who come and Drum!

The River Song....

Biggest Full Moon....

Well, I'm sitting here at my desk in Sequoia National Park. Outside its alittle warm and there are small Mountains all around. Looking east is Moro Rock. I've been reading about this Big Moon coming and its actually already in the works. I woke up around 3am and thought it was already time to get up for work it was so light and bright out. So, tomorrow night..Sunday Nights Drumming should be really nice. And, it also should be all hands on drum for the core players! We'll get the area looking good as we always try to and will be anticipating a crowd. The last few Sunday Drummings have all been interesting if not historical. You'll just have to come to find out. Meanwhile I'm listening to the calls coming in on the radio here and waiting to hear the word Fire! Otherwise, its my Friday and I'm off for the next 2 days. Drumming and getting some exercise is on the agenda. I'm working on a pretty cool Music video to post up. Stay tune, you won't be disappointed!     Good to see you all here and Thanks Again for checking in! I'll put up some pics too...........

Hey............

Been awhile since we talked. I've got lots to tell about and will have to regroup and get it all out. How have you been? I'm glad your still checking in! Yep, we've been hard at it every Sunday night down in the Drumming Grounds at the Cort Gallery. The River is very swimable and the stars are out big time if you go there when no moon is out. We've had some big crowds, the word is out and its time you came up and let your freak flag fly. I'm workin on more stuff to tell so check in again soon. Much Love and Grooves to You!

Teepee Pic

The Teepee picture is from the old days when on one Wednesday nite we drummed in it. Seems really cool, drumming in a Teepee huh. But really, its not that comfortable, depending on your level of comfort needed of course. But, nowadays, nobody sits on the ground. Think about it, sitting on the ground. Everybody usually sits in a chair or on something, but not on the ground. So, when your inside, its sitting on the ground, the only option. You can't stand and you really can't sit in a chair, so its on the ground. As a living arrangement it works pretty well and is darn cozy with a nice little fire and your friends all around. I have a teepee and long ago Tom had one too.

The Latest from Here.........

Wow, I'm about due for a Drum Circle Update eh......Well here goes, First off all, Sunday Nights are still happening as they always have. Rain or Shine, Cold as steel or Hot as haites we're beating them Drums.Currently we are having a fire to warm the soul and also cuz its been chilly. We've unfortunatly lost some key members due to nothing but life. When you've been coming just about every Sunday for 15 years its okay to go on with your life and move somewhere else and get new friends and find another Drum Circle. All that said, I personally miss and remember them every Sunday night when we're getting down with the groove and they aren't there. We still have people come from far and wide and we never know who's coming and thats actually part of the draw of going. We've only drummed inside once so far since last summer. Its okay inside, loud and boomee though. We're outside folks who like a warm and bright fire and friends around to chat with and Drum. Sometimes we just drum and don't talk for a long time. There was one Sunday night a month ago where there were just 3 of us for awhile then a group of about 12 or so came and they were all Russian! Nobody in their group really spoke good english so we just drummed and they were good drummers and had their wives as good dancers and we all spoke in the universal language of music. We did this for most of the night without talking, us and them turned into We! Everyone is doing what we doing in the Winter. I'm off work so helping Gary with a few chores lately has been good. Gary has done lots of work inside the gallery to bring it all up to date. Art is in the air there! Well, there's alittle for you to ponder about. I'll see if I can't get you another update pretty soon. Love to you all and Come On Up, what are you waiting for??

Thinking ahead to Sunday already.......

Wow, another few days of hot weather here. There saying 102 by Tuesday. Its supposed to be fall there buddy! Its really not too bad. We know the change is coming, its alot cooler in the morning. I'm off to another Friday field day here at work. Going up to some place we haven't been in awhile to see what we can see. Looking for fires too. Yea, its High Fire time here in the front country. And, its also Deer Season. All them chubby dudes driving around in their big four by fours looking for something to shoot. I'm not planning on having that on my list anytime soon. I love looking at nature! So, back to talking about drumming. I'm looking forward to the Sunday coming up. Even though its gonna be kinda warm, we'll get the sweat going. Its good for you to sweat everyday. It gets rid of the toxic stuff we carry around with us. Hey, and maybe even a dip in the river later on, now that would be cool. And I do mean COOL! That water has been pretty darn chilly as of late. Well, come on up and hang out with us this Sunday if you dare!! We saw this buck just last week!

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A Day in the Life........

Its really something when you can be at work and just go right out the door and your looking right at a mountain covered in brush and you can smell the fragrance of the front country. It has a distinct smell and it’s sweet. Manzanita, Chamise, Oak trees , the river and the all the dry grasses. I drive to work every day from the valley below and when I finally arrive and get out of my car the first thing I do is take a deep breath. Drumming is tomorrow nite and we are always wondering who will be there. It’s one of the draws, who will show and what will they be playing. Guitar, Drum or Drums, or any other instruments. We’ve probably had just about everything that makes noise come to the circle. We had a guy that used to bring a really BIG marching band drum. It was so loud and he played it with mucho gusto. So loud that several times we had to give him the hold it down signal and this is rare! Coincidently his name was Eric. I called him earache. Well, I’m guessing that he won’t be coming tomorrow night, but hey you never know. I’m glad that all of you up there in Washington are reading this and it would be really cool if you walked into the circle at that time of Sunday night when we’re ripping along with a big gum chewing groove that’s calling all dancers to the floor and all drummers to their drumtops. Now that would be cool!! See you all tomorrow night eh……………

The Nice Little piece of water is Oriole Lake

Been getting out alittle for work. There hasn't been much action this year as far as fire goes. This is good I guess, though we like alittle action. Now, as far as action goes, Drumming has been good and this Sunday we'll be having a little get together before with Ice Cream. Celebrating my birthday as another year passes by like lighting. Come on up and catch up on us and our new ways and some old ways that are left too. See You there!

Well, there you are! I know some keep tabs on us and what we're up to and thats very cool I think! I just wish I'd hear from my friend in Iowa. We're on Facebook too you know. Drumming has been moving forward every week with us core members there or not. That was what we envisioned way back in our founding times, that the Drum Circle lives on its own and becomes a mighty force that gathers friends of like minds together with music and love. Nature's in there too of course. We always drum outside unless it rains and it hasta rain pretty hard! So, I'm sure glad your checking in on us and me and all that. I'll be there this Sunday with my drum, my camera and lots of desire to drum and be outdoors in the night and under the stars with my friends of the drum............see you there!

I'm breaking a record here, two posts, two days in a row! Wow! Well yea, I still care about you and want you to read about our lives here. Its not just me, its all about us drummies too. Though, I gotta say its been kinda thin lately with all the stuff the drummies are doing with the changes in their lives. Seems like everyones got some changes going on. But, the circle at the Cort Gallery is still there, just as when you left it whenever it was you were last there. The trail to the river still takes you there and there's no houses or bussiness's to block the path. The Gallery still has Art in it and though we haven't had any Potlucks lately we still could.It takes a village, or in this case some folks who want too. I know its going to be 111* today so we'll just put it off awhile till its gets cooler and we can bring fire back into the circle in many ways. We're still drumming tommorow night though. I'm going early with my drum and my water and my swim trunks too, which are always optional after dark. Come on up, you won't regret it I promise and you'll go to bed with drums in your head..............

Well, let's see..........its Friday and I'm sitting here at my desk in Sequoia National Park, waiting for a call for a fire. Though, there's been no fires all year so far, which is good I guess. I can go right through a door here and be in the outside. Thats Outside, where people are all on vacation. Today is supposed to be the hottest day of the year too. Should be interesting! I'm planning on Drumming Sunday and can't wait. Going to the river is high on the list of most do's. The river is low, but there's always a spot where it runs fast and feels cool.I really like to go in at night, when its inky dark and everything is just kinda magic. The stars are above, thick with dots and the water is black. Everyone looks fuzzy and we're all laughing, giggilish before sliding in, down the rock we go and into the brink! So, how about planning on coming up and bringing your drum and lots of water to drink. We'll save a place for you!

Back again............

Wow, I better blow off some of this dust and get the swiffer out for these spider webs. I need to update you all! Thanks for waiting so long. I owe you several appoligees. So, I just got back from a 14 day trip to England, where I visited my Daughter who has been studying abroad and going to Bristol, University. We went to Wales and Amsterdam too on this very cool trip!. So, all that said, I set a historical record for myself by not going to drumming for Three Weeks in a row!! And, drumming is still going strong! So much for thinking that they're packing it up any minute now. THis is good and I'm glad its so cuz I'm planning on retiring on the drum circle pension fund. I'll really try and give you more here and soon, so stay tuned to this station and also check us out on Facebook..........Kaweah River Drum Circle. Ask to join and we'll let you in. Yes, anyone can join!

Beats People...............

Yep, we have a Blog going about the Drum Circle pretty much. Though, there is other stuff to keep the reader interested in whats going on in the general area. Sometimes I put up pics from places I visit that I think you might like. Who knows? I feel like those of you who are in some office in some city working for some boss should be able to just get away for a minute. Go into somebody else's lives and see what they are doing. A quick little get away to some place outside in nature. There's something special here, its these people and their crazee lives with their own music to keep the beat. You might want to flag this blog and refer to it often cuz its a different kinda story about a bunch of different kinda lives. Enjoy!

Back on Track ....Weather Wise

Climbing the second week of January on the Mineral King Road.......

Nice day today on this Wednesday! We finally got our rain last Friday and it lasted till pretty much yesterday. Lots of white in the Mountains which is really good! We need it for the year coming. Its so different compared to last year and all the rain and snow that it brought. This year the rain we got was the first since early November. It was starting to look grim. So, the River also came way up Friday nite. Up to around 3000 cfs. The biggest it gets in the peak normal year is around 5000 cfs so this was a big surge of the River caused by all the Rain in the high country coming down. The ground so hard from no moisture that it was like water on a duck's back. Anyway, we've been Drummming along, Sunday was great of course, raining off and on and our Fire Spinner came anyway and gave us a show to be remembered. I sure hope he doesn't swallow too much of that lamp oil before he blows it in a huge ball of flame! Gary and I took a real nice Sauna last night and then it was off to the RIverview for Taco Tues. Come on up and let's get together..............

This is the Year.........

The weather here has been record breaking warm. High 60's are all around and the hills even warmer. So much for global warming being wrong! Now its January and we haven't had rain since November, let alone any snow in the Sierra. But, Drumming is still going on. This year is our 20th year of doing it. And, this year we really gotta give it our all. It could change. That is, drumming could change this year, the year that supposedly, Gary is moving away. Let's all stay in touch alot and do more of what we do together and come Sunday Night and we'll talk more. Have a nice Day!

Hot Fire Sunday Night

It's been freezing,every night.But its just right at freezing. Still the days are sunny and cool and stars are in the sky at night for sure. The shortest day of the year is right around the corner and then it'll start getting light longer, but man, hurry up! We've been hard at it doing some work at the Gallery. A elec. and a new/old gate....you'll see when you come up for our Sunday Night Drummmg. We've had some good hot fires too for Drumming. Its nice to be out when its real chilly if you have a hot fire you can rotate around. Yea, you want to watch the south side of the circle though cuz thats where the smoke goes, usually. We all have our places we go to in the circle every Sunday. We have our special spots. I know I do and if you get there late, well sorry, you lose. Sometimes out of respect that person will give it up to the core drummers, but some don't know. We didn't plan it and this is how it got to be. See you Sunday eh??

We are on Facebook

You got it we're on Facebook. Its a closed page but your invited! Just check it out and please join. Its a good way to get more recent updates on all the drummie activities. Type in Kaweah River Drum Circle to Facebook and our page will show.

Some Fall Photo Art.........

Anyone up for a River walk...........

Well, its definatly cool now. Last Thursday I almost stepped on a rattlesnake and today its coooool! Winter is here with alittle fall left. I'm about ready to take a walk down by the river..............

The Big Drumming of Last............

The Sunday after our performance at the Three Rivers School Carnival was pretty special. Some of the old core drummers showed and we all remembered how it was to drum together and why it is a great thing to do all these years. We can just be drumming and stare at each other and the words are spoken so.........

Update Time..........

Dang, time moves too quick for me. Its time for an update! Alls been well in the world of Drumming and all the Drummies are doing good too. We're gearing up for our big yearly gig at the Halloween Carnival across the street from the Gallery here in Three Rivers. Its out on the baseball field of the School. Lots of folks attend this Saturday nite party and we'll be going the last hour of the event.....7 to 8 in the eve. Who will show is always the question. A few of us core folks will be there for sure. It should be good and your welcome to join us. You get a free dinner and its always great food. It will be in front of about a thousand people and most you'll know so wear a costume and they won't know its you acting like some drummer from town. Come on up. I'm going to be updating more now that I"ve just about fininshed my 6 month work with the Sequoia National Park Fire season so stay tuned................

Its not what you think...........

Getting ready to go up and Drum tonite. Its Sunday folks. Time to be by the River and get the heat from a different vantage point. The exact center of town. Got my drum, got my shakers and cowbell and claves. Got lots of water........it always suprises me how many show with no water!! What are you thinking dude! We're planning on drumming, I mean getting down with it,not just sitting there and slapping your hand lightly around, we're thumping the skins. I'm planning on sweating and getting some excercise and drinking lots of water too. I'm planning on watching the most beautful women dancing and playing the soundtrack for that movie........The future is now my friends........come on up tonite!

Hot and Sweaty times are good.......

We had a good one last nite. How do you describe a "Good One"? Well, in a way they are all good, but some just stick out. Maybe it was cuz it was sooo hot and sticky. It got the blood boiling I guess. The other thing is its who shows. We had friends from the past, friends who are regulars and friends who are starting to come and have for several in a row. Pretty soon we get this group who is always there and know who we do what we do. We grooved it last nite. Thumping the town of Three Rivers on a Sunday nite when all the people just watching TV we're wondering what was making the pictures shake on the walls. Now, thats a GOOD ONE! and Thanks to all of you for making it so.

And, Yes, the River........

After Hours this last Sunday Night..

Yes, some of us still stay late after all the Drums have been put away and get out the guitars, ukelelalees, flutes and all things that don't make so much noise but make nice music happen. Its also a really nice time of the nite to just be out by the river and enjoy hanging out with friends who we only see once aweek. No loud instruments due to our curfew. You are all welcome of course!

Going to Bed with Drums in your Head

What starts out as a quite small gathering can quickly change at the Drum Circle as those of you who have come often know to be true. The saying goes, "it could just be us". But hardly ever it is just US. Last night proved all that stuff true! We had around 31 friends show and some even bringing drums. We had several Dancers and even a River Drunk washed up from below to twirl tpsy round and round the dance floor where she was stopping/falling none of us knew.It finally took some of our core women Drummers to escort her away. And, the Drumming was the usual crazeness when everyone that has Drums is trying to be louder than everyone else who has Drums. Drum Wars ruled. But out of it all we reined in some deep bottom hugging groove thangs that stuck and left all who attended going to bed with drums in their head........

Its Tonight we Gather........

After a really nice week of cool temps. the River is becoming aproachable and swimable if you know where to get in that is. Its still a deadly current and a very cold tempature to deal with. You could drown! Anyways, its going by the Drumcircle and its loud that River. It covers up all the noise we make and sometimes when it is just noise its a good thing. It keeps all the new people who haved moved into Three Rivers and used their millions of dollars to build their big houses from complaining about us. All the new arrivals in town always gotta complain bout something cuz thats what they always did in the big cities they came from. We just ride all that out though and have for all of our 19 years. We just groove along and enjoy the great life we're given, no complaining. I always have friends ask me what's a good time to show up for the Drumming. Well, we start at 6 technically. But its still light out. People start arriving and some go into the Gallery and look at the art, some go to the River and check things out, others go into the circle and get it ready for the big event of the night. Usually I tell everybody that the magic starts happening when it starts getting dark. When we light the fire or the oil lamp. Darkness is the best for doing what we do. It makes us all look ageless. It covers all the background that can be distracting. When red is gray and yellow white, you can decide what is right and what is an illlusion...............

A Hot and Sweaty bunch of Grooves......

A nice and hot sweaty sunday nite drumming it was. The river was ripping and splashing in the background and the drums were going in the foreground. We had a great show of hands on deck, Chuck, Wil, and all the core members who come and jam out the grooves in the heat of the night. We had a special guest, our lady who plays the Diggee the best, with her new baby strapped to her as she played. Wil's friend also had a Diggereedoo and together it was a girls nite out with the Diggee'ss. I hope to get the video up so you can check it all out. Well, it happens alot so you still got a chance to see all the cool stuff we're up to and things that show up in the dark.........

The Good Life........

We had a big one Sunday night! People showed and like its been lately, we didn't know them, but they came and had great fun. Drumming and Dancing and Hula Hooping and Spinning Fire too. Its like that these days, a few core members and lots of others coming to see what all the talk is about. That Drum Circle up in Three Rivers, they rock man!!
We've been meeting at the Riverview on Tuesday Nights. Tuesday Taco Nights that is. We always get a table right next to the Raging River and have Tacos and its good and lots of Drum Circle folks are there too. You all are welcome of course!
Its supposed to be really hot today, 107. Man, I know you might want to just jump in the river cause its just right there but don't. Its so crazy high and it'll suck you in and you might not come out. A Raging River running at its most cubic feet per second of the year. See you soon...........

Finally!!

Here we go then...........Its been awhile my friends, but Drumming lives! We've been hard at it every Sunday night. With a fire too, its been chilly most Sundays. Last Sunday we even had to move under cover due to rain starting all of a sudden and big drops too! The weather around here has been all the talk of course. The whole month of May was very cool and this hasn't happened as long as I remember..(and thats a long time) Now its June and its just starting to get kinda hot. I"m working back up in the Park and our Fire season will and is off to a slow start, though soon to rage. Well, we're having a Potluck at the Gallery Tonite at 6.00. You should plan on coming up to see us and to Drum. The river is as high as it gets and is something to see. Come on up friends and lets catch up...........

Recording at the Gallery Recording Studio....in the Old Days

We've spent hours and hours recording our original music and its not always just drumming. My own feeling is that the stuff is Excellant!

Old Friends come Visit.........

This past weekend we had friends come visit from Lake Havasu, Arizona. Friends who had been at the Drum Circle some years ago and influenced our music in many ways. As the word got out the result was a bigger Drum Circle Sunday Night, in fact for those keeping meticulous records, it was the biggest of the year. Good Grooves with good friends equals a life well lived................

Burning Art and Drumming.

Here's a few pics to show you that all is still grooving along here. We burned Art at our last big drumming a week ago. I always hate to see that beautiful art get burned, but it was around for a long time and funny.....it was real hard to make it burn! You would think that a wood frame with canvas wrapped around and latex paint all over would burn, but it sure took longer than I would have guessed!

Well, its coming soon......

Yes, we're due for something new here eh.........Check back and we'll see whats in store..........

Heavy Rain Due.........

The last few days they've been letting out water from the lake to bring the level down. There's some really big rain makers coming through in the next few days and the river might come wayyyyyy up! It was raining last night already and they are big wet drops that are falling. The higher elevations are expected to get up to 10' of snow and since this is a Tropical weather event some if not all of the snow will be coming down the mountain. Stay Tuned. I put in a picture of the 02 Oct. high water going by the Drum Circle. That Ole River can come wayyy up eh.......