Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Everyone is invited to community music experience

A drum circle in Fallbrook was started 10 years ago as a way to encourage people to live prosperous lives in harmony with each other.

“We’re trying to drum up some business,” said founder Thomas Rondeau at a recent event.

Rondeau owns a jewelry design and repair store that also deals in fine arts and musical instruments called Rainbow Designs on Main Ave.

The facilitated community music group gathers monthly in a relaxed circle of about 20 to 30 people, sometimes more in the summer months, with their drums at Village Square on Main Ave.

“Everyone is welcome,” said Rondeau. “We have no agenda. This is not a club. In a way it’s therapeutic. Statistics have shown this to be true.”

Rondeau offered a few Web sites that have information about the findings of music-making related health benefits.

Although claiming not to have an agenda, Rondeau hopes the group will encourage visitors from outside Fallbrook to join the afternoon’s revelry and turn this into a day trip that includes eating dinner and doing a little shopping which can add revenue to the community.

“People come from as far as Palm Springs and Huntington Beach,” he said.

Fallbrook resident Daniel Ide joined the group a few years ago with a dual purpose.

The 20-year veteran percussionist adds an educational experience to the drum circle.

Ide advertises himself as “Brother Love Drums,” with a motto, “It’s all about the love.” He is a “rhythmist, guide and educator who works with individuals and groups interested in learning and creating sacred spaces and ceremonies using the traditions of drumming, wisdom sharing and celebration.”

Rondeau also shares Ide’s purpose, which is why he encourages Ide to use his expertise to make the event even more fulfilling. People need a reason to travel from near and far.

Ide guides different cultural drumming styles like playing Cuban songs and will briefly explain a little history behind the exotic rhythms.

Valerie Simonsen was in the library down the street when she heard the music playing.

The naturopathic doctor from Maui didn’t have an instrument with her at the time she was conducting research for one of her many female-centered alternative health books, but she got to play anyway.

Danny Dhillon from Fallbrook offered her his extra djembe, a popular style of drum that is used at drum circles.

Simonsen took off her shoes and held the djembe under her right arm as though carrying a small child to safety.

Another musical round began. Most participants had tall conga drums which they sat on the ground and lightly tapped their palms, fingertips or other parts of their hands to the communal beat. Simonsen danced barefooted with a smile as she played too.

“This is really amazing,” she said during an interview. “It opens your heart. Each of our hearts has its own beat. We walk proud in attunement with one another. The vibrations going into your body increase bone density. Cultures that dance and drum have no osteoporosis...This is a celebration of earth, free from religion. The group is more spiritual.”

Drum circles of all sizes are held around the world.

According to Ide, the drum circle in Fallbrook is a venue for the human species to co-exist on a small scale.

It begins with getting to know a neighbor and the community grows from there, he said.

“It’s just darn fun,” Ide definitively reasoned.

The next community drum circle in Fallbrook will be held on Jan. 24, beginning around 2 p.m.

For additional information, call Rondeau at (760) 723-1899.

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