Timeless rhythm

Stefanie Frith

In one section of the circle, John Marr closes his eyes and leans into

his Djembre drum, letting the rhythm of the music take hold of his body.

Elsewhere in the circle, Shanana Perry grabs a small drum, jumps to

her feet and sways to the beat of those around her.

Bigira Kiro-Kiro, his smile almost as wide as his oversized, bright

yellow glasses, leads the circle of about 10 people in an improvised drum

session at African Corner, a shop that sells African drums and artifacts

on Newport Boulevard in Costa Mesa.

Since African Corner opened in 1998, Kiro-Kiro has wanted to start a

drumming circle in the hopes of eventually forming a band that could tour

around the world. The 51-year-old Congolese-born drummer has been playing

since he was a child and, when he moved to Southern California about five

years ago, he knew he wanted to bring a piece of Africa with him. Yet it

has taken the past year and a half to form a regular drum circle, which

met for the third time Sunday.

“The last week was so fun,” said Kiro-Kiro, his eyes wide with

delight. “I played here with John [Marr] for two hours straight. It was

like, wow, I couldn’t stop., Drums are a way to express your happiness

and, when the beat is very good, it relieves you.”

Perry, who has known Kiro-Kiro since the shop opened, agrees the art

of beating a drum can cleanse one’s soul.

“Drums are the heartbeat of the Earth, and you just beat all your love

and energy into it. And I want to be around Kiro, because just look at

the light in his smiling face,” Perry said, pointing to Kiro-Kiro, who

smiled shyly in return. “Just look at him, and you will see why drums

mean so much. They bring you love.”

Treena Robertson and her mother are not as familiar with the art of

drumming as Perry or Marr are, but, they knew there was something calling

to them to make them walk by African Corner on Sunday.

“We were going to a store nearby, and we heard the drumming,” said

Katherine Robertson, 54, of Santa Ana, softly patting the Djembre drum in

front of her. “It’s such interesting music, and it makes you feel so

good, even if you are sad.”

Treena, 15, agreed. She said even though Sunday was her first time

playing the drum, she felt at ease as part of Kiro-Kiro’s drum circle.

“It’s great,” she said. “You just try to follow along.”

FYI

WHAT: Drumming Circle

WHEN: Sundays

TIME: 5 p.m.

WHERE: African Corner, 2584 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa

COST: Free. Bring your own drum, if possible.

CALL: (949) 650-7993