Moonlight Beach drum circle brings ‘joy’ to players, passers-by

ENCINITAS —– As the sun began to set Sunday, approximately 30 people sat on a circle of lawn chairs in the sand at Moonlight Beach while playing drums of all shapes and sizes to a rhythmic beat.

ENCINITAS —– As the sun began to set Sunday, approximately 30 people sat on a circle of lawn chairs in the sand at Moonlight Beach while playing drums of all shapes and sizes to a rhythmic beat.

The drum circle, which takes place at 6 p.m. every Sunday, features people of all skill levels playing a variety of drums, including African, Afghani and Navajo, brought by organizer John Clauder and his wife, Sandy.

Clauder, who has performed percussion with artists such as the Righteous Brothers and Frank Sinatra on a variety show, as well as toured with the Mamas & the Papas, said he has been playing drums for the majority of his life.

He said he learned that playing the drums are about more than just making music —- they are about unity, too.

“It just brings peace,” he said.

In addition, he said, drum playing is physically and mentally therapeutic.

He said the drum circle has taken place at Moonlight Beach for four years, and “we believe it brings joy along the whole beach.”

Anyone who is interested is welcome to play with the group. While a number of instruments are available, Clauder suggests that “if you have a drum, then bring it.”

As the group began to play, they quickly came together in a rhythmically. Occasionally, Clauder would call out for the group to begin a chantlike chorus, and the energy of the drumming would pick up while he counted down for the chorus to begin.

The music seemed to have a captivating effect on other people too, especially considering that a dozen or so people stopped by to watch the drum circle.

Randy Wortman and Jamie Rehm of Carlsbad were among the bystanders. Wortman, who subtly danced to the beat, said he has seen several drum circles in Venice Beach and was excited when he saw the one at Moonlight Beach. For Wortman, the drum circle is not just entertaining, it is symbolic.

“It’s kind of the characteristic of Encinitas,” he said. “It gives life to this area; it’s not just a beach.”

People in the drum circle are also welcome to get up and dance if they feel the desire.

Neil Frasier, who has played with the drum circle several times, was the first to get up from his lawn chair to dance around the group.

The Encinitas resident said that playing the drums is just as spiritual for him as dancing.

“The whole thing is kind of a worship, and dance is part of my worship,” he said.

Another drummer, Dan Searle, said he and his wife, Jessica, have brought their children to the event a couple of times.

He said his children love the music, especially his 2-year-old daughter, Isabella, who enjoys playing with the group.

“She loves just sitting around and beating the drums,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how good or bad she is; she just feels part of it.”

He said his favorite part about the group is that people are free to do what they want.

“You can make noise if you want to or you don’t have to,” he said. “There’s no agenda.”

Maryanna Clauder, daughter of the drum circle’s organizer, said she was “always exposed to the drums” since she was young.

When asked what it was like to be part of the circle, she said, “It’s invigorating.”