BONFIRE DYNAMICS

Be conscious of the energy in the bonfire circle. There is an exchange
between the drummers, the dancers, and the fire. Those who are conscious of
this can do interesting things with it. It is awesome to deliberately hook
up with another drummer/dancer and play with the energy flow. You can draw
energy from someone in this way, as they draw energy from you, and no one is
depleted. You can also draw energy from the fire, or pull it up from the
earth. Try to make eye contact with a drummer/dancer, and if they seem open
to it, drum or dance to them. For two drummers, it can be neat to play on
opposite sides of the same drum, or to stand diagonal with the two drums
side-by-side.

If you are a drummer, try to be conscious of the dancer energy. Try to be
conscious as to what they want- something slower? Faster? A different beat?
Maybe people would like to chant? If possible, verbally ASK the dancers what
they would like (during breaks in the music, or before things get started).
Try to not keep the dancers going at a frenzied pace for too long- give them
a break! Let them have a slower rhythm once in a while. Stop and sing or
chant for a while.

Be respectful and courteous to other drummers and dancers... PARTICULARLY
the dancers if you are a drummer, and vice versa. Make eye contact, smile.
Try to get to know them as individuals. Introduce yourself if you see them
around camp. Talk about the bonfire scene, what you each liked and didn't
like, etc.

Thank the dancers if you are a drummer, and vice versa. If the dancers are
"trilling" during breaks, that means "thank you, drummers". Dancers may also
make certain dance movements which express thanks to the drummers, such as
bows with hands pressed together at chest level, or an up-and-out wheeling
motion of both hands, palms up and fingers inward, at chest level. Another
really cool thing that a dancer can do is a movement which "scoops" up fire
energy and directs it at the drummers.

When I drum, I like to make a conscious effort to go carry Water to the
dancers on occasion, with my drum still strapped on so that they know I'm
one of the drummers.

It's great if the fest has a drummers-and-dancers council, workshop, or
meet-and-greet. ANYTHING like this, which helps to make drummers and dancers
feel like a team instead of like two separate groups just using each other,
is wonderful.

I find it particularly cool when someone smudges new arrivals to the bonfire
circle. It really gives the entire experience a new energy. Also, someone
can walk around later with a smudge stick... it's neat to go down the line
of drummers and smudge all the drums.
INDEX

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DRUMMING 101

-------

A drum can be a sacred tool. Treat it like one. Find out how to care for
your drum and do simple repairs. Bless/consecrate it. Give it a name. Attach
charms, feathers, and other sacred objects to it. Some drumheads can be
painted or henna'ed. Place it on your altar. Spend a lot of time with it,
touching and holding it, and playing it alone. Develop rituals with it.
Learn its unique energy and voice.
When you play someone else's drum, take a moment to commune with it first.

You do not need to play as loudly as possible all the time! This can be a
really difficult concept, especially in the first rush of enthusiasm for a
new drummer, or in a large circle where you simply cannot hear your own self
unless you're pounding as loudly as you are able. Having only two levels of
volume in a drum circle (loud and louder) can get boring and tiring for
drummers and dancers.

You do not need to play all the time, period! Take breaks. Dance, or chat
with friends, or meet new friends. Find some empty Water jugs and go refill
them, and/or carry Water jugs around to offer other drummers & dancers.

The rests are as important as the beats. When you're coming into a new
rhythm, the easiest thing to do is to fill in the rests. Resist this.
<grin> Some of the best rhythms are the ones with silences built in. It
makes an excellent energy, and the dancers love it.

Try different rhythms. Workshops, drumming tapes/cd's, and small drum
circles, as well as your experienced mentors, are good places to learn new
rhythms. Big drum circles, and beginners, tend to fall into a generic, fast,
loud 4/4 rhythm and stay there forever. This can get pretty boring. Try 3's
and 7's. Jump in with one during a break and try to get it going. The
dancers, in particular, will be very pleased with you if you can get
something with a different flavor going.

If you have a big, loud drum, be particularly considerate. It's fine to play
loud for a while, but then taper off and play softly (or not at all) for a
while. You can also muffle the drum by covering it with a cloth (or your
t-shirt). It is
extremely rude to dominate the group for long lengths of time. If you have a
very sharp doumbek, a cowbell, woodblock, tin-pan-lid-and-spoon, or other
unusual instrument that really cuts across the noise, the same rules apply.
This can sound really cool for a while- but if you keep it up for long
lengths of time, people will begin to get very very sick of your cowbell and
start suggesting alternate uses for it. Watch the energy and the dancers,
too- if the cowbell (etc) is really working, and people are really having
fun with that sound, you can keep it up for a little longer. If you're not
sure, stop for a while and then start up later on, and watch people's
reaction when you start again. Try to avoid trancing out when you are
dominating the group or playing a piercing instrument. And again: everyone
can hear you, so it is important to stay on beat, and to be careful of when
and how you stop/start.

Try different instruments. If you play the same drum all night long, it can
be very hard on your hands/wrists/shoulders/back. Take breaks. Shake your
hands loosly on your wrists, rotate your shoulders, do some stretches.
It's nice to have a few different instruments that you can switch off on,
especially if they involve different motions to play, and different sounds.
Switch from a hand drum to one that uses sticks, or play a rattle, or a wind
instrument.

Many people are willing to share their instruments, especially if they know
you. ALWAYS ask before touching or playing someone else's drum. Never just
pick up a drum that's lying around and play it, especially if it is covered.
If you don't want anyone playing your drum, don't leave it lying around
unattended. Covering the drum with a drumhead cover, shirt, or other cloth
is a signal that you don't want anyone to play it.
If you do borrow someone else's drum, treat it with respect and reverence.
Many people consider their drums sacred ritual tools and may not like others
to touch or play them; be respectful of this.

Remove all rings and bracelets before drumming, ESPECIALLY if you are
playing someone else's drum. If you have (or suspect you *may* have) any
traces of an oil-based substance (sunscreen, lotion, etc) on your hands,
wash your hands first- these substances will ruin a drum head. Jewelry can
damage the drum, and also your hands may swell up after drumming- you don't
want a finger like a giant sausage with a ring stuck on it. A plastic
garbage-bag closure or twist tie hooked onto the lacings of your drum is a
perfect place to keep your jewelry. Better yet, take it off and leave it in
your tent before going to the drum circle. Never lay any small object down
on a bench, stump, or on the ground at a large, dark drum circle; you will
never see it again.

Be careful of where you put your larger belongings (chair, coat, etc). Make
sure they will not be in the way. Put them well outside the circle and
beside a stationary object (tree, pole, etc) so they will not be tripped
over, and so that you will be able to locate them again in the dark.

If you are a beginner, try to be open to learning. Go to workshops, read,
ask questions, practice. A few good mentors, if you can find them, are
invaluable. Many experienced drummers are delighted to help beginners. Once
you are no longer a beginner, try to help others learn. Remember that the
beginning creative ego is very fragile, and be gentle with critcism and
pointers.
INDEX

DANCING 101

Anyone can dance. It doesn't matter whether or not you are "good"... what
the hell does *that* mean, anyway? I love watching all the dancers... the
ones I most enjoy watching may or may not be "good" in the common sense of
the word, but they are really merged with the music and letting themselves
go.

Don't be intimidated. Some of those people out there- especially the
excellent belly-dancers- actually do this for a LIVING. We are not going to
look like them no matter how we try. Let it go. Also, there are plenty of
naked people out there and only a couple of them look like Cindy Crawford.
Let it go. There are lots of people dancing around who are obviously not
Fred or Ginger; do they look like they give a shit? Neither should you. Let
it go.

If you really are terribly self-conscious, go dance on the outside of the
circle in the dark, or sit down and just dance with your hands and arms.
Stand on the edge of the circle and just sway from side to side. Eventually
you may get "into" the energy to the extent that you feel you can dance
inside the circle. You can also wear ritual clothing to get you in the mood,
or even a mask!

Wear something you are comfortable in. Remember that it is hot near the
fire. Layering is a good idea. Body paints, glitter, belts or bracelets with
bells, long flowy skirts and sarongs are fun. Be careful to not wear
anything too flowy and flammable near the fire!

Dancing barefoot is a good way to connect with the earth; however, if the
area is not perfectly smooth and barefoot-friendly, you will want to have
good shoes (not sandals) on your feet.

Go with the flow. The flow usually moves deosil. You will probably not want
to dance widdershins around the fire unless you are doing it consciously and
for a valid reason.

It can be fun and powerful to dance in pairs/groups/lines, particularly when
you are all doing the same movements.

Many larger fests have dance workshops, including specialty things like
belly-dance.
Watch other dancers for new moves to try. Let the music move you.
INDEX

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THE BACKBEAT

Listen for the "backbeat". Often, the backbeat will be the loudest and/or
deepest rhythm you can hear... if not, listen for something steady and
relatively simple. The djun-djun's (these are the large, loud,
cylinder-shaped drums played with a stick) will most often be the backbeat.
If you're still having trouble getting the rhythm, try to put it to
number-counts or to a sentence. Say them aloud if you need to. Make sure you
have the rhythm *before* you start playing. You can still count while you're
playing, if you need to.

If you get lost, STOP drumming and get the rhythm firmly back into your head
before you start again.

I like to listen to the drumming for a while with my eyes closed and
fingertips lightly touching the drumhead. The drum will be vibrating with
the beat. This can help you find the backbeat, merge with the rhythm, and
find a good beat to play.

If you have a very loud/deep drum, especially if it is played with a stick,
you will likely become the backbeat. This carries a responsibility. You must
be able to keep a rock-steady beat, because if you get off-rhythm, it will
a) be GLARINGLY apparant instantly, and b) mess up everyone else. Keep a
very steady beat and volume, keep it simple, and you will probably want to
try to avoid trancing out. You must develop a balance as far as listening to
those around you- You need to keep steady in the face of the odd person(s)
near you who are wandering offbeat, but if the majority of the group is
speeding up/slowing down, you will have to go along with that. If you
need/want to stop, fade out gradually. With experience, you will learn
when/how to do an abrupt stop and have it work- actually boost the energy-
but otherwise, if you are very audible and you suddenly stop, it can be very
jarring to the group as a whole and ESPECIALLY to any tranced-out dancers,
who can be abruptly jerked out of trance by this.

If you are the backbeat and you perceive that the rhythm of the group is
unsteady, or if there are two different rhythms going, or if the group does
not feel unified, play a very LOUD, simple, rock-steady backbeat to get
everyone on track again. If you have a drum that can be lifted above your
head, you may want to do this so that everyone can SEE the backbeat. Or you
can come out to the front of the group of drummers, make eye contact, and
play your loud, simple backbeat with very wide, sweeping, exaggerated arm
motions- again, so that everyone can see that you're trying to get the beat
on track.
INDEX

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GEOGRAPHY

----------

It is helpful if the backbeat players station themselves in the rear and
center of the group of drummers. In a procession, station youself in the
center of the procession.

It is often helpful, especially for beginners, to stand near drums of
similar type & pitch to their own. Beginners may find it helpful to stand
near the backbeat players. Doumbeks and smaller instruments are usually in
the front. You may choose to move around. I like to move around the group,
and hear different players. The sound and energy can be totally different if
you move to another area.

In any event, try to stay in a group. It's hard to stay unified if the
drummers are too spread out. If you are on the fringes, you may have a tough
time merging with the energy. Don't be afraid to weave into the center, even
if you are a beginner.

It can be fun to go around the circle. I like to take a rattle and go around
the OUTSIDE of the circle three times, moving behind the drummers and
spectators. It does interesting things to the energy. I also like to circle
amongst the dancers on occasion, with my drum (playing or not).

When moving around, watch out for drums and drummers on the ground. Some
drummers sit on the ground to play. Also, be conscious of who you are
standing/walking in front of. Try to not cut someone off from the fire,
particularly if they may be trancing into the fire.

In large groups, there will usually be a short line of "testosterone
drummers" front and center: these are most often (but not always) men with
djembes. They play at top volume and usually at top speed, and are often
tranced out. They are usually the main cause of the bonfire circle's
incessant loud, generic 4/4 inertia. They will dominate the circle all night
long. They are unstoppable. You either grin and bear them, or you go away.
Many fests have other, smaller drum circles going on elsewhere, where there
is enough order for differing styles, rhythms, other instruments, singing &
chanting, etc. These are usually much better than the main bonfire scene,
IMHO. Many of the more experienced and skilled folks will gravitate here.

Do not crowd the dancers! Give them plenty of room, and don't push them into
the fire. It's HOT up there. If the dancers are packed in like sardines, or
if they are crowding the front line of drummers, or if they are making
pushing/shooing motions at you with their arms, move BACK! Over time, the
drum group can tend to creep closer and closer to the fire. If you see that
the dancers don't have enough room, then as soon as there's a break in the
music, jump up in front of the drumming group and request loudly (and
politely) that "everyone move BACK a bit please, and give the dancers some
room!"

If you need to tighten up your drumhead at the fire, try to do it without
disturbing the dancers. Some evolved drum circles have a separate fire in
the back at which the drummers can warm their drums. If you need to go into
the center, though, it's best to wait for a break in the music. If you can't
wait, then weave your way in without getting in anyone's way or breaking
their concentration (watch out for the tranced out dancers, in particular).
Be conscious of the fact that the dancers often have created
a strong energy flow deosil around the circle, and you don't want to slash
your way crudely across that. You may have to wait a bit at the edge till
you see an opening, or move around to another part of the circle that isn't
so crowded. (It will often be less congested on the side of the fire circle
*opposite* the drum group.) You may need to step into the dancers and do a
couple of circuits around, circling in closer each time, to reach the fire.
Once there, stand/crouch as close as you are safely able (better yet,
continue to circle around if you can), don't linger for longer than you
must, and keep an eye out for tranced or overly-enthusiastic dancers who may
trip over you- or even crash into you from behind and knock you into the
bonfire.

If you are dancing- especially if there is a large group of dancers- try to
not hog the prime real estate (ie, nearest the fire, immediately in front of
the line of "testosterone drummers", and between the drummer group and the
fire) for longer than your fair share of time.
If the majority of the dancers are circling and you want to dance
stationary, or vice versa, try to do it in a place/fashion so that you are
not in the way and forcing everyone else to detour around you. If you are on
the ground, be in a place where you will not get tripped over (nearest the
fire is a good spot). Try to find an area with enough room that you will not
hit or crash into anyone. Use caution, discretion and good sense if you
trance-dance.
INDEX

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A BIT ABOUT RITUAL DRUMMING

--------

Since this treatise is about bonfire drumming and not ritual drumming, I
won't go deeply into the subject of ritual drumming here. However, be aware
that bonfire drumming and ritual drumming are two vastly different animals.

If you want to drum for a ritual, talk to the coordinator of that ritual.
Some people do not want drumming at a particular ritual. In most rituals
that include drumming, it will be coreographed- there will be at least one
rehearsal and a drum coordinator. Go to all the rehearsals. Watch the
coordinator/leader for the cues. Do not just show up at a ritual and start
drumming. If there is no drum coordinator and no rehearsals, but the ritual
facilitator tells you it's okay to drum, you will need to watch the
facilitator and monitor the energy during the ritual to determine when and
how to drum. This is an exercise for the advanced drummer only.
INDEX

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SPECTATORS

-------------

If you are a spectator (ie, neither drumming nor dancing), STAY OUT OF THE
WAY!!! Since you are not generating sweat, you naturally want to get closer
to the warm fire. Resist the urge. You are one of the main hazards causing
the dancers to get crowded into the fire, and you are also a thing to be
stepped on, crashed into and tripped over. Since you are probably not part
of the energy flow, you can also be a disturbing blank spot, dissonance, or
barrier, if you are in the wrong place. Spectators are perfectly welcome at
bonfires, but there is nothing worse to a drummer or dancer than having
gawkers standing/sitting right in the way. Please sit or stand well outside
the circle. Bring a coat or cuddle up with someone if you are cold. If you
can't see well enough, move to another spot. But stay out of the way.
INDEX

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THE FIRE

-----------------

Watch out for the fire tenders, and stay out of their way. At many big
fests, the fire tenders wear red suspenders... otherwise, you can tell them
by their heavy pants and boots, thick elbow-length gloves, and the fact that
they are moving logs and poking the fire. If they tell you to move, move.
They will be carrying heavy (and perhaps burning) logs around. Don't park
yourself on the woodpile or between the woodpile and the fire. If there are
official fire-tenders at a fest, please let them handle the fire, and do not
monkey with the fire yourself. At many big fests, they do not want the
bonfire started until the evening's entertainment is over (ie concerts,
rituals). They do not want you to start the fire yourself.
Please take a moment to thank the fire-tenders for their work.

At smaller fests where there is no official fire-tender, please DO help
start and tend the fire- but only if you know what you are doing. At smaller
fests also, there may be a need for folks to donate for firewood and/or
chop/haul wood for the fire.

Sometimes people toss things in the fire to make colorful sunbursts, etc.
Please be sure to not throw anything into the fire that may explode and/or
fly out and hurt somebody. Do not toss alcohol, lighter fluid, flying-type
fireworks, or other such things on the fire. Do not toss in anything that's
going to create a harmful or unpleasant odor/fume. Do not throw garbage or
cigarette butts into a bonfire/sacred fire. If you throw herbs, etc, please
make sure you don't create a smoke/odor that is too strong or will get
people buzzed.
INDEX

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SPECIAL HAZARDS

--------------------

DO NOT SMOKE AROUND THE BONFIRE!!!!!!

this bears repeating.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE-
DO NOT SMOKE AROUND THE BONFIRE!!!!!!

If you need to smoke, step well outside the circle. Otherwise somebody is
gonna get burned. You can burn the head of somebody's $2,000 djembe, and I
can guarantee you that you'll be very, very sorry if that happens (and if you
live to tell about it). It is very dark, crowded and confused around the
fire- someone will bump or dance or fall or get pushed into your lit
cigarette. I actually see brainless assholes DANCING with lit cigarettes,
and it makes me see red. Also, the smoke is a problem. I can't tell you how
many times I've had to move to escape a cloud of smoke from some
inconsiderate smoker. It's particularly irritating when it jars you out of
trance. Many people are barefoot. If you drop your butt on the ground, even
if you mash it out, it is still very hot and can burn someone's foot. It is
very inconsiderate to leave butts lying around, especially in a sacred
space. Do not pitch butts into a sacred fire, either. Regular campfire is
fine.

Other things to NOT bring to a bonfire- small unattended children, drinks in
glass bottles, valuable items that may get lost, unsheathed knives or other
sharp/pointy ritual or costumy gear that may hurt someone if they bump into
you, anyone too drunk or stoned to behave themselves.

Sometimes drinks and drugs are passed around. People will partake while it
is too dark to see what they're partaking of, and/or when they are already
in an altered state of consciousness and not thinking too clearly. There may
be underage folks present, and people in recovery. Please be careful of
what you drink/smoke/take, and please don't pass around anything too strong.

If you see burning ash fragments land on the ground, please go stomp them
out before someone steps on them with bare feet. If you see burning
fragments land in someone's HAIR, please put them out! ;-) If you notice a
rock, cigarette butt, bottle cap, or other hazardous item lying on the
ground, please pick it up and dispose of it before someone steps on it and
gets hurt. If you have spare time in the evening before the bonfire gets
started, it's nice to walk around and check the dance area for hazardous
small objects, and to fill up water jugs.

Drink lots of Water. Many people do not want to stop drumming/dancing to
drink Water (especially if they are trancing). These are vigorous activities
and the fire is hot. You *need* Water. Remember that alcohol and caffeinated
beverages DEHYDRATE you. Check in with yourself often to make sure you are
doing okay physically and energy-wise. If you are dizzy, nauseated,
light-headed, or feel otherwise unwell, sit down, drink some water and rest
a bit. You may need to ground and center. Also, when you're having a good
time- or when you're tranced out- it's easy to go on drumming/dancing with
injuries and make them worse. Use good sense & judgment.

It's nice to bring a couple of extra Water jugs for use around the bonfire,
and it's a good thing to take a turn now and then passing the Water around,
especially if you can manage to do it during a break in the music. Make a
conscious effort to grab a Water jug at a break and get it to those who have
been trance-dancing closest to the fire. Don't get in people's faces, just
hold up the Water and try to make eye contact with them. If they look
through you, leave them alone.

There may be people spinning poi or staffs which are ablaze at both ends.
They should be well out of the way- some fests have a sectioned-off area
just for this type of thing. Please be careful to not get too close. Please
also get extensive instruction and practice before trying anything like this
yourself. A lot of people come to a fest, see these cool tricks and
want/expect to be twirling flaming poi around their own heads by the end of
the week. I recently took a poi 101 workshop at a fest, and the instructor
recommended that you practice with tennis-ball poi every day for at least
three years before lighting anything on fire. Personally, I have found that
it is very easy for a beginner to effectively tie hirself up with the poi in
about a fifth of a second- which is mildly amusing, unless they are on fire.
Please be sane, for the sake of the spectators if nothing else. A flying
blazing poi can seriously injure a lot of people in one fell swoop. There
are very neat-looking nonflammable poi made with flags and streamers and
glow-in-the-dark stuff, which are almost as fun and much much safer!

If you see what seems to you to be careless/clueless/unsafe fire play,
please do not hesitate to bring it to the attention of festival
staff/security.

INDEX

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MORE ON TRANCE

-------------

On that note, be sure to NEVER disturb someone who is trancing. This can be
dangerous. It is not always obvious when someone is in trance. It is also
impolite to disturb a drummer or dancer in action, even if they are not
trancing. Don't invade anyone's space. Never touch or speak to a drummer or
dancer until you have made eye contact with hir and you can see that s/he is
all "there" and open to the contact. If you need to speak to someone, sidle
up them carefully and try to make eye contact, if they will not look at you,
or if they look through you, leave them alone unless their hair is on fire.

If you identify folks who are trancing, keep an eye on them. Make sure they
have plenty of room. If someone is about to trance-dance into the bonfire or
is otherwise in immediate physical danger, you can interpose yourself beween
that person and the fire (etc) and gradually "herd" the person away from the
danger without invading hir space or knocking hir out of trance.

Also, the energy can get to people sometimes. You may run into someone on
the edge of the circle bawling hir eyes out, or wandering around looking
dazed. If you don't feel that you can help hir out, quickly find someone who
can.

If there is a dancer tranced out to your rhythm, or a drummer tranced out to
your dance, it becomes your responsibility to take care of that person.
(Simultaneous trancing in this manner can be really awesome, but in the same
way that "running the bulls" is awesome- until you stumble! Undertake this
consciously and very carefully, and only after you have a lot of
experience.) Keep an eye out for physical dangers and for folks who may
advertantly or inadvertantly disturb the tranced person. Keep your
beat/dance very steady, unless/until you feel it is appropriate to
consciously alter the rhythm and take the tranced person deeper. Pay careful
attention to the energy, and try to be conscious of what the tranced person
needs. When s/he is ready, slowly bring hir out of it. If you are
tiring/hurting/distracted and can't go on, try to disengage from the
exchange very slowly and gradually, until the tranced person either comes
out of it or "attaches" to a different drummer/dancer.

THE END- for now..... <grin>

INDEX
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