So yeah, that was yesterday (August 1st). For those of you that are unfamiliar
Lughnasadh (or Lammas)
follow the link, but commonly it's to celebrate the first harvest. Interestingly enough the holiday falls in the same weekend with the
Ohio State Fair. I don't know if I'll make it out this time, I have a bunch of deadlines. Ah we shall see.
One of the things I like about
Columbus is that it's filled with a weirdness. Not an obvious weirdness or a funk. You can't come to my town and just stroll down the street and see random weirdness randomly. It's like the rest of Ohio, you have to be willing to look beyond the surface, get out, investigate, be open, and you will surely meet some interesting folks, and see some unexpected things. This place does not fail to disappoint the curious and the persistent. So, yesterday I met up with a friend to go to a drum circle. There are a few advertised around town, but neither of us have been. Generally we only get a chance to drum at
Wisteria during festival, which isn't -that often-, maybe three or four times a year, & we never get out because we are antisocial artists. So we go, down to
Como Park. There is a network of bike trails that run north to south along the Olentangy River, with many pocket sized parks like this one. We pull up and see more people than we expected drumming under one of the permanent shelters. As we got closer we saw people dancing, wearing brightly colored costumes and outfits. One person looked like she was wearing a plushy chicken headdress with a rainbow skirt and bright yellow ruffled leggings. There were a couple children in handmade costumes that looked part octopus, part jellyfish, and part sock monkey, all stitched in an array of bright fabrics. They ran around, climbed on things, having a grand ole' time with their parents who were also dressed in festive fashion. I asked one of the folks who... well I suppose hosts but he more guides, if that was normal. He said with a smile 'no, they just came out of the forest'.
The drum circle vibe was pretty friendly and chill. There were plenty of drums and other instruments left for people who just happened by. One of which was a gent who looked like a very serious biker, in his mid 40's I'd say. He stood for a while, still half mounted on his bike watching us. Then one of the guys offered him a drum, & he took off his helmet and gloves and soon he was in the thick of it drumming away for what seemed to be the very first time. He was still there when we left. This runs on every other Sunday from 2 to 4, or whenever. I'll come back when I have time. Some of the folks there also play with fire, poi, staff, and the like. I gave my info to one of the guys who will hopefully get in touch with the dude who hosts that gathering which is on Tuesdays. That would be great to get in with the fire community here.
So after we left we then went to a friend's house and met up with people I had not seen in a very long time. I was invited to a Lammas party, which had a very lovely potluck, and for games to honor
Lugh we took turns hacking at cantaloupe heads with a medieval looking ax and shot a small crossbow at a target. There was much hilarity, and it was good to see old friends.
and now, back to work.
Yep, Urban Scrawl is tomorrow August 27 at Dodge Park, 667 Sullivant Ave, Columbus Ohio. Festival runs from 12 - 8, and is free. There will be music, local craft vendors, break-dancing, skate boarding, and of course... live painting. This year, Bela Grimm and myself will be collaborating on a large panel of 8 x 8 feet. For more about the festival (when bands come on and stuff) check out this article in the Alive. Should be fun! If you come out say hi. By the way the image is from Urban Scrawl few years ago, photo by Bill Minckler. 
