The sounds of tribal beats thump from an alley in downtown Muncie every Monday night. This may sound like a strange situation, but when it comes to the drummers in Dave's Alley, it's just another meeting.
Every Monday night from 9 p.m. to midnight, "Bongo" Barry Kem jams on his self-made bongo in Dave's Alley and invites anyone who would like to join him to come along.
Kem said that this is the first year for the drum circle in Dave's Alley, but he plays in the alley every weekend by himself, as long as the weather is nice.
According to Kem, the drum circle started two years ago in front of Wishbone Gifts Inc. and was originally held on Friday nights, but when the original group took a long time to start the circle up again, Kem took the initiative and started playing in Dave's Alley and offered an open invitation to anyone interested in joining.
"It was me and one employee there who were the two most interested in getting it going, and I just finally said that I'll do it myself," Kem said.
Kem said that he likes being in the alley and that Dave's Alley is one of the cleanest alleys in the whole city.
"I think my being out here most weekend nights during the prime bar times discourages most people from, like, taking a leak in the alley and stuff," Kem said.
Kem said that the move to Dave's Alley has been a welcomed one and that many downtown venue owners support him and the group.
Another loyal drummer that frequents the circle is Wishbone Gifts Inc. owner Rod Crossland.
Crossland said that he usually brings four to six bongo drums for anyone interested in drumming to use.
According to Crossland, he hangs fliers advertising the drum circle in his shop but the majority of the group's promotion relies on word-of-mouth.
Crossland said that Kem designed the fliers and that Kem is the key ingredient in keeping the group going, despite the sometimes small number of participants.
Kem said the key to keeping the circle going is showing up.
Steve Robert, a 48-year-old home repair contractor, made his first appearance to the drum session last week.
Robert said that he came because of the environment and the way drumming makes him feel.
"It's a pretty nice night, and it's fun to drum and to see people," Robert said.
Robert found out about the drum circle from Kem himself.
As he tapped a tambourine with his right foot and banged a bongo that was stuffed under his left arm, one would never have suspected this to be Robert's first Dave's Alley drum circle experience.
Kem said that when it gets colder, he might take the drum circle meeting to the second floor of the Heorot.
"I don't know if it's going to move inside or not but I've been told the option is open," Kem said.
Kem said that the move and continuation of the drum circle depends on how many people are seriously committed to the group.
"If I have other people that are sincerely interested and are going to show up then that would be one thing, but like [some nights], Rod may be the only person that shows up."
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