SouldFood Books' Family Drum Circle connects people through rhythm

Kids of all ages are invited to take part in the monthly Family Drum Circle at SoulFood Books and Cafe, 15748 Redmond Way in Redmond.

The next opportunity is at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21. Suggested donation is $5.

Alexandra Baldwin has led the Family Drum Circle at SoulFood for more than four years, starting at the shop’s former location on Gilman Street.

“Partly what I like is that it’s free-flow, not pre-planned,” said Baldwin. “I love going with the spontaneity, living in the moment.”

And SoulFood’s current location, near Ben Franklin Crafts and Frames and Tree Top Toys, draws in lots of families who may be shopping at those businesses and are curious when they hear music wafting out into the parking lot.

Baldwin said she started with “the ultimate percussion instrument, the piano, at the age of eight. But I was not allowed to drum as a child.”

She likes to see children, parents and grandparents making music together, although not necessarily in the way formal training dictates.

“Maybe the sound is not the same but the energy is unified. It’s organic, in-the-moment music. Partly my calling is that I get them to share and release their creative ways and see people fully stepping into themselves.”

At the Family Drum Circles, about half or three-quarters of participants don’t have musical training, said Baldwin.

“You don’t have to be a musician. They say, ‘I have no rhythm,’ but if you have a heartbeat, you do. There's no experience necessary. The vibration of the drums, the aura that goes out is incredible,” she stated.

And this activity is not just for parents and kids.

Baldwin said she defines “family” as anyone who wants to be part of the community — and she’ll work with any sized groups. “I used to work with a professionally facilitated group, circles up to 600 for team-building. A lot of people have said, ‘I found myself!’ or ‘Oh, what stress reduction!’ ... It's really cute to see the metamorphosis. Maybe it’s a grandpa, sitting in the corner, holding down the fort. Then they get up and start dancing."

For more information about the Family Drum Circle and other activities at SoulFood Books and Cafe, call (425) 881-5309 or visit www.soulfoodbooks.com.

Contact Redmond Reporter Reporter Mary Stevens Decker at mdecker@redmond-reporter.com or (425) 867-0353, ext. 5052.

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