People believe that drum circles help boost the immune system and promote physical healing. What is known is that drum circles offer an opportunity for physical movement and meditative rhythms, as well as bringing people together. On Wednesday evening, August 31, 2022 under the starry sky, Abasi Hanif, teaches rhythms, their accompanying parts, and gives drum circle participants a chance to freestyle over a steady rhythm. The Norton offers free community programs outside on the northeast corner of the Museum property at Jefferson Road and South Olive Avenue in West Palm Beach.
According to The Norton, Abasi “Manblack” Hanif is highly accomplished and well respected in the community. It states Hanif “is a teaching artist, spoken word poet, West African drummer, event host and community organizer. He is the son of news writer, editor and teacher C. B. Hanif and fiber artist and teacher Kianga Jinaki. Mr. Hanif has owned and managed “Livin The Rhythm” for twelve years, hosting community drum circles throughout South Florida. He is a music accompanist for Palm Beach Atlantic University and the African Drum Director for Sounds of Success Community Band and Drums Over Guns Youth Program. He is one of the four founding members of Men of Blackness (Conscious HipHop) and a Black Cultural Event Planner with RBG of South Florida. The writer and actor has performed in Broadway Productions, including Sundiata, Pleasant City: Thee ChoreoPoem, Waking Kya and Chocolate Nutcracker, and has been nominated for numerous awards, including the 2014 Clyde Fyfe and the 2015 African American Achievers Award.”
Summer drum circles at the Norton welcome everyone to try one of the drums provided and/or bring their own acoustic instrument. A tambourine. Maracas. Or your own drum. Participants are seated in a circle and follow the rhythm set by Mr. Hanif. Drum circles are from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the north lawn of the Norton, just south of Downtown West Palm. Metered parking is available east of the museum. Students park in the lot at Memorial Presbyterian Church, which is northeast of the museum.
