Drum for Love co-founders, Portal event co-creators and husband and wife, Yve and Armando Hart of Long Beach. Words and photos by Emily Wilson.
9/11: A “Portal” Through Which To Practice Unity
9:00am | It was in the somber shadow of the September 11 attacks that so many Americans came together to help, to console, and to, quite simply, just be with others.
And so on that day’s ninth anniversary, Long Beach couple Yve and Armando Hart, co-founders of the drum circle community project Drum for Love, hosted Portal, a day-long event at Alfredo’s Beach Club, striving to reach that same level of unity, minus the tragedy.
“We want to expand on that unity we all felt during that time, and even go beyond it,” said Armando. “And it’s great. People are coming together here with powerful, creative expression.”
That was evident through spoken word sessions, live music, drum circles, communication workshops, speeches and also through fashion. Attendees were encouraged to come in costume or as “walking art,” with the reward of a discounted admission price. Many heeded the call, showcasing unusual, festive color and fabric combinations.
The enthusiastic participation created an ample atmosphere for the event’s desired community aesthetic, according to event coordinator Sati Ah.
“We wanted to eliminate separation. Everything here is about participation and everyone is invited to join,” she said.
And join they did.
With hand holding, hugging, dancing. With singing, speaking, laughing. And with learning, drumming, loving.
And when added together, Karen Knab, event participant, believed that combination of actions and emotions equaled a satisfying and unique way to commemorate 9/11.
“I’m inclined to come to something like this on 9/11 because its about building. It’s about connecting and bringing people together,” she said.
The Harts’ organization, Drum for Love, was created with much the same ambition that Knab appreciates about Portal: bringing people together.
Prior to starting their own community drum circle, neither Yve nor Armando even knew how to play a drum. But they felt led to try, according to Yve.
Somewhat on a whim, they organizing a drum circle for her birthday, and afterwards, the couple felt they’d stumbled upon something meaningful.
“I’d never seen the community come together like that. We felt like it was a call of service,” she said. “The circle allows people to let go no matter their background or social status. It’s about connecting with each other and letting your ego drop.”
So, in February 2009, they founded Drum for Love and have been holding drum circles at the beach and at various, often charitable, events throughout the city since.
And Portal’s proceeds, from entrance fees to donations from artists selling their work throughout the day, went to the organization’s mission to provide a space for art, music and community in Long Beach.
“Long Beach is a melting pot of so many different people and beliefs and artists,” said Armando. “We’re just one of several groups working to bring the community together.”
And on 9/11, that resonates with a force that they hope will sustain itself throughout the rest of the year, and beyond.
— By Emily Wilson.
Drummer Joe Gell provides the rhythm as the other performers sing and meditate.
A participant expresses herself through dance as a group activity happens before her.
Participants hold hands while dancing at the Portal event.