Friday, December 4, 2009

A bit of a departure from my normal subjects!

I stood and watched the street performer...both in amazement and a bit uneasy. He was playing native drums from his country of origin...Africa which I found quite entertaining. However when he donned the mask...the performance entered another phase.

I had the distinct sense that the activity went from a musical performance to a darker ritual. His demeanor changed, the drums stopped and they were replaced with a guttural chanting of sorts ...almost in a trance. I would not want to meet this gentleman in a dark alleyway. He had a vase on the sidewalk for tips...I certainly left one for him...I wouldn't want to be on his bad side!

Dan

18 comments:

DawnTreader said...

OK that was a few steps scarier than the "santa" masks from my childhood days... LOL (Dan will know what I mean, for other readers I may add that that comment refers to a post at my own blog this week)

shabby girl said...

Wow. There are many groups today that still use drumming as a way to reach a deeper place. I can see where once trained, how easily that could happen.
It's the eyes that freaked me out!

Jackie Callahan said...

Amazing photos! So glad to have found your website!Very Inspiring work. Thanks for what you do.

Dan Felstead said...

Dawn Treader..LOL....Boo!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Shabbygirl...more and more we are seeing strange ways to "get in touch" with our inner selves!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Jackie....thanks for stopping boy and welcome aboard! Also thanks for the kind words.

Dan

Sunny said...

Thanks Dan, for the nightmare I probably will have tonight! LOL
Sunny :)

septembermom said...

That jumped out at me!!

So cool to see live performers. I love getting into the drumming with the other bystanders. My kids may think I look funny, but I just think it's great to participate with those talented performers.

Dan Felstead said...

Sunny...Sorry about disrupting your sense of security!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Septembermom...I know they are great. I am sure you have seen the guys in New York who paint themselves silver and move like robots??

Dan

Heather said...

Eeeeak!! I don't know if I could have stayed to continue watching him once that part began, Dan.

Dan Felstead said...

Heather...I know...it was kind of freaky! This one was a bit different than most of my photos!

Dan

LC Bat said...

Wowza. Thanks for the frikkin' nightmares I'm gonna have now!

Dan Felstead said...

Leah...did you sleep well!

Dan

Cynthia L. H. said...

Wow. Yes, those eyes.
They tell a story, don't they?

Dan Felstead said...

Cynthia...very very strange man but great on the drums.

Dan

HightonRidley said...

Great connection with the primeval -- the eyes do it, great detail in them. I also like what you've done with the rhs - works very well. Nice!

Dan Felstead said...

Mark...yes it was the eyes that caught me...pretty intense!

Dan