A Drumming Beat

As with all surprises we did not not see this coming.
Breaking through the foliage at the rear end of Mount Royal Park we came upon a sight that both shocked and excited us: there before us lay an expansive spread of bodies writhing to the rhythm of the Tam Tams.

Even before we caught sight of the drums and the mass of gyrating bodies we could hear them. With each step drawing us closer and closer to the primal beat we could feel the pounding of the drums within our chest. We could feel the call of the music like a spell that put us under.

The main attraction was the the giant grouping of drummers in the far upper corner of the square. They huddled together as if to keep warm despite the blazing heat of the day.

Around the drummers you could find a variety of people with varying body shapes. Some came together, some came alone, some even brought their kids.

It didn't matter what level of dance ability you had, no one took any notice. They were all too busy with their own movements to pay attention to your frantic flailings. Here, you were free to stomp, and wave, and swing your body in any direction with nary a scant look of disgust or distaste from either your neighbor or your friend.
No one cared.
It was freedom at it's most liberating.
I am ashamed to say that I have lived in this city for a very long time and have never been to the Tam Tams before this summer. Despite the frequent invitations extended to me by my friends over the years, it took the surprise siting this May to finally show me what I was missing! And to be able to introducing one of my students to the event, especially one so relatively new to our city, was a real treat for me as well!

Before it was over, though, I had to be brave and tear myself away from the spectacle of music and crowd and end my workshop for another season. As I walked away I could feel the thrumming beats of the drums pulsing against my back like a melodic reminder for me to return.
It was a vow I fervently intended to keep.