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Thomas on Having it Real Bad for Drums and Dancing

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

“People think that I am African, but I have lived in Washington my whole life. My parents are from South Carolina and came up here in the early 40′s. I grew up in a terrible neighborhood called Sursum Corda. I did a lot of dumb things as a kid. You know, I was hanging out with the wrong crowd. My Mom always said, ‘If you hang with the wolves, you will howl.’ It’s true, but I didn’t understand it at the time. Now, I tell that to my sons. I am blessed to say that I was never locked up. I have never been in trouble with the law. Getting in trouble with my parents, that’s a different story.

I guess I just transform into someone different when I dance. It is like a spirit takes over me.

“I think that dancing and drumming really saved me from taking the wrong path. I started drumming when I was eight years old. I was playing football for the Boys Club when I heard this drumming coming from the basement of the Boys Club. I was immediately drawn to it. I escaped from practice to find the drumming class and stayed there with my helmet and shoulder pads on. I was mesmerized, and have been ever since. I started dancing a little later bit later.

“All of the dancing we do at Meridian Hill Park is from West Africa. I have been dancing and teaching at the drum circle for 20 years now. It all started because one of the lead drummers, who I knew because we performed together, invited me to come out. There was dancing here before me, but not a lot of West African dancing. You know, a lot of people say that I sound and move like I am from Africa. I guess I can just mark the accent and movement so well. Sometimes the accent comes out and I don’t even realize it. It’s funny, one time I was performing and this guy from Guinea came over to me afterwards. He thought I was from Guinea, too, and neglecting our country by not dancing at the embassy and for ‘our’ people more. As he spoke, he got more excited and eventually starting cussing me out in his language. I said, ‘Look man, I am not African.’ He felt really embarrassed and apologized.

“I guess I just transform into someone different when I dance. It is like a spirit takes over me. One time, I was driving by the U.S. Capitol and they had the Zulu dancers performing. I was in the car with my wife and son. The drums captured me and I jumped out of the car while it was still moving to get to the music. My wife had to jump in the driver’s seat and take control of the car. I guess I just have it real bad for drums and dancing. My wish in life is to go to Africa and dance my heart out in Senegal and Guinea.

“I would say to everyone, you need to come up to the park and join us on Sundays. Who needs to pay for a class when you can come and dance with me and the drummers for free. Trust me, you aren’t going to find an experience like this anywhere else here.”

You can find Thomas and the drum circle in the upper area of Meridian Hill Park on Sunday afternoons.

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Topics: All Stories,Arts & Leisure,History & Politics,Mt. Pleasant,Neighborhoods,NW — Tags: , , Danny @ 9:00 am
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9 Comments »

  1. Thomas might be my favorite DC resident! He brings so much joy to so many of us who frequent the park. Thank you for featuring him.

    Comment by SoCal Gal — June 8, 2010 @ 2:44 pm

  2. When I was at the park last week, Thomas saw me standing on the sidelines and forced to me come join the dancing. It turned out to be a lot of fun and I will definitely do it again.

    Comment by Katrina — June 8, 2010 @ 4:55 pm

  3. Katrina, Sounds like that is a nice way of saying don't stand too close to the drum circle if you are shy or hate dancing!

    Comment by KC — June 8, 2010 @ 6:55 pm

  4. Does he only encourage girls to dance or is anyone on the outskirts fair game?

    Comment by Rob — June 8, 2010 @ 7:50 pm

  5. When I have been there, it is usually women he is dragging into dance, but I think that anyone is fair game.

    Comment by Daphna — June 9, 2010 @ 2:14 am

  6. The man will dance with anyone, just look at the picture. I've seen people of all ages, colors, and abilities joining him and having a great time!

    Comment by Anonymous — June 9, 2010 @ 3:07 pm

  7. I've always wondered his story was, nice job.

    Comment by RM — June 9, 2010 @ 4:06 pm

  8. "I am blessed to say that I was never locked up."

    thats one of the saddest things i have ever read.
    i'm glad you overcame.

    Comment by Anonymous — June 17, 2010 @ 1:47 pm

  9. [...] Thomas on Having it Bad for Drums and Dancing is about a guy who loves West African dancing.  He’s been dancing and teaching dance on Sundays at a popular drum circle in downtown D.C. for 20 years now.  Here’s why: I guess I just transform into someone different when I dance. It is like a spirit takes over me. One time, I was driving by the U.S. Capitol and they had the Zulu dancers performing. I was in the car with my wife and son. The drums captured me and I jumped out of the car while it was still moving to get to the music. My wife had to jump in the driver’s seat and take control of the car. I guess I just have it real bad for drums and dancing. My wish in life is to go to Africa and dance my heart out in Senegal and Guinea. [...]

    Pingback by Boomers who can’t resist African dance — August 12, 2011 @ 4:47 pm

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