1000 Drummers! Drumming Up The Sun At
Drumming Up the Sun: A Winter Solstice Celebration at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
As the year winds down to its shortest day and longest night, the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, becomes a beacon of warmth and community during the winter solstice. This special event, known as "Drumming Up the Sun," is, we discovered thanks to our friend Angela, an excellent way to mark the end of the longest night and welcome the gradual return of longer days.
Red Rocks, renowned for its majestic natural acoustics and stunning geological formations, offers a serene and powerful backdrop for this unique celebration. In the chill of a December morning, with stars still twinkling overhead, we gathered with about 3,000 others in the amphitheater. If you've never been, Red Rocks is a place where earth meets sky in dramatic fashion, a natural amphitheater turned into a concert venue.
"Drumming Up the Sun" on the winter solstice is an event of symbolism and community spirit. As we arrived, bundled in warm clothing, we happened to pull up right behind our friend Angela, which meant we didn't have to hunt for each other in the dark. She brought her drum, which she let us play, and we joined in with others who brought various percussion instruments and a shared intention to awaken the dawn. The drumming was already well underway by the time we arrived, so we walked in along a rhythmic and meditative journey. And it continued until well after the first light of dawn pierced the horizon.
This communal drumming wasn't just a musical experience; it really was is a unique experience offering unity and renewal.
The event and solstice itself represents the triumph of light over darkness, hope over despair, and the continuous cycle of seasons and life.
Apart from drumming, the event included other activities resonant with the spirit of the solstice including storytelling, some people doing gentle yoga sessions to warm up in the cold, some call and response, flag dancers, and hot beverages to foster warmth and camaraderie.
The winter solstice has been celebrated in various cultures for millennia, often symbolizing the rebirth of the sun and the promise of new beginnings. "Drumming Up the Sun" at Red Rocks connects people to these ancient traditions. As the sun comes up, it offers a time to reflect, reset, and look forward with optimism.
It wasn't an orange blossom sunrise or a fiery sunrise, but as the sun rose this year, the moment was met with cheers, a shared sense of accomplishment, and a renewed appreciation for the sun’s warmth and light.
This was our first time at Drumming Up The Sun, but I could definitely see this becoming a #tradition .
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