Have Drums…Will Travel

Sometimes you take a chance in life and things work out better than you could have ever imagined.

Today is not one of those days.

Recently I’ve been noticing a couple of posts on a local drum circle Facebook group asking about drummers coming to play at a roving market.

“Okay”, I thought. I get it…new age and holistic health vendors at this market…drumming seems to fit the vibe.

Yesterday, I saw a post for this market suggesting if any drummers wanted to come, hang out, and drum, that would be great!

I saw an opportunity.

I decided to take a chance!

I reached out on Facebook Messenger, and to make a long story short, said that I’m an experienced drum circle facilitator, I carry drums to share, and if they REALLY want people drumming there, it would be best to have someone to get things going at least.

She asked what I would like in return for doing this. I simply said I would put out a tip jar and see how it goes.

The dates and locations of the upcoming markets were also shared with me.

Yoga was scheduled for a time just before the market opened. I said I could be there when the market opened and could stay until it closed…four hours.

It was suggested I show up just a bit later in hopes there would be more people there. I had another gig before this market, and needed to be dropped off so my beloved wife could take our youngest to Trunk or Treat at school.

When I arrived, things were chaotic.

The market was at a neighborhood house that has been converted into an event center.

When I arrived, someone directed me to the organizer…someone’s whose name I hadn’t asked in our Messenger communications.

I introduced myself and said that I was there for drumming. The reply I got was an immediate and curt, “You have to wait. I told you to show up later.”

I explained again that my ride had to drop me off and I had no control over that timing.

The organizer then told me that there were significant delays because of lack of access to the space. She also showed me the small stage where I would be setting up…after the DJ who was just starting to spin vinyl was.

The DJ wasn’t mentioned in our previous conversation, and I didn’t think to ask for any more clarification. Clearly, she was stressed with the logistics, so after I unloaded, I found a comfy bench to wait on.

DJ is playing, people coming and going…

Then the rain started.

Fortunately, the stage where my gear was had some shelter from the rain.

I helped the DJ move his equipment further into the sheltered area. You have to be exceptionally gentle when moving turntables that are providing the music…

He expressed his thanks and we started chatting. I found out he was scheduled to spin for the entire duration of the market…

He offered to wind down early to make space for me, but I politely declined. We both began to wonder aloud how the organizer thought both the DJ and I would be able to craft our craft while the other was there.

I told him the organizer and I had only made arrangements the day before.

Then I reflected on the time I spent on creating the Eventbrite event, to help spread the word, making the social posts to promote the event to my network, loading the car with gear the night before, and my wife working around that gear during her daily routine, answering questions about the event through email and social…

Then what of my professional reputation?

If I commit to something, I follow through! If I say I will be somewhere drumming, I am there, and I am drumming, and encouraging others to drum with me.

As I write this, there’s about an hour and a half left of the market.

My ride can’t pick me up much earlier.

I’m focusing on the fact that I’ve had some time to people watch, respond to some email, and hear some good tunes on vinyl.

I’m not focusing on the fact that I have a fair amount of time and effort in on something that won’t actually further my work in this world.

In a sense I’m just shrugging and thinking there’s not much else I can do. I’m a little frustrated, but not angry. I’m not irritated or miffed either.

I just can’t figure why the organizer would make arrangements for me to be here (last minute as they were) when that very nice, very friendly DJ is here…

For me, I’ve learned that before I tell someone that I “have drums, will travel,” I’m going to get a bit more clarity on the expectations.

At least the rain seems to have passed…