Andy, age 48, says that what he likes about the Central Park Drum Circle is its energy, its community ... and it's fun.

I live on the Park, myself, and it was actually witnessing the drum circle when I first arrived in New York that inspired me to check out drumming. In some respects, it's almost like coming full circle.

So, at first I went and I got myself some tablas, an (East) Indian drum. And then I tried the Middle Eastern dumbek, and I took a few lessons. And then I hit on West Africa, and I've stuck with that ever since. I play a djembe, that I brought back from Guinea, West Africa, earlier this year. I had gone there on an intensive, 3-week drumming workshop.

Anyone is welcome at the drum circle; most particularly people are welcome who will listen, and at least try to contribute to what is going on, rather than trying to dominate or change direction or whatever.

I typically go just Sundays now, because many weekends I'm not here in the city, but it's just one of the drumming activities of the week for me: I take usually 2 drum lessons during the week, and then I typically play for a West African dance class on Wednesday evenings, when I can. One of my fellow workshop participants in Guinea suggested I come and play for the class, and I gave it a try. And I've been trying ever since!