Chazerly Designs Welcomes the Beats of Many Different Drummers

The only thing surpassing the decibel level is the energy emanating from the store. 

On the second Thursday night of each month, area residents are congregating at A Glimpse Into Africa in the central business district, where for one hour they can joyfully beat away their stress and inhibitions.

A Glimpse Into Africa, which is part of Chazerly Designs, 5116 Main St., hosts monthly drumming circles which are open and free to the public. "Drumming circles are a great stress reliever," said Chaz Nieponski, who owns the gallery with her husband Elias Akwo. "People feel uplifted when they're finished. It's almost a spiritual experience."

Drumming is an ancient tradition in many cultures from throughout the world, used to "energize, build unity, focus attention, relax and heighten creativity," said Akwo. The couple first became intrigued by drumming circles after happening upon one at a meeting of travel agents specializing in African tours.

"We were so impressed. They were only playing for ten or fifteen minutes but you could feel that everyone was in a better mood after hearing that. Elias said it would fit in so beautifully here," Nieponski said.

The fit is natural. Chazerly Designs features art from four different continents; a highlight of which is a museum-quality collection of ancient African artifacts.

"In that setting, there's a point during the drumming circle where you feel that you're maintaining the lineage that goes back through the ages," said Tony Asta, a Wheaton resident who attends the drumming circles regularly. "Maintaining and honoring it. It's a beautiful venue and the sound carries well."

First-time drummers quickly become enthusiasts, and virtually everyone comes back for more, Akwo said.

"They're exhilarated and feel refreshed. They're anxious for the next drumming circle and want to tell their friends. Sometimes they come in bunches," Nieponski said.

Asta said that drumming in a drumming circle is comparable to meditation. Afterwards, he said, "you are alive, alert and have energy. Maybe you've perspired.  But you want more."

Once they start beating, drummers often lose their inhibitions. "You don't care what other people are thinking of you. To see their expressions…they're so into it.  They're almost euphoric," said Nieponski. "Everyone feels connected and united in a way that they can't describe afterwards."

Nieponski said that recently a couple of kids who attended a drumming circle with their parents had to step outside because the noise got to be too much for them. "There were grown-ups with high pressure jobs who were in their glory getting out all of their stress from the day," Nieponski said.

The drumming circles at Glimpse Into Africa have drawn more than 40 participants ranging in age from young children to people in their eighties, Akwo said.

"We push the furniture out of the way," Nieponski said. "It has to be a circle, and you don't want intrusion of furniture in the way. The circle creates unity."

Most of the people attending drumming circles are there intentionally, but others are passersby who feel themselves drawn to the percussive beat. "Every so often they stop on the street and come and see and watch and are engaged at some level.  Some might walk all the way in and even pick up an instrument and join in," Asta said.

Somehow there always seem to be enough instruments on hand, regardless of how large the crowds become. "The drums and percussions seem to multiply. No one has ever been without and I don't know how we get so many," Nieponski said. "We have seven drums permanently here and a box of percussion instruments. But it's just like magic that no one's been left without and we have no idea how or why. It's just supposed to be that way."

At the drumming circles there are often professional drummers intermingled with the participants. This adds some "empowering element to it," Asta said. "You're able to react and engage."

Despite the availability of instruction however, there is no right or wrong way to drum. "Everything you do is just expressing yourself," Nieponski said.

Because of the great response to A Glimpse Into Africa's drumming circles, the gallery will begin offering drumming instruction. "After eight classes, students will be ready to perform at restaurants, bars, other places that would be happy to have drumming performances," Nieponski said. Classes will be held on the first, third and fourth Thursday of the month from 7-8 p.m. Drumming circles are held on the second Thursday of the month at 7-8 p.m. 

"We are providing that little thimble full of healing energy to people to carry on with their day," Nieoponski said. "Then they touch someone else's life because they're in such a good mood and it's a domino effect."

In addition to its museum-quality ancient African artifacts, Chazerly Designs carries European crystal, engraved and personalized glass, antique hand-woven rugs, handcrafted jewelry, and Nieponski's own paintings and prints.