Meridian Hill Park, also known as Malcolm X Park, is located in the Washington, D.C. neighborhood of Columbia Heights. Drummers have been bringing rhythms to Meridian Hill Park Sunday afternoons for decades. The park is also filled with jugglers, yoga acrobatics, hula hoops, and, most of all, interesting and friendly people.
I spent two wonderful Sunday afternoons there with my wife, Jann, and daughter, Heather, April 28 and May 5, 2013. It drizzled lightly on and off during our first visit which made for great people photography but also limited the number of drummers and spectators. The sun was out in full force the second visit, and the high contrast made photography much more challenging. But there were far more people to photograph.
At times one or more spectators would jump into the circle, which was actually more like a rectangle, and dance to the music.
Here are some photos from both afternoons. I hope you enjoy them and get a sense of the excitement and joy of this event. Stay tuned to this spot for movies of the drummers, eventually.
