Local drum circle members join musicians on stage during Meetup gathering

By Ian Swaby
| 5:00 a.m. January 14, 2026

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Vykky Contreras is a dancer and drummer at the Siesta Key Drum Circle, and began attending the event about 10 years ago.

However, she said she wasn't sure what the experience would be like as she headed indoors on the night of Jan. 11, to the event space at Casey Key Resort in Osprey.

She said the drummers enjoy the outdoors and sunset, and the spiritual and positive feeling of the tradition, which she said is something she wants to share with multiple generations.

However, Steven Mark of Sarasota's Over 50 group on Meetup.com, a former vintage guitar store owner from New Jersey, said he wanted to introduce melodies to the percussion sounds of the drum circle.

As Mark and other members took to the stage to perform familiar songs from the past, they were joined by Contreras, who danced and played drums, as well as Alan Bitterman, a member of local drum circles, on hand drums.

"I just thought, why don't we just have a fusion that's never been done before?" Mark said.

Chuck Campbell, Ann Atkins, Don LoBello and Karen Parker gather at a table.

Sue Goldstein receives a tambourine from Steven Mark.

Bob Esposito, Barbara Earley, Sue Goldstein, Lou Cacciatore and David Dellamonica gather at a table.

Bryan Swilley and Kimberly Frey brought a tropical vibe with their necklaces and attire.

Terri Weichman makes sound with the maracas.

Linda Prowling and Paul Napier take to the dance floor.

Ron Muratti and Linda Petroski get into a tropical spirit.

Greg Edmondson, Diana Pennington and Sue Goldstein gather together.

Vykky Contreras plays her drum at the event.

Alan Bitterman, a member of various local drum circles, plays at the event.

Vykky Contreras brought a pair of butterfly wings to the event that she uses at the Siesta Key Drum Circle.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.