Meridian Park (also known as Malcolm X Park) is a fabulous park in Colombia Heights in DC. If you attended the "U Street Corridor" excursion, we passed through this park at the end of our world-wind tour of the neighborhood.

Meridian Park is known for many things ... it has a stunning cascading water staircase and 18th century European-style terraced landscape.... and wonderful outdoor sculptures including a memorial to President James Buchanan, an equestrian statue of Jeanne d'Arc, a somber monument to Dante, and Jose Clara's provocative, Serenity sculpture It's a large park 12 acres in all! Who knew such a gem existed on a hilltop in the middle of the city!

But for this excursion, the focus will be on a long tradition in the park - the Sunday afternoon Drum Circle! When I was there last week, I was told that the tradition goes back some 55 years. The drummers come in all sizes, shapes, colors, ages, and political persuasions. It is such an awesome gathering. And dancers (did I mention dancers) ... bring the rhythm of the music to life as they move to the beat...beat...beat of the drums. The crowds that gather to enjoy the music are also very entertaining!

Let's plan to meet outside Starbucks (13th and U Streets) at the 13th Street exit from the Metro (U Street/Cardoza Station). It's about four or five blocks (uphil) to the park from there. Feel free to bring a chair and some water.

This will be limited to fifteen (15) shutterbugs as I feel that more may be disruptive to the activities.