These cats like purrcussion

The Newport/Oregon Coast Community Drum Circle will present the July edition of its Thirteenth Annual Summer Celebration Outdoor Concert Series at Newport's Coast Park this Saturday, July 29.

The family friendly monthly performances are a continuation of nearly a decade of popular monthly summer variety shows from the Drum Circle in Nye Beach.

They feature the local Thunder & Lightness World Beat Ensemble's unique mix of multicultural traditional and indigenous percussion and the melodies of the Native American flutes along with a variety of other traditional and grassroots folkloric instruments and styles.

Surprise special guests will join percussionist Chandler Davis, Mary-Beth Nickel of Siletz on the Native American flutes; Waldportian Michelle Tormey on the Celtic harp; Lincoln City's Lewis Smith on the traditional Tahitian log drums and Sandra Surber on washboard, drums and mouth harp.

Experienced drummers are invited to bring along hand drums, light percussion, or other compatible instruments to sit in; less experienced players of all ages and skill levels will be encouraged to join in drum-circle-style from the audience.

The park, Newport's newest, is at 100 SW Coast Street just south of the Newport Performing Arts Center. It has picnic tables, a state-of-the art playground, lots of parking, and easy bathroom access. There is a small and accessible performance area with amphitheater seating, or participants can bring lawn chairs or blankets to spread out on the grassy areas.

"It's very much a family-oriented park," Davis said. "That's perfect for us because we are very much a family-oriented ensemble appealing to virtually all ages and musical tastes."

The music begins at noon to 3 p.m. in the historic Nye Beach District. for more information, call 541-351-5757.