Court hears drum-troupe performer explain 'howling' practice; judge reduces parking penalty to $30

At the Municipal Court of Providence, a performer who said she is with the Providence drum troupe described her role leading vocal exercises and, with the judge's permission, performed a brief chant in court. Later in the docket the presiding official reduced a parking fine by waiving a $60 penalty.

Court staff introduced "family number 1" and addressed the defendant as "Jamie." Jamie told the court she plays a frame drum, sings, chants and leads a group that performs at the Waterfire Arts Center and in Thursday-night community events. Jamie said the practice involves breathing and vocal exercises and, on full moons, the group sometimes "howls" as a release and confidence-building exercise for participants, including young girls.

With the judge's agreement, Jamie and another participant sang a short refrain in court: "I've got a heart beats like a drum ... It goes boom boom boom." After the demonstration the presiding official addressed the parking-ticket issue for that docket item, saying the ticket had been $30 and later increased to $90; the court "waive[d] the $60 penalty," reducing the charge to $30.

Jamie thanked the court and was excused. The transcript does not record a formal motion or vote; the transcript attributes the decision to the presiding official's on-the-record statement.