GARDINER — Inanna will perform at Johnson Hall’s Free Summer Waterfront Concert Series at 6 p.m. Friday, July 22, in Gardiner’s Waterfront Park.

Inanna was conceived in Ulna in 1989, in the context of a drum class under the tutelage of John McDowell, who offered the wise guidance that if you want to improve as a musician, “play out,” i.e.., start performing. Their first official gig was on the Winter Solstice 1989, which is the holiday of the Goddess Inanna, whose myth recounts her descent and reemergence from the underworld. Some versions of the myth describe her being called back to the upper world through the sound of the drum. Some versions of the myth also say she was responsible for bring the drum to her people.

At that first concert the women of Inanna witnessed the power of the drum in its role of building conscious community and of cultivating great joy. To quote musician and composer Reinhard Flatischler, “Drumming is one of the most pleasurable, simple and radical accesses to the Here and Now, to the total experience of the present moment. And that is extremely healing.”

For Free Summer Waterfront Concert listings, visit www.johnsonhall.org or visit their box office noon-3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.