In regards to your time at Berkley and the constant drum circles, I can empathize. I went to the University of Montana and as I got off my bus that took me from East Missoula to campus, I would cross the bridge over the Clark Fork River and there was always a drum circle there. Rarely, did they produce anything extraordinary in regards to rhythms. I once attended a circle at the request of a roommates girlfriend and like you said, it was one Wasp-ish scene. Dreadlocks a plenty, but trustafarians -the lot of them.

On a side note, have you ever seen the film The Visitor? If not, check it out.