Drumming for World Peace and Healing - January 9, 2010

Drumming for World Peace and Healing with Reneé Ryan and Steve Aldrich

When: January 9, 2010
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location: The Light Heart Center
Fee: Donations to the Light Heart Center Welcomed
Registration: Call (630) 260-1084
Facilitated by: Reneé Ryan, founder of Healers for Peace, and Steve Aldrich.

You, your friends and loved ones are invited to a drumming and sharing. Bring your drums, rattles, other instruments, a poem, or a song to share with the intent of bringing World Peace and Healing that benefits the Earth and all people. Bring a snack or something to munch if you wish, anything chocolate always appreciated. There are spare instruments and rhythm toys to share around the circle, other acoustical or wind instruments lend a wonderful touch.

(We have chairs; if you wish to sit on the floor, please bring a cushion)

Drumming for World Peace and Healing - December 12, 2009

Drumming for World Peace and Healing with Reneé Ryan and Steve Aldrich

When: December 12, 2009
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location: The Light Heart Center
Fee: Donations to the Light Heart Center Welcomed
Registration: Call (630) 260-1084
Facilitated by: Reneé Ryan, founder of Healers for Peace, and Steve Aldrich.

You, your friends and loved ones are invited to a drumming and sharing. Bring your drums, rattles, other instruments, a poem, or a song to share with the intent of bringing World Peace and Healing that benefits the Earth and all people. Bring a snack or something to munch if you wish, anything chocolate always appreciated. There are spare instruments and rhythm toys to share around the circle, other acoustical or wind instruments lend a wonderful touch.

(We have chairs; if you wish to sit on the floor, please bring a cushion)

Drum Circle Essentials and Basic Techniques - November 14, 2009

Are you new to drum circles or just want some help improving your techniques, learning new rhythms, discovering your inner rhythms and how to get more enjoyment from participating in Drum Circles?

Come join us on Sat Nov 14th from 4-6pm at Light Heart Center in Winfield, IL There will be a Drum Circle afterward at Light Heart from 7-9pm which you are encouraged and welcome to also participate and join.

What will be covered:

1. Elements of a Drum Circle and Protocols
2. Basic Drumming Techniques and Rhythms
3. Finding and Enhancing Your 'Rhythmic Voice"
4. Rhythms and Alternate Grooves
5. Putting It All Together.

Class size is limited and you must RSVP ahead of time (No Later than Thurs Nov 12) at Light Heart Center. Please bring your drum along (primary focus is on Djembe and Ashiko styles, but frame drummers welcome).

Limited number of spare drums will be available, along with other rhythm toys and instruments.

The Fee for the class is $25, payable at Light Heart Center.

Samhain Drum Jam on Naperville's River Walk

Announcing a new drum jam for the FoxValley! Brought to you by Barb and Steve and Merry Meets and Blessed Beats Meetup!

What: River Walk Samhain Drum Jam: Naperville,IL
When: October 18, 2009 1:00 PM
Where:
Naperville River Walk
320 W Jackson Ave
Naperville, IL 60540

Come out to drum along the River Walk in downtown Naperville on Sun Oct 18th starting at 1pm until 5pm. Barb made reservations for us to use the amphitheater for the afternoon, has invited several of her friends and other artists, musicians and others to join us for a festive afternoon of rhythm and community gathering.

Bring your drums, rattles, shakers and other acoustic instruments and invite some friends to tag along. Kids are always welcome, but younger ones will need supervision. Visit Merry Meets and Blessed Beats for more information.

Drumming for World Peace and Healing

The Light Heart Center in Wheaton will host Drumming for World Peace and Healing in August. This drum circle is facilitated by Reneé Ryan, founder of Healers for Peace, and Steve Aldrich, a member of the Fox Valley Drum Circle. You, your friends and loved ones are invited to a drumming and sharing. Bring your drums, rattles, other instruments, a poem, or a song to share with the intent of bringing World Peace and Healing that benefits the Earth and all people.


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THE DETAILS:

When: Saturday, October 10, 2009
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: The Lightheart Center, 165 S. Church St., Winfield, IL 60190
Fee: Donations to the Lightheart Center Welcomed
Registration: Call (630) 260-1084
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Harvest Drum BBQ-Picnic

Let's do a Harvest Drum and BBQ-Picnic social to celebrate the 2nd Harvest and arrival of Autumn. Family, friends and children of all ages welcome to participate and join the merriments. We can make this a potluck style feast, share the bounty of the Earth and the blessings of community to ring in the season and offer our thanks for the harvest we've gathered this year while preparing for the turning of the seasons towards
winter while Mother Nature puts on her radiant splendors.

Anyone wishing to assist with planning, logistics and other matters will be greatly welcomed and deeply appreciated.

Bright Blessings

Steve

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DETAILS:

When: Saturday, September 19th
Time: 1-6pm
Where: Bliss Woods Forest Preserve, 660 Bliss Road, Sugar Grove, IL 60554

August Drumming: Drumming for World Peace and Healing

The Light Heart Center in Wheaton will host Drumming for World Peace and Healing in August. This drum circle is facilitated by Reneé Ryan, founder of Healers for Peace, and Steve Aldrich, a member of the Fox Valley Drum Circle. You, your friends and loved ones are invited to a drumming and sharing. Bring your drums, rattles, other instruments, a poem, or a song to share with the intent of bringing World Peace and Healing that benefits the Earth and all people.


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THE DETAILS:

When: Saturday, August 8, 2009
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: The Lightheart Center, 165 S. Church St., Winfield, IL 60190
Fee: Donations to the Lightheart Center Welcomed
Registration: Call (630) 260-1084
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July Drums!

"You know the drum was the first instrument besides the human voice." ~ Billy Higgins

There is something about the drum that creates a connection. In a circle, we fall into rhythms together. In ourselves, we echo our heartbeat. In a grand sense, we remember our roots and our commonalities, no matter the differences. Connect with us this July!

Special thanks to JIM AND KATH for hosting!!! They have an awesome house full of green energy innovations, so be sure to check it out!

WHEN: Saturday, July 18th
TIME: 6:00 - 10:00 PM
WHERE: Jim & Kath's House - Naperville, IL 60540
WHAT: potluck supper and drum circle

Who says you need a DRUM???

In our description on the left side, I boldly state that you don't even NEED a drum! Several of our original gatherings included water bottles, radiators, and cardboard boxes. While most everyone these days has found a drum they really enjoy, I still believe that there is something about impromtu drumming. Jim shared these with me...so I thought I'd share them with you!

One apartment, six drummers

New York Street Drummer

Irish Street Drummer

Call for hosts!!!

In case you hadn't heard, I am having a baby in July. I'd rather be safe than sorry when it comes to knowing what I am up for, so I'm looking for hosts for the Fox Valley Drum Circle for the second half of 2009.

If you would be interested in hosting the Fox Valley Drum Circle, please let me know. As always, if you host, you are welcome to define rules for that gathering. Our regular schedule of the third Saturday would mean the following dates:

July 18
August 15
September 19
October 17

These can be flexible, if another date would work better...just let me know and we'll see what we can do. In the meantime...I hope to see you at Solstice!

Summer drums!

"Rhythm is the basis of life, not steady forward progress. The forces of creation, destruction, and preservation have a whirling, dynamic interaction.” ~ Kabbalah

Within a single round, we experience this...someone begins a beat, others join in, build, crest...sometimes it ends abruptly and sometimes it is preserved and fades out naturally....only to begin again with a new base. Our next drum circle will be on Summer Solstice...the longest day of the year. I hope to see you at Solstice!

THE DETAILS:

WHEN: Saturday, June 20th
TIME: 6:00 - 10:00 PM
WHERE: Melton House in Aurora - ask for the address/map if you need it
WHAT: potluck supper and drum circle

Drumming in May

“Life is the sacred mystery singing to itself, dancing to its drum, telling tales, improvising, playing” ~ author unknown

There's this funny thing about drum circle...I always stress out about getting ready and wonder why we do this every month, and then we DRUM, and I can't imagine NOT drumming every month! I hope you can join us this May!

THE DETAILS:

WHEN: Saturday, May16th
TIME: 6:00 - 10:00 PM
WHERE: Melton House in Aurora - ask for the address/map if you need it
WHAT: potluck supper and drum circle - We'll make a big salad with grilled chicken on the side, and there's cheesecake calling!
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Couple of HOUSE RULES:
1) RSVPs are strongly encouraged!!!! We've canceled due to lack of interest, only to find out people ARE interested....
2) Guests are welcome as long as they want to drum.
3) Please limit the alcohol you bring to what you want to consume, and please take the leftovers home with you.
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Earth Day Drumming: April 18, 2009

"Why do I drum? It opens you up to the heartbeat of Mother Earth. [I drum] so I can hang out with Mom."
- Tom Bickford

The Fox Valley Drum Circle will be participating in the Earth Day festivities in St. Charles again this year. We will be gathering in the shelter area, near the fireplace. We will be gathering at 10 am - 2 pm at Campton Hills Park (map and directions are below).





I would suggest bringing the following goodies:
chairs or blanket to sit on (the shelter has a cement floor)
sunscreen (!)
bug spray
drinks for yourself
drums!
anything else you like to bring to picnics

If you have any questions, please shoot them my way and I'll track down the answers!



THE DETAILS:

WHEN: Saturday, April 18th
TIME: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
WHERE: Campton Hills Park, St. Charles (map and directions below)
WHAT: potluck picnic and drum circle
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Couple of HOUSE RULES:
1) RSVPs are encouraged so we can keep an eye out for you.
2) Guests are welcome.
3) NO ALCOHOL IN THE PARK!
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Directions to Campton Hills Park

The park is located at the southwest corner of Peck Road and Campton Hills Road. For entrance to the Earth Day Celebration, proceed west on Campton Hills Road and pass the first entrance that leads to the athletic fields, splash park and dog park. Turn left at the second entrance, which also leads to the St. Charles IYC ("boys' home) facility. Park personnel will direct you to where you can unload, as well as where to park.

Equinox Drumming

"March is a month of considerable frustration - it is so near spring and yet across a great deal of the country the weather is still so violent and changeable that outdoor activity in our yards seems light years away."
- Thalassa Cruso

Anyone else aching for spring to arrive? We've had some lovely teases from Mother Nature, but I'm very ready for the real deal. Let's drum in the April rains and the May flowers! Join us to celebrate the Vernal Equinox on Saturday, March 21st!


THE DETAILS:

WHEN: Saturday, March 21st
TIME: 6:00 - 10:00 PM
WHERE: Melton House in Aurora - ask for the address/map if you need it
WHAT: potluck supper and drum circle
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Couple of HOUSE RULES:
1) RSVPs are strongly encouraged!!!! We've canceled due to lack of interest, only to find out people ARE interested....
2) Guests are welcome as long as they want to drum.
3) Please limit the alcohol you bring to what you want to consume, and please take the leftovers home with you.
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Ojibway Traditional Drum Circle 2-25-09

Meet Ron Kanutski, who brings a lifetime of instruction and training from numerous Ojibway, Oji-Cree and Cree elders, healers, drum keepers, pipe carriers, lodge keepers, storytellers and medicine people to his work. He Will be making an appearance at the Hozhoni Gallery for a traditional Ojibway Drum Circle on Wednesday, February 25th, 7-9 pm.


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THE DETAILS:

WHEN: Wednesday, February 25, 2009
TIME: 7:00 - 9:00 PM
WHAT: Ojibway Drum Circle
WHERE: Hozhoni Gallery, 103 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, IL

For more information on this event, please contact the Hozhoni Gallery direction at 630.717.8080

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Fox Valley Drum Circle: February 21

"When people start to arrive, you may as well begin playing....Let the rhythm happen for as long as everyone wants to keep playing, it will probably organically evolve on its own."
~ How to start a community drum circle, Megan Romer, About.com

Funny how simple it sounds, and how amazing complex our rhythms and connects become! I hope that you will join us for the February gathering of the Fox Valley Drum Circle to share in the "organic evolution" of our own sound.

THE DETAILS:

WHEN: Saturday, February 21st
TIME: 6:00 - 10:00 PM
WHERE: Melton House in Aurora - ask for the address/map if you need it
WHAT: potluck supper and drum circle
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Couple of HOUSE RULES:
1) RSVPs are strongly encouraged!!!! We've canceled due to lack of interest, only to find out people ARE interested....
2) Guests are welcome as long as they want to drum.
3) Please limit the alcohol you bring to what you want to consume, and please take the leftovers home with you.
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Apparently, February is National Potato Lovers Month so I believe we will have baked potatoes and a selection of toppings to offer as our potluck contribution.