Mabon Drums

However you choose to name the day, Autumn Equinox, Harvest Home, Mabon, Feast of the Ingathering, or Meán Fómhair, September is a time of harvest and thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and a recognition of the need to share them. In addition, International Peace Day is officially September 21st. This month, we have been invited to join Kindred Spirits and Merry Meets & Blessed Beats to celebrate outside! I hope you can join in the festivities!

THE DETAILS
***********************************************************************************
What: Global Drum Jam and Mabon Potluck
There will be rock decorating with messages of peace that will distributed in the community, left in public areas for others to see and reflect on;
an outstanding potluck meal;
a wonderful bonfire;
AND of course drumming!

When: Saturday, September 18, 2010 5:00 PM

Price: $5.00 per person donation requested (this covers the cost of the port-a-potty and firewood)

Where: Kindred Spirits Outdoor Location
Please contact us for the exact address
*************************************************************************************




Global Drum Jam
A message from the Global Drum web site:
When we drum on September 18, 2010 we will be drumming with and for the people of the earth who want unity. We will drum for peace on earth. We will drum for an end to needless starvation. We will drum for our earth mother. We will drum for rights for all humans no matter the color of their skin, the language they speak, the religion they follow or the love they share. We will drum for tolerance. We will drum to change the world.



Our project is: Plant a rock for Peace

We will provide paints, markers and some stones, certainly if any of you have suitable sized stones (3-5 inches across), please bring them,.. we would then ask you to return them to the community after they have been inscribed with their message of peace on the appointed day of September 21st.

Dog Days Drumming!

Ever wonder why we call them the "dog days" of summer? Sure, it's hot and sultry and you feel like a lazy dog, but that's not the reason. The brightest of the stars in Canis Major (the big dog) is Sirius, which also happens to be the brightest star in the night sky this time of year. In fact, it is so bright that the ancient Romans thought that the earth received heat from it.
During late July Sirius is in conjunction with the sun, and the ancients believed that its heat added to the heat of the sun, creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather. They named this period of time, from 20 days before the conjunction to 20 days after, "dog days" after the dog star.

Maybe you already knew that...or maybe you didn't. It doesn't change the reason I'm writing you. I'd like to invite you to the August gathering of the Fox Valley Drum Circle! I hope you can join us!

Announcing the August gathering of the Fox Valley Drum Circle!

WHEN: Saturday, August 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

Spiral Solstice Celebration

Jeff brought to my attention that there is a really AWESOME drum circle gathering on the same night as our regular event. I contacted the organizer and she is more than happy to have the Fox Valley Drum Circle join the Solstice celebration. Details are below. I hope you can join us!



Spiral Solstice
WHEN: Saturday, June 19th, 2010
TIME: 6:00PM - 10:00PM
WHERE: private home...contact us for the address
WHAT: Spiral Ceremony and Spiral Dance followed by Drumming & Bonfire!

We will be gathering at 6pm to socialize, then at 7:00pm we will have a Spiral Ceremony led by Rodrigo Duque of Kindred Spirits. Following the ceremony we will have a Spiral Dance (8 pm)! There will be several drumming groups joining us from local communities, so bring your drum and help welcome in the summer! Come and dance and drum with us around the bonfire!

On the fifteenth of May...Horton Hears A Drum...?

On the fifteenth of May, in a small town just west, In the heat of the day, our friend Kenny will show you his best! The drums will all rumble, "Dum-de-dum-dum!" I won't be there, but I hope you can come!

er...Can you tell I've been reading a little too much Dr. Suess lately? Ken has invited the Fox Valley Drum Circle to gather at his place. Rumor is there's a fire pit...I'm sorry I'll be missing it, but it sounds like a fantastic drum circle in the making!

PLEASE RSVP OR DIRECT QUESTIONS TO KEN: kennethrohr at yahoo.com

THE DETAILS:

WHEN: Saturday, May 15th
TIME: 6:00 - 10:00 PM
WHERE: Kenneth's Place in Hinkley - contact him for the address
WHAT: potluck supper and drum circle

*************************************************************************************
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.
*************************************************************************************

April Drumming

Around the globe, spring feasts are a time for renewal and revival. While we won't be able to join the St. Charles group this year for Earth Day (their festivities are on Thursday this year), we will be gathering to drum, eat, and be merry! I hope you can join us!


THE DETAILS:

WHEN: Saturday, April 17th
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

***************************************************************************************
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. We're kid-friendly, and generally expect some reasonable chaos.
3) Please limit the alcohol you bring to what you want to consume, and please take the leftovers home with you.
***************************************************************************************

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 20th!


THE DETAILS:

WHEN: Saturday, March 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

*************************************************************************************
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.
*************************************************************************************

The Drums of March

As March is upon us, I thought I'd let you know about the many drumming opportunities coming up.


Saturday, March 6th:
Give Peace a Dance in Chicago - Debbie informed me that there will be a large drum sale at this gathering, as well as fire-spinners and dancers! For more information about the event, visit Give Peace a Dance.


Saturday, March 13th:
Drum Circle Essentials and Basic Technique in Winfield - Steve Aldrich will provide instruction on improving your techniques, learning new rhythms, and how to get more enjoyment from participating in Drum Circles. Cost: $25/person. Class size is limited, so please RSVP by March 11th. For more information about the event, visit Merry Meets and Blessed Beats.

Drumming for World Peace and Healing in Winfield - Reneé Ryan and Steve Aldrich are hosting a community drum circle and pot luck at the Light Heart Center. For more information, visit Merry Meets and Blessed Beats.


Friday, March 19th:
Shamanistic Dru Circle in Sycamore - Led by Jim Fatz, this gathering is primarily for those who have some familiarity with Shamanic Journeying. For more information, visit the Northern Illinois Shamanic Drumming Circle.


Saturday, March 20th:
Fox Valley Drum Circle in Aurora - Hosted by Sam and Lissa, we will be drumming on the first day of Spring! Join us for our regular potluck and community rhythms. I will be sending out a reminder for this gathering closer to the actual date.


Saturday, March 27th:
Lake Shore Drum Circle in Oakwood Hills - Hosted by Brian and Amy. For more information, please contact Brian at brian @ healingthemodernspirit (dot) com

February: LOTS-O-GATHERS

Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 7:00 PM
Drumming for World Peace and Healing
Merry Meets and Blessed Beats (http://www.meetup.com/Merry-Meets-and-Blessed-Beats-Fox-Valley/)
Where: Light Heart Center, 165 S. Church St., Winfield, IL 60190
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.


Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 6:00 PM
Fox Valley Drum Circle (http://foxvalleydrumcircle.blogspot.com/)
Where: Melton House, 113 S. 4th St., Aurora, IL 60505
Join us for a potluck dinner and drumming into the evening. All are welcome.


Monday, February 22, 2010 at 7:00 PM
Merry Meets and Blessed Beats (http://www.meetup.com/Merry-Meets-and-Blessed-Beats-Fox-Valley/)
Price: $5.00 per person
Where: Kindred Spirits Intuitive Arts Center, 4025- A Rt 34, Oswego, IL
Bring your drum and a dish to share. Steve from Merry Meets and Blessed Beats will be leading us in a drumming circle, all skill levels are welcome from beginner to advanced.


Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 6:00 PM
Lake Shore Drumming
Where: near Crystal Lake/Cary
RSVP with Brian at brian@healingthemodernspirit.com
A light potluck dinner at 6pm with drumming to follow until... Until everyone has left. There will be a few spare drums available, so those who have some to share would be appreciated.


Hope to see you at one of these gatherings!

January 30, 2010 - Snow Jamming!

Let the drumming BEGIN!

Brian and Amy are hosting a drum circle at their home in Lake in the Hills on January 30th. We're planning on starting with a light potluck dinner at 6pm with drumming to follow until... Until everyone has left. We'll have space for 15 or so.

There will be a few spare drums available, so those who have some to share would be appreciated.

************************************************************************************

THE DETAILS:

When: January 30, 2010
Time: 6:00 p.m. - ???
Location: Brian and Amy's house, Lake in the Hills, IL
Fee: Potluck contribution
Registration: People can RSVP to Brian at brian@healingthemodernspirit.com
Facilitated by: Brian and Amy




Thank you!

Kids and cacophony!

We'll explore the world of "music", "rhythm", and general NOISE. Different kinds of drums, rattles, and percussion instruments will be available for the kids to try out. We will TRY to get a rhythm going, but it's more about the fun. Parents may want to bring ear plugs! Snacks will be provided.

When: January 15, 2010
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Melton House (contact Lissa for address)
Facilitated by: Lissa