Monday, March 2, 2009

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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Friday, February 20, 2009

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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Saturday, February 7, 2009

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

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Fox Valley Drum Circle: January 2009

"In his series How Music Works, Howard Goodall presents theories that rhythm recalls how we walk and the heartbeat we heard in the womb. However neither would seem to have any survival value in Man's evolution. More likely is that a simple pulse or di-dah beat recalls the footsteps of another person. Our sympathetic urge to dance is designed to boost our energy levels in order to cope with someone, or some animal chasing us -- a fight or flight response."
~ Origins of human appreciation of rhythm

I'm not so sure that our circles instill a fight-or-flight response...but I like the thought that we experience a sympathetic urge to dance. Are you ready to drum again? I am! Let's resume the tradition of drumming on the third Saturday of the month. This month, that means January 17th.

THE DETAILS:

WHEN: Saturday, January 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
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Couple of HOUSE RULES:
1) RSVPs are strongly encouraged!!!! We've canclled 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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As a foreplanning thought, the Fox Valley Drum Circle has been invited to participate in Earth Day 2009 at Campton Hills Park in St. Charles. This year's event will be held on Saturday April 18, 9am-noon, and will be a bit scaled back from last year. Rather than a "circus" approach, this year we'll be focusing more on the earth itself, offering people an opportunity to remove the invasive shrub buckthorn. Pam thought it would be neat to have the restoration work take place to the beat of the drums. What say you?

Friday, November 7, 2008

Thanks for a GREAT year!!!

"Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe, and enthusiastically act upon... must inevitably come to pass!"
~ Paul J. Meyer

My dear friends,

Our last drum circle of the year was on Friday, October 31st. Traci graciously hosted and I've heard it was truly an amazing gathering. Keith has shared his photos of the event.
















Click here to see more photos.

What a fantastic year 2008 has been for the Fox Valley Drum Circle! I wondered if my goal of a monthly drum circle was impossible, but thanks to YOU, we made it happen! We have gathered together for the last ten months in celebration of friendship, music, and rhythm. We've been inside and out. We've had dancers and fire spinners. We've had small gatherings and crowds. Thank you so much for sharing it!

As is tradition, there will not be another gathering this year so that we may all enjoy our holidays and family time. I hope that you enjoy a happy and peaceful year's end, and I look forward to drumming with you in 2009!
*hugs*

--
Lissa Melton
drum circle organizer

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Happy Halloween, Merry Samhain

Greetings and Saluations!

Well, it looks like drumming of the third Saturday won't work, but how cool would it be to drum on Halloween? Traci has offered to host a Halloween Drum Circle...Costume required, byob and plan to stay if you have too much. Dish to pass required. Won't the tricker-treaters be in for a surprise?

The Details:

WHEN: Friday, October 31st
TIME: 5:00 - 9:00 PM
WHERE: The Gardner House (address and a map will be provided on 10/29 to those RSVPing Yes)
WHAT: potluck supper and drum circle


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Couple of HOUSE RULES:

1) RSVPs are necessary for the address.

2) Guests are welcome as long as they want to drum.

3) You MUST wear a costume!!!

4) Please bring a dish to share.

5) If you have too much to drink, you can plan on spending the night.

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Wednesday, September 3, 2008

The Beat is ON! September drumming

"Man has been beating on things from as far back as history records. Among numerous other artifacts found through the years, hollowed out logs were excavated that were believed to be communication devices in primitive times. Drums would later take a more prominent role in tribal ceremonial gatherings where they accompanied ritual dancing and celebration." ~411 Drums

Jim has welcomed the Fox Valley Drum Circle to his home in Naperville! Weather permitting, there will be drumming on the deck outside. The caution is that it's a busy week, so forgive the house and bring lots of potluck yummies. They'll likely have some local organic produce to work into the usual bountiful mix. The bonus is that there are solar tours (Jim's house, I believe, is on some of the Green Tours of the area due to all of his interest and hard work) and ping pong!




THE DETAILS:
WHEN: Saturday, September 20th
TIME: 5:00 - 9:00 PM
WHERE: The Camasto House in Naperville
(address and a map will be provided on 9/18 to those RSVPing Yes...or contact Jim at JCamasto@sbcglobal.net)
WHAT: potluck supper and drum circle


**********************************************************************************
Couple of HOUSE RULES:

1) RSVPs are necessary for the address.

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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