From event organizer Betsey Gardstein:
Happy New Year to my fellow drummers, dancers, and friends!
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and a great start to 2026. You may have noticed that this month's MDC is at a different time than normal - that's because Monday is MLK Day, which is a day off for most folks (myself included). This means that Sunday night will really feel more like a Saturday night! Since some of you have commitments that conflict with the usual time (2-4:30pm), I figured this would be a great opportunity for you to check out what you've been missing! It will also be cool to see how the vibe differs at night, with twinkly lights mimicking a bonfire and LED candles.
Date: Sunday, 1/18
Time: 7-9:30pm
Location: Metrowest Kung Fu - 69 Main Street, Maynard, MA
Cost: $5/adult (cash or Venmo), free for kids 12 and under
Now for the nitty gritty! (But please scroll all the way to the end for 2 shameless performance plugs.)
● The MDC is a freestyle drum & dance event. No hand-drum or dance experience is required, and all skill levels are welcome!
● There is ample street parking, as well as the "basin" parking lot flanked by Summer, Nason and Main Streets. Since it's a Sunday, parking is free.
● Kids are absolutely welcome to attend (and participate!) but require adult supervision.
● There will be a wide selection of percussive instruments for anyone who needs to borrow, but you're encouraged to bring your own if you have them. Didgeridoos, Native American flutes, rhythm bones, etc. are also welcome.
● Folding chairs and stools will be available, but you may want to bring your own for maximum comfort.
● You can arrive at any time (doors will open at 6:45pm) and leave when you must.
● There will be a short social/snack break in the middle. Water and snacks will be provided, though you are welcome to bring something to share if you'd like. I will be baking my famous nutella brownies for the occasion!
● As always, please remember to remove your street shoes upon entering, in respect to the guan which Eliot has so graciously been letting us use for the MDC.
Feel free to forward this email to anyone who you think would be interested in participating! You can also find this event on Facebook (even if you don't have a FB account) at this link: https://www.facebook.com/share/17ewABbaFV/ - please share widely! RSVPs are encouraged so that I have a rough idea of how many people are coming and how much food to bring.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to me (MaynardDrumCircle@gmail.com) with any questions.
I hope to see lots of familiar faces and some new ones too!
Thanks!
~Betsey
P.S. Another HUGE thank you to those who donated to Bolokada and Friends Village Project at last month's MDC - we raised $600!!!
P.P.S. Here are the 2 shameless plugs for performances I will be participating in this month:
1) Fri. 1/23, 7:30-9:30pm in Westford, MA
Drum Nomads (consisting of Dave Curry + some of us from Groton Hill Drum Ensemble) will be performing at the Parish Center for the Arts (10 Lincoln St, Westford, MA). Tix are $20 for PCA members and $22 for non-members, and can be reserved here:
https://parisharts.square.site/product/1-23-26-drum-nomads/Z2UDNM3UVXWZHWZ55QF3WPUP
2) Sun. 1/25, 3-5pm in Weston, MA
My choir, In Choro Novo, will be performing at the Center for Interfaith Collaboration (130 Newton St, Weston, MA). Tix are free, and there will even be snacks, but you must RSVP. For more info, including the link to RSVP, go to: https://www.westonma.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=15124