From event organizer Betsey Gardstein:
Hello fellow drummers, dancers, and friends!
I can't believe how quickly this year has flown by, and plans are already underway for the last Maynard Drum Circle of 2025! The December edition of the MDC will be special for several reasons.
Most importantly, *all* proceeds will go to The Bolakada and Friends Village Project, a non-profit that provides support to Morowaya, a small village in Guinea. It is the village where one of my favorite Wula Retreat drum teachers, Bolo, is from. You can find more info here: https://www.bolokadafriends.org/ . As part of this fundraiser, I'm working on some fun surprises, so this is one MDC you are not going to want to miss!
This event will also serve as a holiday party, including an optional Yankee gift swap. If you bring a present, please keep it to no more than $10. We would much rather have the money go to Bolo's non-profit anyway!
Finally, the MDC happens to fall on the Winter Solstice. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the shortest day of the year (9 hours and 4 minutes of daylight in Maynard) than drumming and dancing!
Date: Sunday, 12/21
Time: 2-4:30pm
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!
● 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.
● Several 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 1:45pm) 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.
● 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/1FEyniaZXf/ - 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...including my homemade brownies!
Please don't hesitate to reach out to me (MaynardDrumCircle at gmail dot com) with any questions.
I hope to see lots of familiar faces and some new ones too!
Thanks,
~Betsey