Long time no blog posts, but we ARE having regular monthly drum circles, ever since May 2021. These are on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 6:00-7:30 PM, unless noted otherwise. Gatherings are outside at Pam's labyrinth, 186 Deer Ridge Lane, off Hooker Rd, from May through September, then move indoors to the Olympic Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship hall, 1033 N. Barr Rd, half-way between Sequim & Port Angeles from October through April. Because the Autumnal Equinox in only 2 days after our drum circle date of September 20, we will be drumming AND celebrating the Equinox at this month's gathering. This means more people joining in, circle opening with a special calling in of the directions, then a few readings/poems/or maybe even a song to celebrate, followed by drumming in circle and/or walking the labyrinth. All ages and ability levels are welcome, even if you are a total newbie to drumming. If you have a drum, other percussion or a special instrument (digeridoo, wooden flute, etc.) to play, please bring it. If you have none, we will have plenty of drums, tambourines, rattles, bells, claves and other percussion to share. Feel free to bring friends, family, or just yourself. Bring a folding chair or blanket to sit on, and water to drink, if you like. Please be aware that there is no toilet at the labyrinth, just a trail into the woods. Carpooling is a good idea, if possible, as parking is limited. |
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YES! it IS true!! Our drum circle has come out of its long hibernation & will resume this month. Check out the Calendar to see the formal announcement with all the details!
It has now been almost 1 year without our beloved drum circle gatherings, due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Like most of us, I miss the smiling faces gathered around our colorful blankets covered with drums! However, the dark cloud of COVID does seem to be lifting as more of us are vaccinated. I hold hopes of being able to resume our drumming together sometime this summer or fall. So, keep your drums happy, play them sometimes, even if just for yourself, and be ready to return to our circle once gatherings of our size are allowed at the labyrinth and the OUUF fellowship hall!
As soon as a date is set for our 1st post-COVID drum circle, it will be posted HERE. Here's a great piece modified from Dr. Christine Northup: 10 Health Reasons to Start Drumming! Here’s why drumming is good for you: 1) Makes you happy. Participate in a drum circle and you will see how happy it makes you. Drumming releases endorphins, enkephalins and Alpha waves in the brain, which are associated with general feelings of well-being and euphoria. 2) Induces deep relaxation. In one study, blood samples from participants who participated in an hour-long drumming session revealed a reversal in stress hormones. 3) Helps control chronic pain. Drumming can certainly serve as a distraction from pain, & it promotes the production of endorphins and endogenous opiates - the body’s own painkillers. 4) Boosts your immune system. Barry Bittman, MD, neurologist and President of the Yamaha Music & Wellness Institute (http://www.yamahainstitute.org/), has shown that group drumming actually increases natural T- cells, which help the body combat cancer as well as other viruses, including AIDS. 5) Creates a sense of connectedness. Drumming circles and group drumming classes provide an opportunity for “synchronicity” in that you connect with your own spirit at a deeper level while also connecting with other like-minded people. 6) Aligns your body and mind with the natural world. Rhythm means “to flow.” Drumming allows you to flow with the rhythms of life by simply feeling the beat. 7) Provides a way to access a higher power. Shamans often use drumming to integrate mind, body and spirit. They focus on the whole body and then integrate the healing at physical, mental, emotional & spiritual levels by drumming, which connects to spiritual forces. 8) Releases negative feelings. Drumming is a form of self-expression. You can literally drum out your feelings. When held, negative emotions can form energy blockages. The physical stimulation of sounding the drums can help remove those blockages. Drumming has even been used therapeutically to help addicts deal with their emotions. 9) Puts you in the present moment. While drumming you are moving your awareness toward the flow of life. When you are flowing with the rhythm of life you cannot be caught up in your past or worrying about your future. 10) Allows for personal transformation. Drumming stimulates creative expression. When you drum in a group, you not only get to self-express, but you get feedback from the other drummers. It’s the equivalent of talk therapy! Drum circles provide a means of exploring your inner self, and expanding your consciousness while being part of a community. So, what are you waiting for? Come drum with us! The 16 of us at our January drumming had a fun time making music together. Sometimes we have rhythm. . .Sometimes the sounds resemble a herd of rampaging elephants, but WE HAVE FUN! Many thanks to the group for all the help loading up the drums afterwards.
Peninsula Community Drum Circle kicked off the New Year with rousing drum circles including many new drummers. Welcome to all of you! We love having new rhythm-makers in our midst.
At popular request, we will be holding our December drum circle 1 week early,
on December 18, 2018. As usual, we will be at the Olympic UU fellowship hall, 1033 N. Barr Rd, between Sequim & Pt. Angeles. The holiday fun & rhythm will begin at 6:30 PM & continue until 8:30 PM. Come on over and drum with us in the community spirit of the season! A stunning warm cloudless evening of drumming fun at the labyrinth. Thanks to all who joined in the fun!
Here are a few photos of our last indoor drum circle at OUUF before heading out to Pam's labyrinth for our summer drum circles. ENJOY! What a great group of 21 enthusiastic drummers gathered at OUUF for our March community drum circle! An abundance of different types of percussion instruments, with some new "toys" to try out. Jason shared his electronic drum, so folks got to try out snares, djembe, tabla & even sitar! Martin brought a stunningly beautiful steel tongue drum custom-made for him in the Ukraine.
We drummed, rattled, danced and had a joyous, grounding experience. Many thanks to all of you for adding your energy to the circle tonight! |
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