New Moon Drum Circle at Joshua Tree Retreat Center
Listed as: Arts, Community & Neighborhood, Concerts & Live MusicEvent tags: joshua tree, sloneker, drum, jtrc
Joshua Tree Retreat Center
- 59700 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA, 92252
- May 20, 2012
- 07:00PM - 09:00PM
- Price: donation
- Posted by: Lynelle Edit event
Description:
The Joshua Tree Retreat Center at the Institute of Mentalphysics will host another of their successful Community Drum Circles on Sunday, May 20, from 7 – 9 p.m. The gathering, facilitated by well-known Morongo Basin percussionist Sam Sloneker, will celebrate the New Moon and will be held outdoors on the patio in front of the center’s Sanctuary (the building with the spire); in the event of rain, high winds, or cold, the circle will move indoors.
“Ah, springtime!” says Sloneker. “I’m looking forward to our first circle this year to move outside under our beautiful Hi-Desert canopy of stars. Legend identifies the New Moon as a particularly auspicious time—a time of birth and beginnings, a time to plant seeds, to start new projects, to begin relationships—and it often brings us a burst of dynamic and creative energy.
“All are welcome and can benefit from participating—from beginning beginners to seasoned professional musicians. Along with group drumming, with lots of room for self-expression, we will do some simple and fun exercises designed to enhance our playing and listening skills and to increase our awareness of our vital life energies. It’s a wonderful time for a community drum circle, and drumming together is an experience that can take us all right back to our creative and expressive roots, so come play with us, and bring your family and friends to share in our merriment!”
Participants are encouraged to bring drums, shakers, tambourines, etc.—a number of instruments will also be available at the event. There is no charge to attend, although a suggested donation of $5 per participant or $10 per family will be gratefully received and appreciated.
Studies have shown participation in group drumming to offer a number of worthwhile benefits, including artistic self-expression, community connection and interaction, an expanded sense of self and heightened sense of belonging, increased rapport with others, relief of stress, emotional balancing, and strengthening of the immune system.
An article and video from our August 2010 circle can be found at:
http://www.jtrcc.org/blog/2010/8/25/the-desert-night-is-filled-with-drumming.html.
And a short video of our recent Chinese New Year/New Moon drumming can be found at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zMxovCESWc&feature=youtu.be.
The Joshua Tree Retreat Center is located at 59700 Twentynine Palms Hwy. in Joshua Tree—on the north side of the Highway, just east of the intersection of La Contenta Rd./Yucca Mesa Rd. Turn left after entering the Center; the Sanctuary is the building with the tall spire (follow the signs). For additional information, please contact the Center at 760-365-8371; www.jtrcc.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Sam Sloneker: 760-366-9081; samslo@msn.com
Victoria Jennings (JTRC): 760-365-8371; vicscape@earthlink.net
Joshua Tree Gateway Communities, Southern Utah
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