joniwellness.com

(updated May 4, 2008)

monthly HUDSON "COMMUNITY in RHYTHM" DRUM CIRCLE (HDC)

Come play with us and share the communal spirit, energy, and joy of drumming together! Have fun, get inspired and empowered, release stress, improve your mood, express your music and spirituality, celebrate! We encourage creativity and community building through listening to each other, improvising, and respecting each member's contribution. Bring your instruments if you have them, but we'll have extra for you! Come and get yer ya ya's out! All are welcome to this monthly rhythmical event, regardless of age, background, or musical abilities - no experience necessary to participate in this scientific evidence-based activity which fosters self-expression and produces transformation.

Add your name to our Hudson Drum Circle email list, to be notified of local Drumming and related events, last-minute changes, or to inquire about carpooling (nothing else - no list-sharing, no spam!)

Founded, organized, and facilitated by Joni Yecalsik (Hoboken) and Dana McCurdy (Weehawken) and guest facilitators.

DIRECTIONS: scroll down.

See joni's drum circle blog Joni is opening a big Yoga, Wellness and Leadership Center in Newark, NJ and will kick off an opening party with huge Drum Circle - check back here for updates.

Its throb, my heart.
A voice inside the beat says,
'I know you're tired,
But come. This is the way.
...Rumi

HDC Schedule 2008 Usually the 1st Saturday of each month, usually 5:30-7:30 PM, alternating between Weehawken (winter months) and Hoboken (warm outdoor months). We will post the locations and any date changes once they are confirmed. (more dates may be added for special events) You can count on this being updated regularly! Summer location is outdoors under the gazebo at Pier A, winter we alternate between Hoboken and Weehawken. see below for exact location, direction and map. We may include Newark location in 2008.

Next dates: SUNDAY (not Saturday!) May 4th at Pier A in Hoboken (same day as Music & Arts Fest on Washington, 11-6pm)

Saturdays June 7, July 5, Aug 2

What is a Community Drum Circle/Rhythm Jam? It is a rhythmical event where all are welcome regardless of age, experience or musical ability. We encourage creativity and community building through listening to each other, improvising, and respecting each member's contribution. We use multi-cultural drums (you may see African djembes or djun djuns, Brazilian serdos or cuicas, Egyptian dumbeks, Irish hand drums, Indian tablas, Korean and other cultures represented), as well as shakers, wood instruments like claves, bells, tambourines, whistles, boomwhackers (what's a boomwhacker? come and find out!), and homemade instruments (see "what to bring" below). Some facilitation usually happens, to keep newcomers listening for the groove and to help people find the beat or give them simple rhythms to start playing. Much of the time, it goes on its own. There are drum circles which play only culturally specific rhythms, and although we use some traditional rhythms (and welcome and need good drummers!), we don't limit ourselves to them. Extra percussion instruments are often available (you can count on it at our circles), but please bring your own if you have them. "Any time a group of people come together and cooperate in creating an interactive, experiential musical event, they make connections beyond the music produced. In doing so, their community is strengthened and the world is a better place to live in. Share your spirit." ...Arthur Hull (Joni's DCF mentor)

BENEFITS (scientific evidence-based): releasing stress, ice breaking, improving mood and immune system response, raising morale, invigorating minds and bodies, enhancing clarity and focus, developing team-building, developing group cooperation and integrity, building individual and group confidence, stimulating creativity and risk taking, fostering self-expression, musicality and spirituality, transformation, creating community spirit and camaraderie, having fun, celebrating life!

WHAT TO BRING: whatever instruments you may have, not just drums, but "small timbre" also: bells, shakers, tambourines, kalimbas, wood blocks, claves. "found sound:" pot lids, wooden spoons, plastic or wooden bowls or plates, extra sticks for striking bells or wooden blocks, even chopsticks or knitting needles, empty plastic (water or clean) bottles of all sizes, bottles or thermoses with ridges, hair picks for playing the ridges, metal spoons, house keys or something that jingles, upside down pail or wastebasket (as drum), empty tubing; if indoors, earplugs if you're sensitive to noise levels; if indoors, be prepared with ear plugs just in case the noise level is too loud for you; if outdoors, a folding chair; also bring Joni's cell phone # (201) 207-4448 in case you need last minute directions or can't find us. If you have a large bass drum like dun dun or serdo, extra bungees or wedge to prop it or hold it in place; still and video cameras - we need updated still photos and footage for the website and newsletters.

ABOUT US: We are the evolving HUDSON COMMUNITY in RHYTHM DRUM CIRCLE, here to support the growing drum circle community/movement. We formed at the end of 2004 from a merger of Hoboken Drum Circle and Weehawken Community in Rhythm Circle. We are open to other local groups joining us and rotating locations in the Hudson region. In the Summer of 2004, the Hoboken Drumming Circle began meeting weekly outdoors at Pier A with a spectacular view on the Hudson River (see pics below). The Weehawken group had been meeting steadily for 2 years at the current location of Good Shepard Lutheran Church. We always have extra small timbre percussion available to play, but if you have your own drum, please bring it. If you prefer to play a larger drum, we may be able to arrange a rental for you if you contact us ahead.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: At our events: greeters, pulse keepers, loading and unloading drums and with set up, video camera operation (to better our DCF skills and get footage for website clips), photographs for website, guest DCFacilitators. PR & Marketing. Need Hoboken Parade & Festival volunteers.

ABOUT JONI: HDC co-founder and Co-Faciilitator Joni Yecalsik continues Drum Circle Facilitator Training with her mentor Arthur Hull and is now leading rhythm circles on her own after assisting at numerous events in the Seattle area, including Bumpershoot's Rhythm Equator and the annual Seattle World Rhythm Festival. She met Arthur 1998 at the first WOMAD festival in Redmond, Washington (state), and was hooked. She took the extraordinary East Coast Facilitator's Training Intensive Playshop in June, 2005 in Maryland, and the Maryland Weekend Playshop in September 2005. Her "Rhythm Pabulum" is available to facilitate corporate, adult, and family rhythm groups (contact her for rates). These are fun, empowering, team- and community-building, events -- no experience necessary.

ABOUT DANA: HDC co-founder and Co-Facilitator Dana McCurdy teaches electronic music at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, and at the New School University in New York City. He is also a technical consultant for New York/New Jersey area musicians. Dana has become an avid hand drum player in the last five years, and is currently addicted to attending drum circles. He has been leading drum circles in the Weehawken/Union City area since 2002, and has merged his group to form HDC.

PICTURES: Aug 11 2004 in Rain under Gazebo Aug 18 2004 Hoboken Pier A outdoors December 4, 2004 at Symposia Bookstore, Hoboken, NJ please send your pics and footage to add to the soon to be updated website.

DIRECTIONS

Weehawken location: Good Shepard Lutheran Church, corner of Park Ave. & Columbia Terrace, Weehawken, NJ 07086. Map We'll be playing in the sanctuary (come experience it!). Light refreshments will be available. E-mail: Dana McCurdy Directions: From NJ, take New Jersey Turnpike or Route 3 to 495 (approach to Lincoln Tunnel); get in the right lane, take the last exit before tunnel ("Hoboken/Weehawken"); at second traffic light, take a left onto Boulevard East (you'll be heading north); continue on Boulevard East for about 3/4 mile, then turn left onto Columbia Terrace; church is at the end of the second block, on the near right corner. Park on the street (try Columbia Terrace or Park Ave.), enter church through the main doors on the corner. Contact joni@joniwellness.com for carpool info. From Port Authoritiy, NYC, take bus # 166 (check!), descend at Columbia (9 minute ride w/o traffic), and walk two blocks away from River.

Hoboken outdoor summer location: Do not miss this incredible view on the Hudson Waterfront!! map Gazebo, Pier A, Frank Sinatra Drive and 1st Street, 07030. You'll see the fountain (under repair last month in June) at Frank Sinatra Drive, Walk east toward the water until you see (or hear!) us. (far NE cor or park). We are either under or near the gazebo. WHAT TO BRING: Folding chair if you have one, layers for when it gets darker and cooler, Joni's cell # (201) 207-4448 in case you can't find us. DIRECTIONS to Hoboken: Driving, Map, and Parking: You may also find free or metered parking on the street (bring quarters). 5 minute walk from the Path Trains from NYC, JC. NY Waterway's ferry provides service between Hoboken and Manhattan, seven days per week. 1-800-53-FERRY

Hoboken indoor winter location: Symposia Bookstore, 510 Washington Street, between 5th and 6th Streets, Hoboken, NJ 07030. MAP & DIRECTIONS: FROM NORTHERN/WESTERN NEW JERSEY, take New Jersey Turnpike or Route 3 to 495 (approach to Lincoln Tunnel); get in right lane, and take last exit before tunnel ("Hoboken/Weehawken"); after traffic light, get in right lane, then turn right onto Boulevard East (you'll be heading south); continue on Boulevard East (PAST Lincoln Tunnel) to 14th St.; turn left onto 14th, then, after three blocks, turn right onto Washington St.; after about eight blocks, look for parking on Washington or side streets. FROM SOUTHERN/WESTERN NEW JERSEY, take Routes 1&9 or Route 78 towards Holland Tunnel; just before tunnel, take a left onto Jersey Ave.; proceed under train trestle, and right onto Newark Ave (which runs into Observer Highway); after a few blocks, turn left onto Washington St.; after about six blocks, look for parking on Washington or side streets.

FROM NEW YORK, JERSEY CITY, OR BAYONNE, take PATH or NJ Transit Light Rail to Hoboken Terminal; take a Washington St. bus from terminal, or walk (about seven blocks) to Washington and 5th.

FROM PORT AUTHORITY BUS TERMINAL IN NEW YORK: take NJ Transit bus #126 to Sixth St. & Washington.

OTHER LOCAL DRUM CIRCLES (see NJ-NY link above)

Women's Drum Practice/Circle in Park Slope, Brooklyn- West African Djembe and Djun Djun rhythms with experienced players, although beginners welcomed - many are regular attendee's of Catskill Womyn's Happenin' (see recommended links, above) Usually on a Sat or Sun from 1pm - 3pm. For more details, future dates, directions, or to be included directly on their email list, contact host Jessica.

joniwellness.com

monthly HUDSON "COMMUNITY in RHYTHM" DRUM CIRCLE (HDC)

RECOMMENDED LINKS:

DIRECTIONS