BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:icalendar-ruby CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20261110T085248Z UID:379-1425246@uscabq.org DTSTART:20261212T220000Z DTEND:20261214T233000Z CLASS:PUBLIC CREATED:20261109T152554 DESCRIPTION:Meeting every 2nd Saturday\, 3:00 - 4:30 pm\, in the Sanctuary\ , USC ABQ\n\n Bring your favorite drums and percussion (as always\, we'll have some on hand to use for the afternoon)\, and a yoga mat\, blanket\, mat and perhaps a pillow to allow complete relaxation on the floor during the sound healing. Chairs will be available if you'd prefer to be seated.  \n\n.Love offering donation\n\n\nDrumming Returns to Unity Spiritual Cen ter!\n\n\nLed by Lesley Goddin &\; John Vandermey.  Lesley and John br ing years of drum Circle facilitating to this circle which is open to all people whether you have drumming experience or not.  If you do not have y our own drum don’t worry!  We have lots of drums to borrow during the C ircle.\n\n\nOther instruments are welcome too!  Bring your Native America n Style Flutes\, rhythm instruments\, etc. with you and share your musical gift!\n\n\nWelcome to USC Rhythm Connection! \n\nOur goal is to provide an environment that allows people to connect with the community through th e expression of rhythm.  We want to be a safe place for you to explore rh ythmic connection in a gentle way.  Being in community involves listening to what’s happening in the group and seeing where you can add to that.   Making music together also involves making sure to leave space for othe rs to join in as well.\n\n\nRhythm is not limited to drumming and percussi on!  If you are moved to dance\, vocalize\, play a flute (or another acou stical instrument)\, or just clap your hands\, we encourage that.  That a dds to the connection possibilities.\n\n\nSometimes\, when the group is in a steady groove\, someone will “play up.” That is\, they’ll play a little louder\, with some flourishes and accents\, for a few measures to a dd a little spice to the experience.  This is expected and encouraged.  Keep holding that rhythm while they do this\, so they know where to come b ack to. Drumming can be good practice in listening to yourself and to each other and harmonizing what you are contributing with what others are putt ing into the circle. \n\n\nSome drum circles are a place of showing off\, playing the loudest or the fastest\, or even the most accurate. This can be very intimidating for people that aren’t at that same skill level.  These can be a great opportunity to release frustrations\, practice specif ic rhythms\, meet teachers\, and feel pushed to grow.  We aren’t about that\, though.  We’re about building those heart connections in the com munity.\n\n\n Fee\n\nThis is a free event. Love Offering donations are ac cepted. If donating through the Church Center app\, or the web site\, plea se include a comment for USC Rhythm Connection so the office knows where t o place the funds.\n\n\n Etiquette\n\nWith most drum circles\, there will be a collection of instruments in the center that are there for you to pi ck up and use.  There may be a table set up outside the circle for the sa me purpose.  Feel free to grab what interests you.  This is a great oppo rtunity to try out different drums so you know what you like when you’re interested in purchasing one of your own.\n\n\nAlways ask people for perm ission before grabbing a personal instrument someone has brought. Drums ho ld energy and people can be very protective of that.  Some instruments ar e also very expensive\, and the owner may not want anyone to handle it.  We always need to be respectful of people’s property.\n\n\n\nSafety\n\nI t is a good idea to remove any rings from your fingers or dangling bracele ts before playing. The ring can hit the edge of the drum which can damage the ring\, and sometimes your finger\, not to mention the drum head.\n\n\n If your arms or hands start to feel tired or sore\, please take a break an d maybe do a little stretching.  Feel free to reach out to a facilitator or another member of the group with questions about ergonomics and the pro per way to hold/strike drums to reduce fatigue and possibly injury. Please also use the provided hand sanitizer before the circle starts to help kee p everyone healthy.\n\n\n Kids\n\nYoung kids are absolutely welcome!  We do expect that if you bring young children\, you will supervise them\, an d commit to taking care of their needs.\n\n\nFAQ\n\n\nI don’t have a dru m!  Do I need to get one?\n\nNo.  There will be extra drums and percussi on available for your use\, at no charge. You can also choose to connect i n other ways.  You can choose to dance\, vocalize\, play another acoustic instrument\, or just be present and absorb the energy.\n\n\n\nI don’t r ead music or play instruments. Can I do this?\n\nAbsolutely! This experien ce isn’t about talent or knowledge.  It’s about connecting and litera lly PLAYING - having fun and experimenting with rhythm like a child might do.  Everyone has rhythm!  You walk with a rhythm\, you breathe with a r hythm\, you chew with a rhythm.  If the group is playing something more c omplicated than you can do right now\, listen for the pattern and play the basic beat.  It’s all okay.\n\n\n\nI have an injury/arthritis/chronic pain.  Can I do this?\n\nWe will do all that we can to accommodate your n eeds.  We have mallets that you can use to strike the drum if using your hands won’t work for you. Or maybe a shaker or other percussion instrume nt is a better option.  We have a variety of those as well. We strongly e ncourage you to listen to your own body.  If something is causing pain or fatigue\, it’s time to stop doing that and try a different playing styl e or instrument.\n\n\n Will I become a good drummer by doing this?\nDrumm ing is improved every time you pick up a drum and play.  Your timing\, sy ncopation\, and left/right independence will improve.  That said\, the go al of this event is to foster connection in the community through rhythm.   Improving your skills is a sweet bonus.\n\n\n I’m not a new-agey\, h ippie type of person.  Will I fit in?\nRhythmic connection is for everyon e!  We’ve drummed with doctors\, lawyers\, ministers\, engineers\, truc k drivers\, unemployed and children.  Oh\, and some hippies.  All are we lcome.  Rhythm knows no bounds.  It does not discriminate on race\, reli gion\, sexual orientation\, income level or shoe color. LAST-MODIFIED:20261109T152554 LOCATION:Unity Spiritual Center Albuquerque\, Sanctuary\, 9800 Candelaria N E\, Albuquerque\, NM 87112 SUMMARY:USC Rhythm Connection URL;VALUE=URI:https://uscabq.org/events/usc-rhythm-connection--379/2026-12- 12 ATTACH;FILENAME=RHythm Connection LOGO modified better.png;FMTTYPE=image/pn g:https://dq5pwpg1q8ru0.cloudfront.net/2026/11/09/22/25/53/7d818c34-fdc2-4 450-a235-c3fcc4021f57/RHythm%20Connection%20LOGO%20modified%20better.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR