African Drumming

Specifically catering to those in the LGBTQIA+ community (though Allies are welcome), Queer Circle is a place to gather safely where space is held for everyone. Led by Ginny, the circle focuses on empowerment, individuality, and how our practices entwine with it all. Prepare to work with queer/androgynous deities and beings, and our queer/trans-cestors! HATE HAS NO HOME HERE. Please be conscious of shared experiences and how it may impact fellow circle members. 🏳️‍🌈 fee is $25 🏳️‍⚧️

**Unwind. Breathe. Reset.** Join us for a calming **guided evening meditation** designed to help you **release stress**, **quiet the mind**, and **restore inner peace**, even if you’ve never meditated before. * **Time:** 7:00 PM–7:30 PM * **Format:** Gentle guidance + quiet time + peaceful reflection * **Perfect for:** Beginners and experienced meditators * **What to bring:** Just yourself **Come as you are. Leave feeling lighter.** * **Reserve your spot** (recommended) * **Free Event - Donations Appreciated** * **Bring a friend. First-timers welcome!** * **Arrive early to settle in. Doors open at 6:00 PM.**

This is introductory meditation for people who wants to learn basics of meditation. It's a free event held every week and everyone is welcome to join.

Hi All, This event is being held in partnership with the DMV Spades Meetup Group. Direct all questions to the Organizer and Host, Nne-Nne Abanobi. ***** 🎲♠️♟️ **Monday Game Nights & Spades Play in DC** 🎲♠️♟️ Stop in after work for food, fun, and games at 1942 Lounge in DC! ♟️🎲♠️ Play Spades and other games starting at 6pm! All skill levels are welcome! 🍸🍷🍺 Happy Hour Specials Available! Indulge in elevated vibes, craft cocktails, and curated experiences. 📍1942 DC Lounge 1942 9th Street NW Washington, DC 20001 ⏳️ 6pm to 9pm www.1942loungedc.com 🏈 Stay late to watch Monday Night Football too! 🏈

Learn Kali at OSMA in Herndon, VA: a beginner-friendly Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) class that builds coordination, timing, and confidence. 🔥 Experience FMA training through **partner drills**, **movement flow**, and **practical self-defense applications**. In this session you’ll: * Train classic **FMA weapon systems** such as **rattan sticks**, **training knives**, and **empty-hand applications** of Kali and Arnis. * Develop **coordination**, **timing**, **range awareness** and **reflexes** through **practical drills** drawn from Filipino Martial Arts traditions. * Improve your **conditioning**, **speed**, and **agility**: FMA’s weapon-based flow patterns and hand-to-hand transitions push both **mind** and **body**. Join a supportive community of martial arts enthusiasts in [Northern Virginia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Virginia) \-\- whether you're new to weapons training or experienced\, this class is designed to **challenge** and **reward**. This class is **open to all levels** and emphasizes **safety**, **precision**, and **continuous learning**. Whether you’re looking to explore **Filipino Martial Arts** (FMA) for **[self-defense](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-defense)**, **coordination training**, **weapons fluency**, or simply finding a **unique**, **dynamic workout** in [Herndon, VA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herndon,_Virginia) -- *this is your class*. 👉 Come build real **skills**, boost **conditioning**, and ***train with great people*** \-\- j**oin us today and explore the flow and discipline of [Filipino Martial Arts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filipino_martial_arts)!** The **drop-in fee** for non-members is **$20**, **payable on-site**. We are located in **Suite #130** — let us know when you arrive and we’ll take care of the rest.

[Book Your Classes by Clicking This Link! ](https://crowndancestudio.com/group-classes/) Kick off your week from **11:00 AM to 12:00 PM wit**h focusing on the smooth, elegant foundations of Ballroom dance. This session is perfect for seniors and families looking to improve posture and balance through the Waltz, Foxtrot, and Tango in a low-pressure, welcoming environment. Price: $25 Drop-in, Membership **DOES NOT** include this class!

Curl up with a good book and a hot cup of your poison of choice. Maybe start a book club to talk about your favs and read together.

Join us to drum for rain! The drum circle will be at the Guru Rinpoche statue at the entrance to the Peace Park, across the street from the temple. We will be chanting sacred mantras as we drum, praying for abundant rain to ease the drought. All are welcome! Please bring any percussion instruments you have - the more the merrier! If you don't have any drums, there may be extra available. Either way, you can chant along with everyone. Seating is limited so we recommend bringing a chair or blanket to sit on. In the event of inclement weather, we usually drum as long as we can before the storm starts, or wait it out and start a little late. We hold out until the last minute to cancel so if the weather seems iffy, keep an eye on our Facebook page for announcements. The DC region is currently experiencing moderate to severe drought. Many other regions of the world are also experiencing drought conditions. We will dedicate our prayers to bringing life-giving rain to all who need it!

It's a 60s party! Everybody loves 60s music, and it's even better when you can dance to it! Plenty of east and west coast swing, cha cha, rumba, waltz, even some foxtrots and a tango or two! A bit of everything! And to make it even more extra special, Sue Caley will be joining us as guest instructor, teaching east coast swing at 4:00 p.m. Ed and Gail's First Sunday Dance / 60s Party With Guest Instructor Sue Caley! 4:00-5:00 East Coast Swing Lesson 5:00-7:00 Dancing to the music of the 1960s $15 cash, check, Venmo, or Zelle

**DRUMMING CIRCLE** & ***Find Your Rhythm Workshop*** **with MARK SAWASKY** Let the primordial rhythms of a wide array of drums from many cultures inspire you to re-connect and self-express in shared a community. Join us for a lively interactive Drumming Circle with Workshop, which will lead us to our rhythm. Yes, everyone has a rhythm. Finding it, expressing it is tremendously liberating, practicing it in unison with others \~ pure joy! Following the Workshop is the Drumming Circle where you can put into practice what you have learned or simply sit back and enjoy this magnificent sound experience!!!! Beginners or experienced drummers are welcomed alike - **No prerequisite needed!** This is for anyone who would like to: \- have fun \- improve cognitive and motoric skills \- learn how to listen to one's own energetic rhythm \- experience pure and childlike joy \- unlock mental and / or physical blocks \- enhance your neuroplasticity by introducing a new yet playful skill \- deepen your drumming skills if you already familiar with it \- make new connections in safe space \- support and be part of your community \- boost your creativity **\*\*\*To Register\*\*\*** **Please e-mail Iris at: TheJOY2B@gmail.com** Payment options: * Venmo: Iris McCray @JOY2B * Zelle: 313-333-5903 * Checks payable to JOY2B, LLC and mailed to 7103 Token Valley Road, Manassas, VA 20112 What to bring: **Mark provides an array of hand drums and percussion instruments for your use, but please** **bring your own drum if you have one.** ***Meet Your Instructor:*** ***Mark Sawasky*** *is a world percussionist, teacher, and recording artist who has been a leader in the NOVA drum circle community for 15 years. By day, Mark is an elementary school music teacher in Fairfax County, and on the second Friday of every month, he facilitates “Drum Jam Free” in Alexandria’s Ben Brenman Park. Mark’s drum circles incorporate rhythms from Africa, Spain, South America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe, and have a signature blend of unison grooves and individual self-expression.* *As a founding member of the award-winning Immigrant Suns, Mark published six full-length albums and toured nationally. He has recorded with artists such as Eastern Winds (Middle Eastern), Odu Afro-Beat Orchestra, and Musique Noir (world jazz), and has toured internationally with the flamenco group, La Chispa.* *Mark has been a guest performer with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Orchestra and the 257th Army Band. He has also taught ensemble percussion courses at George Mason University and Fairfax County Parks, and has been an instructor at Northern Virginia Community College Summer Music Camp and Harmonia School of Music.* **Meet Your Hosts:** The Workshop and Drumming Circle will be held at the air conditioned JOY2B Sound Works Studio on the grounds of Iris & Calvin McCray. Iris McCray, certified in Sound Healing since 2019 provides public and private Sound Baths in the DMV area, is best known for her ongoing monthly Sound Bath series at the Workhouse Arts Center since 2023. Iris offers Personal Sound Healing Sessions, Peter-Hess-Sound-Massages® and Sound/Gong Immersions in the newly built ‘JOY2B Sound Works Studio’ in Manassas, VA. The studio space was created together with her husband Calvin to re-connect with healing energies available to each one of us, accessed through experiential classes, workshops and events to cultivate individual and collective peace & wellbeing. Walk the Labyrinth, meditate in the Medicine Wheel, gather around the fire circle or take in the cool breeze of the water feature.... to recharge and relax. Email Iris at: TheJOY2B@gmail.com

Join our weekly walking meetup to have fun, maintain a healthy lifestyle, meet new people, and enjoy nature! We meet Saturdays at 10am, by the bike racks and benches 150 feet in front of BUBBLES Hair Salon in Reston, leaving no later than 10:05. Every week we'll walk the Green Trail to Lake Anne Plaza (\~1 mile), pause there for 5-10 minutes (water, bio, and from April-Nov a Farmer's Market), then circle the lake (2 miles) before returning to our starting point. It's roughly 3.5 miles and takes about an hour and a half. Afterwards, some members will often head to a local restaurant to refuel and relax before tackling the rest of the day. This event is open to all ages and fitness levels, and both friends and dogs are always welcome! We recommend dressing for the weather (umbrella, water bottle, snow shoes, hat, etc.) since we'll always walk, rain or shine. By signing up, you accept and assume all risks and responsibilities with this activity, and nobody will be held liable.

Hello Friends, Please join me every 1st Friday of the month for a drum circle. Drums are provided if you do not have one. Friends and family are welcome. Suggested donations $10. Come let's enjoy the love, light and positive energy!

***Colvin Run's Thursday Night Country Dance with Tim Bowker*** Come early and enjoy the warmup music at 7:15 p.m. **Tim Bowker's Country Nightclub Two-Step lesson** is at **7:30 p.m**, and then stay for **DJ Tim's dance party 8:30-10:30 p.m.** Cold water, snacks and lots of friendly people included. No partner, experience, or reservations needed. Plenty of free, safe parking. $15 entry fee (cash/check only); Includes lesson, dance and light refreshments. ***First Timer? No Problem!! Come learn a great lesson from Timothy Bowker! We welcome everyone!*** \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* Mark your calendars for **West Coast Swing Sundays** Every 2nd & 4th Sunday at 4:00 p.m. The next WCS Sunday is January 11, 2026 ***Find your happy place at Colvin Run Dance Hall*** ***Where everybody knows your name, and everyone's glad you came!*** *Find Colvin Run at: http://www.colvinrun.org* *or contact Kathy.Milks@ColvinRun.org*

***Colvin Run 1st Saturday Social Ballroom Dance.*** **We invite you to join us for our Social Ballroom dance to open the Holiday Season! Our Dance Hall is beautifully decorated and ready to welcome our dancers to enjoy the warm, festive holiday spirit and atmosphere!** 7:30-8:30 pm: Rumba Dance Lesson by **Amber Logan, of Moxie Movement!** 8:30-11:00 pm: Ballroom dance to **DJ music by Ed Cottrell** Dress is "ballroom casual." Please, no jeans, cut-offs or T shirts. Dress to Impress! $15 (cash or check) for the full evening includes lesson, dance, cold water, and scrumptious snacks No partner, experience or reservations needed. Don't have a partner? Come to Colvin Run Dance Hall where you will find friendly partners HAPPY to meet you and dance with you!! 1,850 sq. ft. beautiful oak dance floor. Plenty of free, safe parking. ## Questions? Find Colvin Run at [http://www.colvinrun.org](https://colvinrun.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9abd22bfb1858c46263c2620b&id=a653d4304d&e=dc73d9bfad) or visit [https:](https://colvinrun.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9abd22bfb1858c46263c2620b&id=b3877963d5&e=dc73d9bfad)[//www.meetup.com/colvinrun-org/events](https://colvinrun.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9abd22bfb1858c46263c2620b&id=eda6408288&e=dc73d9bfad) or contact [Conrad.Heer@ColvinRun.org](mailto:Kathy.Milks@colvinrun.org)

\*\*\*Meditation in our sacred space will begin promptly at 7:15 pm. Please refrain from entering after 7:15 pm. Additionally, space is limited to the first 35 attendees. Your RSVP here does not guarantee you a spot and tickets are available first come, first served.\*\*\* Donations are appreciated, and the average donation is generally $20, but all are welcome regardless of means! A portion of all proceeds will help fund the Crystal Ashram non-profit project where the Human Activation School of Expanded Consciousness will be located. A unique musical experience called a "Sound Bath" Sound bath! What's that? According to sonic specialist Monte Hansen from Annapolis MD, "A sound bath is an immersion in sound frequency that cleans your soul." Leave your rubber ducky at home. Bring your blankey instead, for this super relaxing immersion! According to cutting-edge doctors from Harvard, some of the deepest most profound healing in the body are accomplished with sound frequency. That's old news though. A 2nd century stone relief in the Himalayan mountains shows us that Buddha and his entourage knew this before Christ walked the earth. The stone relief depicts the Buddha and his buddies playing ancient Tibetan singing bowls. A sound frequency specialist from the [Human Activation School](https://humanactivation.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d88b4fea1b0f4ceaeb58f0e82&id=d6674b4603&e=465ba11f44), will be playing several of these rare Singing Bowls, some of which are over 200 years old. A magical alchemy of 7-12 different metals rings in the past, present, and future for our relaxing enchantment. Even modern doctors are using these old metal bowls for healing, and they are not practicing Buddhists! As a matter of fact, modern Buddhists no longer use the bowls in their practice. Come experience these gifts from the past in this NON-religious practice of our present. Come be rejuvenated or just captivated by this unique musical performance. Bring your pillows, blankeys, and yoga mats and snuggle into the comfort of the tranquil sounds. Feel free to sit, lay, or even stand! ***Did You Know?*** Singing bowls invite the mind and body into a tranquil state of being in which remarkable healing can occur, events that are unexplainable from a conventional biomedical perspective” *Music and the Meditative Mind: Toward the Science of the Ineffable*[Source](https://humanactivation.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d88b4fea1b0f4ceaeb58f0e82&id=9222616fc4&e=465ba11f44) "The sound bath meditation provides a nurturing space to connect and grow spiritually. The group atmosphere is welcoming and fun, and the meditation work is soothing and enriching. Loved it!"**-Cara** 7:00 pm - Meditation Reception\*\*\*Meditation in our sacred space will begin promptly at 7:15 pm. Please refrain from entering after 7:15 pm.\*\*\* 7:15 - Doors Close & Meditation Begins 8:15 - Meditation Ends, Followed by Community Reflection \*Please be respectful of Sticks and Stones employees and their instructions upon entering and exiting the space for the meditation\* A portion of all proceeds will help fund the [Crystal Ashram](https://humanactivation.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d88b4fea1b0f4ceaeb58f0e82&id=11664c3011&e=465ba11f44) non-profit project where the [Human Activation](https://humanactivation.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d88b4fea1b0f4ceaeb58f0e82&id=41699e76d8&e=465ba11f44) School of Expanded Consciousness will be located. Community sharing and engagement following after the meditation Questions? Please email [robert@humanactivation.com](http://mailto:robert@humanactivation.com/) or visit [crystalashram.com](https://humanactivation.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d88b4fea1b0f4ceaeb58f0e82&id=7d92f9b8f7&e=465ba11f44).

Free drum jam in a beautiful park, welcoming community. We start at 6:30 and jam until 9:30 at latest, the park closes at 10:00. Please bring a chair or stool to sit on. It's a short walk across the bridge from the parking lot and the whole area is well lit after dark. Park near the large, white restroom building. We always have first timers as well as regulars and we all have fun drumming together. Bring your drum if you have one. I have a few extra drums and percussion instruments in case you don't have one yet. Looking forward to seeing you there! Mark P.S. Out of town friends, hope you can make it down when you're in the area!

Enjoy a vibrant and engaging dance experience that blends global rhythms and diverse styles. This class combines elements of Bollywood, Latin, and other dance forms into a smooth, easy-to-follow flow designed to get you moving and grooving at a comfortable pace. Perfect for all levels, this class focuses on fun, relaxation, and connection with the music while giving you a gentle workout. Join us for a refreshing and enjoyable dance session! (Please wear socks). Friday, April 10th from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Held at the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum – Virginia, 14020 Thunderbolt Place, Suite 200, Chantilly, VA. **FREE EVENT - Registration Required at [https://shorturl.at/KJoXv](https://shorturl.at/KJoXv)** *Support the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum with your tax-deductible* *contribution.* **[CONTRIBUTE](https://www.meditationmuseum.org/contribute.html "https://www.meditationmuseum.org/contribute.html")**

Come join us for a night of honoring our ancestors! Many cultures celebrate their ancestors and look to them for support and guidance. Our evening will help us strengthen our bond with them by creating a space to share time with them, and for us to share stories and images of them with each other. There will be space to ask for messages with our loved ones who have passed. Bring a photo of the ancestors you wish to invite into this space for the altar. As food is a wonderful way to venerate, please bring a dish to share, especially a favorite of your ancestors. Facilitated by Sarah Jane and the mediumship crew

Are you missing the feel of a cold breeze; the chill down your spine? The sound of steps down a darkened hallway, wings of bats in the moonlight, and the whispers on the wind? **It’s time to share Ghost Stories!** This event is geared towards those with tales of experiences from the great beyond. Come with an open mind and a story of your own, and we will together explore and hold space for sharing experiences and embracing the spooky side of life…. And death! We will provide popcorn – but please feel free to bring a spooky treat of your own to share with the group! Additionally, you can also bring a blanket or something cozy to sit on while we share. Event cost: $5

**Location:** [Reston Town Center Ice Skating PavilionReston, VA](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lululemon-rtc-pavilion-workout-mat-pilates-and-a-yogasound-bath-mediation-tickets-1987855654775?aff=oddtdtcreator#location) **Date:** Monday, May 4 • 5 PM - 6:30 PM Lululemon Ambassador LaBrea will lead a 45 min mat Pilates session. Followed by a gentle yoga/sound bath meditation by Paloma from Mind Body Paloma. We're taking Pilates outside – and making it all about movement, connection, and community. Join us for an outdoor mat Pilates class led by Lululemon ambassador LaBrea and instructor from VA fitness. Expect I feel good flow focus on core strength, mobility, and mindful movement, all set in the fresh air. To finish off, they'll be a grounding gentle flow yoga to help wind down your workout on a calming note. Finishing off the session, featuring yoga and sound bath practitioner Paloma from Mind Body Paloma. All levels are welcome, with options provided so you can move in a way that feels right for you. Just bring a mat, water, and yourself – will take care of the rest! Registration is FREE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lululemon-rtc-pavilion-workout-mat-pilates-and-a-yogasound-bath-mediation-tickets-1987855654775?aff=oddtdtcreator