Hand Drumming

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.

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 🏳️‍⚧️

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.

GRASP started on April 27, 2022 - exactly 4 years to the day and at this very location! (formerly Mod Pizza) Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate our community and see friends old and new while enjoying pizza that has become quite a hit in the DMV area! Andy's serves pizza by the slice and also wine by the glass or bottle. Two slices of pizza and a coke cost about $12. It all started with a ball of Trader Joe’s pizza dough. Over nearly a decade, Andy Brown has refined his recipe from semihomemade to a from-scratch crust that ferments for 72 hours before it’s baked in a hot stone oven. This location, in Kentlands, is the newest but Andy’s is quickly mushrooming around DC and NoVA. With its pliable crust, tangy tomatoes, and high-quality cheese, this is one of the most awarded pizzas in the DMV.

Leigh Ann Sutton, Reiki Master and Teacher, Access Bars Practitioner and Archangelic Light Master will host this event on the third Monday of the month. Open to any level healing and style practitioner. Come share your skills. Space is very limited (no more than 6 total) and masks will be required. Please add your name to the waitlist if full and be courteous in canceling if you cannot make it so someone else can join. Suggested Donation $10.00 Cross referenced under Exceptional Minds Open Hearts in Meet up. Check out my website for additional offerings and services https//www.exceptionalmindsopenhearts.com/

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.

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!

***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*

**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

Let’s get together and fellowship at this open mic night! It’s a chill event and a great place to meet new people. Feel free to share your talent or even a testimony if you’re moved to 🤗. After the event ends, we’ll head over to the Wegmans in Reston for games! Wegmans- 11950 Hopper St, Reston, VA 20191

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!

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

***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")**

Kim Richey is one of my top favorite musical artists. I have been a fan of her music since the late 90s. She is also a sweetheart and a pleasure to chat with. I have seen Kim Richey with two musicians (herself included), three musicians and with a full band in Nashville and I am always impressed on how terrific the concerts are. She is scheduled to play at Jammin’ Java on May 10th. The ticket link is below. Here are a bunch of songs I selected from her first three CDs (my favorite CDs of hers. Every track on every CD is a gem). She draws a lot of her concert songs from those CDs. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MjBb_2WOys&list=PLG-Pcqm-1YXhs1rt8HO_A0jSlnTggUrUP](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MjBb_2WOys&list=PLG-Pcqm-1YXhs1rt8HO_A0jSlnTggUrUP) The first time I saw her was at Jammin’ Java (which is a nice little venue, btw). We chatted after the show. It was like chatting with an old friend. I asked her about playing with a full band. She told me that she will have a full band in Nashville. I gave it a bit of thought and told her that I have family in Clarksville (about an hour from Nashville). As we parted company, I was about 20 feet away from Kim when she shouted out to me, “Hey Felice!” (I introduced myself to her with my birth name). “I’ll see you in Nashville!”. I looked at her and said something like, “I guess I \*have\* to go now”. 😊 And I did. My second Kim Richey concert and that was a blast, and I got to see a bit of Nashville. I also met the multi-talented, Sav (“as in Savage”, she said to me) and I learned of her wonderful band, The Accidentals. I live for serendipity. Jammin’ Java is a small venue. You select your seat from a chart. Food and drinks are served. They have delicious pizza! My seat is at Table F. Right now, there are several seats available at my table. GA seats are not at tables. The elevated section is a real nice view with a table, if you prefer. To select a seat, click in the graphic with the Stage and Tables. [https://www.unionstagepresents.com/shows/kim-richey-10-may](https://www.unionstagepresents.com/shows/kim-richey-10-may)

**Sellkirk paddles will be available for all who attend to try and hopefully learn the game. if you’re interested, you can buy one.** **This is INSTRUCTION PICKLEBALL for** **Beginners.** **Note $5 fee for wear and tear on paddles and replacement of pickle balls.** **Reminder this is for beginners maybe you’ve taken two or three of the classes before. The idea is to give others a chance to learn the game** **so you could be put on the waitlist.** 
**
We can begin by just hitting the ball around (Dinking and Serving) until you’re comfortable and then start the introduction to Pickle Ball.** **Please study the rules of Pickleball. There will be a quiz. ** **https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/fitness/a41889595/pickleball-rules/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mgu_ga_ghk_md_dsa_prog_org_us_a41889595&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADA2MEqo78AlxWw25v72aAqTYZy2o&gclid=CjwKCAiAtYy9BhBcEiwANWQQLzWcA4GRJ5dNAtBpRG0nMJqvUlr67XGuB8hSrEaEZmWioeNiorM6jRoC0BkQAvD_BwE** **If I am late take the court that has the blue pickle ball lines on it to the far entrance to the court.
There is a Porta Johns at this location** **Bring a baseball cap, sunglasses and water**

Spec-driven development flips the traditional workflow on its head: instead of code being the source of truth, the specification becomes the backbone of design, collaboration, and delivery. In this session, we’ll explore how GitHub Spec-Kit enables teams to treat specifications as first-class artifacts—living documents that drive architecture, implementation, and verification. You’ll learn how Spec-Kit helps teams clearly express intent using structured, version-controlled specs that live alongside code. We’ll walk through a practical workflow that starts with defining system behavior and constraints, then progressively refines those specs into testable, automatable outcomes. Along the way, we’ll show how specs can reduce ambiguity, improve cross-functional collaboration, and make design decisions explicit before a single line of production code is written. This talk will cover: --What spec-driven development is (and what it isn’t) --How GitHub Spec-Kit fits into modern developer workflows --Using specs to align product, engineering, and AI-assisted development --Real-world examples of turning specs into implementations with confidence Whether you’re building greenfield systems, integrating AI into your stack, or trying to reduce costly rework, spec-driven development offers a scalable way to move faster without sacrificing clarity. Attendees will leave with concrete patterns and a clear mental model for adopting GitHub Spec-Kit in their own projects.