This past Saturday, on September 25th, I was honored and privileged to take part in A Day of Drum and Dance and facilitate a communal sand mandala at the South Nassau Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Freeport, NY. What an amazing day of community and celebration, with rhythm, dance, spirit and soul!
The day featured John “Jembe John” Ward teaching traditional African rhythms, Nydia “Liberty” Mata teaching Latin rhythms, Khadyjah Harper-Alleyne teaching traditional West African rhythms and dances, the beautiful and graceful Janeena teaching Middles Eastern belly dancing, and Edwina Lee Tyler stirring all our souls with her spiritual drumming class. Her teaching, singing and performance touched us all on a deep level and opened our hearts.
The turnout was great, but more important than that was that the energy of the group was awesome. It truly represented the group intention we held in our hearts as we did the communal mandala: to create peace though community. Like the Unitarian Universalists that hosted the gathering, we held that our drumming and dancing would break down all barriers and differences, unite us in love and light… We held that we would have unconditional love for all regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, political affiliation, familial structure, income or abilities and remember that we are all ONE.
Thank you to the UU of Freeport, all teachers, participants, and the hardworking, dedicated, organizers Sharon Nanos, Lauren D’Angelo, Gretchen Rieger, Terri Rubenstein, and Gail Goldstein, etc. I send my love and gratitude.