Dear EarthBeat Music Family,

A safe and intentional All Hallow’s Eve/Halloween/Samhain, Dia de los Muertos and cross-quarter day - midpoint between the Fall Equinox and Winter Solstice - to all!

In case you missed the line up of classes, workshops and gatherings in November and December, check out my last newsletter for all of the details.

Now let’s reflect and give thanks to an amazing September and October. Scroll on for my Gratitude Retrospect through photos, short descriptors and even a few video clips.

Love Chelsie

All three Drum in Joy sections and the Strum in Joy class have been making incredible progress. This past week we started focusing more on creating an ensemble experience. Check out these short clips of the DiJ groups putting the music together: Sunday Performance Track DiJ, Sunday All Levels DiJ, Tuesday All Levels DiJ . (We’ll catch SiJ another time soon!)

My gratitude goes to all of YOU students, including those who are participating in the Greenwich Free Library Uke Series, and who show up for WomenSing for Peace Sings!

North Star Samba rehearsals are just the right balance of “focused” and “silly”.

My gratitude goes to Colin Eletto for leading the way, and to all of the dedicated Sambistas!

P.S. If you are looking for a great celebration band, look no further!

The EBM Drum and Song Circle for Wellspring at Saratoga Apple on October 9 was magical. Here’s a clip of what happens when Drum in Joy meets North Star Samba and friends!

My gratitude goes to Saratoga Apple for hosting us; to all who drummed and danced the night away; and to Wellspring for their commitment to “ending relationship and sexual abuse in our community”.

M’Bemba Bangoura took Schuylerville and Malta by djembe and dunduns storm on October 3 and 4. It is always a gift beyond words to spend this time with M’Bemba.

My gratitude goes to all who supported the workshops; to Elyse Young and the Town of Malta for organizing the Malta Cultural Arts Festival and inviting EBM to participate for a fifth year in running; to Wayne, Abdul and ML for accompanying dundun dance class; and to M’Bemba for sharing the deep history and music of West Africa.

Bullard Block business owners, artists and share-holders celebrated the Block with a wonderful annual feast prepared by Andrea Grom.

My gratitude goes to Andrea, Old Schuylerville Ventures President Walter Grom and VP Oscar Everts, and all OSV associates for this special evening and for all that you do to beautify Schuylerville!

Our Autumn Equinox evening of Frame Drumming followed by a Drum and Song Circle was extraordinary.

My gratitude goes to Hudson Crossing Park for hosting us the Labyrinth, to all who collaborated - Saratoga Peace Week, Saratoga Immigration Coalition, Spirited Creation (Frank Lombardo) - and to all who drummed and sang.

The Wula Drum and Dance Retreat was everything, and more!

My gratitude goes to these rhythm sisters for sharing in the experience; and to Michael Markus, M’Bemba Bangoura and all instructors and staff for all the work they put in to pull together an unforgettable week.