Affirming Our Humanity: Playing, Sharing, & Experiencing Inclusive Joy Series

Chicago-area folks,

If you could use protected time for community, affirmation and belonging in an uplifting environment, this may be for you. We piloted this series last year, and were so honored it was well attended and well received. Registration limited for this FREE experiential workshop. . . .

Affirming Our Humanity: Playing, Sharing, & Experiencing Inclusive Joy

Saturday Feb 22 11am - 2pm

Elastic Arts (3429 W Diversey Ave #208, Chicago, IL 60647)

led by Dr. Rahul Sharma & The Rhythm Ambassadors of Funkadesi

A 3 hour block to promote collective healing within and across communities through playing, sharing, and self-reflecting.

***ACCESSIBILITY NOTE: Participation requires climbing a flight of stairs. The Elastic Arts space is on the 2nd floor, and there is currently no elevator access.***

Attached is the flyer, below is the link and more detailed information (a bit wordy, I know). Please feel free to register and/or forward to folks who may benefit. We highly encourage reposting the flyer on social media. Registration form link: https://shorturl.at/gZgSZ

NOTE: #HealingIllinois will require a brief pre-event and post-event survey that will be shared on the day of the event.

Description:

Combining multicultural drum instruction, facilitated dialogue, and ample time for reflection, play, and community-building, this event is open to participants who yearn for a healthier multiracial future. NO MUSICAL TALENT REQUIRED FOR THE DRUM CIRCLE! DRUMS PROVIDED BY FACILITATORS.

We are thrilled to once again bring together Dr. Rahul Sharma (Psychologist, Consultant, and Funkadesi's Founder) and the Rhythm Ambassadors of Funkadesi (Carlos Antonio Cornier, Kwame Steve Cobb, Rich Conti, and Maninderpal Singh) with Elastic Arts through this #HealingIllinois initiative. For those not familiar with Funkadesi, it is a multi-racial Chicago-based band, comprised of educators, activists, and healers, that has won numerous awards. This immersive experience of forming a multicultural drum circle is designed to promote collective healing within and across communities. Learn West African, North India, Latin and Brazilian rhythms from experts who embody mutual respect, trust, humility, and an availability to listen. The instruction and participatory drum circle will be paired with self-reflection prompts and facilitated dialogue by Dr. Rahul Sharma. To give you a flavor of what to expect, here are video highlights from a recent drumming & dialogue engagement (though it was a larger conference plenary).

EVENT IS FREE -- thanks to #HealingIllinois A confirmation email is required to secure your enrollment: https://shorturl.at/gZgSZ

This event is the 1st in a 4-part series (reg forms for other events coming soon -- contact us if interested):

CULTIVATING BELONGING THROUGH THE ARTS:

REFLECTION, EXPRESSION, AND JOYFUL INCLUSION

Sat 2/22, 11am-2pm (FREE)

Affirming Our Humanity: Playing, Sharing, and Experiencing Inclusive Joy

with Dr. Rahul Sharma & the Rhythm Ambassadors of Funkadesi

Sat 3/15 11am-2pm (FREE)

Affirming Identity and Finding Voice: Spoken Word & Storytelling Workshop

with PHENOM, Sonal Aggarwal & Dr. Rahul Sharma

Sat 4/5, 11am-2pm (FREE) (identical to 2/22 -- 2nd date option)

Affirming Our Humanity: Playing, Sharing, and Experiencing Inclusive Joy