When: Saturday, Sept 28th from 10 am - 10 pm; graceful departure at 7:30 pm as needed.  

Where: Orchard Hill, 114 Old Settlers Rd. Alstead, NH

What: Join us for a day-long ceremonial gathering where we’ll celebrate diverse cultural traditions through the unifying force of drumming, dance, the elements, ritual, prayer, sound bathing, and storytelling that can include the whole family. We only have room for 30 guests including children, so Register Now!! 

Who: This year's gathering is a collaborative venture between Community Village and The Center at Orchard Hill and will feature award-winning African Drum&Dance teachers King Salim and Jumoke Ajanku from the Sankofa Dance Theater and bringer of the Water Song and beloved storyteller Algonquin Grandmother Nancy Andre. Children are welcome at this event, and parents should know, the drums are loud. Pediatric ears are more sensitive to loud noises than adult ears and parents may not be able to participate in the drumming fully because childcare is not available. 

Local accommodations: Air BnB in Alstead, Acworth, Marlow, and Bellows Falls. There are hotels in Keene and Bellows Falls. Contact Eleanor if you have questions about rustic independent camping at Orchard Hill: 603-499-3422 or eleanor@theorchardschool.org.

$75 - 125 per adult (cash preferred)

$15 - $45 kids & youth under 18 

Please bring a bagged lunch and join us for a nourishing dinner of organic soup and Orchard Hill Bread. A vegan option will be available.

Schedule of the Day

9:30 am Arrival

10:00 am Opening - Drum Workshop with award winning Ajanku Brothers of Sankofa Dance Theater

12:30 pm Lunch Break (Bring your own bagged)

2:00 pm Light the Sacred Fire and Initiate the Heartbeat Drum. Celebrating harmony and elemental respect through drumming, songs, sound, circle, ritual and dance with Algonquin Grandmother Nancy Andre, Community Village, Orchard Hill and the Ajanku Brothers

Join us now to make sure the flame and the beat goes on and on and on ... 

In community, 

Orchard Hill & Community Village