Summer Flames Hafla

a fantasy of Morocco

Saturday, August 21, 2pm - ?

Hickory Knoll Farm, Fitchburg (directions)

Our summer event is a relaxing trip to “Morocco” -- a picnic, henna tent, and mini classes, topped off with a drum circle, dancing, and a fire performance! Put names to those faces you see at the MadBDA events and spend a lovely summer afternoon with us. This event is FREE; if you choose to attend an optional class, it’s a mere $5 for each one.

Please bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and/or any cushions you’d care to recline on. Bring something to grill for dinner (we’ll have a cooler for storage) and something to share.

Dress for comfort... but why not dress for North African comfort? Consider your kaftan, your djellaba, your harem pants and ghawazee coats! You could sew (simple pattern: caftan, or more complex here: Folkwear). Prefer to shop? A pair of loose cotton pants topped with a simple shirt would be fine too... consider stopping by a thrift store. Have fun!

Schedule:

• 2:00 - dark: snacks and beverages, games, conversation! We could use some volunteers to help us set up starting at 1:45, and a couple for take-down as well.
• 3:00 - 5:00: Henna Lounge: ever wanted to try out henna body art? Stop by the Lounge, and for $2 our henna artists will help decorate you with fantastic designs.
• 4:00 - 4:45: Dancing With Fire, taught by Tashar. Looking to add some flare to your current dance style? Tashar will have a myriad of fire props on hand to discuss the basics of dancing with fire. She will begin with an overview of fire safety, then, based on interest, she will cover fire bowl, fire fingers, fire fans, fire poi, fire staff, eating fire, or breathing fire, or any mix of them. ($5)
• 4:30 - 6:00: The grill will be hot! We’ll relax and share an evening meal, then tidy our camp before the sun gets low. Torches and bonfire lit!
• 5:00 - 5:45: Basics of Drum Circle Drumming with Zartan. Always wanted to try drumming? Now’s your chance. Zartan will go over the basics and explain how to play well with others in a drum circle setting. ($5)
• 6:00 - 6:45: Drum Circle Dancing with Reena. The drummers are burning it up... you want to dance... where do you go, what do you do? Reena will talk about the etiquette of dancing with a drum circle and give you ideas for dealing with different situations. ($5) And as soon as we’re warmed up...
• 7:00: Drum circle starts!Bring a drum... bring an extra if you are willing to share. Or just dance!
• AND: Fire Performance by Tashar! Enjoy the artistry of a fire dancer and see how Tashar puts the principles taught earlier to work. Afterwards, the night owls can keep dancing until 11pm.

Directions to Hickory Knoll Farm

(While there is a good amount of parking, we do request that you carpool if at all possible.) Hickory Knoll Farm is at 5438 Highway M in Fitchburg. From the beltline (12/18), drive south on Fish Hatchery Road about 5 miles. At the stop sign, turn left on Cty M. Continue east on M for 3/4 of a mile, then turn left into the Hickory Knoll driveway; park in the lot on the left.