Instrumental Flow is an exploration into the magic of improvisational play and collaborative creation.

Part jam session, part co-created composition. Part conducted piece, part free flow. This is a jam where we’re focusing on connection, on flow, on the dance of taking up space to do your thing and offering space for others to shine. Join us as we explore what we can create when we really listen: to ourselves, to each other, and to the music.

WHO IS THIS EVENT FOR?

All are welcome!! Instrumentalists, singers (the voice is an instrument too!), beginners, and experts alike! Everyone will be invited to participate in some way or another, but feel free to choose your own adventure as you decide how deep to dive into the flow.

WHAT WILL WE GET UP TO?

Our facilitator will lead us in a series of musical improv games and exercises that explore creation from a variety of angles, always with the intention of moving towards deeper listening, greater connectivity, and richer musicality.

6:30pm - DOORS ~ The space opens for mingling with our new friends!

7:00pm(ish) - PLAY ~ We’ll begin by messing around on all the different instruments: ones that are known to us, ones that are new, just a bunch of play time.

7:20pm(ish) - CONNECTION ~ We’ll spend some time connecting & sharing as we learn more about our fellow players and what sorts of places we’re coming from / moving towards.

7:40pm(ish) - GAMES ~ All sorts of experiments and adventures exploring:

• rhythm

• melody

• harmony

• groove

• song form

• genre

• duet

• improvised cover songs

• small ensemble composition

• building up to…

9:00pm(ish) - FLOW ~ Free flow, listening in as we follow the music!

These music games, inspired by Rhiannon’s Vocal River curriculum, the Musica do Circulo practice, Bobby McFerrin’s Circle Song School, Jeffrey Noordijk’s Conducted Composition classes, and our own ideations, give us the tools to craft spontaneous compositions that center deep listening, trust, flow, and self-surprise. Together, we will ask ourselves, “How can I listen more deeply to my inner creativity, to my partners, and to the music itself? What does the music want in this moment, and how might I serve the music?”

What a joy, to dip our toes into the flow of collaborative instrumental improvisation. Come on in, the water’s fine!

WHERE ARE WE HANGING?

This event will be held at the amazing Delight Factory, an arts space in Bed-Stuy that was lovingly designed to host jam sessions just like this! (Check out their monthly Ego Free Jam)

SHOULD I BRING INSTRUMENTS?

Delight Factory has all sorts of instruments and music toys on site to play with: pianos, guitars, bass, drums, mics, percussion, melodica, etc.

We also invite you to bring your favorite instruments and music toys of your own! How many different musical colors can we bring into the mix to paint with??

LED & FACILITATED BY:

TBD

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COVID VACCINATION & BOOSTER RECOMMENDED (but masks not required)

CANCELLATION POLICY

We want as many people to be able to experience these gatherings as possible, and since capacity is limited, each spot is precious! If you RSVP but are no longer able to come, please let us know at least 24 hours before the event so that we may offer your spot to someone else. Tickets are non-transferable, as we need to be able to gather enough funds to rent the spaces and pay our lovely facilitator.

For more info, contact us at gaiamusiccollective@gmail.com.

MEDIA CONSENT

Because we want to share what we’re up to with people who can’t join us in person, there will be photographers and videographers present — by attending, you consent to being a part of that media, some of which may be posted online! Please email us with any questions or concerns at gaiamusiccollective@gmail.com

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GAIA MUSIC COLLECTIVE MISSION

Gaia Music Collective is a creative community based in Brooklyn, NYC. This project was born out of a desire to create more spaces for people to find expression, connection, growth, & release through collaborative music-making - a place where folks feel safe to make music free of judgment or expectation, and to make new friends as our weird, vulnerable, beautiful, authentic selves.

All are welcome in this community, regardless of age, race, gender, class, religion, sexual orientation, ability, national origin, language, or musical ability. All that we ask is that you bring an open mind, a desire to connect, and a willingness to leave judgment of self & others at the door.

Here at Gaia, we believe that music-making - and making that music in community & collaboration with other people - is a fundamental human need, and this project seeks to build space for that in a day and age when it is so often hard to find.

Gaia Music Collective seeks to break down the divisions between performer & audience and craft experiences where we are ALL part of the music-making, while also offering a network & platform for local artists & creatives to connect with other artists, activate their creativity through collaboration, and engage their work with other musical minds.

In short - we're here to sing, to play, to connect, to grow, and to have a good time!

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