Groove Is In The Heart
For many people, making music is a regular part of childhood: singing, playing an instrument, or simply making noise together. As adults, those opportunities can become harder to find, especially outside of religious communities or performance-based groups.
Groove Is In The Heart is creating a space for LGBTQ+ adults to rediscover the joy of making music together, with no experience or particular skill level required.
“Love of music is what brings people together in this group,” says facilitator Mel Clark. “There are few safe places for queer adults to come together and make music without barriers or judgment.”
What happens at Groove Is In The Heart depends on the people who gather each month. Meetings have included group singing and instrument playing, sharing original songs, talking about music, and listening together to favorite recordings. Some instruments are provided, and participants who play an instrument are welcome to bring their own.
There’s also no pressure to perform. Participants can join in as much or as little as they like.
At its heart, the group is about more than music. Making music together can create connection and build relationships, while offering LGBTQ+ people a place where they can participate as their whole selves.
“Participants love having a place to come as their whole selves to play and sing and build relationships with other members of the community,” Clark says.
Groove Is In The Heart meets at the Jim Toy Community Center on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 7–8 p.m. The group is open to anyone in the LGBTQ+ community, and new participants are always welcome. No registration is necessary; just show up!
For more information or updates about schedule changes, contact Mel Clark at backwoodsmusictherapy@gmail.com.
Comments