Concert on the oak stage

Two Paper Squares:

Based out of California’s Central Coast, Two Paper Squares is a folk band composed of Dylan Fergusson and Orion Cicoletti. With a guitar, a mandolin, and a blend of different styles like bluegrass, folk, and soft beach rock, the two have created their own unique sound. Join us for an evening of sweet melodies under the oak trees of the Lavra’s main stage.

Cate Armstrong:

Cate Armstrong is a local singer songwriter and TMHA (Transitions Mental Health Association) support group facilitator who uses music as a medium to bring people together to feel in community. Inspired by Maggie Rogers, Joni Mitchell, Lizzy McAlpine, and Adrianne Lenker, Cate values modeling vulnerability and rooting into the vein of the feeling, loving human experience in her lyrics and performance, striving to create pockets of relatability and connection for folks of all ages.

Details:
Date: Sunday November 17th, from 3 to 6 PM

Where: Lavra Amphitheater and Oak stage

Time: Seating begins at 3PM, Show starts at 3:30
What to bring: chairs, warm clothes (or maybe a blanket!), food and drinks to share

Cost: Free, but we encourage donations to the musicians.

The Lavra will offer wine by the glass and bottle to support the band but you are also welcome to bring your own.

If this year you’ve decided you want to DIY a part of your Halloween costume, we have your back! We’ll gather materials you have brought and will guide you to create unique hats, like the lighted mushroom, a masterpiece Sam made last year! Bring your own cardboard, fabric and all you can think of: string lights, seashells or fake cat ears :)

Details:
Where: Main house
Time: from5 to 8pm

What to bring: materials to build with (cardboard, fabric and all you can think of!)
Cost: Free, donations are welcome

"Joyful Rhythms" ~ Facilitated Drum Circle Experience

Join "Joyful Rhythms" (Mindful Kindful YOUniversity) for a unique & unforgettable experience filled with rhythm-making, laughter, and the joy of living life to the fullest at the Lavra where the transformative power of rhythm, connection, and nature awaits you.

Absolutely NO EXPERIENCE with drumming is necessary! If you’ve felt the call to drum but hesitated, this is your opportunity to explore in a welcoming space. From first-time beginners to seasoned percussionists, everyone is welcome to join our facilitated drum circles with a curious heart and an open spirit.

In the vibrant "Joyful Rhythms" drumming circles, you’ll find a space to explore your inner rhythm, guided by playful activities and opportunities for free-form soulful expression. This is more than just drumming—it’s a journey of self-discovery, creativity, and joyful connection that resonates deep within the soul.

Rooted in ancient traditions and supported by modern evidence-based practices, these drumming gatherings offer holistic benefits for your body, mind, and spirit. Whether you seek stress relief, emotional release, or simply a moment of pure joy, these experiences nourish every aspect of your being.

Drumming circles are an invitation to unite in harmony and shared purpose. It’s a wonderful way to meet new people and find out that we have more in common than we realize! According to the Bamana people of West Africa, the djembe drum was named from the saying “Anke djé, anke bé” which roughly translates to “Everyone gather together in peace.”

Details:
Where: Plaza or Yoga room (depending on the weather)
Time: from 6 to 7:30pm

What to bring: warm clothes
Cost: Free, donations are welcome

FACILITATED DRUMMING: Dee DiGioia will be your facilitator and guide you through the rhythm-making journey. However, the beauty of our drum circles is that everyone contributes to the overall experience.  We’re all explorers in this rhythmic adventure! 

DRUMS ARE PROVIDED (or bring your own)

PRE- REGISTRATION REQUESTED: https://mkyou.as.me 

This event is FREE however donations are welcomed to support the "Joyful Rhythms" programs. Pre-registration helps us gauge how many will be in attendance (for seating and drums).

FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/1062048075524404/

QUESTIONS? Contact Dee DiGioia / 805-270-5523 / mindfulkindfulyou@gmail.com 

MORE ABOUT JOYFUL RHYTHMS DRUM CIRCLES: https://mindfulkindfulyouniversity.com/drum-circle

Join us for an intimate evening in our little house called “the Mushroom” where we will read some poetry, taking turns to read out loud, share with people our favorite poems, and discover new ones!

Bring your favorite books!

Details:
Where: Mushroom house
Time: from 7:30 to 9:30pm

What to bring: poetry books, warm clothes, blankets, candles
Cost: Free, donations are welcome

Rustin will guide us on a transformative journey, sharing stories and insights to deepen our own self awareness. Along the way, he will equip us with easy-to-use tools that will help us better manage our emotions. The session will close with a guided meditation.

Rustin Fuss is a mindfulness coach, workshop and retreat facilitator. With a daily practice spanning more than 15 years, a yoga teacher training (RYT200), reiki practitioner training and a 7-month stay at an ashram in Bangalore (India), Rustin continues to deepen his knowledge through ongoing participation in classes, workshops, and retreats. The journey of mindfulness is indeed a lifelong endeavor. He is deeply passionate about sharing what he has learned. Through one-on-one coaching, group workshops, and retreats, he aims to help others discover the transformative power of mindfulness. Join him on this journey to enhance well-being, reduce stress, and lead a more mindful, fulfilling life.

Details:
Date: Saturday July 20th

Where: Meet in the yoga room
Time: from 2 pm to 3:30 pm
What to bring: An open mind, an open heart and something to take notes with

We are planning a work day with our extended community to tackle some cleaning projects, plant more veggies, and paint new signs. Come gather and work together to beautify the Lavra and meet old and new friends!

We will provide snack and drinks, along with a shared dinner altogether at the end of the afternoon.

Where: meet at the main house
Time: from 2 to 8pm, food and drinks will be provided
What to bring: work clothes, work shoes, gloves

Acoustic Duo to Showcase New Songs and Beloved Favorites. Honey of the Heart is an acoustic duo known for their soulful harmonies, genre-defying sound, and captivating live performances. Led by singer-songwriters Justin Ancheta and Maren Metke, the duo's music weaves together elements of folk, soul, and world music, creating a unique and unforgettable musical experience. With their deep connection to their audience, Honey of the Heart strives to uplift, inspire, and spread love through their music.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE

Details:
Where: Lavra Amphitheater and stage
Time: Seating begins at 3PM, Show starts at 3:30
What to bring: chairs, warm clothes, food and drinks to share
Cost: Free, but we encourage donations to the musicians.
The Lavra will offer wine by the glass and bottle to support the band but you are also welcome to bring your own.

Come celebrate the changing of the seasons around a bonfire. We will read poetry, light candles, make flower wreath, tie some wishes to our maypole and DANCE!

Details:
Date: Friday June 21

Where: Lavra Plaza
Time: starts at 7pm
What to bring: warm clothes, food and drinks to share (potluck style)
Cost: Free, but we encourage you to bring a dish or some drinks to share as part of a potluck

Did you know that 70% of wild bees live underground? And that 90% of bees do not live in hives but are solitary?! Come learn about the incredible world of native bees and how to protect them with our resident botanist Katie who studies plant science and researches conservation ecology. She will help you identify some common local bees and we will build a few small bee structures to promote native bee habitat, so you can do it in your own backyard!
Family friendly - children are welcome above 6 years old.

Details:
Where: Sunset patio & Garden
Time: from 10AM to noon
Cost: Free, donations are welcome

Come learn how to carve images, patterns or texts on a soft rubber block with simple tools. From basic shapes to intricate compositions, our resident artist Sam will teach you how to create your own design and print it on paper or clothes. Family friendly - children are welcome above 6 years old

Details:
Where: Sunset patio
Time: from 10AM to noon
What to bring: some paper, pieces of fabric or clothes you want to personalize!
Cost: Free, donations are welcome

Based out of California’s Central Coast, Two Paper Squares is a folk band composed of Dylan Fergusson and Orion Cicoletti. With a guitar, a mandolin, and a blend of different styles like bluegrass, folk, and soft beach rock, the two have created their own unique sound. Join us for an evening of sweet melodies under the oak trees of the Lavra’s main stage. 

Details:
Where: Lavra Amphitheater and stage
Time: Seating begins at 6PM, Show starts at 6:30
What to bring: chairs, warm clothes (or maybe a blanket!), food and drinks to share
Cost: Free, but we encourage donations to the musicians.
The Lavra will offer wine by the glass and bottle to support the band but you are also welcome to bring your own.

Originally from Connecticut, before becoming a western transplant, Anna May is a singular artist whose songs bear a placelessness that lends to their timeless nature. Anna is a critically acclaimed songwriter & vocalist who strives to bring jazz elements into the format of folk. The deep exploration of heartbreak and trauma has been an ongoing quest throughout Anna's work. Her lyrics have been heavily textured by a lonesome whimsicality that finds itself most at home in the vastness of the American West. Anna's music honors the nomadic spirit with memory, meditation & fresh interpretations of folk music and jazz influence. She honors a hope to enhance connection, humility, healing, and joy among people in the process of parting with typical genre rules. 

Details:
Time: Seating begins at 6PM, Show starts at 6:30
What to bring: Low-rise chairs or blankets, layers to stay warm
Lavra will offer wine by the glass and bottle to support the artist but you are also invited to bring your own.
Cost: We encourage you to donate to the artist but everyone is welcome

Stephen Lloyd-Moffett, Saturday May 18th 6pm

After spending a year living in monasteries in his 20s and an academic career studying religious communities, Steve co-founded the Lavra in 2012 to create a modern version of living in community and a gathering space.  The last 11 years has been a wonderful, and at times painful, adventure, with thousands of visitors and hundreds of events.  In this final Lavra Lecture, Steve will reflect upon this journey and what it means for broader understandings of creating lives worth living.

After eight years and over 50 speakers, the Lavra Lecture Series in its current form comes to an end on Saturday, May 18th at 6PM.  Prior to the talk, there will be drinks and appetizers as part of an open house of the new Vineyard House at the Lavra that has been four-years in the making. Come celebrate and reflect, as the Lavra transitions to a new phase!

One of the oldest and most low-tech photographic technique, cyanotype allows to direct print objects on a paper coated with a photosensitive solution of iron salts. When exposed to the sunlight and the water, the print reveals blue silhouettes: plants, flowers, jewelry, and other objects can be used to your imagination! Our resident photographer Finn will teach you about this easy and approachable photo technique, and help you create your own dreamy blue composition.
Family friendly - children are welcome above 6 years old

Details:
Where: Sunset patio
Time: from 10AM to noon
What to bring: picture frames and any fun objects, bonus if they are translucent!
Cost: Free, donations are welcome