An evening of remembrance, together

The Assembly of Lovers is a group practice rooted in Sufi tradition: an evening of chanting, rhythm, silence, and shared remembrance. It is not a performance or a lecture. The circle exists because people sit in it and practice side by side. We gather in a private home so the space stays small and close, and that is also why spots are limited.

Who it is for

Some who come have practiced for years and know this tradition well. Some are simply curious and have never sat in a circle like this. Some grew up inside Islam or another tradition and carry a complicated relationship with it, whether that is distance, hurt, doubt, or something harder to name. All of you are welcome here, wherever you are.

Above all, this is not a space of judgment. People arrive from different backgrounds, and some will be more familiar with all of this than others. No one is measuring how much you know, how you pray, or where you stand with faith.

A note on language

In the circle we use words and phrases from the Islamic tradition, such as Allah and Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim, and many more. We also speak of God, the Divine, the Beloved, the One. You do not have to believe anything in particular to take part, and you do not need to know the words beforehand. You will be guided.

What to expect

We gather, settle into the circle, and set a brief intention for the evening. From there, we move into roughly an hour of simple, repetitive chants accompanied by drum. You can take part with your voice, your breath, your hands, or simply your presence. After the chanting, we rest together in 5 minutes of silence, with no guidance and no expectation. We close with a brief blessing and gratitude.

Some evenings may feel deeply moving. Others may feel quiet or ordinary. We come to practice being present enough to experience ourselves more directly, with a little less of the mind standing between us and what is here.

What to bring

If you play an instrument, please bring it. Frame drums, medicine drums, and other hand drums are welcome, along with other instruments you feel at home with. We follow what the night asks for, and if it calls for it, we will make room to play.

If you do not play, your breath and presence are more than enough. Wear something comfortable that you can sit, breathe, and move in.

Details

Length: 60-90 minutes
When: Oct 26th at 7PM
Where: A private residence in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The address is shared with ticket holders.

Contribution: Sliding scale donation $20–$40 (no one will be turned away)

FAQs

Do I need to be Muslim, or to know Sufism, to come?
No. You do not need to believe anything in particular or know anything beforehand. People come from many backgrounds and traditions, and some have no tradition at all. You will be guided through everything.

I have a complicated relationship with the tradition. Is this for me?
Yes. Some who come are returning after distance, hurt, or doubt, and that is welcome. This is not a space of judgment, and no one is measuring where you stand.

Is this space welcoming to LGBTQ+ people, including LGBTQ+ Muslims?
Yes. You are not only welcome here, you are encouraged to come. Many LGBTQ+ people, including LGBTQ+ Muslims, carry a complicated relationship with this tradition, and the circle has room for all of it. You do not need to explain yourself, set any part of who you are aside, or prove your connection to the practice. You are welcome as you are, and the same goes for everyone in the room.

I don’t know the words. Will I be lost?
No. The chants are simple and repetitive, and you will be guided. You can take part with your voice, your breath, your hands, or simply your presence. Listening is a full way of taking part.

What happens during the evening?
We settle into the circle and set an intention, then chant for about an hour with drum. After that, we rest in 5 to 10 minutes of silence and close with a blessing and gratitude. There is no lecture.

Can I bring an instrument?
Please do. Frame drums, medicine drums, other hand drums, and instruments you feel at home with are welcome. We cannot promise a set moment to play, because we follow what the night asks for, but if it calls for it, we will make room.

Where is it, and how do I get the address?
It takes place in a private home in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, near the 4th Avenue corridor. The full address is sent to ticket holders in their confirmation email. We ask that you do not share it publicly. By subway, take the R train to 77th Street or 86th Street, both on 4th Avenue, and it is a short walk from either. Local buses also run through the neighborhood. If you are driving, free street parking is usually available in the area, but it can take a few minutes to find a spot, so we suggest leaving extra time.