Spring will be springing and we’ll be making some sweet sounds at MSO!

Spirit Circle Drumming

Spring Equinox Energy

Friday, March 28, 2025

7:00-8:30 p.m.

Nurture your spirit with rhythm and meditation in our Spirit Circle Drumming

This Crystal Street Space Event will take place at “the cabin” in Schaumburg ~ directions/details will be sent when you RSVP with your offering.

Based on a blend of traditions, Spirit Circle Drumming draws on our most ancient roots to raise group energy in a playful and joyful way. No experience is necessary!  This is a safe place to connect with your deepest wisdom, honor your inner guidance and create more love and light for yourself and the universe.  You are welcome to bring your own drums, rattles, or rhythm instruments. A limited number of shared instruments will be available.

Donna Brooks, LCSW & Crystal Street Space welcome Karen Tlusty-Rissman, a musician, astrologer, artist and ceremonialist.  She weaves the common threads from many Earth-centered traditions as well as astrology, aromatherapy and energy work to provide participants with a direct connection to their inner Source.  

Suggested donation: $ 20 - $ 30

RSVP and payment due by Thursday, March 13

Venmo: Donna-Brooks-52      Zelle:224-623-1527   

Tea, water and light snacks will be available after circle.

Enjoy a hike and picnic dinner prior to the circle!

Turn, turn, turn into spring on the Vernal Equinox with Ironwood at Lindy’s Landing!

Enjoy dinner, drink and some tunes from 6-9!

Come and See:

Praying Lent Through Sacred Art

A SILENT RETREAT

Saturday, March 15, 2025

8:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.

Please join us for a quiet day that will include time for deep reflection, prayer, and reading. Three reflections introducing the practice of “Visio Divina” ~ praying with sacred art ~ will be offered by

Rev. Laurie Michaels.

Location: St. Michael’s Episcopal Church ~ Community Room                             

647 Dundee Avenue, Barrington, IL

Bring: Journal, reading materials, packed lunch, an open heart & beautiful spirit, and a friend! This event is a free offering and open to all.

8:30-9:00~Continental Breakfast  

9-12~Silence and Reflections

12:15-1~Lunch (BYO) & Conversation

RSVP by Monday, March 10, to Donna Brooks

224.623.1527 * Email: DonnaBrooksTherapist@gmail.com

IRONWOOD is back at beautiful Buffalo Creek Brewing and it is Josh’s birthday from BCB!

BYO dinner and games to play while we serenade you!

12/12 at MSO! Maybe a holiday song? Maybe. not. 😊

Donna Brooks & Nick Horcher ~ IRONWOOD

Contemporary & classic folk-rock-Americana.

Soulful music spanning genres and generations.

Donna Brooks & Ironwood “Tracks” EP

5 Original Songs

STREAMING on all major music platforms!

Stage Left and Off Square MUSIC is hosting an open mic night and IRONWOOD will be sharing a set of music from 8:30=9:00 p.m. at the featured artist. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with live music! ❤️

Music will be happening from 7:00-10:00 p.m. with Ironwood taking the stage at 8:30 p.m.

This is an excellent listening room.

Check out our streaming music: Donna Brooks & Ironwood “TRACKS” EP of 5 songs!

CLASS IS FULL, but please email Donna with your name, email and phone # to be put on waitlist.

Wintering

Winter Solstice YOGA

Friday, December 20, 2024

5:30-7:00 p.m. at Crystal Street Space

Donna Brooks, LCSW & Crystal Street Space welcome Jean Masukevich, a certified yoga instructor, for a solstice candlelight evening of yoga. We will engage in an evening slow flow yoga practice as we turn inward.  Essential oils will be defused and candlelight will ensoul the space as we welcome wintering.

RSVP and payment due by Thursday, December 5  to Donna Brooks if you plan to attend.

Investment for this 90 minute experience is $30 cash or check payable to Donna Brooks.                        Other ways to pay: Venmo @Donna-Brooks-5 or Zelle 224.623.1527

Wintering: Seeking refuge in the winter.

The need for rest, reflection, retreat, and renewal in fallow times,

and finding acceptance and beauty in the stillness.

“Make yourself a home. Now go inside and listen deeper still.”

Such a great VIBE at this place. Join us in December!

Ironwood is back at MSO in Wauconda. Come cozy up on a December night for some yummy sounds at Main Street Outfitter.

WOMEN’S GROUP BOOK STUDY

Please RSVP !

Donna Brooks, LCSW will be offering a monthly Sunday book discussion women’s gathering beginning Sunday, November 24, 5:00 p.m.

The book will be a launching off point for discussions of growing into the wisdom years. Open to all women in all stages, ages and phases in life!

RSVP to Donna via email . Order a copy of the book and enjoy at your own pace. The first gathering will focus on introductions and the invitation to awaken to that which is inevitable in life with acceptance and willingness (up to page 30 in the book).

Be sure to read and contemplate the “Questionnaire on Aging” in the book’s Appendix. 

The Grace in Aging 

Awaken as You Grow Older 

 By Kathleen Dowling Singh

The Grace in Aging, by renowned Buddhist teacher Kathleen Dowling Singh, establishes guideposts in the fog for those seeking greater meaning and fulfillment as they edge toward life’s grand finale. She urges us to reclaim the process of aging. Far from being “too late” to change our lives, Singh says the timing of middle age or seniorhood is perfect. “We can,” she writes, “dedicate these last years to waking up.” Singh is a grandmother, a Dharma practitioner, and a psychotherapist. She offers wisdom from teachers from different spiritual backgrounds, including Chogyam Trungpa, the apostles, Annie Dillard, and more. She speaks often of death, and asks pointed questions without answers. But rather than feeling disheartened by her challenging lessons, the impact is exhilaration.

This women's group book study is free of charge, though you are welcomed to make a gift offering to Donna & the Crystal Street Space.

Venmo: Donna-Brooks-52

Zelle: 224-623-1527

Back at Black Lung for a night of music on the beautiful Fox Lake.

Enjoy a fabulous view of Bangs Lake, a lovely meal and the music of IRONWOOD!

Final week to RSVP. You can reserve a space at this event up until Friday, November 8!

Intentionally and Soulfully

Navigating our Grief

Whatever your loss & grief, you will be seen and heard.

A Grief Retreat with honoring rituals, meditation, movement, music and tools for living forward. Special guest and certified grief educator, Patti Shaffner, will facilitate this experience.

Please bring a photo or memento that represents your grief for our Honoring Altar. Please dress for comfort. Bring any blankets/wraps that will help you be as comfortable, safe, and empowered as possible in this space. Bring a journal and pen. Tea and light refreshments will be available.

$40 - $60 offering welcomed for this experience.

RSVP via email to Donna Brooks along with payment to reserve your space.

Ways to pay: Mail check or drop off cash/check to Donna Brooks

Venmo: Donna-Brooks-52      Zelle:224-623-1527   Paypal: DonnaBrooksTherapist@gmail.com                            

A note from our special guest and grief work facilitator, Patti Shaffner –

"When we grieve together in community....we express not only our pain...but our deep, deep love.
Being held in community in our griefs, whatever their origins, helps us to be seen and heard and feel the relief and support of others...each with their own griefs too. We can use this time of thin veils....to invite us into softening our grief....and allowing it to guide us with more vitality for the lives we are still living."

The beer will be flowing and Mother Nature glowing as we celebrate an evening of moon dancing under the wonder of October skies!

Join IRONWOOD in “The Branch” room at Phase Three Brewing in Lake Zurich. Gorgeous and festive space that is family friendly. Megabytes, their pop up food service, will be serving yummies, and you can count on some quality beverages! “It’s a marvelous night for a moon dance with the stars up above in your eyes. A fantabulous night to make romance ‘neath the cover of October skies!”

Join us on the river for an outdoor concert as we continue the fresh air life vibe into October! See you at Miller Point on the McHenry Riverwalk! BYO Chair, picnic, whatever brings you joy and comfort!

JOIN IRONWOOD for a special day celebrating our 4 legged friends and finding homes for senior dogs.

Young at Heart

Come enjoy art and the celebration of artists, creativity, the natural world, and support of The Land Conservancy of McHenry County! IRONWOOD will supply the music on Saturday night!

Spirit Circle Drumming

Autumnal Energy

Nurture your spirit with rhythm and meditation in our Spirit Circle Drumming

This Crystal Street Space Event will take place at “the cabin” in Schaumburg

Based on a blend of traditions, Spirit Circle Drumming draws on our most ancient roots to raise group energy in a playful and joyful way. No experience is necessary!  This is a safe place to connect with your deepest wisdom, honor your inner guidance and create more love and light for yourself and the universe.  You are welcome to bring your own drums, rattles, or rhythm instruments. A limited number of shared instruments will be available.

Donna Brooks, LCSW & Crystal Street Space welcome Karen Tlusty-Rissman, a musician, astrologer, artist and ceremonialist.  She weaves the common threads from many Earth-centered traditions as well as astrology, aromatherapy and energy work to provide participants with a direct connection to their inner Source.  

Suggested donation: $ 20 - $ 30

RSVP and payment due by Thursday, August 29.

Venmo: Donna-Brooks-52      Zelle:224-623-1527   

Tea and water will be available after the circle.

RSVP via email to Donna Brooks and to receive directions to event.     

www.DonnaBrooksTherapist.com

Lindsay Luker, a certified yoga instructor and aromatherapist, returns to a Donna Brooks, LCSW & Crystal Street Space event we will host at a cabin in the woods in Schaumburg for the autumnal equinox season. We will engage in an evening slow flow yoga practice as the fire burns, the sun sets, and we let go.  Lindsay’s book on yoga mudras will be available for purchase.

There will be a separate event, Spirit Circle Drumming, following this yoga practice at 8 p.m. Feel welcomed to RSVP with your offering for the drum circle. Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy after yoga as we transform the space for drumming!

RSVP and payment due by Thursday, August 29  to Donna Brooks if you plan to attend. Address and directions to the cabin in Schaumburg will be shared upon receipt of RSVP and payment.

Investment for this 90 minute experience is $30 cash or check payable to Donna Brooks.                        Other ways to pay: Venmo @Donna-Brooks-5 or Zelle 224.623.1527

“Autumn teaches us how beautiful it is to let things go.”

Yummy food, drink and MUSIC! Enjoy an afternoon in AH. Just a short walk from the NW Metra train line.

Come early for the great vendors and food trucks at Pearl Street Market in McHenry! Ironwood will be playing the acoustic stage from 5:00-6:30 p.m.

Gorgeous summer afternoon outdoors at Corked!

Summer in the beautiful outdoors of Buffalo Creek Brewing! Enjoy our sounds and a gorgeous August night!

Sunset Pavillion at Breezewald Park ~ 125 N. Old Rand Road, Lake Zurich, IL

Super yummy food & drink and a great view to listen to the Ironwood sounds!

5:00-8:00 p.m.

See website to reserve a table www.sunsetpavilion.com or bring a blanket and comfy chairs!

Food available for purchase. No carry-ins in area near music.

Hot fun in the summertime! Nick and Donna ~ IRONWOOD ~ will be back at MSO for some outdoor, summer sky sounds! The second set of the evening will include special guests: Kevin Purcell, David Rose, Paul Fields, & Alma Brooks. We will celebrate the release of 5 original songs on music streaming platforms! Five songs, five stories, six artists contributing!

Wind your way up and down South Grove Ave. and South Cook Street between the downtown and Hillside to enjoy music presented by various artists on the front porch of participating homes. So sweet! IRONWOOD will be performing from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on a porch on South Cook Street up near Hillside. Come on out and bring a comfy seat and beverage. All artists are playing for FREE, so tips will be welcomed!

Donna will bring her solo sounds to this sweet and inspired venue. Enjoy a meal, drink and music.

Original songs from her recent music release will be shared in this intimate setting.

Gorgeous outdoor setting on a Sunday afternoon. Awesome drinks and small plate items. Yummy!