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womensdrumcenter.bsky.social
Women's Drum Center
@womensdrumcenter.bsky.social
22 followers 62 following 97 posts
Come for the drumming, stay for the community.

Learn more and register for classes here: https://womensdrumcenter.org
Saint Paul, MN
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womensdrumcenter.bsky.social
Djembe Diyamu performed three dynamic songs for our audience back in October. Watch here: youtu.be/xTjVXhkvcY4?...
Djembe Diyamu is the WDC's first all-gender drum ensemble, performing advanced modern and traditional djembe and dunndunn rhythms.
Next up: Djembe Diyamu performed three dynamic songs for our audience back in October. We're so excited to be able to share this music with you here as well. Watch here: https://youtu.be/xTjVXhkvcY4?si=KXsHzplBSI7nK83T Djembe Diyamu is the Women's Drum Center's first all-gender drum ensemble, performing advanced modern and traditional djembe and dunndunn rhythms from West African countries of Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Mali. Dan, the group's leader, studied with world-renowned artist and master drummer Mamady Kieta.
December 19, 2025 at 1:44 AM
womensdrumcenter.bsky.social
Women Who Groove and Nritya Kalakshetra Academy of Performing Arts also joined together to perform a song as part of our 2025 Annual Concert. The two groups performed a medley of fisher people songs from Ghana and India.

Watch here: youtu.be/Z213G19I3LU?...
Women Who Groove and Nritya Kalakshetra Academy of Performing Arts also joined together to perform a song as part of our 2025 Annual Concert. The two groups performed a medley of fisher people songs from Ghana and India. Watch here: https://youtu.be/Z213G19I3LU?si=7d3DmTWF1Oe_MXle
December 19, 2025 at 1:40 AM
womensdrumcenter.bsky.social
Next up, we welcomed dancers from Nritya Kalakshetra Academy of Performing Arts to join Taikollaborative on stage for Wombat Combat, a song composed in 2020 by Jonas Vom Orde. Watch here: youtu.be/C9qmcsCaVGo?...
Next up, we welcomed dancers from Nritya Kalakshetra Academy of Performing Arts to join Taikollaborative on stage for Wombat Combat, a song composed in 2020 by Jonas Vom Orde. Watch here: https://youtu.be/C9qmcsCaVGo?si=08sQoJ3ntI_pyKrx
December 19, 2025 at 1:39 AM
womensdrumcenter.bsky.social
The next ensemble in our 2025 Annual Concert was Taikollaborative, bringing big drum energy to the stage with their song Murasaki Swing. The song is composed by Dr. Wendy Jo & is filled with movement & excitement. Murasaki means purple.
Watch here: youtu.be/OX1TQvTWjYs?...
The second performance ensemble in our 2025 Annual Concert was Taikollaborative, bringing big drum energy to the stage with their song Murasaki Swing. The song is composed by Dr. Wendy Jo and is filled with movement and excitement. Murasaki means purple, which happens to be Dr. Wendy's favorite color. How serendipitous! We at the WDC also like the color purple! Watch here: https://youtu.be/OX1TQvTWjYs?si=47uXewlFKdLAPNgV
December 9, 2025 at 11:21 PM
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The weather outside is frightful! 12/9/25 classes are cancelled due to weather and road conditions.
Email your instructor or info@womensdrumcenter.net with questions and we will reply as soon as we can.
Weather alert! Classes on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 are cancelled due to weather and road conditions. Stay safe!
December 9, 2025 at 9:00 PM
womensdrumcenter.bsky.social
As Giving Tuesday comes to a close, we want to thank everyone who has supported the Women's Drum Center today and in 2025. Your generosity helps us bring world percussion education to broader audiences. If you haven't donated yet, there's still time!
As Giving Tuesday comes to a close, we want to thank everyone who has supported the Women's Drum Center today and in 2025. Your generosity helps us bring world percussion education to broader audiences. If you haven't donated yet, there's still time! Recent donations have helped us: -Remodel our studio and create interpretive panels that teach about the instruments we use. -Install new carpeting. After 8 years of classes and workshops and 60+ people a week coming into the studio, a refresh was long overdue! -Repair our studio drums so people can experience the joy of drumming without having to buy an instrument. -Replace worn out and unworkable equipment used by our performance ensembles. -Buy drums for the UpBeats program that brings drum circles to senior residential facilities. (This program will reach hundreds of seniors in 2026) -Fund our scholarship program, making classes accessible to more people. -Offer fair wages to our teaching artists. Join your peers and donate to the Women's Drum Center on our website today. #GivingTuesday #womensdrumcenter
December 3, 2025 at 12:04 AM
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Drumroll please.....The 2025 Annual Concert recordings are now available on our YouTube channel. You can watch each group's performance and the debut finale which brought together all ensembles for a brand new, never-performed-before piece written by WDC ensemble members.
Drumroll please.....The 2025 Annual Concert recordings are now available on our YouTube channel. You can watch each group's performance and the debut finale which brought together all ensembles for a brand new, never-performed-before piece written by WDC ensemble members. Our Annual Concert is our biggest fundraiser with concert tickets raising funds to fuel our mission and empower our future. If you missed the concert or are inspired by the recordings, please consider a suggested donation of $5-$20 to the Women's Drum Center. For the cost of a concert ticket, your generosity can help us offer scholarships, pay our teaching artists a fair wage, bring world percussion to schools, and more. Links to watch our annual concert on YouTube and donate to the Women's Drum Center on our website are in our bio.
December 2, 2025 at 5:36 PM
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This event is now full and we are unable to accept walk-ins on the day of the workshop. If you are no longer able to attend the event, please email us as soon as possible so we can offer your space to another interested individual.
This Winter Solstice Sound Healing Journey - Return to the Light workshop on December 20, 2025 with Jill and David Thiel is now full and we are unable to accept walk-ins on the day of the workshop. If you are no longer able to attend the event, please email us as soon as possible so we can offer your space to another interested individual. We appreciate everyone who registered for this event in advance and we're looking forward to sharing space with you soon. About the event: Jill and David will lead registered participants through a deeply restorative Winter Solstice Sound Healing Journey honoring the return of the light. This special evening invites attendees to release the energies of the past year and open their heart to renewal as we cross the threshold into a new season. For those already registered, plan to bring a yoga mat, pillow, and/or blanket for your maximum comfort.
December 1, 2025 at 7:17 PM
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Thank you! Your generous donations made through Minnesota’s biggest day of giving plus registrations for Drum it Up with drumHeart helped us exceed our $1000 goal. Your generosity is already fueling our mission as we bring together world percussion programs that nurture and inspire.
Thank you! Your generous donations made through Minnesota’s biggest day of giving plus registrations for Drum it Up with drumHeart helped us exceed our $1000 goal. Your generosity is already fueling our mission now and into 2026 as we bring together world percussion programs that nurture and inspire. Thank you! If you didn’t get a chance to participate, you can still make a year-end donation to the Women’s Drum Center on our website. Your donations support programs, services, and quality community program experiences. Other ways to support us include: -Set up a recurring donation -Take a class or workshop -Buy from our online shop -Tell a friend about the WDC -Leave a gift in your will -Donate stock or make a gift through your donor advised fund -Get tax benefits by giving through your IRA -Hold a fundraising house party with a friend -Bring the WDC to you by hiring us for your next event When you include the Women’s Drum Center in your estate plan, legacy planning, or charitable giving, your generosity brings world percussion programs that nurture and inspire. Image of the Give to the MAX, Nov. 20, 2025 logo appears in the bottom right of the image.
November 27, 2025 at 4:31 AM
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Registration coming soon! Our next Rhythms of Wellness event is 12/20/25 with Jill & David Thiel. Join us for a night of rhythm, sound, and healing as we return to the light in celebration of winter solstice.
Saturday, December 20, 2025 from 4:00-6:00pm. Cost: $45 Bring a yoga mat, pillow, or blanket for comfort. Join Jill and David for a deeply restorative Winter Solstice Sound Healing Journey honoring the return of the light. This special evening invites you to release the energies of the past year and open your heart to renewal as we cross the threshold into a new season. We’ll begin with group drumming to awaken rhythm and build connection. The evening then unfolds into an immersive journey of sound featuring Crystal Tones® Alchemy Singing Bowls, the rich overtones of the Grotta Sonora gong, monochord, toning, and other sacred instruments that invite deep rest and transformation. With Jill’s skills as a Reiki Master, Reiki will naturally flow through the music. As the longest night gives way to the returning light, we’ll journey inward, resting in stillness, receiving healing vibrations, and awakening to clarity and inspiration for the new year.
November 22, 2025 at 5:07 PM
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Drum it Up with drumHeart this Thursday! $20 donation through GTMD site (or register directly on our website) and forward the receipt to our email with the message to "secure your spot." Limited to first 20 and women-only. See you soon!
Drum it Up with drumHeart on Give to the Max Day! Image includes a professional group photo of all the members of drumHeart wearing purple and yellow clothing while grouped together around three drums. Celebrate Give to the Max Day with a fun Drum it Up with drumHeart event on Thursday, November 20 from 6:30-8:30pm. You can join drumHeart during their November 20th practice and: -Meet and mingle with drumHeart members -Receive unique small group and 1:1 instruction -Learn select drumHeart rhythms -Experience a drumHeart rehearsal -And more! This is an incredible opportunity to drum alongside drumHeart members while supporting the Women’s Drum Center. Let’s Drum it Up together! Limited to 20 people. Ages 16+ Women only
November 19, 2025 at 12:39 AM
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We deliver workshops & classes to ~3500 people per year. Your donation helps us sustain programs that serve young people through in-school residencies and one-time workshops, residents in living facilities, & more. Your gift helps us reach our GTMD goal to fuel this work in 2026 and beyond.
Image depicts a male wearing sunglasses, a black Djembe Diyamu t-shirt who is sitting on a chair while tilting a djembe drum away from him so a young child with long blonde hair can try the drum. Other people of different genders, ages, and backgrounds are in the background of the photo. The image is taken outside at a public arts venue during a community event that drew families to learn about music, including world percussion. The Women's Drum Center delivers workshops, classes, circles, and events to ~3500 people per year. Your donation helps us sustain programs that serve young people through in-school residencies and one-time workshops, seniors in supported living facilities, and more all across the Twin Cities metro. Your gift now through 11/20/25 helps us reach our Give to the Max Day goal to fuel this work in 2026 and beyond. Each time you make a gift during Give to the Max, your donation could help us win part of the Give to the Max Day's Golden Tickets, too! Donate here: https://give.mn/b1144g Women-only opportunity: Donate $20+ and forward a copy of your receipt to our email with the message "secure my seat for 11/20 Drum it Up with drumHeart" to join the exclusive drumHeart rehearsal on 11/20 from 6:30-8pm. Limited to first 20 people. #GTMD25 #GTMD2025 #GTMD #GivetoTheMaxDay #womensdrumcenter #womenwhodrum
November 16, 2025 at 6:53 PM
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Throwback to August 2025 when Twin Cities Live host Kristin and camera man Seth stopped by the WDC. Seth got a little mini taiko lesson after recording wrapped up and look at those smiles! Join our taiko drum circle on 11/21/25 at the WDC to get your own chance to learn how to play the taiko drums.
November 16, 2025 at 6:14 PM
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We've been blessed at the WDC to have talented teachers. Rebecca Kite was one of those instructors between 1996-98 and is celebrating 50+ years of her amazing percussion career. She brought her classical training to marimba, gyil, ensemble classes, & even brought her handmade timpani for classes!
Celebrating our Past We've been incredibly blessed at the Women's Drum Center to have a slew of amazing, talented percussionists leading our classes, ensembles, and workshops over the years. Rebecca Kite was one of those talented instructors at the Women's Drum Center between 1996-1998 and is celebrating 50+ years of her amazing percussion career. Rebecca stepped in as a professional percussionist to offer guidance and instruction shortly after drumHeart's founding director moved away from the Twin Cities. Rebecca brought her classical training to add variety to the Women's Drum Center repertoire. She taught marimba and gyil classes, led an ensemble class for classical percussion music, and even brought her handmade timpani for use in classes. Rebecca Kite is celebrating an amazing 50+ years in percussion this year and we are grateful she was part of the Women's Drum Center's history. ABOUT REBECCA KITE Rebecca Kite is a trailblazing percussionists with an internationally-acclaimed career in a field dominated by men. Among her accolades, she is the founding drummer of the all-woman jazz/rock band Pandora, founded GP Percussion Timpani Manufacturers in 1982 based on her innovative timpani mechanical design, began pioneering the 5.0 octave marimba in Western music in 1986, released several recordings of her own music as well as teaching anthologies to inspire marimba students and teachers, wrote mallet percussion method books, and more. #celebrateourpast #empowerourfuture #womensdrumcenter #womenwhodrum
November 11, 2025 at 11:10 PM
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With a GTMD donation of any amount, you can help us empower our future & bring more percussion residencies to elementary schools. Picture: Sandi leading students at Kenny Elementary in performance at the end of a taiko residency. Your donations help us bring these to more schools at reduced/no cost.
Empower Our Future Early giving is underway as part of this year's Give to the Max Day. With a donation of any amount, you can help us empower our future and bring more world percussion residencies to local elementary schools. Bonus: Any dollar amount you contribute can help us toward earning a Golden Ticket or extra boost through Give MN. Pictured here is taiko extraordinaire Sandi L leading students at Kenny Elementary School in a performance at the end of a several-session taiko residency. Students are on stage in a space that doubles as an auditorium and gymnasium. Your donations help us bring these residencies to more schools in our community at reduced or not cost to the school. We can't do this work without your generous donations and support. Please consider a donation to the Women's Drum Center as part of your annual Give to the Max Day giving. Photo credit to Kenny Elementary School. #empowerourfuture #taiko #womensdrumcenter
November 11, 2025 at 1:25 AM
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Did you know you can make your Give to the Max gifts early? Early giving began 11/1 and continues until 11/20.

-Set a donation amount
-Decide when and how you'll donate.
-Share this post

Donate here: www.givemn.org/organization...
Giving that Gathers Us - what a great theme for the 2025 Give to the Max Day season. Your gift of any amount helps us bring the power of percussion to schools, classrooms, community centers and senior residences. Did you know you can make your Give to the Max gifts early? Early giving began November 1st and continues until November 20th. Each donation you make leading up to GTMD counts toward the daily GTMD drawing for a $500 Early Giving Golden Ticket awarded to one nonprofit. On November 20th, GTMD, Golden Tickets are awarded every 15 minutes, once an hour, AND toward a super-sized Golden Ticket. Power Hours between 10:00-10:59am and 10:00-10:59pm also count toward increased opportunities for your donation to the WDC to go further. So join us this Give to the Max season and help us empower our future, bringing the power of percussion and world music to our communities in 2026. Here's how to start: 1. Set a donation amount. It can be as little as $5 or as much as you desire. 2. Decide when and how you'll donate. Some people split their donation among a few days or across several hours on November 20th, for example. 3. Share this post (or any of our other GTMD posts) with your network to encourage additional donations. 4. Tag us in your posts. We appreciate your support this giving season. Thank you for everything you do to support our mission. Link to donate: https://www.givemn.org/organization/Womens-Drum-Center #empowerourfuture #givingthatgathersus #givingthatgathers #givemn #GTMD #womenwhodrum #womensdrumcenter #twincitiesdrumming #GivetotheMaxDay
November 10, 2025 at 2:56 AM
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Registration coming soon!
You don't want to miss this Drum Kit for Absolute Beginners workshop led by Niki. With experience playing drums across a range of genres, Niki brings a playful, down-to-earth approach to rhythm that celebrates creativity and confidence over perfection.
Registration coming soon! You don't want to miss this Drum Kit for Absolute Beginners workshop led by Niki. With experience playing drums across a range of genres, Niki brings a playful, down-to-earth approach to rhythm that celebrates creativity and confidence over perfection. A lifelong fan of drumming and community music-making, Niki loves helping others discover their inner drummer. Her workshops at the Women’s Drum Center create a welcoming, judgment-free space where beginners—especially women—can explore the drum set, find their groove, and experience the vitality and connection that drumming brings. Save the date for Saturday, December 13 from 1:00-2:30pm. This workshop costs $30 and is open to women and gender-expansive individuals only. Registration will be on the Women's Drum Center website soon under Classes > Workshops & Series.
November 6, 2025 at 3:24 AM
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Stop by the Women’s Drum Center during the annual Do the Dow Open House. You’ll be able to try out percussion instruments, explore our World Percussion Interpretive Center, ask questions, and join us for an open drum circle between 4:00-7:00pm.

Free with suggested $10 donation if able.
Stop by the Women’s Drum Center during the annual Do the Dow Open House. You’ll be able to try out percussion instruments, explore our World Percussion Interpretive Center, ask questions, and join us for an open drum circle between 4:00-7:00pm. While the Open House and drum circle are free, a suggested donation of $10 can help us Empower our Future and fuel our percussion residencies in elementary schools in 2026. About Do The Dow: Do the Dow will be on Saturday, November 22nd from 4:00-9:00pm this year. Come see the gallery, studios, and fun vendors housed within the Dow Building on 2242 University Ave W, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55114. There will be art on every floor - seriously. You'll be able to explore open artist studios, vendors, live music & performance. We're even told there might be a food truck on site! Parking is available across the street at the Wright Building and on side streets. Note: All studios including the Women's Drum Center are accessed by a set of stairs. This is an industrial building built prior to some of the commercial accessibility requirements for buildings. As such, a commercial elevator and accessibility ramps are unfortunately not available.
November 6, 2025 at 2:57 AM
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Join us for our next all-gender drum circle on Fri, Nov 21 from 6:30-8:00pm for an evening of Intro to Taiko led by Sandi. Taiko is a form of Japanese drumming. Students will have the opportunity to learn basic hits and stances.
Register: womensdrumcenter.org/events.../dr...
Join us for our next all-gender drum circle on Friday, November 21 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Sandi L from Taikollaborative will lead an evening of Intro to Taiko. Taiko is a form of Japanese drumming. The drums are made using wine barrels and cowhide/skin. Students will have the opportunity to learn basic hits and stances. Giving that Gathers Us! Percussion that Gathers Us! What a great way to celebrate and close out Give to the Max Day week with a fun taiko drum circle? Registration: https://womensdrumcenter.org/events.../drum-circle-kaiko Cost: $15 Age: 16+ No experience necessary. Register here: https://womensdrumcenter.org/events.../drum-circle-kaiko Getting there and accessibility: Please be prepared to remove your street shoes at the door. You're welcome to bring slippers or non-street shoes to change into upon arrival. We also have a limited supply of clean socks available to borrow. Our no-street shoe policy is designed to protect our new floor for posterity. Our center is located in the basement of the Dow Building; it is accessed by one flight of stairs.
November 6, 2025 at 2:34 AM
womensdrumcenter.bsky.social
GTMD early giving is underway now! We have a $6,000 fundraising goal this year to help fund our in-school residency programs. At a time when music programs continue to be cut from school budgets, our in-school programs help bring percussion to young people.

Donate: www.givemn.org/organization...
Upcoming events at the WDC: 2025 Give to the Max Day on Nov. 20, with online giving at GiveMN.org all day long. Give to the Max Day is an opportunity to join other Minnesotans on a collective day of giving directly to nonprofies or through the Give MN website. A $20 donation gets you into the 11/20 drumHeart rehearsal for fun drumming, games, and activities. Do the Dow Open House on Sat. Nov. 22 from 4:00-7:00pm. This is a drop-in event open to all, free/donate what you can.
November 5, 2025 at 1:13 AM
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Upcoming Workshops
Wow, what a way to round out the year! We have a full calendar of classes, workshops, drop-in-drum-circles, and ways to get involved with the WDC in November and December. Learn more and register on our website. A $20 donation for GTMD gets you into the 11/20 class with drumHeart!
Upcoming workshops at the Women's Drum Center include: Drum it Up with drumHeart on Nov. 20 from 6:30-8:00pm ($20 donation through Give to the Max Day giving campaign). Friday Drum Circle: Taiko on Nov. 21 from 6:30-8:00pm Do the Dow Open House & Drum on Sat. Nov. 22, from 4:00-7:00pm Drum kit for Absolute Beginners on Dec. 13 from 1:00-2:30pm Friday Drum Circle: Theme to be Announced! on Dec. 19 from 6:30-8:30pm Paper Percussion on Jan. 9 from 6:30-8:00pm.
November 5, 2025 at 1:01 AM
womensdrumcenter.bsky.social
Empower our Future
This photo encapsulates the GTMD theme Giving that Gathers. Taken from the stage, we see the joy of people gathered around percussion. We seek to gather people around the power of percussion & this photo is a powerful reminder of that effort in action.
Donate: give.mn/fdygyf
Empower our Future This photo encapsulates the 2025 Give to the Max Day theme: Giving that Gathers. Taken from the stage during our 2025 Annual Concert, we see the joy of people gathered around percussion. Our programs, events, workshops, community gatherings, and concerts seek to gather people together around the power of percussion and this photo is a powerful reminder of that effort in action. Your gift of any amount during Give to the Max helps us empower our future and: -Keep our weekly classes and unique workshops affordable -Provide scholarships and pay our teaching artists a fair wage -Offer new and different programs for our community -Expand our outreach programs for senior and other residential facilities -Bring our drum groups and circles to community groups, wellness gatherings, and nonprofits Give to the Max: https://give.mn/fdygyf
November 5, 2025 at 12:19 AM
womensdrumcenter.bsky.social
Can you believe our 2025 Annual Concert & Celebration is already part of our PAST? Thank you for being part of our annual event.

This short segment is from the debut of our brand new concert finale song performed with all ensembles on stage to close out the night.
October 28, 2025 at 1:48 AM
womensdrumcenter.bsky.social
We kicked off the first of 3 free Test Drive classes this week with attendees of the West African Level 1 class learning a tune called Anta, a phrase that means "let's go" or "get started."

Instructor Dan shared history, context, and meaning behind the song and rhythms. Hope to see you again soon!
We kicked off the first of three free Test Drive classes this week with attendees of the West African Level 1 class learning a tune called Anta. Anta is a phrase that means "let's go" or "get started." The late Guinean drummer Mamady Keita arranged a song called "Anta" to open various concerts and performances when he travelled. Instructor Dan, who learned and studied from Mamady Keita, shared history, context, and meaning behind the song and rhythms as he taught a full house how to play the piece. Two more Test Drive classes remain on Monday and Tuesday this week. Jo leads our women-only Drum Basics class and Bettie leads our women-only Hand Drum for Beginners class. Come check out one (or both) of these dynamic classes! More information on our website here: https://womensdrumcenter.org/drumming-test-drive The Women's Drum Center is accessed by one flight of stairs in the Dow Arts Building, an industrial building off University Ave in St. Paul.
October 26, 2025 at 8:55 PM
womensdrumcenter.bsky.social
Do you want to try drumming? Drop into one of these three free test drive classes this week. No registration needed.

Our building is accessed by one flight of stairs. Be prepared to remove your shoes or change into clean, non-street shoes upon arrival to help us protect our new floor.
Do you want to try drumming? Drop into one of these three free test drive classes this week. No registration needed - bring a friend! More information on our website: https://womensdrumcenter.org/drumming-test-drive Our building is accessed by one flight of stairs. Be prepared to remove your shoes or change into clean, non-street shoes upon arrival to help us protect our new floor. We have limited shoe covers and socks for you to borrow if needed.
October 25, 2025 at 10:19 PM