News items posted to the Four Winds Website are edited versons of Member Mailings.
We don't want to bore you with an excess of boring "backstage" details.
Four Winds' activities will be toning down a bit due to a family emergency. Hopefully I will have some time to work more on the site in the future.
On November 5th, my mother suffered a stroke and was hospitalized. On November 6th, my father was admitted to a different Hospital with a leg dysfuction. Needless to say, despite my devotion to the Chorus, I have to juggle my time around my family's needs. Father is home, but bedridden, and Mother is returning after Solstice still recovering. Heather and I are shifting from "Crisis" to what looks like The Long Haul. We are finding our days, and nights, very busy.
My desire is that our work continue, Four Winds should rightly be about the MUSIC and not about me. However, of necessity there will be some adjustments in our schedule and plans. Please see the Schedule.
On December 6th four of us took a day to work on our drumming skills. With Brother Thunder and Sister Renee involved with work and other endeavors, we need to cultivate the "second skins" drummers. A fun day.
At the December 15th rehearsal, due to some erratic attendance, we debated going on haitus for a while. But THAT idea was shouted down. Thanks, everybody. Sisters Athena, Elspeth, and Jezibel have been holding things together when I've been unable to attend meetings. Big thanks and the wonderful noise goes on! However we will be taking a holiday break.
Heather and I would like to thank all of you who have expressed your support, prayers and good energy. Just knowing it is there has been helpful.
On November 25th, we got some of the clan to gether and performed an informal Bardic Circle with our friends at ClubNet Cafe. It was a fun, intimate evening with a friendly and appreciative crowd. We shared some of our "classic" material and seasonal selections. We expect that we'll be back.
Solstice Blessings and the best of the Holidays to all.
Mitaquye Oyasin, Ashe, Blessings, Amen
Kurt Griffith/Talking Stone, Choral Director
khgriffith@verizon.net
This update is late and somewhat incomplete due to a family emergency. Hopefully I will have some time to work on the site in the near future. We also had to repost the update after a bit of bad timing with our host's ISP server upgrade.
Last week, my mother suffered a stroke and has been hospitalized. She seems to be responding to treatment and her condition is improving. To complicate matters, my father was also admitted into a different Hospital with a leg disability. Needless to say, despite my devotion to the Chorus, I have to juggle my time around my family's needs.
My desire is that our work continue, Four Winds shoud rightly be about the MUSIC and not about me. However, of necessity there will be some adjustments in our schedule and plans. Please see the Schedule.
Heather and I would like to thank all of you who have expressed your support, prayers and good energy. Just knowing it is there has been helpful.
Greetings and Blessings All,
First off, I want to congragulate and thank everybody who performed or put energy into Witches' Ball. It went very well, even with a fair amount of "makin' it up as we go along".
I want to give special nods to the following folk. Sister Jezibell, who was sucked into a lot more than she signed up for (drafted!), and managed to hold together. Lead drummer Brother Thunder, who ended up stranded in Illinois for Samhain. Sister Renee who got it together and drummed his place with virtually no notice. Brother Misha, who toughed it out with major laryngitis and still sang better than most of us expect to on a good day.
Congragulations to Brother Bob and Sister Samantha, who despite wanting to be there, had their baby, Aaron Christopher anyway, the night of our perfromance at Moonlighting. Heather and I spoke to them last week and all are happy and healthy and getting those first time parent teachings. Healthy kid, too. No little "ah-ah-ahh's" for this kid, he's that the full-voiced WAAAH! goin (YO, MA! When's Lunch?!) Welcome to Planet Three, little one.
Send your good energy out to Brother Dayglo Ian who had a mishap at work and was sidelined for the night. Mend rapidly, Brother.
Things also went quite well at the Postgraduate Center Coffehouse, with a return invitation, New moon Samhain, and the relocated Samhain by The River, despite various weirdnesses that went with that dislocation. Hopefully, I'll be able to give a more complete descriptions of those events soon. But overall, I am very pleased with the performance of the Chorus in the busiest two weeks of our existence.
I hadn't actually planned on doing another update until AFTER the Witches' Ball, but something came up that needed to get posted. -Kurt
Our scheduled performance at "Samhain On The River" has run into some trouble with the venue. In addition to intellecence data I received Tuesday afternoon, here's an email I received from Leon of The Zodiac Lounge.
> The bastards closed the Cafe yesterday, but the event is gong on at
> a new location: Moonlighting, 511 Amsterdam Ave (84th and 85th Sts.).
> Same roster and all. There may be a special ritual for the O'Neill
> brothers.
>
> B.B.,
> Leon
NOTE: Playlists are now set for all events through Witches' Ball.
NOTE: PGC Coffeehouse was a success, more next update.
NOTICE: DUE TO A SCHEDULE CONFLICT, OUR REHEARSAL ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29th, HAS BEEN MOVED TO THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30th, 6:30-8:30pm.
We have been settling into our new rehearsal space at Postgraduate Center for Mental Health. The old chapel is a fine space for a theatre with wonderful acoustics. We seem to be meshing well with the people and a number of Center folk have dropped in to sing in with us or just listen and comments have been pretty positive. But it's not all white light and harmony.
There is a time issue we have here at the Center. The building CLOSES AT 8:45pm, so we have to be done by 8:30. Our hosts have been very nice about it but it has been mentioned to me. Therefore ALL REGULAR REHEARSALS in this space will be from 6:30-8:30. Some of you may have some time pressure with the schedule change. Well, we'll just cope with it, don't pass on coming out because you have to arrive a little late. To ease the problems, we'll handle all our announcements and business at the break, about 7:30 or so. That way we'll go over stuff once and no one misses out.
We need to get used to the fact that we don't have the social time after 9:00 like we did at Video Haven. It's very important for us to earn goodwill at the Center, remember that we are guests in this space. So at 8:20 we'll be winding down and try to end promptly by 8:30. If we pack up and move out promptly, we shouldn't have any problem getting out by 8:40. If not, we'll have to start shutting down at 8:15... It seems to me that it it's tough enough getting what we want to to done in two hours. And I suspect that 6:00 may be a hardship for some people as well. And yes, we'll be doing a couple of dates at 6:00 to get a little more time in. (Wed, 10/15, Mon 10/27) So bearing all this mind, I'll mention that evil word, discipline again and remind you that we have to make the best use of the time we have. So while we're there, keep focused on the work and the mission, minimize chatter and have fun!
We've set ourselves up for a busy season! We have in the space of two weeks, no less than four events lined up in the most ritually intense time of the year for the Wiccan and Craft-oriented members. As I'm writing this, we're only two weeks out from the first one and we only have two rehearsals before we're onstage again. Time flies when we're having fun!
However, with attendance looking better, but still a little scattered after the Summer, I'll go over our guidelines. We would like Performing Members to have a 60% or better attendance at rehearsals, more if you're shaky on any material. Borderline folk need to satisfy me (and the Chorus more or less) that you're up on the material we'll be preforming for a given event.
Some Members have let me know about their schedule conflicts. Thank you, it helps us plan. I need to know who's in for Coffeehouse, Samhain, Riverside, and Witches' Ball. Members, please step up to the plate and let me know. Remember, you don't have to kick in for every event or perform at all to be a Member in good standing.
I would like Members to start getting back to me as soon as you can, hopefully by around the 15th, remember the next event is only two days later!
The Samhain playlist is set, but playlists are not final for Wicthes' Ball, Riverside or Coffeehouse. Material for those three events will overlap somewhat. Final picks will depend on what material is ready and our final lineup/s for each event.
Plreliminary Playlists and Song Study Lists are available to Active Members. Forgive us for not sharing our plans with you, but we really rather you came to see us live!
This is our first opportunity to interact as a choral ensemble with the general population of the center. I want to impress upon all Members that making a good impression by our behavior and how we present ourselves this evening is at least as important as how we sound. With all the spiritual paths we represent, walk with grace and tolerance. Be nice. We will be "tuning-up" some of the Witches' Ball stuff, particularly since this crowd is not too likely to attend the Ball itself.
On SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19 (Yes, two days after Coffeehouse) there will be a Dress Rehearsal that all Participating Members need to attend. It will either be at Persephone's home in Queens or at another site to be determined sometime during the day. Please contactl her to get the details and directions. Email to: theentwife@aol.com
After the dust settles, we'll pile ourselves into whatever transportation is available and head uptown to...
We will be the kick-off act, introducing the various culture areas with song and chants with some brief intros for the songs and their meanings. We will perform a processional with smudging and The Charge Of The Winds. The space is remarkable, with stone walls and gothic arches with a plaza perfect for circles. We'll either be in the plaza or under the arches if the weather is inclement.
Playlist will be more general, and we'll try to use as little of the Witches' Ball material as possible so we'll have new stuff for WB. But we'll stick to our "classics". Since I was a little concerned about our workload, it was put to the Chorus and just about all hands wanted in! Yow!
ALL EVENTS FREE - 7:30pm, Sunday through Friday
Sunday, October 26
A performance of Sacred Songs from various spiritual traditions
Performed by FOUR WINDS EARTH CHORUS
Monday, October 27
"Coming Home to Asherah"
(or "How a nice Jewish girl found the Goddess")
Presented by DEBORAH HORTON, CIRCLE OF ARA
Tuesday, October 28
"Ancestral Powers"
A Yoruban/Santeria presentation by MARIO PICAYO
Wednesday, October 29
"Who in Sam Hill is this Sam Hain?
And why does he show up very Halloween?"
A Celtic presentation performed by BRUCE ROBERTSON SMITH
Thursday, October 30
"Inanna Descending: An Ancient Legend of The Season"
Danced into the present by Middle Eastern Dancer, JEZIBELL
Additional performance by Middle Eastern Dancer, ADARAH
Live music provided by SCOTT WILSON & THE ARABIAN NIGHTS
Friday, October 31
A Samhain Ritual That All Can Participate In.
then, Dance and Celebrate to the Music of "BINKY AND BEANO"
Participating Members have free admission to the Ball, with maybe one or two designated stagehands. Our set will be late in the evening, last slot, 2:00am(?). However, Circle, Skin And Bone had to pull out for logistics reasons, so we have an expanded slot, an hour instead of 30 minutes. Goth DJ Ian Fford of Webster Hall will take up the slack with more spin time.
You have more freedom with costume for this one, it's a *masquerade* after all, but don't forget that you'll be on stage and need to be able to move and see. You may want to sleep late that day and if you can, take Monday off! Get plenty of rest and if you attend the entire Ball, please PACE YOURSELF and don't party yourself out before our set comes up. If that means being mindful about alcohol and other recreational substances, and perhaps taking a break in the middle. So be it. We're asking that people be responsible to the group effort.
Note: The Unofficial Witches' Ball 1977 Information Page has been removed from the server due to changes in management at Video Haven's Movie Magic (11 April 1998)
Brother Dayglo Ian and I discussed going to try and record Coffeehouse for the archives and pipe into some minimum P.A. for intros and solos. I was thinking of possibly making a Four Winds - Sacred Bootleg tape of some of our better jam tracks as a FUNd raiser tape we could take to events. And possibly send to prospective gigs.
I Don't have November dates set yet, but expect a little bit of downtime. We have a standing invitation to sing at ClubNET Cafe just about anytime we want. I would like to do something there perhaps sometime in mid to late November. I'm also looking at some possible Solstice/Yule activities. Bardic Initiations that were postponed from September are also on deck again.
There have been requests made for teaching circles within the Chorus for Ritual Drumming and Bardic Basics. This has come from the newer Members and beginning drummers.
I am also thinking about setting up another Four Winds Weekend Retreat this Spring. We tried last year but no one was able to either set aside the money or commit to the weekend, and I was forced to tank the reservation on a very friendly space upstate near Woodstock. Are people into the idea, and can you set aside $40-$50 for a weekend event? It would be a great opportunity to have the time to actually explore more of the musical ideas we come up with. Social time, Jam time, PLAY time.
Kurt Griffith/Talking Stone, Choral Director
khgriffith@verizon.net
A lot has been happening backstage the last few weeks. A result of our informal appearance at ClubNET Cafe was a contact at a site that has come through for us. Beginning with the September 12th rehearsal, we will be the guests of Project US at the Post Graduate Center For Mental Health. The facility has a small theatre that is hardly used. The building was a former church and the theatre is built into the old church sanctuary, sacred space and nice acoustics.
We will have access to the site for barter (yay!), doing some performances and workshops open to the Center's clients. However, I wish to reintroduce a reduced tithe ($1-2?) to cover operating expenses. We may be doing a Coffeehouse event for them on October 17th or 24th as a "Tune"-up for The Witches Ball
We've been invited to perform at the 1997 Witches Ball, co-sponsored by Enchantments & Video Haven. We expect to have a 30-45 min. slot. (I'm pushing for 45!) With the summer attendance and the short lead time, I must be very serious with you. People who haven't been attending, or practicing will be at the end of the line. It is the highest profile event of the year in this community, and we now have a rep to maintain. Don't show up on October 26th and expect to be in, you won't. In a short set, we have to be tight and disciplined and ON. Ya'll what kept the faith over the summer go to the head of the line. If you have schedule problems or questions, please contact the Chorus and we'll talk. I promise to hear you.
Sister Valerie had a good question about qualifying for events. Some Members had spotty attendance and still went on at Manhattan Magick. The answer is that they were able to satisfy me that they were up to speed on the material, and did so in advance of the event. New members who don't qualify for perfromances are still welcome to train and study. They may assist with events while learning our material and preparing for the next.
We're also up for some medium intensity Choral Ritual Support for New Moon New York's Open Samhain, The Feast of The Dead (nmnyopt@juno.com), facilitated by Sister Persephone. Contact her (theentwife@aol.com) for a schedule of rehearsals, but we should make the last couple, particularly the dress rehearsal on October 19th. Note that the playlist will be quite different from Witches Ball.
Hey, surprise! Some of you are actively working on your Bardic Initiations! I have received material and inquires from a few members. Dayglo Ian had recorded some interesting and dark original and ritually-oriented stuff, promising more. Jezibel has written a full four-quarters Invocational chant based on Dideire Arthen's I Am The Earth, adding verses for Water, Fire, and Air; also creating an outline of another bardic ritual. Athena and Elspeth have also described projects to me that they're working on. So this is very encouraging!
One of the things that I'ld like to arrange is circles where Members can present some of their efforts towards their Bardic Initiations. The other projects that I want to devote energy to include expanding the Website, siting, booking and manifesting the Drum Teaching Circle for Shadowfolk, starting up some more workshop events, and working on a demo tape. That project needs to be way more organized and we also need a more consistent level of participation from a core group of Members to make it happen. I still want to continue taping sessions, when we hook up with a space. I've also considered that teaching tapes may be a possible revenue source for stamp and xerox money.
On July 6th, we gathered on our lawn in the warm Coney Island summer sun. The sounds of drums and gentle song melded with the sizzle of barbequed burgers, franks, tofu dogs and Heather's four-star teriyaki chicken. Everybody was on their best behavior and determined to have a good time. And as the sun set in the orange West, it was apparent that big fun was had by all. Special kudos to our old friends Douglas and Trish for the contribution of burgers, franks and fixin's for the grill.
A lot of folk expressed to Heather and me how good a time they had. We were very proud and pleased to be your hosts and look forward to the next time. Not to make a utterly self-serving plug, one of the Benefits of Membership.
Video Haven has completed their move to the new Movie Magic location on 4th avenue above Cooper Square. However, the future of the Pagan Community Center is far less certain. Artie must concentrate on reestablishing the Video business, and rightly so, the PCC must come later if at all...
There are logistic challenges that may make establishing the center at this location all but impossible. Their immediate neighbors are a mime school (Shhhh!), the upper floor tenants are senior citizens. So the room would need to be soundproofed before the likes of us could use it as a rehearsal space, a labor intensive and costly task. The basement room is smallish, with built-in shelving, and support pillars, and finally, the Landlord has an office space in the rear of the basement he would need free access to, particularly during business hours.
On the other hand, the upstairs is nice, clean and neat, with bright lighting, shelves, heat and air conditioning. Bob was having a great time installing the brand new neon front lighting when I stopped by before they reopened. So where does that leave The Pagan Community Center? That's a question that a number of people wonder about, but it may be some time before any answers are available. Meanwhile, you can help by stopping by the new store, saying hello and maybe even renting a video!
Shadowfolk Teaching Circle originally scheduled for Saturday, July 19
We originally planned this drum-intensive circle for earlier this month, We rescheduled, around a teaching gig Kurt was supposed to do which didn't materialize. Now we don't have a venue, so we're going to suspend this event for the moment, pending hunting up a suitable site to do it. The recentt heat wave in the New York area, punctuated by thunderstorms suggest rethinking the otherwise reasonable idea to use an outdoor site.
Kaitlin also notes that using New York City Parks is most feasilbe with groups of twenty-five or less. Larger groups require a Park Permit with all the expense and offical red tape which that entails, along with the possibilities of entanglements with the authorities.
While Manhattan Magick was financially iffy, it was certainly an artistic success! Big Kudos to all members for, once again, "our best performance to date." In addition to the Performing Members and the Breo-Saighit production team, special honors to the volunteers who really put in que mondo effort, it is greatly appreciated. Well done, everybody!
We Have since seen and heard some good reviews for Manhattan Magick in various places and the local pagan press, including Our Pagan Times, so once again big Kudos to everybody involved. My heart soars like proud eagle. Washite!
The Grove Bardic Ritual, was also a good day, even at just under half strength. Nice work everybody who came out for that and Joe, Jez and the grove students extend their thanks. Nicely done, all.
Update Notice: 20 July 1997- After initial launch we discovered that the email connects for the chorus scattered around the site weren't working properly. We're sorry about that and hope we've managed to get them fixed. Please let us know about techical problems, bugs and glitches. Feedback, rants and raves glefully accepted!
