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 News: 29 December 1998:
No News, Actually...
The News Update that was scheduled and ready to go on the 29th of December was stalled with some server trouble. The update went online on January 7th. So that's IT for 1998. Happy New Year! If you want to view the info, go back to the NEWS INDEX Page. It will be in Current News till the next update.
Four Winds News: 10 December 1998:
Four Winds Member Attacked
The Chorus was informed of this incident on Tuesday and I received this message on Wednesday evening. Our Member Persephone has said this very well.
Subject: Attempted murder of pagan artist
Date: Wed, 9 Dec 1998 15:40:19 EST
From: Theentwife@aol.com
To: (list removed)Greetings all!
I'm writing on a serious subject, for once. This Monday, 12/7/98, an attempt was made on the life of pagan artist Richard J. Treitner. As he was entering his apartment, a man who had been lurking around the building followed him and tried to break his neck. When he didn't succeed in that, he attempted to bludgeon Richard to death while Richard fought to defend himself.
I am happy to say that Richard was successful in fighting him off, although he was injured in the process and he will be carrying both physical as well as psychic scars from the encounter. The police are treating this as an attempted murder and a bias crime.
Richard requests that you not only send him healing energy, but also that you send out a request to the universe that this man be caught before he can harm Richard or someone else again.
Please feel free to pass this on to whomever you feel is appropriate, especially if they might know Richard.
Hail & Farewell!
Persephone Yavanna the Entwife
TheEntwife@aol.com
Richard is a valued and well loved member of Four Winds Earth Chorus. An Artist and a Poet as well as one of our long-time drummer-singers. At our Rehearsal on Tuesday evening, we offered our voices in song and in prayer for him and his healing and for the damaged individual who was capable of such a crime.
We also pray for peace and for justice and for a day when those prayers need not be separate. We pray for freedom for all people to be as they are and as they would best be.
We pray for him to be returned to us and that despite this incident he will choose to continue with his life in the manner that he would choose for himself.
There are no words that can express our anger, sadness and outrage. But we can express our love, prayers, hope and support for our Brother. In the name of our brother we have sung the Honor Song and made offerings to the spirits. And indeed, they attended our rites.
May the disease of hate be driven from the land.
As the many Winter Holidays approach, may the messages of Hope, Faith, Peace and Light that is the best of the many cultrues and traditions of all who celebrate at this time be remembered and reinforced in our words, deeds and intentions.
Wi cho sa'ne wi oki (Lakota- Health and happiness)
Kurt Talking Stone
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Four Winds News: 8 December 1998 (Updated 12/13/98)
Winter Solstice at Moonlighting
We finally got the final word on Winter Solstice at Moonlighting, origianly scheduled for December 20th. Alas, it is scrubbed, one of the partners at Moonlighting booked the night to someone else who paid up front. It was virtually impossibe to book another venue for for the event that weekend with this little lead time. So Zodiac lounge will be having an informal to-do in the store and we are invited to drop by.
Contact or visit the Zodiac Lounge General Store
204 West 96th Street, Garden Level East, NYC * 212 663-0100
Or send E-mail to Leon Calafiore at: LCalafiore@aol.com
Giveaway III: WINTER SOLSTICE AT W.Y.R.D.
Friday, December 18th, 1998, 6:30-8:30pm
Theatre, Post Graduate Center West, 344 West 36th Street, NYCFour Winds Earth Chorus and Friends will lend their voices and talents to a FREE evening of Song, Poetry, Drama, Dance, and Rhythm in celebration of the Winter Holidays, including the Winter Solstice, Yule, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza through the setting of an on-stage Radio Show at the fictional Pagan Radio Station WYRD New York on the night of their Winter Solstice Broadcast.
The Four Winds Earth Chorus, in keeping with our agreement to the Post Graduate Center West and as a guest program of Project US, to provide programming of spiritually uplifting value and content are honored to present the third in the Giveaway free concert series for our hosts.
Scheduled performers include:
FOUR WINDS EARTH CHORUS
Dance by JEZIBELL
Poetry by RICHARD J. TREITNER
Drumbeat power and awesome rhythm expression by
THUNDER MAGEWIND and SACRED DRUM JAM
Some new takes on some old stuff by THE WYRD SISTERS
And some deep stuff by BASS & TWO BARITONESPlease join us for this very special evening of celebration with some new twists on old fashioned radio.
THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Theatre, Post Graduate Center West, 344 West 36th Street, NYC
West 36th street between. 8th/9th Avenues,
Near subways A, E, C, 1, 2, 3, 9
Four Winds is not for profit. Donations towards our work are gratefully accepted.
Four Winds to open for PGC Players
We have accepted an invitation to open one night of the Home-town team PGC players' annual Christmas show with a short set on Tuesday, December 22nd. If all falls into place, we will likely reprise some of the Giveaway III material. If you have to miss WYRD, here's a chance to catch up with us. Plus, you get a play!
6:30pm, Tuesday, December 22nd
Theatre, Post Graduate Center West, 344 West 36th Street, NYC
West 36th street between. 8th/9th Avenues,
Bardic Workshop a Success
Our Teaching Circle on November 21st was a unqualified success, attracting people from aross the area and filling the stage. This has also had the happy side-effect of bringing the Chorus several new Members! Welcome! We'll be sure to do more of these!
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Four Winds News: 16 November 1998
Sorry for the longish gap between updates, but IÕve been enduring a brutal work scene. We're not going to update the NEWS page this time around but we'll keep the schedule current for now. Meanwhile, weÕve got a couple of news items. HereÕs the scoop about our upcoming workshop and anbother upcoming gig.
"THE SPIRIT OF SONG"
Bardic Arts WorkshopSaturday, November 21st, 1998, 1-5pm
Theatre, Post Graduate Center West, 344 West 36th Street, NYCFour Winds Earth Chorus invites you to join us in our mission of education and sharing of the bardic arts in this FREE workshop event. This workshop will introduce the spiritual power of self-made music. It's ability to lift the spirits, to clear the mind, to open the heart and even to heal and teach.
Sing with us and take the music home!
We are NOT professionals, you CAN do this at home!We will demonstrate and teach the use of songs, chants and rhythm for spiritual purposes. Materials will be drawn from sacred traditions around the world, including Native American, Pagan & Wiccan, African, Folk, World and even Popular music. Musical background or prior experience is not required. However, drummers and musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments.
THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Theatre, Post Graduate Center West, 344 West 36th Street, NYC
West 36th street between. 8th/9th Avenues,
Near subways A, E, C, 1, 2, 3, 9
Four Winds is not for profit. Donations towards our work are gratefully accepted.
Solstice at Moonlighting
We've just accepted an invitation from our friends at Magickal Realms and The Zodiac Lounge to perform at their Winter Solstice Event at Moonlighting on Sunday Night, December 20th. We'll post the details as soon as we've got them. We hope you be there!
MOONLIGHTING
511 Amsterdam Ave, New York City (Bet. 84th and 85th Sts.)
Sunday, November 20, Evening.
News Pages Reorganized
We separated the News and Schedule pages to speed up page downloading. If this works out well and I get some serious free time, I may break up the News Archive Page into indiviual pages by date of posting. Check it out!
Current News | Rehearsal and Events Schedule
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Four Winds News: 10 October 1998
First bardic Initiate!
On September 15th our very own Jezibell gave her Bardic Presentation: Hekate: A Sonic Journey. The ritual was filled with songs and chants and was very complete, well researched and focused.As the first out of the gate, she put up with a lot from me. Jez endured several postponements and my requests for revisions. But the results were certainly well worth it.
The several members present had enjoyed both the music and the ritual itself. I got to learn several new chants, so everybody went home happy. I am hoping that this will inspire several other Members who have been talking about their Bardics to get moving and I can list more Initiates in our ranks.
The Witches' Ball
We decided to pass on the Witches' Ball as we went into September and hadn't heard anything. We do need a fair amount of lead time to prepare for major events.
As it turns out, our friends at the Zodiac Lounge, along with Magickal Realms, have decided to sponsor the Ball. We did get an invitation after all, but by then we had already given the Membership leave to involve themselves with whatever Samhain projects attracted them. So we still had to pass.
Circumstance just slightly beyond our control.
So fresh (not!) from her bardic, Jez will be presenting her dance theatre piece The Descent of Inanna as the centerpiece of the Ball, and a expanded version for New Moon New York's Open Samhain Ritual. Members Elspeth and Richard J. Treitner will be joining in the effort along with the Zodiac Lounge Drum Circle.
Since we're not performing, we are supporting the Ball by building and sponsoring the 16th Annual WitchesÕ Ball Official Information and Support Web Site. Worth a surf for you wired folk, so check it out at:
http://www.imagecraft.com/fourwinds/witchPGC Teaching Circle
We are working on preparing The Spirit of Song, a Teaching Circle for Saturday, November 21st on the basics of the Bardic Arts. This comes out of a request from Mike Goodman, the director of Project US at Post Graduate Center to provide program in the theatre space. So weÕre putting together a workshop which will be a general introduction to the spiritual uses of songs and chants. This will be a free event, like the Giveaway concerts, but donations towards operating expenses are gratefully accepted.
Project US now has program on Saturdays, which allows us to plan weekend events without the expense of bringing in and paying for a security guard. With our arrangement at PGC, this makes it possible to offer events there for free or donations, which is a great boon to the community.
Four Winds Atlanta
Over the Internet, we've started a dialogue with a Bardicly inclined witch in the South. Melody Pettus hails from Atlanta GA, and is diligently working on starting up an Atlanta Branch of the Chorus. But wait there's more, she intends on working primarily with young people In addition, sheÕs already laid the groundwork for her own Bardic Initiation.
We have vague plans to give Melody and Four Winds Earth Chorus: Atlanta their own page. Stay tuned!
Schedule Adjustments
As an all-volunteer cooperative, we have always had to cope with fluctuating attendance. One of the repeated problems is the dramatic fall-off in attendance after nearly every major event. We have now gotten into the routine of not scheduling rehearsals the week following performances to give people a chance to catch their breath and recharge. But the problem does continue to persist.
This is complicated by the tendency of semi-active Members to reappear just prior to major events. While the Membership policies of the Chorus are deliberately flexible to allow people to participate at whatever level their lives allow. Wild fluctuations in our lineup make us less able to handle complex or new material, and limit our ability to prepare and plan for events.
Retraining returning Members can take away time and energy that could be devoted to raising our level. WeÕre not going to radically change our Membership policies, but we really encourage Members taking time off to continue to sing and practice, try to stay up on what you have learned.
Giveaway II was August 28th and except for Jezibell's Bardic, attendance didn't bounce back till September 24th. On that date we discussed the matter and decided against shutting down for October, and only having a Samhain break for the Members involved with various community events. We are also going to try to use a "grid" for setting Rehearsal Dates for the coming months to give us set nights on a 4x a month schedule.
Previously announced Rehearsal Dates will stand.
The Grid will consist of the: First Friday, Second Tuesday, Third Thursday and the Fourth Tuesday.
We would add extra dates going into major events and for "specials" like Bardics and other such like. And we would also reserve the right to shift around major holidays. For instance, because of how Giveaway III and the Holidays fall, weÕre shifting the "4th Tuesday" in December forward a week to December 29th.
We will probably add an additional run-through for Giveaway III, most likely on Tuesday, December 15. Members committing to this event should show up at rehearsals to get the latest information!
Please see the NEW, IMPROVED SCHEDULE on the Schedule Page for dates into January!. The grid will help us plan further in advance than we have been able to before!
We may also do a short holiday set for the PGC Players for their Holiday show Christmas week. If this manifests, we'll pull material from Giveaway III. Stay tuned.
"First Friday" is New Years' Day, so weÕll shift the grid back a bit to make up and add a date or two at the end of the month. And so forth and so on.... Hopefully this will works out well.
But just a reminder, we are only as strong and as good as the sum of the individual contributions of the Membership.
Giveaway III: SOLSTICE NIGHT AT W.Y.R.D
The scenario for the third edition of the Giveaway Concert Series is an on-stage Radio Show. The setting is the fictional Pagan Radio Station WYRD New York. the evening of their Solstice Night Special. WeÕll be making a program of holiday songs from across the traditions.
We plan to have Winter Solstice poetry from Richard, a return of Bass & 2 Baritones with some thundering Hymmals. Three of our ladies have promised us something theyÕre calling the Wyrd Sisters. We also plan to bring out the drums to rock out a percussion-positive version of The Little Drummer Boy, and dance from Jezibell. We are giving serious consideration to an honoring of that Christian fellow with a traditional carol, Adeste Fideles, (O Come, All Ye Faithful for you non-latin scholars out there). We havenÕt tackled a foreign language piece for a little while. Not to leave anybody out, weÕll also try Oh Hanukkah. I am also considering if we should include an African piece to include a nod to Kwanza.
We are working on fleshing out the playlist with Solstice material. We hope to include faves such as The Wintry Queen, Winter Solstice Sunrise, and The Fairest Maid. For a finale, we're crafting a Winter Solstice Journey Medley of six seasonal rounds and chants. As usual, our problem will be fitting it all into an hour and a half!
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Four Winds News: 31 August 1998
I want to extend my great appreciation for the GREAT work and effort everybody put in at Giveaway II: The People and Ways the other night. The event went off very smoothly and and our audience, while small, was certainly appeciative. At least there were about twice as many of them as there were of us! Sure beat African Unity Day.
I am particularly pleased in how opening our flex time for Valerie and Bass & Two Baritones (so glad that worked out!!) allowed us to cover for dropouts and the injured. OUr guest acts very nicely rounded out the evening with Valerie's lovely irish melodies, and the premier of Bass & Two Baritones was surprising succesful and they rocked and rumbled through a selection of pop, folk and sacred songs all tuned to the lower registers with a brief foray into Klingon opera! Thanks to all our apprentice drummers for landing on your feet with Sacred Drum Jam! What could have been a flaming air disaster (as opposed to train wreck) managed to land safely onstage. Ashe!
The only serious glitch was the slightly scrambled first part of the "Fly Like An Eagle" double arrangement which I'll write off to nerves. Not quite a train wreck but I kept my hand off the emergency brake cord. We recoverd well enough and I'm overall really quite pleased. We pulled off a quite clean event even with various setbacks going in and at reduced strength. We all can be proud of our work on this one.
Check out our Way Spiffy Giveaway Splash Page from Giveaway II. If you missed it, it was a really good time! We hope youÕll join us for Giveaway III in December!
Giveaway III: Solstice night at WYRD
We have booked Friday, December 18th for our third Giveawy concert and we're planning to make it a really inspirational, sacred and fun show. The theme of the evening is an on-stage radio show. WYRD is a fictional pagan radio staton, and we'll be performing their solstice night show. This gives us a lot of room for a great deal of material for this is the time of the year when just about all of the major spiritual traditions on planet earth celebrate.
For this one, I propose that we take a more aggressive and broader approach to promoting the event and get more bodies in there. I will also discuss the matter of Internal promotion at PGC with Mike Goodman. I got the impression that not too many of the Center folk KNEW about the show. We added interactive elements to the program that he specifically requested we attempt. Never the less, we kept OUR end up. We always do. Ho!
We already have a number of pledges and suggestions for the program so we'll be putting together something special for this one.
There is also a possibility that we may also be contributing a short seasonal set to the PGC Players' Holiday Show around the same time frame, probably shortly after G3. We were asked to consider the possiblilty and if the Membership is agreeeable, we'll see what we can put together.
The Will of The Spirits
But wait, there's MORE!
After a bunch of us scooted off to Okura for a fine after-show feed, we said our good nights. Everybody got their gear out of our van and we took our leave and went our scattered ways. We pulled the van out of our parking spot and very rapidly noticed that she was handling very oddly.
NO BREAKS! YIKES!
I quickly found the slick of brake fluid under the car and realized we weren't going anywhere. The call I made to AAA was to a conspicuously under-qualified dispatcher, who for some reason took over fifteen minutes to convince that Manhattan Island was in New York City. Well, she insisted I had the location wrong and TOLD ME where I was. (Where th' F**K is 17th AVENUE?) She got it wrong, even with the EXACT street address right off the building we were parked in front of. About an hour later a AAA Emergency Road Service Vehicle blew by our corner and shot down East 17th street AWAY from us. 12:45am.
Call AAA again. On hold for twenty minutes for a supervisor. Apparently front-line people aren't allowed to handle Screwups. He promised a response within an (another) hour. Just as I was giving up and in search of coffee; the hook arrives and we're looking for a cab home with half our gear (drums & other irreplaceable stuff) and two sleepy and cranky kids. We're in bed by 3:00am.
I found out Saturday morning that three out of four brake lines of our aged chariot had given it up on the trip from PGC. Earlier at dinner, DayaLi had questioned The Threefold Rule concerning what had she done to earn the excess randomness in her life. I offered the opinion that the universe is deep, wide and LONG. Sometimes karma balance requires leaps of faith, patience and perspective that we mortals find, well... challenging. But sometimes bad is made to be less bad. Or more survivable, more endurable, or we get more than our share of choices for navigating difficult times.
Yes, this little setback is massively inconvienent, undesired and likely to be an expensive pain in the ASS. On the other hand, my wife, children and I could be messily through a guard rail on the Belt Parkway. Or, the whole load of us piled in that van could be wrapped around the back of a garbage truck on Second Avenue. As it is, my son still had his brains and bunz on the same stick for his birthday on Sunday. I'll TAKE it.
Someone's certainly watching. The Gods have far from abandoned us.
Pilamaye. Thank you.
I will joyfully continue to sing for Spirit.
May each and every one of you be equally blessed.
Our First Bardic Initiation
Due to some conflict of interest issues, we rescheduled Jezibel's Bardic Initiation project from the Bardic Play Day back in August to it's own night on Tuesday, September 15th. All Members, Past. present and inactive are invited to participate. It will be a bardic ritual to Hecate with song, chant, poetry and dance. I've had the outline for a while and it looks like it rocks! Those of you who wish to participate in a more meaningful way, please attend the September 10 Rehearsal where we will be reviewing the material going into the event.
Plans and Plots
With everything going on, and the usually busy Fall & Samhain season coming up, we're choosing to take it a little eaiser until it's tike to get it in gear for Giveaway III. So the rehearsal scehdule will be a little lighter in September and October. A few of our members are also going to be assisting the Zodiac longue with a Public Celebration of Samhain for New Moon NY.
We are looking at putting together a Bardic Workshop at PGC in early November. Most likely this would be a Saturday event. Songs of The Spirit would be an introduction and exploration of the spiritual impact and use of song and chant from many traditions and cultures, similar to our Bardic I Workshop. We may also invite ourselves back to ClubNET on a future open Mike night and give those folk another dose.
If New Moon New York hangs on, it would be very cool to do a Full Moon Circle for them in June of 1999, which would be our 5 Year Aniversary of our first public apperance! Stay tuned.
If you think you're into what we're doing, it's real easy, just show up and invest a lil' time and study. In the meantime keep on singing!
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Four Winds News and Updates: 16 August 1998
Not a major update, but we've got some new rehearsal dates into Spetember and some schedule shifting.
The Post Graduate Center's PGC Players are performing Studs Terkel's "Working" on the evenings of August 25th and 26th, clipping one of our rehearsal dates. We made it up on the 14th, and are keeping the 24th as a possible backup day. Kudos to Members Elspeth, Athena, Jezibel, Persephone, and your truly for their support of DayaLi's Lammas Ritual for New Moon NY on August 9th.
We just had our Bardic Play Day and we had a good turnout for an afternoon of fun, food and song. A Majority of the current active members and some guests attended and we had a really relaxing day. We were also treated to a preview of Bass & Two Baritonesas they took this opportunity for go over their stuff. Rock & rumble!
The Sound Of One Hand Drumming
Our former Lead drummer Thunder Magewind badly injured his arm with a torn muscle. He's orderd to let it be for at least three weeks on pain of never drumming again. We'll see what we do with Sacred Drum Jam for Giveaway Two. In the meantime send him good energy and your prayers for healing.
Also Featuring...
Also afflicted over the past several weeks has been Dayglo Ian who is just coming back from an extended bout with some flu-like thing.
But Wait There's More
Clobbered by a gastro-intestinal infection this past week was one of our drummer-singers, Persephone, putting her on the bench this week. It's one of those things that doesn't quite kill you, but halfway through, you don't really care...
So for all our brothers and sisters. Rapid mendings!
Play Day & Bardic
Due to some conflict of interest issues, we've moved Jezibel's Bardic Initiation project from the Bardic Play Day to it's own night on Tuesday, September 15th. All Members, Past. present and inactive are invited to participate. It will be a bardic ritual to Hecate, and it looks like it rocks!
Upcoming
If all goes well, we hope to plan Giveaway III for tentatively the 18th of December, just in time for Solstice. The theme will be: Solstice Night at WYRD, an on-stage Pagan Radio holiday show. Sometime in the fall we will try to have a teaching circle at PGC.
And from what it looks like, we'll probably be passing on the Witches' Ball this year if there is one. We don't know at this time if one is being planned. However, while great fun, the energy penalty has been large in past years and we would prefer some notice and prep time. So it goes.
A Few Final Items
It would appear that after a valaint effort Video Haven's Movie Magic will close it's doors at the end of the month. It is always a shame to lose another Pagan owned and pro-Pagan business. But the continuing ill health of Artie's partner Stan make it difficult to run the business. We wish them well and have very much enjoyed their presence and contributions to the community. Video Haven was one of Four Winds' first and most ardent supporters and provided our rehearsal space in the well-loved Pagan Community Center for most of Four Winds' first three years.
On another note, if would appear that New Moon New York despite difficulties, will try to endure. According to Program Coordinator Jonathan, events, primarily Full Moons and Sabbats continue to be scheduled as people are solicited to facilitate them. However, there is a huge demand for willing volunteers to serve in running the organization and serving as New Moon Officers. Nearly all the officers, after serving multiple terms are being overtaken by life and outrageous fortune, leaving them extremely time and energy pressured to give the organization the attention it deserves.
For information, contact the Program Coordinator at grnwood@wynn.com
Dat's all,
Kurt talking Stone
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Gratitude For Four Winds at African Unity Day
26 July 1998
After our performance at African Unity Day, we received this email from Nouk Bassomb of the Orgnaizing Committee. I won't summarize, it speaks for itself.
Because of it's relevance to the mission of the Chorus, here is the text of Kurt's Black Elk Speech.
Dear Kurt/Talking Stone,
I wish to thank you for contributing to the success of AFRICAN UNITY DAY.
Once you communicate to me the date of your next rehearsal, I'd like to come and present my thanks to FOUR WINDS/EARTH CHORUS for their participation. That day I will invite them to next year's AFRICAN UNITY DAY which, if all goes well, will be staged at Bryant Park (6th Avenue@42nd Street).
It's by showing that we are serious about UNITY in our families, community, Africa, the world, that others shall take UNITY seriously too.
He who asked me to work for African unity never refers to it as unity, African unity, or African Unity Day. He says, "The Harvest." He insists that the work is plentiful, and the workers, and the product.
I trust.
At Bryant Park, one does not need to bring in an audience. There is always an audience there dying to be entertained. It's to give those who do not, or cannot access the Mystery the impression that they are being heard that I will go to Bryant Park. "The only audience you need is the wind," He once advised me. "Talk to the wind, it will take it to the four directions."
To tell you the truth, I never quite understood the depth of these words until I met you, attended FOUR WINDS/EARTH CHORUS performances, and read and re-read Black Elk Thunder. (Read Kurt's Black Elk Speech)
If one preaches in the desert and no one hears him, preaches he?
Bodhidharma, the Chinese monk who introduced Buddhism in Japan, creating the branch of Buddhism called Zen, sat in a cave, in front of a wall, for 7 years and changed the whole thing. How was that possible?
I am going to work for the Harvest. As long as the four winds are my audience, I know that all will turn out fine.
Ma Salaam.
And stay strong.
Nouk
Gearing Up For GIVEAWAY II: THE PEOPLE AND WAYS
After our preformance at African Unity Day, weÕre getting ready for our next concert at the Postgraduate Center. Partly as a result of our efforts and spiritual commitment, the Center has received state and Federal funding to refurbish the Theatre. This is part of what we have been working towards and we couldn't be more pleased. Congragulations!
The Next Postgraduate Center Concert, GIVEAWAY II: The People and Ways is scheduled for 6:30pm, Friday, August 28.
Please see the NEWS page for more details on our upcoming events.
Mitaquye Oyasin * Blessed Be * Ashe * Shalom * Amen
Kurt Griffith/Talking Stone
Choral Director
African Unity Day
We had a fairly good day at African Unity Day. Even though the audience was sparse, it was still good for us to go through the process and discipline of preparation and performance. We acquitted ourselves very well, earning the praise and thanks of the organizers and what little audience there was. Jezibel, Elspeth, DayaLi and Kurt also contributed to the day with Dance, emcee assistance, and a speech. Good work everybody! Ashe! Pilamaye!
Because of it's relevance to the mission of the Chorus, here is the text of Kurt's Black Elk Speech.
We have been invited to participate again in 1999, so I guess they liked us!
Giveaway II Concert
We're getting ready for Giveaway II: The People and Ways, the next Postgraduate Center Concert on Friday August 28th. There will be some scaling down to make logistics easier. Mostly clipping a half hour to ease time restrictions. We hope to add Thunder & The Sacred Drum Jam to the mix and possibly pull together Base & 2 Baritones to fill out the guest spots.
We are still in the process of putting this together and are still firming up guest perfomrers to fill out the evening. If you are interested in sharing the stage with us, please let us know. Send Email to Kurt at: khgriffith@worldnet.att.net
Bardic Play Day
WeÕve pretty firmly scheduled a Bardic Play Day and Pot-Luck Party, out at Kurt & Heather's place for the afternoon of Sunday, August 16. If Jezibel is ready, we'll also use part of the day to have her present her Bardic Initiation Project then . Either way weÕll kick back, sing, chill and play.
I would like to remind everybody that even if you are an inactive or semi-active Member or are not planning to or are unable to participate in an upcoming event, you are always welcome to come to rehearsals to just sing and jam with us! That is as much a part of the mission as circles, performances and teaching. You can certainly come to events to support and cheer us on!
If you're into any of what's coming up, still the same deal, just show up and invest a lil' time and some honest sweat. In the meantime keep on singing!
Mitaquye Oyasin * Blessed Be * Ashe * Shalom * Amen
Kurt Griffith/Talking Stone
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ItÕs been A YEAR, No WAY!
30 June 1998
Now that weÕve been online a year, IÕm seriously looking at a redesign of this homepage, which started our simple, but has blossomed into a fair sized chunk-o-text. Aside from posting more content, we sould certainly offer a Sitemap and be good net citizens!.
However itÕs been worth the late nights coding and the 2:00 A.M. postings to the server. Aside from communicating with our Wired Membership, we have made contacts with folk allover the world and even recruited new members based on what they've seen here. Pretty cool.
Melody Pettus in Atlanta, Georgia is working with Pagan young people and turning them on to the power of sacred music and weÕll be making an effort to support her circle. If you have Bardic Lore to share, drop her an Email at: mpettus@atl.mediaone.net
We also received an inquiry from Lilitu Babellon, a producer of the "only pagan radio show in Australia", Interested in our music. Considering the state of Pagan Radio in America, it may be one of the few Pagan Radio shows out there period. Like to say, hello down under? Send email to: lilitu@key.net.au
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Four Winds News: 28 June 1998
Bardic Circle at ClubNET
We have confirmed a date with ClubNET for a Bardic Circle on Tuesday, June 30. This will be a Teaching Circle, so not a lot of pressure here. Since this is a teaching circle, this is a good opportunity for inactive and semi-active Members to get a piece. All are welcome!Giveaway II - On The Board!
We're also written into the schedule the next Postgraduate Center Giveaway Concert for Friday, August 28th. There will be some scaling down to make logistics easier. We will also be promoting the event to a wider circle out there. We had no problems with security or crowd control last time and the Center receives improved funding when the facilities are utilized.
We are just beginnig to put this together and are looking for guest perfomrers to fill out the evening. If you are interested in sharing the stage with us, please let us know. Send Email to Kurt at: khgriffith@worldnet.att.net
African Unity Day - Sunday, July 19, 1998
Updated 6/28/98
We've settled on a few things since last time. We have accepted the invitation to perform at the United Nations on African Unity Day on Sunday, July 19. We are up after the Interfaith Service that starts the event. So that would be 11:00 am on a SUNDAY MORNING. Stage call for Members would be between 9:30-10:00am! If anybody's Paganess is challenged by the hour, Sleep late Saturday, and Stay up! The playlist is now set, lots of our best and classic material, and it'll be great exposure for us. We're really trying to tighten up and put in a good one for our hosts and for Spirit!
This is just about the last chance for Members to get ready for this, just about everybody who will qualify for this event already has. If you want a piece, I need to hear from you real soon. Better pop up NOW.
AFRICAN UNITY DAY
Dag Hammarskjold plaza, New York
Sunday, July 17, 1998, 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.There are also lots of opportunities for other performers, poets, speakers and volunteers. Check out the African Unity Day FAQ page with the original e-mail from Nouk Bassomb, Organizing Committee inviting us to perform (Fall 1997, Updated: May 1998), and a tentative schedule for the event.
Other Stuff!
Sometime this summer we'd like to schedule a Bardic Play Day And Pot-Luck Party, some Bardic Initiations, and maybe even an event for New Moon NY. After this weekend, Jonathan, Mew Moon's program coordinator will be less busy with Gay Pride events and we may be able to connect.
I would like to remind everybody that even if you are an inactive or semi-active Member or are not planning to or are unable to participate in an upcoming event, you are always welcome to come to rehearsals to just sing and jam with us! That is as much a part of the mission as circles, performances and teaching. You can certainly come to events to support and cheer us on!
So that's where we are. If you're interested in any of what's coming up, you know the deal, show up and invest a lil' time and some honest sweat!
Addition: 31 May 1998
After a suggstion or two I posted the Requirements For Bardic Initiation on The Membership page. A Bardic Initiate is someone who has made a personal commitment to follow the Path of The Bard through study, practice and sharing. This is intended to be our way of honoring those folk who are making that effort. This in no way implies mastery or authority, but rather acknowledges those who have begun their journey into this work in an intentional way. -Kurt
Read about the Bardic Initiate Recognition Program
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Four Winds News Update: 6 June 1998
African Unity Day - Sunday, July 19, 1998
We have received and accepted an invitation to perform in support of African Unity Day on July 19th at Dag Hammarksjold Plaza across from the United Nations. If we accept, which seems likely, we would performing at about 11:00am after an Interfaith Sevice. The Unity theme of this event directly connects to the Mission of Four Winds.
At the May 28th Rehearsal, we discussed what me might put together for this event. Nouk from the Organizing Comittee came by and spoke to us about the effort to unify the splintered African Nations and impress the first African UN Secretary-General with this issue. We'll be there!
AFRICAN UNITY DAY
Dag Hammarskjold plaza, New York
Sunday, July 17, 1998, 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.African Unity Day FAQ from Nouk Bassomb (Fall 1997).
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Four Winds News: 28 May 1998 (updated 5/28/98)
Bruce P. Griffith Passes Over, 1924-1998
Bruce P. Griffith, Father and Father-in-law to Choral Director Kurt Griffith/Talking Stone and House Mother Heather GS Griffith passed away on Wednesday, May 6, due to advanced cancer of the brain stem. He left this world gently, surrounded by friends and clan, amongst love, prayera and good wishes. We would like to thank everybody who attended his rites; who sent flowers, cards, condolences and offered their good wishes, prayers, energy and support both emotional and logistic.
However, the GIVEAWAY Concert went on as planned. The show must go on!
Again we've been delayed in getting an update online. We also missed a couple of days the week of the Giveaway Concert as our server hosts were doing some cleanup on the server last week. Sorry.
But we got the essentials up. But now we have more stuff for you, enjoy!
Four Winds News Update: 22 May 1998.
OUR GIVEAWAY IS RECEIVED IN THE SPIRIT INTENDED
We finally put our mark on the chapel walls and
open the eaves to the Voices of the Four Directions.The GIVEAWAY Concert went on to be quite a success despite time pressure. Please see the May 14 News (See below) Entry for a complete wrap up.
Needless to say, with Kurt's Father passing it's been difficult to get updates up. But we are now beginning to catch up and clean up the site a bit. The long memorial Day Weekend is an opportunity to catch up with a lot of loose ends and start planning ahead for what's coming our way, including an invitation to perform at the United Nations in support of African Unity Day, Sunday, July 19. Also see News for a brief summary and link to FAQ page.
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Four Winds News: 14-21 May 1998
Giveaway Concert: And That's A Wrap!
Greetings All,
I want to thank everybody for the fantastic effort and excellent performance at Giveaway on Friday night. Not only did we perform well, but our guests also turned in entertaining and inspiring performances. But I think we all had a great time!
Special recognition to Eddie Birchmore and the poets of ClubNET Cafe @ Cooper Etc. for delighting us with their inspired prose and brillant delivery, most particularly the surprising Voodoo Priestess and a tribute to the very Winds from which we draw our name and power.
Jezibel's Middle Eastern inspired dances to the Earth Mother earned great praise from the audience, dead quiet during and enthusiastic appluase after!
Our very own Richard Treitner widened peoples heads with the tell-it-like-it-is Of Pens, Quills & Bullets, the haunting A Poem of Bones and the unforgetable Looking for Pan. The last item had even the Pagans in the house alternately laughing and blushing, including the poet himself!
Hermaione as Sophia Magaia performed a woundrous set of stage illusions, centering about the magic(k?) of the cards. Her final illusion(?) was the powerful Kundalini Rising which is the best kind of this sort of thing. When the boundaries of what is considered "Stage" magic and the well, other kind, are blurred, the limits of the possible are extended.
Away far too often to suit me, First Drum Thunder with support of Four Winds' and guest drummers led a, er, thunderous Sacred Drum Jam. The mighty noise brought people to their feet and filled the chapel with sound. Out of his hat he brought us We Are One, honoring the sacredness of just about any saced path you could name, which he did.
Our only nemesis, as expected with such a rich and full program, as usual, was time. We always have so much to do, to sing and say and usually so little time. Hey Kronos, we GOTTA talk. Our kicked back schedule is posted below. The paper Member Mailing hit the mail this week, most Members should have it by thie time this update is posted.
We managed to finish up on the dot at 9:00pm, at the cost of dropping a song and a half. At which point we were informed in no uncertain terms that the building was closing IMMEDIATELY. We didn't Pack up so much as bug-out, earning me a couple of hours of untangling wires and cords and cleaning wax out of my gear over the last couple of days. So while I have my hands dirty, I need to offer apologies to two Members who ended up a little shortchanged.
Sorry 'Bout That!
First to Athena who ended up losing her very fine solo in I Am The Earth when we skipped over it. I THINK I did it for time, but it actually sort of just Happened... I may have done it to spare her voice, hurting from some ick she contracted, but it actually sort of just Happened... I've learned to, if not trust, at least go with the flow of these Spirit things. It is CERTAINLY possible that spirit would have sustained her for whatever was needed despite her illness.
Next, is for Persephone, who I knudged off the stage for Jezibel's segment NOT because I didn't think she was prepared for the material; but because there was no time to work out the space/chairs thing in a reasonable amount of time. And I certainly didn't intend to embarrass her on stage.
This whole "chair" thing is something that we need to discuss, particularly among the drummers. The word "crutch" comes to mind. Oh well... If Thunder can get to his feet with a 40 lb. traditional djimbe, it may be possible that some pleople may be giving their perception of limitation more power than they should.
Anyway, good job everybody, and thank you all.
Missing In Action
We did drop Ball of Confusion after all. My first thought is that people let their fear get to them, but that may have been unfair. From my point of view, performance anxiety seem incredibly trivial after six months of life and death issues. But I must accept and respect that it is a very real and very large issue for some. Still, a very cool song, we'll get it out some other time.
I do want Chorus Members to stretch themselves, but I still want us to do as good a job as reasonably possible within the limits of still having fun. And I think that on Thursday's rehearsal we were missing an element of Soul. Lady Mara was also sidelined due to illness. This is part of a message I got from David last Thursday Night.
> Mara is in the hospital with pancreitis.
> She is in the Intensive Care Unit.She was indeed missed. Samantha and Bob also had to pass on the concert to help out with that situation. Messages of support may be sent to David at: InventorDW@aol.com
Onward and Upward
I think that the response both in the Chorus and the Audience was positive enough for us to do another one and possibly even a series. This would be a way to keep sharp and always have something to work towards. Heather suggests a three month interval, that seems workable. I want to get an idea of the Northeast region festival schedule so we can avoid festival weekends in July.
What we will do next time is plan only an hour and a half of program, to end at 8:30, giving us more flex and pack time. The informal setting worked very well, and the no-nonsense,no-frills stage direction also was the right approach. If we stick with 20min sets and a 5min entrance, allow 15min for stage movement and flex, that gives 30 min to spend on guests or other program. three 10min segments, 2 15min segments or a 20 and ten minute bit. Not as ambitious, but manageable. We'll still have the option to get greedy or lay back.
Since my mother had to spend a week in the Hospital having an abscessed elbow cleaned up, she says we have to do another one so she can get a chance to see us. So let's hear some ideas. With a series, we can get around some more of our material over time.
(5/28/98) Spoke to the Project US director tonight. We're looking at Friday, August 28 for the next concert in the chapel. Stay Tuned!
Lastly I want to thank the Members who let themselves be put on the spot at my Father's Rites with Chi Mi Na Morbheanna and Honor Song. It was completely voluntary and a high calling of the Bard's Path. Aside from my personal feelings, we also got some good feedback and raised some spirit power. My clan and I thank and honor you for that work and your willingness.
Mitaquye Oyasin * Blessed Be * Ashe
Kurt Griffith/Talking Stone
Choral Director
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Four Winds News: 20 April 1998
Sorry for the delay in getting the current update online, we've had some difficulties at home. However, the preparations for the concert are proceeding. The Bardic Circle at Enchatments was an excellent day and the Chorus preformed very well.
Spring Concert Booked
"Giveaway: To Honor Our Mother, The Earth"
Concert with Four Winds and Friends
Celebrating the Giver of life on Earth in Song, Rhythm, Poetry and Dance
6:30-9:00pm, Friday, May 15
Theatre, Postgraduate Center
344 West 36th Street, NYC, between 8th & 9th Aves.The Four Winds Earth Chorus, in keeping with our agreement to the Post Graduate Center West and Project US, to provide programming of spiritually uplifting value and content will be presenting a concert for our hosts.
This event is primarily for PGC clients and members of Project US. We have received permission to invite our longtime friends, fans and supporters to be our guests this evening, in recognition of your support over the years.
Taking into account security and institutional issues, non-client/member admission will be by guest list.
If you are interested in attending, please R.S.V.P via E-Mail to: Kurt or Heather at khgriffith@worldnet.att.net and include your name and that of any additional guests in the message. Please respond by, Tuesday, May 12th.
We hope to be joined by some of our longtime friends, and past Members who will add depth and texture to this evening. The eveningÕs theme is Honoring the Earth Mother The Earth is our home, supporting all life here and to offer our thanks and praise transcends all races, religions and national boundaries.
This event is free, but we will be accepting donations towards Chorus expenses.
Mitaquye Oyasin ¥ Blessed Be ¥ Ashe
Kurt Griffith/Talking Stone, Choral Director
Hot Bardic Night at ClubNET Cafe
Our Bardic circle @ ClubNET Cafe was a successful and fun night, a fair turnout of core Members aquitted ourselves well and got the whole place singing. Even though we were off to a late start, we were able to cover nearly all the material that we had planned. Thanks toall the Members who participated.
In addition, Richard Courage was among those present and praised the Members who turned up for our informal apperance at the Incube Opening a month or so back. Very cool.
And...
Following our positive experiences of New Moon's Samhain and New Moon Open House, I am also entertaining the idea of us working again with New Moon New York with possibly a Choral Full Moon or a Bardic or Drumming Workshop.
It has also occurred to us, after the bumpy year that we've had, attrition has outstripped the aquisition of New Members. That suggests that we need to attend to some recuitment initiatives. Suggestions are welcome.
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Four Winds News: 11 March 1998 (Updated 3/18/98)
The Not Cold, Lonely Winter
Here we are now four years old.
Our merry Band of Bards yet endures,
In sickness and health. Still singing through
the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.
On March 11th 1994, The Four Winds Earth Chorus had our first modest meeting. We are now four years old. Since that time we have participated in dozens of Circles, Rituals, Ceremonies, Performances and Workshops; teaching and performing for thousands of people. It's been good work that weÕre justly proud of. At least we think so! See more belo.w
Schedule Notice
Bardic circle @ ClubNET Cafe Hi everybody. Due to a schedule conflict which has just surfaced, the Teaching Bardic we're doing for ClubNET is being pushed up a day. If you've received a mailing, note that it still has the old date. Sorry, nothing we could do about that.
Instead of Wednesday, April 1st, it is now Tuesday March 31.
Unwinter Tales
I would like to commend Sisters Athena, Elspeth and Jezibel, along with Kelly for keeping things moving during my repeated absences. Some people have let me know that the atmosphere at rehearsals is a little different without "Fearless Leader" Well, thatÕs to be expected. IÕve tried to turn up whenever I can get free. The February House Bardic was a bust so we bagged the March and future House Bardics. However, we have had successful EVENTS here. So maybe when the weather turns nicer and peopleÕs schedules ease up...And now We Are Four
As of March 11th, we are four years as a Chorus. What a long, strange, noisy trip it's been. Not that many of us have made the whole ride. Last year we made some effort to celebrate the event. We hope to note this milestone at the March 12th Rehearsal with a simple circle of song, four being a sacred number for us. I will make every effort to be there.
Frankly, we have been healthier. Since the Witches' Ball and my family crisis began, our attendance has dwindled down to a core of about five to ten Active Members. I am very honored by the Members whoÕve gone to some real effort to pick up my slack. I am counting on people to keep the vision. SINGING, even by yourself, is more important than performing. Sharing, teaching and supporting ritual and ceremony with this material is the true Bards' Path, joy and work.
But still, a lot of good times and many good people. And we have touched a lot of people with the beauty of this work, which reaches across race, nation, religion and tradition. So no matter what may yet become of us, weÕve done good and you can all be proud of this work.
Plans And Plots
In addition to the dates on the schedule. I have arranged a bardic circle at ClubNET and thinking of an Evening Concert at the Postgraduate Center space. I want to sing FOR people in the marvelous room, not the cafeteria! In addition to the frankly great acoustics, the former chapel is filled with spirit power.
I am also entertaining the idea of us working again with New Moon New York with possibly a Choral Full Moon or a Bardic or Drumming Workshop.
Playlist/s
Enchantments' Grove playlist includes: (2 New songs)
- Spiraling into The Center
- The Earth is My Body/Earth My Body
- The Circle Shapes Us
- Quarter Calling (New)
- Strolling Song
- Lord of The Dance
- Men of Harlech
- God Was A Woman
- The DagdaÕs Club
- Will Ye No Come Back Again
- Ocean Mother
- Barge of Heaven
- Quarter Farewell (New)
- Remember the way
- We Are a Circle
At ClubNET Cafe we will do an informal teaching set, drawing from the Bardic I and II material. In the meantime, Particularly for the inactives, concentrate on reviewing the above stuff, our classics and anything that may speak to your tradition/s. What counts is singing.
If we can put together a concert, I would like to present a theme in honor of the Earth and the Land, much of our best material focuses on these themes.
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Four Winds News: 26 February 1998
A Few Notes
Just a couple of things. Due to people's difficulty with getting out to the Griffiths's in Coney Island, we're suspending the Bardic Circles for the time being. The Circle tentatively scheduled for March 7th is cancelled. Kurt will try to do something special for Heather's Birthday just the two of them. However, a "Happy Birthday" call or email would be happily received. We remember that we had similar problems with rehersals out at the house during the first years of the Chorus. We may try to to do something later in the year when the weather is warmer and Member's schedules are less packed.
We are in the process of looking into arranging a Bardic Circle on a Tuedsay night at ClubNET @ Cooper Etc. sometine before the Grove Bardic (See Schedule).
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Four Winds News: 5 February 1998
A New Year's Labours
Thank you to all the Members who are keeping everything nice and noisy while Heather and I are occupied with my family. Special thanks to Athena, Elspeth, Jezibell and Kelly who have been extremely supportive in keeping things rolling at rehearsal or two. I managed to get to the last rehearsal (1/29) and was pleased to see a decent turnout and folks continuing to study and sing.
Our schedule will remain fairly light. Our next booked event is the GROVE BARDIC in April. Those of you who missed the House Bardic on January 25, missed a fun, informal day. We only had a few folk, but we let our hair down. We will continue this and may even try to celebrate Heather's Birthday on March 7th with song and frolic.
Last words. Our willingness to make way for one of the Post Graduate Center's regular groups led to their relinquishing a weekly Monday & Thursday claim on the Theatre. Graciousness matters. Ashe.
One other thing, with Heather and I tied up at home a lot, it’s really nice when folk just give us a "Hi, how are you doing?" call or an E-mail. We have really been cut off a bit out here the last couple of months. However for those of you who have asked, both my parents are doing a bit better.
For all these blessings, thank you Spirits
Noise, Anyway...
We were invited to provide some background music for an Art Show opening at a little educational enterprise called Incube on January 27th. A little to short notice to make it official, never the less, on the strength of the possibility, a few Members turned up and shared a few songs with the kids. Good work!
Links Page Added
We have finally managed to set aside a little time to start up and post the Resources page, with our first batch of links and references for your perusal. Enjoy! The list is not terribly extensive, but I've tried to include some quality sites, with interesting content, A number of them are really impressive Internet resources in their subject areas. So far we have categories for Music and Drumming, Pagan & Spiritual, Native American and Our Hosts.
I expect that we'll add sites and possibly more categories over time. Please pass along to us any site you think ought to fit in. Also if any link goes dead or relocates, please let us know.
Kurt Griffith/Talking Stone, Choral Director
khgriffith@worldnet.att.net
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Four Winds News: 13 January 1998
Here's a little more about what's been going on for the Chorus, and some of what's coming up. We've also added the first set of links to the Resources page, so that's something. (Clap, clap! See below...) The following is the text of a letter sent to the Member Snail Mail list just after the New (common) Year.
We will be leaving the Unofficial Witches' Ball 1977 Information Page online for now, event through the event has passed. If I have time with my family situation, I may try to code and post the Program content and a review of the event. However, I'm moving the link off the Homepage to our brand new Resources page.
New Year's Letter From The Director
Choral Director
Kurt Griffith
/Talking StoneFOUNDERS
Athena
Asst. Choral Dir.Elspeth
Kaitlin Creed
Stage ManagerT.J. Jamieson
Thunder Magewind
First Chair DrumMEMBERS 1997
Karron Haines
Line ProducerBlack Bear
Ceancaite
Alex Charriez
Florence Cully
Renee Cyr
Valerie Freisman
Bob Griffin
White Eagle Griffin
Robin Heagan
Marie Houston
Dayglo Ian
Joseph Jamieson
Damon Lacon
Erika Leiberman
Kelly Lincoln
Mara
Kathy McArdle
Patty McNally
Joni Note
Persephone
Misty Pendragon
Lara Shapiro
Richard J. Treitner
Heather Griffith
House Mother5 January 1998 CE
Greetings Sisters, Brothers and Friends of Four Winds,
I hope that all of you have enjoyed our Holiday break and between our many faiths and those of our families had a healthy and happy Solstice, Yule, Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanza, Ramadan, what-have-you and a Happy New (common) Year. (Ya'll get all that?)
As some of you are aware, both of my parents were hospitalized in November. My Mother had a stroke and my father lost the use of his legs and has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. We don't know how much time he has. They are both home now and receiving home care. As we've explained to some, we're now past "crisis" and in The Long Haul. Heather and I are now devoting much of our time to looking after them. This changes everything for us, our family life and spiritual activities, my career and of course The Chorus. Except our spiritual convictions, where our strength lies.
At the end of November, after the year we've had with all manner of backstage static and now this, I was preparing myself to say "good-bye and thanks for the good noise." However, at our last rehearsal in December, the membership present overwhelmingly indicated their desire to continue the work of the Chorus, even in my absence. I am very gratified and deeply touched. In many ways, it affirms the validity of our mission for me. Since I cannot always be present for activities, Athena, with Jezibel and Elspeth will be keeping things moving.
We will be easing back on our schedule, but we will at least try, for a while at least, to have a monthly Bardic out here at our house so Heather and I can stay a little involved. We will try to do this on a weekend afternoon mid-month. This will always be subject to our medical situation, so we'll see how it goes. We have invitations at Postgraduate Center, ClubNET and Enchantments' Grove to explore.
I want to thank everybody for all of their effort over the past year, and also acknowledge those of you who have been with us from the start, or who have moved on to other interests or responsibilities, or who have come back, or are newly joined. What I'm trying to say, is that everybody's contribution has been, and is, important and very much appreciated.
We will see what the new year brings, It should be interesting. Thank you all.
Cangleska ki le, olowan ki le, wakan aloh. Pilamaye. Mitaquye oyasin.
Kurt Griffith Talking Stone
Choral Director, Four Winds Earth Chorus
Links Page Added
We have finally managed to set aside a little time to start up and post the Resources page, with our first batch of links and references for your perusal. Enjoy! The list is not terribly extensive, but I've tried to include some quality sites, with interesting content, A number of them are really impressive Internet resources in their subject areas. So far we have categories for Music and Drumming, Pagan & Spiritual, Native American and Our Hosts.
I expect that we'll add sites and possibly more categories over time. Please pass along to us any site you think ought to fit in. Also if any link goes dead or relocates, please let us know.
