Four Winds News - 31 March 2004
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Four Winds News: 31 March 2004
Again a long space between new stuff here, so a bit to cover. Read on!
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Just wanted to say thank you to each and every one of the Members that came out for our Tenth Year Anniversary Soiree. It was a good, no-pressure time with a *tiny* speck of ceremony - just enough to make it "official", and a generous touch of grand silliness.
Special thanks to our Lady Elsbeth for hosting this most charming evening at considerable personal discomfiture. It is very much appreciated, for that and her long support of the chorus. Her personal commitment and hospitality has been invaluable over the years.
Again a special note to Ian the Pierced and Paula for the most excellent cakes, each bringing their own culinary talents to the commemoration.
Further thanks to my lovely Lady Heather, while not a singing Member of the chorus, has over the years put in incredible support, been an ear for rants, raves and tuneless musings of all flavors. And put up with my mild insanity for keeping this thing going despite costs in time and resources to our clan.
The chorus has been larger, stronger, more financially fit at times, and other times smaller, weaker and even more impoverished if that's possible! But never the less, we are still here, weathering the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. And somehow, we've managed to keep making some good noises, for ourselves, our people and our many and various gods.
Its a good thing. I still want to keep doing it.
Once again, thank you all for coming, all your hard work, and as ever for your voices raised in joy and praise!
PLANS AND PLOTS FOR 2004.
We have had a fairly quiet season since St Paul's, and haven't really been putting ourselves forward in the community, and it's time to get back out there and continue the Mission.
WANTAGH BELTANE - MAY 1st.
I have let the organizer that invited us that hands went up and that we are in. I am going to hold all those HANDS UP people to their pledges. We will have a series of Member rehearsals at the back end of April following the Monthly Bardic on April 15 to get folks "Tuned Up". Bearing in mind people's problems with Monday's and Wednesdays, we are looking at:
MEMBERS REHEARSALS PROPOSED DATES
TUESDAY, APRIL 20* or THURSDAY APRIL 22*
TUESDAY, APRIL 27
THURSDAY, APRIL 29
At the home of Elsbeth & Mrs. Jean Free,*I am supposed to go upstate to Ithaca for a press check for the Magazine, likely the week of the 19th. Depending on what day I will be away, the rehearsal will be the other, stay tuned.
So far suggestions for play list material include, in no particular order (*likely includes). Considering Member's schedules, we should focus on content we know fairly well and not try to bring our anything new and tricky, like the Swedish Shepard's Dance...
*Let The Way Be Open
*Magician and the High Priestess
Turn The World Around
*Zeus, A God
*Invocation/Air I Am
Gaia
Thunder Beings
Goin' Up On the Mountain/Break 'em Down
*Om Namah Shivaya
Four Nations Song
Round Dance Song
Witches Song
Fanga
Farewell Song
Four Sacred Animals (Bear, Buffalo, Eagle and Coyote chants)
Mahk Jchi
Barge of Heaven
Hal-An-TowWe should look at about 30-45 min of material. The event itself is going to be in Wantagh Park in Long Island, (Near jones Beach) The event runs from 11 am to 6 pm with a ritual at 3 pm. Events will run on the 1/2 hour till the ritual. We will meet at a central location on Saturday Morning and drive out to the park. Please try to plan your Saturday with some flexibility. Declaring that morning that: "I ABSOLUTELY have to be back NO LATER THAN 2:15 for my Homies' crack orgy!"... will be poorly received. Just putting the energy out there. Jah love, mon—.
DRUM & CHANT WORKSHOP
We haven't forgotten about the interest in Teaching Circles, particularly for drumming, If you or your group has an interest.in a teaching from the Chorus on things Bardic, please let us know.
We are looking into presenting a Drum and Chant Workshop to see about generating some buzz, serving the community and perhaps attracting new Members to the Chorus. Hopefully the weekend prior to Memorial Day, while people are still in town will be good for people, Sat or Sun May 22 or 23.. Richard is working on a possible slot at the MNN Studios for us to use.
THE BARDIC PATH: CHANT & DRUM WORKSHOP
SATURDAY or SUNDAY , MAY 22 or 23, Afternoon
New York City
We are planning an open workshop introducing the FUNdamentals of Ritual Singing, Chanting and Drumming. For beginners through advanced, all ability levels and paths welcome. Learn to bring out the sacred voice and enhance your spiritual path with beautiful noises raised up in joy and praise. Multiple cultures and traditions to be explored.
Details to come. Donations gratefully accepted.
OTHER STUFFI got an official invitation from Harvest of Pride to march in the Gay Pride Parade, Sunday, June 27. BIG pile of forms. A very worthy cause, likely due to our support of the AIDS memorial. But I am not sure that it is a venue that we'd be our best it. So I'd like to invite comment and see what you folks think. As for other issues, I haven't heard anything definite yet about this year's AIDS Memorial another event that we have enjoyed immensely. And another thought, would people like to see us at Pagan Pride Day in September?
Mitakuye Oyasin * Blessed Be * Ashe * Shalom * A Salaam * Amen * Om
Kurt Griffith/Talking Stone
Choral Director
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