News items posted to this page are edited versons of Member Mailings.
Four Winds News: 7 February 1999:
Ritual farewell to Post Graduate Center
Hello everybody,
We had a very sweet and spirit-filled circle Friday Night. It was a fine way to bid farewell to the Theatre and everybody was in good voice and we sang and prayed well and made our goodbyes in a throughly sacred manner. We hope the spirits will continue attend us as we go forth into the world.
We presented Mike Goodman and the Center a framed copy of the Charge of The Winds, with a appreciation inscription on behalf of the Chorus and signed by as many of the Members as we could get a hold of over the past two weeks. Many of the Center folk were sad to see us leave and said that they enjoyed having us at Postgraduate Center and wished us luck in our wanderings. That was good to hear. So long and thanks for all the fish.
So here's what's next.
I spent most of the last three weeks calling various places and visiting some of. So far the only rehearsal space that meets our needs and schedule and was available is Musical Theatre Works, on Lafayette, south of Astor.Place. I have booked one February date. However it is more expensive than I, and the rest of the Chorus would like, so it is NOT a long-term solution. However we will be rehearsing there one night in April for the Enchantment's Grove Bardic Ritual Run-through.
The room rate is $20/hour. That means a standard rehearsal would cost $40. For an average night of 8-10 Members, the contribution works out to 4 to 5 dollars a person. But a "thin" night with five persons would make each person's share $8. A little stiff, woudl tend to unfairly penalize the more Active Members! It would put us in the uncomfortable position of creating a situation where a Member might not feel up to dropping $5 on a rehearsal plus travel costs and skip the night, raising the tab the the Members that show up, and encouraging more drop-out's as THEY get hammered.
SCHEDULE
Here is the Schedule as it's shaping up:
IMPORTANT! If you're new and coming to a Rehearsal FOR THE FIRST TIME, please call either Kurt Or Elspeth to let us know to expect you!
Rehearsal, Friday, February 5 - This rehearsal was CANCELLED.
We could not set up a site for this date with such short notice, so we took the breathing room.REHEARSAL, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9
The Home of Sister Elspeth
251 West 92nd Street, Apt #9A, NYC (near Bway.)
212 873-0619 We will make further plans and plots and try to set up a phone tree this evening, along with other topicsREHEARSAL, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Musical Theatre Works Studios
440 Lafayette Street, Studio 3G, NYC
S. of Astor Place, opposite The Public Theatre
212 677-0040REHEARSAL, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23
The Home of Sister Elspeth
251 West 92nd Street, Apt #9A, NYC (near Bway.)
212 873-0619Also check the Rehearsal and Events Schedule page.
In MARCH we are probably going to be Tuesdays at Elspeth's. It looks like on Friday and Thursday we will be at CAP21 - Cooperative Arts Project 21, a cheaper space at $15/hour. In the meantime, please KEEP LOOKING and keep feeding me those leads. Check out any likely location that might be suitable. Anybody with a decent contact, go ahead and explore it and get back to me with the particulars. Also, try to think out of the Box a little. Your boss's conference room after hours might be a possibility with permission. Schools. Y's. Etc. The game's afoot!
BIG thanks to all of you who have funneled me leads, ideas and suggestions. You know who you are, keep em' comin'!
Cost Control
We are working on a policy where we would institute a Voluntary TITHE LIMIT, where we would draw any shortfall from our Standing Operating Fund. We're looking at $4-$5 as a cut off point beyond which Members need not feel obligated to contribute. Of course, if the greatness of your hearts and the depth of your wallets... Well nobody's gonna stop you. And if we continue to tithe in even where we're not paying rent, it will help to pay for the occasions when we are.The Five Year Project
We are also trying to put together an Anniversary Project. We had at the Circle guests Blair and Michelle Ferrier, who came down from West Point to hear and meet us.The Ferrier's contacted us through e-mail and offered to volunteer their time and equipment and record us. Blair can record and master us and get the tracks down on a CD-Master, ready for duplication. I think it would be a very fine way to celebrate our success, and survival. Particularly now that we may need to generate some revenue streams. Be aware that these sessions would need to be in good spaces, as soundproof as we can afford.
WANTED: REHEARSAL SPACE
Seeking: a regular indoor rehearsal space. We rehearse approx 2hrs, 4-5 weekday evenings per month and occasional days on weekends. Space for 8-20 persons, we average 12 people most meetings. Location preferably in midtown-lower Manhattan, soundproof enough for many voices with moderate, occasionaly intense, drumming. Electricity outlet/s avalable (Not for amplified sound equipment!). Reasonably accessible to public transportation.
As a volunteer, not-for-profit musical cooperative, we have very little revenue beyond Member tithes and donations, so we require a very economical space. We would gratefully consider any sort of barter, teaching, performance or exchange agreements.
Respond with any leads via email to:
Choral Director Kurt Talking Stone at khgriffith@worldnet.att.net.We are also interested in spaces suitable for workshops, ritual and ceremony and for performances.
Looking ahead, Plans and Plots
So whatÕs out there in the future for Four Winds? No matter where we end up, even in Member's living rooms, we're gonna keep working. Take a look, hereÕs whatÕs on the horizon.
March 11, 1999
As of that date, the Four Winds Earth Chorus will be Five Years Old as a working entity. An opportunity has opened up for us to record and have the tracks mastered for a wee pittance. It seems like the perfect five year project. Stay tuned!.We hope to set up something for around Friday the 12th, Saturday the 13th. or Sunday the 14th with possibly some after-jam celebrating.
April, 1999 - Giveaway IV Tentrative
If we can pull it together, the next Giveaway show should be sometime in April. Since All Fools Day is so near and dear to our hearts, we talked about shakin' our sillies out and starting to put together some ideas for Giveaway IV: Jesters, Fools and Coyote. This will depend on us securing a venue.This is really an excuse to find a public forum for all the less than serious stuff that's been accumulating at the back of our Ids and notebooks . Of course funny stuff is very serious and being a clown, sacred or otherwise, is just as hard work as being a shaman. Actually, a couple of my teachers have noted that there really isnÕt all that much difference anyway...
Saturday, April 17, 1999 - Pagan Way Grove
WeÕre also penciled in for a Teaching Circle for Enchantments' Pagan Way Grove in the early Spiring. Jez and Joe suggest that theyÕd like to get back to Bardic Basics with this go around as they plan to have us as their guests earlier in the Grove season than in previous years.June, 1999 - Full Moon Circle
In June, for the Full Moon, we have requested the honor of facilitating that month's Full Moon Ritual for New Moon New York. New Moon has announced it is changing its' shape for a year and a day come Samhain, but they will be maintaining the major rituals, Samhain, Yule, and Beltane and arranging to have the Full Moon Rituals continue.For us, June of 1999 will mark our Five Year Anniversary of our first public performance and ritual. Our first outing before the community was the New Moon New York Full Moon Ritual for July 1996. It is big good karma to give one up for an organization that has given us many opportunities to serve and sing.
July 1999 - African Unity Day
We were also invited back to support African Unity Day II. The organizers of the event plan to take the event "inland" to Bryant Park, where the general audience, including passerby, will be denser. All of the performers put in such great efforts, they richly deserve to be seen by more people. And with any luck, we might be able to get more of a promotional effort in place.Feel free to talk to us if you have any questions, ideas, problems or just want to gab. Rehearsals, bookings, gigs, songs, circles, teachings; you know weÕre interested!
Got News, Questions or problems? Send E-Mail to us at: khgriffith@worldnet.att.net
Mitaquye Oyasin * Blessed Be * Ashe * Shalom * A Salaam * Amen
Kurt Griffith/Talking Stone,
Choral Director
