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Four Winds News: 25 April 1999
Bardic Ritual a Sonic Success
Here's to all the Chorus Members who participated in The Bardic Ritual And Teaching Circle at Enchantment's last Saturday, April 17. Big Kudo's to the entire team for all their effort. This year's circle, changable weather not withstanding, was probably the smoothest running and best sounding of these events.
I want to thank everybody for all their hard work and effort. The rehearsal time was well spent. Everybody kept their focus and hit their marks. And the "open mike" segment went particularly well, with Members supporting Circle folk in good and encouraging ways. Whatever small glitches that may have occured were only noticed by US and were very minor. I think I speak for Joe and Jezibell as well, who were very pleased with the whole event.
So here's to the team we fielded: Athena, Jeanette, Elpeth, Alexandria, Reynard (welcome back!), Persephone, Joni, Maxx (sorry bout'the name mixup), Robert, Richard II, Thunder, Jezibell and yours truly, along with Joe Z, part time B&2B Member, entertained and educated the assembled. Miz Lynne was also present and shoulda been on our side of the circle, but glad you were there. Even saw Black Bear with his clan and their new little one, Griffin.
We made some good noise on behalf of the bardic traditions and bards everywhere and a good time was had by all.
Happy Birthday to Persephone and Richard I. Ashe! Many happies.
To new Member David, sidelined with some flavor of the Invidious Ick, feel better. Been there myself, laryngitis and voice fried out, HATED it.
To Miz Jessica, Bother Gavin, Jeanette A, Christina, Arianne, Sara and you other low-profilers. Stick your heads in, we miss ya! But hope that you're still singing in the meantime. Here's to hoping that life cuts you a little room.
Congrats and "wish you wuz dere" to Sister Daya-li, who scored a decent run of theatre work for about a month starting this past week; but will keep her away from us for the duration. We'll miss you and do good out there! Break some legs.
Next up is the Second Recording Session for the 5th Anniversary Project on May 9, followed by Ali and Robert's handfasting on May 16. Remember, you didn't have to be in the first session to sing in the second, just start turning up for rehearsals. Oh, and know your stuff, but I hope that goes without saying.
For those interestred in Japanese tradition, SOH DAIKO, NY Area Taiko drum troupe will be performing:
Saturday May 1, 1pm
Sakura Matsuri / Cherry Blossom Festival
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Brooklyn, NY 718 623-3610Sunday May 2, 3:30pm
Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival
Union Square Park
18th Street & Braoadway, NYC 212 989-1300Find out more more about SOH DAIKO at:
http://www.techedgeradio.com/sohdaiko/
FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY PROJECT SESSION TWO
FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY RECORDING PROJECT
Second Session: SUNDAY, MAY 9, 1999, 1:00-5:00pm
Note: Rescheduled from April 25Musical Theatre Works Studios, Studio #3A, 212 677-0040
440 Lafayette Street, NYC, S. of Astor Place, opposite The Public Theatre
We will have access to the space at 12 noon to set-up. You may arrive early to warm-up, practice, help-out, etc. There will be a "working" break. Bring whatever you think you'll need. Please bring your songbooks!Contact us for further information. Note: Chorus Members need not have participated in the first recording session to participate in the project. Returning Members, make every effort to attend rehearsals prior to the session.
We are considering using May 23rd for a possible Third Session. Plese hold the date. (see below)
Based on what we've laid down so far, we're hoping to try to get some of the following down in this session. We're advised to save any overdubs, fixes and additional tracks for the third session. Please bone up on the following.
Thunder Beings
Grandmother's Dreamtime
Spider Woman
To The Ocean Mother (Shamanic Journey Medley)
Four Nations Song
Sioux Honor Song
Vocal Exercise (Zeus, A God)While we were re-scheduling May 9th, I had floated the idea in semi-jest, that we do May 23rd also. It may have been a joke, but not ONE Chorus Member has objected! All sorts of good reasons were pointed out to me why we SHOULD try it, the most telling is that the Northeast festival season starts up the very next weekend and the already difficult complexities of scheduling will more or less double.
So we're actiually considering it, subject to the usual schedule clearances. With Alexandria and Robert's Handfasting on the in-between week, it makes a busy, if fun, month for us. Gory details below. See the Schedule page for the works. Keep practicing!
FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY RECORDING PROJECT(Proposed)
Third Session, SUNDAY, MAY 23
This is a proposed possible date for the third and probably final recording session. Still tentative as of 4/25/99.There are real advantages to getting this done before the Festival Season starts on Memorial Day Weekend. If this works out for our people, we're going for it! Otherwise we're into June and scheduling becomes a bear! We'll see how this works out.
Chorus Members to Handfast
Two of our younger Members have chosen to make a serious commitment to each other and be handfasted among their two circles of Spirit, The Grove at Enchantments and the Chorus. We will providing choral support for the ritual. Dress nice and comb your hair.
ALEXANDRIA & ROBERT'S HANDFASTING
SUNDAY, MAY 16Courtyard at Enchantments, 341 East 9th Street, NYC
Four Winds to provide Choral Support fo the ritual. Contact us for more detailed information.For Members who wish to participate, the ritual is still being tweaked, but we're fairly sure of the songs that will be included. We did manage to convince Joe and the Young'ins not to include Zombie Jamboree in the ritual! We'll just save it for the reception...
Let The Way Be Open (Formal Entry Vresion)
Coyote Song
Bear Song
Buffalo Song
Eagle Song
Hymn To Bridget
Lord of the Dance
Gifts To Each Other
Gaia, Carry Us Home/We Are One With The Soul of The Earth
Ocean Mother
Spirit of The Wind
Barge of Heaven
The Dagda's Club
Chi Mi Ne Morbheanna (Ballad Version)Even if you're not cuirrently Active, you are still very welcome to come and show your support for the kids and add your voices to the ritual circle. Bright blessings to them both. Let's make this a joyus day! Wi cho sa'ne wi oki. Health and Happiness!
STUFF ON THE HORIZON
We have other projects, gigs and events in the pipeline that weĠre working towards manifesting. A JesterĠs Concert, A Full Moon, African Unity Day, Workshops, Bardics. The core Membership in very aware that weĠre a lot healthier when we have goals to work towards.
FULL MOON RITUAL FOR NEW MOON NEW YORK
MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1999, 7:00pm
The Lesbian & Gay Community Center
Annex Space, Little West 12th Steet & Hudson Street, New York CityWe were finally able to connect with Network for Realization of The Goddess and volunteer to provide the June Full Moon Ritual on Monday, June 28th. More information on the April 6th News page. WeĠre looking forward to this!
Jesters, Fools and Coyote
We are still looking to schedule would have been Giveaway IV: Jesters, Fools and Coyote, would have been a performance for PGC scheduled near to April Fools Day, a date near and dear to my heart at least. This will probably be replanned as a Open Bardic Circle, which was the original idea as proposed by Assistant Choral Director Athena. As our schedule is starting to pile up, we're looking for a place to wedge this in.African Unity Day 1999
With everything else going on we haven't had time to organize this past the "hold the date" stage. But we're looking forward to theis event. This will be a very public outdoor festival even planned for all-day Sunday, July 18, 1999. We are honored to support the movment for political, cultural and economic unity in Africa, birthplace of the drum!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 weĠre 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
