|
Dear Friends,
Happy International May Day, May 1. It actually started with an American laborers' fight for a shorter work day, but the U.S. does not officially recognize International Labor Day. Thankfully, it seems that this year, labor is on the rise, with new unions forming. Calls for increase in the minimum wage may also finally be on the horizon.
The tradition of folk music calling for the rights of workers has a long tradition. Here is Pete Seeger performing "Which Side Are You On?" and, our friend, Joe Jencks, singing his original tribute to the activism of Pete Seeger and others.
| |
|
May Day is also the pagan festival of Beltane. Associated with fertility, the day is a time to celebrate spring and the coming of summer with bonfires, maypoles and dancing.
Halcyon Arts celebrates creative energy and the diversity of life and works for peace and understanding by presenting music and spirituality from around the world. There is enough prejudice and oppression in our world often springing from ignorance. Exposure to the sounds and the spirit as they are expressed across the the globe may well go some distance in opening hearts and minds. Besides, we take great joy in offering these programs and hope you might join us.
Here is the music coming soon to Amherst, MA with tickets available now:
And we offer a residential workshop/retreat, in Chesterfield, NH, coming in June for those musical contemplatives who want to deepen and expand their practice:
An Indian culture and movie night is coming in July:
And in world spirituality, our groups take the journeys and explore the ideas and practices that transform hearts and minds:
And here is what is being planned further into the future for those who wish to look ahead:
-
Áine Minogue, Irish harp & vocals, Saturday, September 17 at 7:30 pm,
-
North Sea Gas, The Best of Scotland, on Saturday, October 1 at 7:30 pm in Brattleboro, and
-
Spiritual Texts, an online group exploring world spirituality, nine sessions, the first Sunday each month beginning October 2 at 7:00 pm.
Join Us!
Beau
| |
|
April Verch & Cody Walters
Fiddle, Dance, Banjo and Song from the Ottawa Valley to the Hills of Appalachia
Sunday, May 22 at 3:00 pm
Combining their unique backgrounds from Verch’s native Ottawa Valley and Walters’ heartland roots in Kansas, their music showcases endless creativity and versatility—transitioning effortlessly from traditional Ottawa Valley step dancing and fiddle tunes, to old-time fiddle-banjo duets with tight-knit vocal harmonies, to innovative sandpaper foot percussion, all contrasted against Verch’s sweet soprano voice.
| |
|
HarpBeat
a percussion/harp duo
Friday, June 24 at 7:30 pm
The collaborative creation of percussionist Fabio Pirozzolo and harpist Shelley Otis, HarpBeat's music blends the soft sounds of the lever harp with the lively rhythms created by hand percussion. The Peruvian cajon, the African djembe and the Southern Italian tamburello find their home in the sweet and haunting sound of the harp. Shelley performs with the Celtic band Ulster Landing. Fabio performs any genre of music from jazz to world music to rock.
| |
|
Sounds of Transformation
June 17-19 Retreat
with Ruth Cunningham
This retreat will introduce practices of humming, toning chanting, mantras and simple improvisation. Tools that can be used in creating a daily sound practice to continue after the workshop. We will explore new ways of experiencing music and how to use music and sound more effectively in daily life. In addition to sound the group makes together, Ruth will be creating live music using voice, medieval harp and flute created specifically for the group of people gathered.
| |
|
Indian Film, Food,
and Handicrafts
Featuring the 1957 Film Pyaasa
Curated by Vidhi Salla
Saturday, July 9 at 7:00 pm
This curated cultural event aims to provide audiences with wholesome entertainment and exposure to authentic world culture. There will be a well-researched introduction explaining the film's background and historical context. And this is also a broader cultural event, a bazaar of sorts, and will include handicrafts and Indian food. Vidhi Salla is a cultural arts curator, radio show host, emcee and voiceover artist.
| |
Become a Sustainer of Halcyon Arts | |
|
Bringing the world of music and spirituality to New England through online and live, in-person events is a labor of love. However, while our love of world music and world spirituality takes us a long way, it needs to be expressed in financial support in order to sustain our programs. Please join us in making a monthly, sustaining donation. And thank you!
| | | | |
