Oct 1, Nov 5, Dec 3: Dances of Universal Peace/Sufi Dancing @ Friends Meetinghouse, St. Paul

We're dancing and singing again!  And we're at the Friends Meetinghouse in St. Paul too!

Join us!

What:  Dances of Universal Peace  (what's this?)

When:  1st Sunday of the month, 6:30-8:45 p.m.

Where:  Twin Cities Friends Meetinghouse, 1725 Grand Ave, St. Paul

(here's an image of the building we're dancing in from a past event)

Sept 28: Opening Sing for "Justice Unbound: Building Race and Class Solidarity"

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Setlist for Sept 15 Songs In Our Bodies On This Land @ Hidden Falls

Here are the songs we sang at Songs In Our Bodies On This Land at Hidden Falls on Friday night, September 15, 2023, in no particular order.  (If you remember others, please let us know ... Conie wasn't tracking very well)

• I did not come here alone (The Peace Poets)
• River Flows** (Earth Practice Music)
• Armor (Ahlay Blakely)
• Put Your Roots Down (Molly Hartwell)
• Every step toward joy (words: Andre Henry; music: Liz Digitale Anderson)
• Welcome to the table/zoom call/fire! (clb)
• Move On (Karly Loveling) - led by Olivia
• Redemption Song (Bob Marley) - led by Shari
• Shruti improvisation*

* This was not recorded.

** This song isn't online yet. We'll let you know when they are! (Or let us know if you find it first!)

Thank you to the crew who sang with us! The right people were there, tenderness and support were shared. Community was tended. This is part of the dream Liz and Conie are working towards!

It takes more than desire to keep this BIPOC song circle going. Your contributions, energetic, trades, and financial, are welcome and needed! If you missed the big blue-green tip jar by the door, contributions can be sent through Paypal or Venmo or a check can be mailed to P.O. Box 11791, St. Paul, MN 55111.

The next Songs in Our Bodies On this Land is Friday, October 6 down by the Misi-ziibi River at Hidden Falls Park. Bring friends!  We're scheming about what happens after this. Let us know if you have opinions for days/times of the week and/or location, inside or outside!

Keep singing and stay cool, hydrated and creative!

Love, Liz and Conie, a.k.a. Good Trouble

Oct 28: 2 MMC Events in Chicago!

We're pleased to be leading a couple of Music that Makes Community events in Chicago this fall!  Join us if you're in the area, or make a special trip into the Windy City!

#1 - Advent Worship Planning & More -- Facebook event

- When: Saturday, October 28 from 9 am to Noon

- Where: Bethany United Church of Christ (4250 N Paulina, Chicago)

Join fellow musicians, clergy, and lay leaders on Saturday, October 28 for a Half-Day Advent Worship Planning Workshop at Bethany United Church of Christ, Chicago. The time of singing and learning will be facilitated by Conie Borchardt from the Twin Cities, in collaboration with local MMC leaders.

We'll reflect on this expectant season of the liturgical year through songs that invite our communities into paperless, participatory expressions of praise and prayer. The final hour of the workshop will model creative approaches to Communion liturgy, using paperless practices to renew our experiences around the table.

REGISTRATION:
Registration fees are on a sliding scale, from $40 to $20 per person, which includes access to a song list and resource materials following the workshop. We ask you to pay what is generous and affordable for you, with gratitude for the time and skill of our presenters. Additional scholarship support is also available, if needed.

REGISTER HERE!

The workshop is supported by generous gifts from Bethany United Church of Christ, Chicago and First Congregational Church of Evanston.

#2 - Peace and Justice SING! -- Facebook event

- When:  Saturday, October 28 from 2 to 4 pm
- Where:  Borelli's Pizzeria (2124 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago)

Join Twin Cities song leader Conie Borchardt and singer/song-writer Charles Murphy for a Peace and Justice SING in Chicago on Saturday, October 28 from 2-4 pm.

When we sing, we connect with one another and with something larger than our individual selves. Join us for this uplifting experience of learning and collaboration, as we share songs that give voice to our collective yearnings for justice, freedom, and peace in our world. Bring a song to share and, by all means, bring friends who love to sing.

The event is free and open to all who love to sing, regardless of musical experience or training. Freewill donations are welcome and help support the work of Music that Makes Community.

Sept 13 & 14: Ian Carrick in the Twin Cities!

We are so excited that Ian Carrick will be in the Twin Cities for TWO events this week!  Please check your calendar for both and join us!  

#1 - Community Singing With Ian

When:  Wednesday, Sept 13, 6:30-8p. 

Where:  Wolff Park, St. Louis Park.  We will be singing at the WEST shelter (by the playground). 

Please bring a blanket or chair for sitting.

Suggested donation $5-20
33% of donations will go to the Division of Indian Work
No one turned away for lack of funds
https://www.diw-mn.org/

Ian Carrick is a Celtic & Nordic heritage musician & song-leader from Bend, OR, the land of the Paiute. As a founding member of Central Oregon’s Open Hub Singing, he loves helping adults and children sing together well. His community-style songs are fresh and crunchy, wild and witty and his circles tend to invoke tears and laughter. Watch and listen by clicking these links.

• https://www.iancarrick.net/songleading
• https://iancarrick.bandcamp.com/album/holding-song

At his best, Ian uses an awareness of his privileges as a white cis-man to instill hope, belonging and embodiment into a deeply troubled culture. Ian’s music is inspired by his recovery journey and his ongoing work with children, whose voices are featured on his first family-oriented album, Earthlings, available on all streaming services.

#2 - Earthlings: Music With Kids! Backyard Family Concert with Ian Carrick

When:  Thursday, Sept 14, 5-6:30p

Where:  So. Mpls backyard.  Reach out for address.

Join us in our backyard for an afternoon of family music with Ian Carrick! 

Ian Carrick (he/him) is a songleader, music teacher, and bard from Bend, OR, the land of the Paiute. He loves seeing groups of kids realize they are enjoying singing. Using goofiness, instrumental chops, and a conviction that singing matters, Ian brings music out of youngsters. Ultimately, his dream is to inspire kids to be contributors to a thriving, responsive, in-person musical culture.

Ian created a folksy family-oriented album, Earthlings, to build deeper relationships with ourselves, each other and the earth. The sing-alongable tunes are streaming on Spotify, Apple Music and everywhere else.

This evening will be co-created! Depending on the ages in the room and the flavor of the evening, we may go in a handful of different directions, so please bring curiosity, creativity, and courage! We’ll all hopefully leave a little lighter on our feet and more settled into ourselves.

Suggested donation $5-20 || No one turned away for lack of funds
Learn more at iancarrick.net

Sept 15 & Oct 6: Songs in Our Bodies, On this Land - TC BIPOC + Mixed Race Version

We'd like to welcome People of the Global Majority (Black, Brown, Indigenous, People of Color, and Mixed Race) to these song circles outdoors at Hidden Falls Park.

September 15th and October 6th.
We'll gather at 6 pm to picnic and start singing at 7 pm.

Led by GOOD TROUBLE, Conie Borchardt and Liz Digitale Anderson, mixed race song leaders. (Pictured here with Ihotu Ali, where we create Soul Song)

We teach songs for joy, courage, grief, hope, and justice in the oral tradition, call and echo. You don't need to "be a singer" or "know what you're doing", you just gotta be willing to breathe and open your mouth and echo back. Maybe even move your hips if you're feeling it

***If you come all the way down the drive and park in the end of the parking lot by the river, we'll be under the trees there nearish to the picnic tables. Maybe we'll go down and say hello to the river and put our feet in if we feel the need.****

Photo by Mankwe Ndosi: Preparing the Unburdening Ground, Say Their Names Cemetery at George Floyd Square, Minneapolis

Setlist from August 25 Songs for Tending our Hearts @ Yess Yoga

Here are the songs we sang at Songs for Tending Our Hearts at Yess Yoga on Friday night, August 25, 2023:

1. The Center Will Hold (text: Brene Brown, from Atlas of the Heart; music: clb)
2. Do You Feel? Do You Heal? (Words: Spirit; Music: Liz)
3. Welcome here (Rachael Weasley)
4. It’s ok, if you’re not ok (Kira Seto)
5. How many times will my heart be broken* (Liza Walker?**)
6. Love from the Inside Out (Moon Clemetson)
7. Armor (Ahlay Blakely)
8. Oh Grief, Oh Joy! (Debbie Nargi-Brown)

* We're looking for an online recording! If you know of one, please drop the link in the comments!

** If you know who caught this song, please let us know!  We honor the catcher when we can!

We are grateful to you if sang with us and to Yess Yoga for hosting.

There is one more quarterly Songs To Tend Our Hearts at Yess on Friday, November 17, 2023. Jot that in your calendar now and then check back here or subscribe to the "In-person singing groups" newsletter to receive a reminder email about this and other opportunities to sing together. Or just check-in with Yess Yoga's website.

Keep singing and stay cool, graceful, and creative!

Love, Liz and Conie, a.k.a. GOOD TROUBLE

Aug 28: Aimee Ringle & Samara Jade in Mpls

 

We are so delighted that singer-songwriters and community song leaders Aimee Ringle & Samara Jade will be visiting Minneapolis next week!  We love sharing Samara Jade's labyrinth song "The Journey to the Center" and adore Aimee's presence at Village Fire. 

So if you're in the Minnesota/Twin Cities metro area, come on out!  If you're elsewhere, check out their website and sign up for their newsletter to see if they're coming to a locale near you.

What:  Community Sing & Concert with Aimee Ringle & Samara Jade

When:  Monday, August 28, 6-8 p.m.

Where:  Fireside Room of Mayflower Congregational Church, 106 Diamond Lake Rd, Minneapolis

Sliding Scale:  $15-20, pay as generous and affordable for you; no one turned away

Check out the Facebook event to learn more about them:  https://fb.me/e/BAXmJeoG

Fall 2023 Heart Songs Dates: biweekly resumes Sept 11!

What: Heart Songs: Lament, Longing, & Love (an online community space for you to bring your heart and your voice)

When: 6:30-8p CDT (05-UTC until Daylight Savings Time ends)

Dates for Fall 2023:  

• September 11, 25
• October 9, 23
• November 6, 20
• December 4, 18

Where: Online: https://zoom.us/j/431161455 (see call-in options below)

Gather for an informal singing time to re-center our hearts in community. Simple songs will be led paperlessly/taught by ear by Conie Borchardt, other song leaders, and you, if you have a song to share.

Join us. Bring friends. (Signup for the email reminder here; select Heart Songs)

Songs will be about the human experience and in that way, spiritual in nature, but not specifically religious.

This is a space intended for self-care, however that shifts for you in every moment. Bring water. Come and go. Sit in a chair, lie on the floor, or stand as you need to.

Aug 25: Songs for Tending Our Hearts

 

Date: Friday, August 25, 2023
Time: 7:30-9 pm
Location: Yess Yoga, 105 E 26th St, Minneapolis (map)
Sliding Scale: $5-$20
Register here

Facebook

When it feels like the world is falling apart, singing in community together heals and centers us—we’re not alone.

Our culture desperately needs spaces where it is safe to feel your sorrow and the weight of the weary world. Come sing through the small and large griefs in your life and give them space to breathe and heal.

Song leaders Conie Borchardt and Liz Digitale Anderson (aka

GOOD TROUBLE) hold care-filled circles for you to find freedom in your voice, de-stress your nervous system, and move your body.

Every voice is welcome! We teach all the songs call and response- just open your mouth and echo back. We’ll sing songs to ground you, heal you, and help you breathe in the days to come.

Pre-register + pay what you can here: https://www.yessyogastudio.com/yoga-workshops/
$5-$20 sliding scale (No one turned away for lack of funds; we want you there!) You can also pay on the door.

**Notes:

• Masks optional
• Parking can be kind of tight around this block - leave yourself some extra time to find a spot!
• As we're in a yoga studio, we ask people to leave their shoes at the entrance to keep the studio clean. If you want to bring a clean pair of indoor shoes to support your feet that's fine. Thank you!*

Future dates: Friday, November 17, 2023.

Setlist for Jul 28 Songs In Your Body, On This Land

Here are the songs we sang at the Songs in Your Body, On this Land Community Sing hosted by 7400 Woodlawn Center for Community, Arts, and Spirituality at Greenlake Park on Thursday night, July 27, 2023:

1. Forget Your Perfect Offering (words: Leonard Cohen/music: unknown)
2. May This Body Be a Bridge (Te Martin)
3. I did not come here alone (The Peace Poets)
4. Stop outsourcing your self-worth* (Liz Digitale Anderson, based on a quote by Logan Ury on the We Can Do Hard Things podcast)
5. I will believe the truth about myself (Macrina Wiederkehr/Velma Frye)
6. Trees Grow Slow (Laurence Cole)
7. We Are Weaving Our Lives (Alexis Sunshine Rose) - led by Annie & Linnea, Mpls
8. The Future is Calling (Sarina Partridge) - led by Patti Powell, from Vancouver, BC
9. Gopala** (words & music: traditional/movements: Qibla Veda Rama)
10. Cultivate Courage* (words: Casper ter Kuile; music: Liz Digitale Anderson)
11. Healing is Possible (Orion Johnstone)
12. We get there together (Or never get there at all) (Josh Blaine)

* Liz doesn't have these songs online yet. We'll let you know when they are!

** We haven't found an online recording of this song.  If you have found one, please let us know!

Thank you to the group who came to sing with us! You came from near and far, planned and unplanned.  Joy and sensitivity, conviction and healing were shared and we hope strands of connections were braided together.  

I know a few of you took pictures.  We would love to see them if you're ok with that!  If you're ok with public sharing, please post them to the facebook event.  If not, send them to listening@pointsoflightmusic.net instead.

So much gratitude to Cara and Harriet from 7400 Woodlawn, Center for Community, Arts, and Spirituality for inviting and hosting us so beautifully!

Setlist for Jul 3 Song Circle for Change

Here are the songs we sang at the Song Circle for Change: Healing & Liberation at CTUL on Monday night, July 3, 2023:

1. I did not come here alone (The Peace Poets)
2. Ready (Alexandra "Ahlay" Blakely)
3. It's Over Now (Kirk Franklin) - led by SooJin
4. Carrying Water (Samara Jade)
5. improvisation* based on andrienne maree brown's IG post on "despite devastation, creativity"
6. Stop outsourcing your self-worth** (Liz Digitale Anderson, based on a quote by Logan Ury on the We Can Do Hard Things podcast)
7. The journey to the center of my soul (Samara Jade)
8. We were made for these times (Clarissa Pinkola Estes/Linda Noonan)
9. Oh, I’m free, free, free (Melanie DeMore) 

* This was not recorded.

** Liz and Sarah don't have these songs online yet. We'll let you know when they are!

Here are bonus links to other things we talked about:

• Abigail Bengson, of the musical songwriting & theater making duo The Bengsons, with andrienne maree brown on the podcast, How to Survive the End of the World talking about the "flowsongs" that come through them.  
• Other Bengsons songs we would recommend:  
• The (abbreviated) Keep Going Song with hand dance by Sarah Goeke & Travis Staton-Marrero (Conie's first introduction), 
• the full length The Keep Going Song, 
• Hope Comes
• Highly recommend following The Bengsons on IG@thebengsons or supporting their Patreon if cash is not an issue.  

Thank you to the crew who sang with us!

Setlist from "Exercising Our Voices & Bodies Toward Liberation" from Let's Get Free (7/1/23)

Greetings!

If you're reading this you might have attended the "Exercising Our Voices & Bodies Toward Liberation: Call & Response Community Singing & Theater of the Oppressed" workshop at the Saturday, July 1, Let's Get Free Together series of Education for Liberation MN in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Here is a list of songs we sang with links to online recordings and related resources.

Songs

• I did not come here alone (The Peace Poets)
• Welcome to the chaos (clb) - the link is to the original.  We substituted "chaos" for 'table' and "be free" for 'to the feast'.
• Which Side Are you On/We're on the Freedom Side (Florence Reece, 1931) - be sure to watch the whole 8 minute video to hear both the original version and the BLM update with "We're on the freedom side" response (c. 5:00). More videos of Pete Seeger, Ani DiFranco.
• Healing is Possible (Orion Johnstone)
• Our Liberation (Peace Poets) - studio version featuring Carami Hilaire

Resources

• Theater of the Oppressed (Augusto Boal) - read a succinct summary on Center for Applied Theater's website
• We Rise: A Movement Songbook, compiled by the Poor People's Campaign.  
• Full Voice: Five Elements of the Voice - the opening vocal exploration with the shruti box (shrutibox.com) is based on this work.  

Please be in touch if you would like to have Good Trouble lead a workshop like this for your community or if you have questions or comments from our time together!

Jul 6 & 7: Ahlay Blakely in Mpls

We are so delighted that song and grief tender Ahlay Blakely will be visiting Minneapolis next week!  You may recognize their name from songs we have shared.  Their One Body song ("I don't know if we're meant to carry ...") is definitely the top song we learned and shared last year. 

So if you're in the Minnesota/Twin Cities metro area, come on out!  If you're elsewhere, check out their website and sign up for their newsletter to see if they're coming to a locale near you.

What:  Song Circle with song + grief tender Alexandra "ahlay" Blakely

When:  Thursday, July 6 & Friday, July 7, 6-8:30 p.m.

Where:  Anam Cara House backyard, 3612 Bloomington Ave, Minneapolis

Sliding Scale:  $22-66, no one turned away

Register here for Thursday, 7/6 and for Friday, 7/7

Facebook event here:  https://fb.me/e/etG6rskzH

More about Ahlay:  https://www.healingattheroots.com/

p.s. As you look at Ahlay's website, you'll notice information about the Wails: Songs for Grief Project, a community singing recording project in Washington state at the end of July.  Good Trouble, Liz and Conie, will be there!  We are looking forward to the experience and bringing it back and sharing it with others.

MN RUX, Year 2

There's too much to say and not enough time to say it, so sharing other folks' posts will have to do for now ... 

Awarded: MRAC Arts Impact for Individuals: DUP in Greater MN

 

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BnR highlighted in Everyday Advocates

 

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A post shared by Conie Borchardt (@pointsoflight_mu)

Jul 1: Exercising Our Voices & Bodies Toward Liberation @ Education for Liberation

What:  Exercising Our Voices & Bodies Toward Liberation: Call & Response Community Singing and Theater of the Oppressed workshop

When:  Saturday, July 1, 2023, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Where:  Black Youth Healing Arts, St. Paul

Description:  Good Trouble is leading a session for Education for Liberation's Let's Get Free series.  Be sure to checkout all the other offerings!

Register:  https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/lets-get-free-july-a-workshop-series-2233069

Here's an overview of all the Let's Get Free Saturdays:

Jul 27: Community Sing in Seattle - Songs for Your Body, On This Land

What:  A Community Sing in Seattle!  

Theme:  Songs For Your Body, On This Land

When:  Thursday, July 27, 2023

• 5p - Bring Your Own Picnic!
• 6-7:30p - SING!

Where:  Greenlake Park, Seattle, WA (see red pin on map for picnic & singing location, near Green Lake Boat Rental)  

Partners:  7400 Woodlawn Center for Community, Arts & Spirituality, Music that Makes Community, Good Trouble Songleading duo

Description:  

• Good Trouble, songleaders Conie Borchardt and Liz Digitale Anderson, will lead us!
• The registration fee is $5 - 20, but no one will be turned away.
• Register here, and use the COMMUNITY SING REGISTRATION in the drop down menu.
• In case of inclement weather, check back at our website - 7400Woodlawn.org/Events for location update.
• If you have questions, contact Harriet Platts at info@7400Woodlawn.org. 

More info and to register:  https://www.7400woodlawn.org/events

Aug 18: Abwoon Session at the Parliament of World Religions

What: Abwoon:  Singing & Embodying the Prayer of Jesus in Aramaic at the Parliament of World Religions

When:  Friday, August 18, 2023, 1-2:30 p.m. 

Where:  McCormick Place, Chicago

Description:  

This religious observance offers an experience of chanting, moving, and meditating with the Aramaic Prayer of Jesus (the “Lord’s Prayer”). Using Aramaic (either aloud or silent) offers a direct connection through vibration, sound, and breath to the spirituality of the person who used the words, as well as to the indigenous Christianity of the Middle East. All are welcome to join in the singing and the movement prayers. Facilitators welcome further questions and comments after the observance is complete. 

Partners:  Bro. Joe Kilikevice, Steve Miller

For more information on the ...

• Parliament of World Religions, visit https://parliamentofreligions.org/2023-program/
• Neil Douglas Klotz' songs and dances for the Aramaic Jesus, visit https://abwoon.org/
• Brother Joe Kilikevice's Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality, visit https://shemcenter.org/

Setlists for 2023 MN Conference Annual Meeting

Greetings!

If you're reading this you probably attended Protecting God's Gift of Creation, the MN Conference UCC Annual Meeting Friday and Saturday, June 9-10, 2023 in St. Joseph, Minnesota.

Many of you have asked about the songs we sang and even expressed curiosity about the paperless song sharing skills to deliver some of the songs.  Here is a list of songs we sang with links to online recordings and related resources.   

Please be in touch if you have questions or comments about anything from our time together!  

Friday Morning Opening Worship

• Called by Earth and Sky* (Pat Mayberry)
• Gathered Here**, NCH 742 (Phil Porter)
• A Better Place* (Bryan Sirchio)
• Waiting for You* (The Many)
• Is This How the World Ends?* (The Many)

Friday Evening Banquet Worship

• Again and Again* (The Many)
• Peace, Be Still**, in Singing Our Prayer from Augsburg Fortress ((c) 2009 Steven Iverson)
• Forgive Us* (The Many)
• Healing is Possible** (Orion Johnstone)
• Speak in Gratitude** (words: Nathan Holst/tune: Ba Ba Black Sheep)

Saturday Closing Worship

• Waiting for You* (The Many)
• For the Beauty of the Earth, NCH 28
• Called By Earth and Sky* (Pat Mayberry)
• Of the Earth* (The Many)
• Sweet, Sweet Earth (Nathan Holst)
• Doxology, NCH 778
• Surrounded By Love* (Mark Miller)
• Manna, Manna*** (Nathan Holst)
• Hawvlan lachma d'sunqanan yaomana** (Neil Douglas-Klotz) - this is the 5th line of the Aramaic Jesus Prayer "Give us this day our daily bread (and insight)." For more  information, visit https://abwoon.org/the-aramaic-jesus/.
• A Better Place* (Bryan Sirchio)

Other Songs

• Cultivate Courage** (words: Casper ter Kuile; music: Liz Digitale Anderson***)
• Holding Song** (Ian Carrick)

* From Convergence Music Project.  See more detail below.

** Taught with paperless songleading skills from Music that Makes Community.  See more below.

*** No online recording available yet!  We'll edit the post when one becomes available.  Let us know in the comments if you find one first!

Resources 

• 
  Music that Makes Community (MMC), https://www.musicthatmakescommunity.org/, practices communal song-sharing that inspires deep spiritual connection, brave shared leadership, and sparks the possibility of transformation in our world.  Workshops in Winona and Chicago are in the works soon!  Sign up for MMC's newsletter to get the latest details on upcoming workshops.
• Convergence Music Project, https://www.convergencemp.com/.  Here's a little video about their online catalog:

 

Setlist from June 5 - Song Circle for Change

Here are the songs we sang at the Song Circle for Change: Healing & Liberation at CTUL on Monday night, June 5, 2023:

1. Lean into the River* (unknown)
2. Loosen, Loosen (Aly Halpert)
3. I did not come here alone (The Peace Poets)
4. Holding Song (Ian Carrick)
5. Be the light (Lea Morris; inspired by Amanda Gorman’s poem “The Hill We Climb”)
6. I am Blessed (Desiree Dawson)
7. Cultivate Courage** (Casper ter Kuile/Liz Digitale Anderson)
8. The Way Knows the Way (Lyndsey Scott)
9. We get there together (Or never get there at all) (Josh Blaine)
10. Every step toward joy (words: Andre Henry; music: Liz Digitale Anderson)

* No known recording!(  Let us know if you find one in the comments!

** Liz and Sarah don't have these songs online yet. We'll let you know when they are!

Thank you to the crew who sang with us! The right people were there, tenderness and support were shared. Community was tended. This is part of the dream Liz and Conie are working towards!

Big gratitude to CTUL for hosting us!

We'll be back on July 3, the first Monday of the month. We'll take August off and figure out next steps. Let us know if you have opinions!

Keep singing and stay warm, hydrated, and creative!

Love, Liz and Conie, a.k.a. Good Trouble