Upcoming Visiting Songleaders: Shireen + Ahlay

We are so excited that two fantastic song leaders are traveling through the Twin Cities soon! Check out the details below and make plans to join us in singing with them.

Shireen Amini is in Minneapolis, May 9 & 10!  A fantastic musician, healer, song leader and incredible non-binary (pronouns: she/her/elle) human of Puerto Rican-Iranian heritage, Shireen Amini will be holding a Drum Song workshop on Thursday night and a Community Song Circle on Friday night.  Come for both if you can!  I had the opportunity to participate in her virtual Drum Song series and it was sooooo good online; this will be amazing! 

Drum Song Workshop with Shireen Amini

Thursday, May 9, 5:30-8 p.m.

Center for Performing Arts, 

38th & Pleasant, Mpls

Register here.

Community Song Circle with Shireen Amini

Friday, May 10, 6:30-9 p.m.
New City/Walker Church, 3104 16th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407, USA
Register here.

Ahlay Blakely is back in town in July!  

Mark your calendar for July 22 & 23 and check back for more details as it gets closer!

Setlist from April 19 Songs In Your Body On This Land @ The Beautiful Studio

Here are the songs we sang at the BIPOC+Mixed Race song circle, Songs In Our Bodies On This Land at the inclement weather location of The Beautiful Studio in the Dow Building on University Ave on Friday night, April 19, 2024 with links to online recordings for your at-home remembering pleasure.

1. Comfort* (Heather Wilson)
2. River Water Flows* (Earth Practice)
3. Let Go and Move (words: Candance Butler/music: Velma Frye)
4. One by One (Michael Stillwater)
5. One Body (Ahlay Blakely)
6. Holding Song (Ian Carrick)
7. We breath together / Stop the occupation (adrienne maree brown) plus harmonies and Ceasefire refrain by Rise Choir Collective
8. The Cure for the Pain (text inspired by Rumi; tune: Yam)
9. It’s not yours to carry anymore* (Liz Digitale Anderson)
10. PLZ PLZ Universal Soul (Lyndsey Scott)
11. The Way Knows the Way (Lyndsey Scott)

* no online recording available. If you discover one, please let us know in the comments!

Here are some of the Resources we promised to share: 

• 
  The World Wide Labyrinth Locator - an online resource to find labyrinths near you and around the world that are in public and private places.  
• My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem - Book recommended by Pauline.
• About the Card Decks: Having a tangible tool to sit with and reflect our feelings back to us helps us slow down, process, and make space for emotional work and intentions we otherwise tend to ignore. In April we spread out the Rest Deck by Tricia Hersey and the Earthcraft Oracle Deck (Hay House).  
• Instruments we use: 
• CajonTab by Louson Drum - Conie has a 12" CajonTab; Liz has one of the Pro series. Get to know a bit of the cajon's musical history here. Use Liz's affiliate link to get 10% off!
• Shruti Box, literally "sound" or "singing" in ancient Sankrit, replicates the sound of the Tambura, an East Asian Indian drone instrument. Part of the family of drone instruments that show up in many cultures, related to bagpipes and harmoniums. Conie's instrument is from Shrutibox.com run by Ron Kravitz of https://www.musicinthemoment.com/ in Philadelphia, PA.

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

And many apologies to you if you didn't hear about the location change until too late.  We don't make a decision to change details of an event lightly and believe we made the right decision considering the wind and coolness.  

Many thanks to Michael G for lending us the cozy Beautiful Studio for us!

  
It takes more than desire to keep this BIPOC song circle going. Your contributions, energetic, trades, and financial, a0re welcome and needed! If you missed the big blue-green tip jar, 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 BIPOC+Mixed Race Song Circle will be a special one!  On Friday, May 10, 2024 we are directing everyone to join us in singing with guest songleader Shireen Amini, an amazing Puerto Rican-Iranian musician and non-binary human (she/her/elle).  More details here for Friday night's song circle and Thursday night's Drum Song class!  After that, we'll should be at the river on Friday, June 21, around the summer solstice!  Stay tuned here or signup for the "Soul Songs BIPOC/Mixed Singing Space" list here.

Keep singing and stay warm, hydrated and creative!

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

May 2: Retrain Your Lizard Brain: Somatic Singing for Trauma & Resilience

What: Train Your Lizard Brain: Somatic Singing for Trauma Awareness + Resilience

When: Thursday, May 2, 2024, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Walker/New City Church, 

3104 16th Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55407 (map)

With: Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute and GOOD TROUBLE

REGISTER HERE:  Eventbrite

Facebook event page: https://fb.me/e/wDVOicsyt

How do we find our way through personal, cultural, and systemic trauma towards resilience? Our culture is honestly pretty terrible at having community rhythms to process this and tools to live towards growth. Singing and somatic practice are one container offering a space to practice working through our grief, pain, and conflict towards finding joy, courage and connection.

Inspired by the STAR* training, you’re invited to a monthly community song circle of simple songs, taught call and echo, and somatic practices to check in with how our bodies are processing. You don’t need to “be a singer” - we’re not singing to perform; we sing because it changes us.

What to Bring:
To make the most of our time together, please remember to bring the following items:

• Water to stay hydrated throughout the event
• Clothes that are suitable for easy movement
• Yoga mats, pillows, and blankets for your comfort during somatic practices
• A journal and pen for any reflections or insights you may wish to jot down

COVID-19 Precautions:

Apr 19: Songs in Your Body On This Land (BIPOC-Mixed Races Song Circle)

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

When:  Friday, April 19, 2024, 6-8 p.m.

Where:  Hidden Falls Park, North Gate (down by the boat launch!) INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN UPDATE: BEAUTIFUL STUDIO.  See details below

Led by GOOD TROUBLE, aka Conie Borchardt and Liz Digitale Anderson. 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 and grab a shaker if you're feeling it...

We will be down by the river at Hidden Falls Regional Park-- take the main drive past the picnic area all the way down to the parking lot and we will be on the sand probably close to the boat loading dock (look for the SING HERE flag). We plan to have a bonfire and be outdoors even if it's cold, so layer up!
Feel free to bring snacks to share

>>>If it's raining, please check this event page for updates!
RAIN PLAN IF NEEDED:

We'll meet at The Beautiful Studio #214, 2242 University Ave West, St. Paul
(There is parking in the lot behind the building; you'll need to text us to get inside.)
**We will be requesting that folx mask up for the sake of collective community health if indoors. Thank you for understanding**

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

Apr 7: Voices for Climate

Doe Hoyer from the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery and I will be leading this sing circle for Mni'sota Interfaith Power and Light (MNIPL) this weekend.  Please join us in the west metro Sunday and for the upcoming sings around the state.

Voices for Climate Song Circle 

Sunday, April 7, 11 a.m.-12 noon

Valley Community Presbyterian Church

3100 Lilac Dr N, Golden Valley, MN

(map)

Register here to get updates!

Resources from Mar 29 Good Friday Public Grief Ritual

Friends,

If you're reading this, you might have attended the Good Friday Public Grief Ritual, a Christian-led, all welcome action to call for a ceasefire in Gaza on Friday, March 29 in St. Paul. It started at Christ Lutheran Church on Capitol Hill and then moved over to the State Capitol steps.  

We invited folks to sing and mourn in public together and engage in Good Friday themes of grief and repentance. The action was open to anyone, with a particular invitation to secular and practicing Christians to attend and face the role that Christians have played in supporting the violence we are witnessing in Palestine/Israel. We practiced public repentance for our complicity in Christian Zionism, Islamophobia, and for the history of Christian-led antisemitic violence during Holy Week. We grieved together and turned toward ongoing liberatory action. 

The script of the liturgy is here for those who want to read and continue to be moved by it.

Here is a list of the songs we sang with links to online recordings:

• One Body (Ahlay Blakely)
• Ceasefire (andrienne maree brown) and Rise Choir Collective's version
• Ceasefire Now (Sol Weiss)
• Kyrie Eleison, Bridget setting (John Bell of Iona Community) 
• Grief and Love (Sarina Partridge)
• Wailing Song* (Liz Digitale Anderson)
• Summons (text based on poem of same name by Aurora Levins Morale; music by Ahlay Blakely)
• Over/Under (Lyndsey Scott)

* This is not yet available online.  If you captured it at the ritual please let us know.  Send it to goodtrouble@pointsoflightmusic.net or tag @goodtroublesings on Instagram.

We introduced the Shruti Box, literally "sound" or "singing" in ancient Sankrit, which replicates the sound of the Tambura, an East Asian Indian drone instrument. Part of the family of drone instruments that show up in many cultures, related to bagpipes and harmoniums. Conie's instrument is from Shrutibox.com run by Ron Kravitz of https://www.musicinthemoment.com/ in Philadelphia, PA.

Thank you for coming out to repent for the sins of Chrisitanity and to grieve, bearing witness to the senseless deaths in Gaza right now.  Let's stay connected and continue to work together for liberation for all.  We are especially grateful for our collaborators in the Twin Cities Ceasefire Chorus, Mennonite Action MN, and other Christian leaders in pulling this ritual together.  

With you in love, grief, and justice, 

Conie and Liz, Good Trouble

Mar 29: Good Friday Public Grief Ritual

On Good Friday - 3/29 @ 5pm - join us for a public grief ritual calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

We will begin our ritual outside of Christ on Capitol Hill Lutheran Church at 105 University Ave W, St Paul. We will then walk 0.2 miles to the State Capitol.

This is a Christian-led action organized by the Twin Cities Ceasefire Choir, GOOD TROUBLE songleaders Liz Digitale Anderson and Conie Borchardt, Mennonite Action MN, and other Christian leaders. We will sing and mourn in public together and engage in Good Friday themes of grief and repentance.

This action is open to anyone, and we especially invite secular and practicing Christians to attend and to engage with the role that Christians have played in supporting Zionism and the violence we are witnessing in Palestine/Israel. We will engage in public repentance for our complicity in Christian Zionism, Islamophobia, and for the history of Christian-led antisemitic violence during Holy Week. We will grieve together and turn toward ongoing liberatory action. We hope to see you there!

RSVP via this form: bit.ly/GoodFridayRitual

Setlist for Mar 22 Songs for Tending Our Hearts

Friends,

Here are the songs we sang at Songs for Tending Our Hearts at Yess Yoga on Friday night, March 22, 2024:

1. Holding Song (Ian Carrick)
2. Do You Feel? Do You Heal? (Lu Aya Nephew, The Peace Poets + Deirdre Shabaaz)
3. The grief for what you’ve lost (Barbara McAfee)
4. Loosen, Loosen (Aly Halpert)
5. Comfort* (Heather Wilson)
6. We shall be known (Karisha Longaker/MaMuse) - teaching tracks from The Bird Sings website
7. We Rise/In Hope, In Prayer (Batya Levine)
8. Over/Under (Lyndsey Scott)

* An online audio or video recording has not been found.  Let us know if you find one in the comments!  

Some of you asked about the Resources we shared. Here's a short list...

• About the Card Decks: Having a tangible tool to sit with and reflect our feelings back to us helps us slow down, process, and make space for emotional work and intentions we otherwise tend to ignore. In March we spread out the Artist Grief Deck (https://griefdeck.com/) which was created by hospice workers during the pandemic
• Instruments we use: CajonTab by Louson Drum - Conie has a 12" CajonTab; Liz has one of the Pro series. Get to know a bit of the cajon's musical history here. Use Liz's affiliate link to get 10% off!
• Shruti Box, literally "sound" or "singing" in ancient Sankrit, replicates the sound of the Tambura, an East Asian Indian drone instrument. Part of the family of drone instruments that show up in many cultures, related to bagpipes and harmoniums. Conie's instrument is from Shrutibox.com run by Ron Kravitz of https://www.musicinthemoment.com/ in Philadelphia, PA
• Where else to sing in the Twin Cities? There's three places you can check! 
• Twin Cities Singing Circles (Facebook group)
  
• Perfection-Free Community Singing (Facebook group)
• AND this Google Doc of regular circles that Liz DA put together.

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

Bimonthly dates for this grief song circle at Yess Yoga have been scheduled for 2024. Pencil these dates into your calendar:

• May 24
• July 26
• Sept 20
• Nov 22

If you'd like reminders, sign up for the In-person Sings/Good Trouble mailing list here to get an email beforehand. Or just check the Yess Yoga's website.

Keep singing and stay warm, graceful, and creative!

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

Setlist from Mar 16 Grow Your Voice Workshop

Here are the songs we sang during the Grow Your Voice workshop at New City/Walker Church on Saturday morning, March 16, 2024 with links to online recordings for your at-home remembering pleasure.

• Forget Your Perfect Offering (words: Leonard Cohen/music: unknown)
• Let my soul dance in the rain* (unknown; learned from Scott Skoog)
• I will believe the truth about myself (Macrina Wiederkehr/Velma Frye)
• Open Sentences (Ahlay Blakely)
• The Way Knows the Way (Lyndsey Scott)
• When Times Are Hard/We Lead in Love (Liz Digitale Anderson)

* no online recording available. If you discover one, please let us know in the comments!

Thank you to the crew who bravely entered into the brave waters of exploring their voices with us! If you were there, check your email for more details on support resources!  The right people were there, tenderness, grit, and support were shared. Community was tended. 

Special thanks to the Grapevine Collective who steward the space use at New City/Walker Church in South Mpls.  Your spaces are a sanctuary and a beacon of light.  May your fire never die.

We heard some attendees say they would do it again and others said they would do a longer day-long or 4-6 week series.  If you weren't able to attend and would be interested in future offerings, please let us know!  Send us a note on the Contact Us page or subscribe to "Full Voice" segment of the Newsletter.

Keep singing and stay warm,

Setlist from Mar 8 Songs In Your Body On This Land @ Studio 240, NKB

Here are the songs we sang at the BIPOC+Mixed Race sing Songs In Our Bodies On This Land at Studio 240 (Rosy Simas Danse) in the Northrup-King Building on Friday night, March 8, 2024 with links to online recordings for your at-home remembering pleasure.

• Earth My Body (unknown) - Liz's adapted lyrics: Liberation / Solidarity / Justice coming / Ground in love!
• I did not come here alone (The Peace Poets)
• Carry This All (Ahlay Blakely)
• I decline (Ahlay Blakely)
• Sweet Surrender (text: Saint Symeon/music: Sophia)
• Comfort* (Heather Wilson)
• Honor the Dark (Lea Morris)
• Loosen, Loosen (Aly Halpert)
• One by One (Michael Stillwater)
• Let it go (Words: Michael Leunig/Music: Suzann Frisk)
• Go Lay Down (Naje)
• Not a Lone Wolf (Steph Drouin, Aimee Ringle)
• Don’t go putting the world on your shoulders (Will Lawrence, Erin Bridges) - from Sunrise Movement songbook
• The Way Knows the Way (Lyndsey Scott)
• Healing is Possible (Orion Johnstone) 

* no online recording available.  If you discover one, please let us know in the comments!

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

Special thanks to Rosy Simas Danse for creating space for BIPOC artists. Deep gratitude to Rebekah, the studio manager.

Mar 3: Dances of Universal Peace/Sufi Dancing

Sufi Dancing
(AKA Dances of Universal Peace)

When:  Sunday March 3rd, 6:30 to 8:45 pm (fb event)
at the Twin Cities Friends Meeting House
1725 Grand Ave, St. Paul (map)
https://tcfm.org/
-Donations accepted, but not required-

Come and weave a circle of sacred presence and harmony with shared movement and song. All spiritual traditions of the world are honored in a circle of universal prayer.

No former experience is necessary (And... seasoned dancers and dance leaders are more than welcome to bring their wisdom, dances, and shared leadership:)

We'll take a break in the middle of this event for some meet and greet with snacks (bring something to share if you like)

All beings are welcome in this circle

Send Adam Wolter (AKA Saleem) a line if you have any questions about this event: (612)237-6690


For more info on the dances:

Setlist for Tending Your Fire, Tending Your Heart Retreat (Feb 23-25, 2024)

Dear Friends, 

If you're reading this, you might have attended the Tending Your Fire, Tending Your Heart retreat from Friday, February 23 through Sunday, February 25 at Episcopal House of Prayer near Collegeville.  

We invited folks who have been carrying a load for their community, in a season of deep service, organizing, and/or mutual aid work to lay it all down for a weekend and receive some spaciousness and care.  

Here is a list of the songs we sang over the weekend with links to online recordings.

• Armor (Ahlay Blakely)
• Breathe In, Breath Out Lullaby* (tune: Silent Night) - led by Katy
• Breath More Slowly* (Shireen Amini)
• Do You Feel? Do You Heal? (Lu Aya Nephew, The Peace Poets + Deirdre Shabaaz)
• Earth My Body (unknown) - Liz's adapted lyrics: Liberation / Solidarity / Justice coming / Ground in love!
• Endless Boundless Gratitude (Samara Jade)
• Gather / We Are Not Alone (Joanna Laws Landis)
• Healing is Possible (Orion Johnstone)
• I did not come here alone (The Peace Poets)
• If it’s not a F*#$ yeah (Lyndsey Scott)
• O Bless the Food* (Okie Dokie Brothers?)
• One by One (Michael Stillwater)
• Open Sentences (Ahlay Blakely)
• Park Bench (Knots on a String, Nat's band) - live version
• Risk More for Love (words: Casper ter Kuile; music: Liz Digitale Anderson)
• Thank you earth (Mark + Sheri? Anderson)
• Traveler's Lullaby (Knots on a String)
• Wind in My Bones* (Malia Burkhart) - led by Malia

* no known recording online. Please share in the comments if you find one!

** the composer/catcher of this song is not known to us.  If you do know, please pass it on in the comments.  :)

Here's a list of Resources:

Mar 16: Grow Your Voice: A Workshop to Explore, Experiment, & Strengthen Your Singing Voice

Grow Your Voice: A Workshop to Explore, Experiment, & Strengthen Your Singing Voice

When: Saturday, March 16, 2024, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Where:  New City Center for Healing Justice, 3104 16th Ave S, Minneapolis
fb event link for sharing: https://fb.me/e/58TzIdfWL

Want to be a stronger, more confident singer?

The voice in your body is a seed of who you are. Depending on how it’s been tended over your life, your voice might feel strong and healthy – or it may feel more like it has a shallow root system, a weak stem, or fewer leaves or blossoms than desired. In voice work, your breath, posture, body tension, and fear of how you’re “supposed” to sound are all aspects that need tending to.

Join Conie and Liz for two hours of vocal tending and singing from your full breath and heart: give yourself and your voice loving, caring attention to grow strong, healthy, and beautiful. We want your voice to sing out and clearly communicate your care, pride, passion, hurt, and dreams to ourselves, our beloveds, our community, and our world.

*********************

• Masks up please as an act of community care while Covid is surging. Thank you.
• Sliding scale payment: $15-$40.
• Please fill out the registration form here https://forms.gle/HqqDZ6LDADnvcrBx8 and Venmo/Paypal @ConieB to reserve your spot (confirm digits: 7530)
• Two solidarity spots available for volunteers; inquire at goodtrouble@pointsoflightmusic.net.

***********************

Workshop leaders Conie Borchardt and Liz Digitale Anderson are GOOD TROUBLE, a queer mixed Asian songleading duo. They bring a wide variety of vocal experience and technique to share, including certification in the playful Five Elements Full Voice Method of Barbara McAfee (did you know your voice has fire and water in it?!), classical and musical theatre voice training, jazz improv, and a cappella beatboxing.

Jun 7-9: Dances of Universal Peace in Northern MN

Eeeeeeeee!!!!!! It's happening!

Adam Wolter and I are caravaning to northern MN to share and amplify the Dances with the communities where fellow dancers live in Duluth, Ely, and Grand Rapids!  

More details to come, but feel free to jot down these dates and join us as you feel so moved!

• Friday, June 7:  Duluth
• Saturday, June 8:  Ely
• Sunday, June 9:  Grand Rapids

p.s. an event in Morris and in the southeastern corner of the state will be scheduled for May and June. Watch for that date to be determined soon!

Thank you voters of MN! “This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.”

Setlist from Feb 16 Songs in Your Body On This Land @ Studio 331, NKB

Here are the songs we sang at the BIPOC+Mixed Race sing Songs In Our Bodies On This Land at Studio 331 (Rosy Simas Danse) in the Northrup-King Building on Friday night, February 16, 2024 with links to online recordings for your at-home remembering pleasure.

1. Gather / We Are Not Alone (Joanna Laws Landis)
2. Do You Feel? Do You Heal? (Words: Spirit)
3. Smash/layer up: I did not come here alone (The Peace Poets) + We breath together / Stop the occupation (adrienne maree brown)
4. Loosen, Loosen (Aly Halpert)
5. Stay soft (Samantha Rise)
6. Armor (Ahlay Blakely)
7. Refrain from Life (unknown) - led by Rama
8. Stop outsourcing your self-worth (Liz Digitale Anderson, based on a quote by Logan Ury on the We Can Do Hard Things podcast)
9. I am free in my body (Shireen Amini)

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

Special thanks to Rosy Simas Danse for hosting us and offering Conie B a transdisciplinary artist space residency for the week.  Deep gratitude to Rebekah, the studio manager, and George for taking photos (coming soon)!

Mar 8: Songs in Your Body On This Land @ Northrup King Bldg

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

When: Friday, March 8, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Studio #240***, Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson St. NE, Minneapolis (map)

Facebook event link

Led by GOOD TROUBLE, Conie Borchardt and Liz Digitale Anderson. 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

**We will be requesting that folx mask up for the sake of collective community health indoors. Thank you for understanding**

*** This is a shoe-free dance studio. There will be shoe coverings for those who need them.

** There will be chairs available but if you prefer sitting on the floor, you might want to bring a pillow or bolster or whatever makes you more comfortable!

***This is an accessible location.*** 

For those new to the Northrup King Building, it is a huge former seed warehouse, so you may want to take extra time to find us. Here's some navigational tips (and rest in the fact we'll have Good Trouble signs posted to help you find your way!): 

If you need to use the elevator,

1. Park at northern end
2. The ramp is between dock 8 and 9
3. Enter Door F (between dock 5 and 6)
4. Once inside, the elevator is around the corner to the left (an old industrial one is ahead of you; a modern one is behind you)
5. On the 2nd floor, turn left off the elevator and go straight a ways.
6. When you get to a corner, turn left (it's the only way).
7. Then follow the descending room numbers until you get to 240!

Wanna take the stairs? 

• There's a few entrances you can pick from. Floor maps are abundant inside. If you take the main entrance (with the awning), you can pickup the directions from step 5 above once you're on the second floor, i.e., turn left once you get to the main long hallway.

Can do some steps but not all the stairs?  Or want a more direct experience?

1. Enter Door D (just beyond PF Cafe, in the loading dock area)
2A. Climb stairs to 3rd floor OR
2B. Go through stairwell into hallway. Turn right at intersection. Freight elevator is there. **If you need someone to open and close the heavy freight gates, let us know ahead of time and we'll have someone available to help! When you get off the elevator, turn left.
3. On the 3rd floor, when you arrive at a intersecting hallway, turn left.
4. Studio 331 will be straight ahead.

--

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

Feb 16 @Studio 331: Songs In Your Body On This Land @ Northrup King Bldg

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

When: Friday, January 12, and February 16, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Studio #331***, Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson St. NE, Minneapolis (map)
Facebook event link

Led by GOOD TROUBLE, Conie Borchardt and Liz Digitale Anderson. 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 

Conie is a recipient of a three thirty-one space artist residency (Rosy Simas Danse) and this gathering is part of their 2024 residency.

**We will be requesting that folx mask up for the sake of collective community health indoors. Thank you for understanding**

*** This is a shoe-free dance studio.  There will be shoe coverings for those who need them.

** There will be chairs available but if you prefer sitting on the floor, you might want to bring a pillow or bolster or whatever makes you more comfortable!  

**We will have a photographer present to document this event in February; if you don't want to be photographed please let us know and we will opt you out!**

***This is an accessible location.*** For those new to the Northrup King Building, it is a huge former seed warehouse, so you may want to take extra time to find us. The following are some navigational tips and rest in the fact that we'll have Good Trouble signs to help you find your way too!  

If you need to use the elevator,

1. Park at northern end
2. The ramp is between dock 8 and 9
3. Enter Door F (between dock 5 and 6)
4. Once inside, the elevator is around the corner to the left (an old industrial one is ahead of you; a modern one is behind you)
5. On the 3rd floor, turn left off the elevator and go straight a ways.
6. When you approach an intersection (where one choice does not include a stairwell), turn left.
7. Studio 331 will be straight ahead.

For non-elevator users (or those who want to use a freight elevator closer to the space: use steps 1-4 above and make the long journey of step 5 on the first floor instead of the 3rd, then jump to 2b below, except elevator will be on your left instead)

1. Enter Door D (just beyond PF Cafe, in the loading dock area)

2A. Climb stairs to 3rd floor OR

2B. Go through stairwell into hallway and turn left. Freight elevator is there. **If you need someone to open and close the heavy freight gates, let us know ahead of time and we'll have someone available to help! When you get off the elevator, turn left.

3. On the 3rd floor, when you arrive at a intersecting hallway, turn left.

4. Studio 331 will be straight ahead.

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

*Mar 22*, May 24, Jul 26, Sept 20, Nov 22: Songs for Tending Our Hearts @ Yess Yoga

When it feels like the world is falling apart, when everything is literally on fire, 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 world. Come sing through the small and large griefs in your life and give them space to breathe.

When: Bimonthly Fridays in 2024, 7:30-9p

• Jan 26
• Mar 22
• May 24 (revised!)
• July 26
• Sept 20 (revised!)
• Nov 22

Where: Yess Yoga, 105 E 26th St, Mpls
Facebook event link

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 May Be Required when Covid is surging.  Masks will be available.  
- 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!

Setlist for Jan 26: Songs for Tending Our Hearts

Friends, 

Here are the songs we sang at Songs for Tending Our Hearts at Yess Yoga on Friday night, January 26, 2023:

• Gather / We Are Not Alone (Joanna Laws Landis)
• How many times will my heart be broken (Liza Walker)
• Welcome here (Rachael Weasley)
• Loosen, Loosen (Aly Halpert)
• The Cure for the Pain (text inspired by Rumi; tune: Yam)
• Summons (words adapted from Aurora Levins Morales poem “Summons”/music: Ahlay Blakely)
• Aurora’s Song* (first line: Grief, is coming for us all) (Liz Digitale Anderson)

* No recording yet available.  Liz has given permission to share the words on the blog:  

Aurora's Song (Liz Digitale Anderson)

Grief ... is coming for us all
I said Grief is coming for us all

 

Cuz how we gather round in care

when it's your turn to collapse

well that is the revolution

from this capitalism trap

See and know and loved in the midst
See and known and loved in your hot mess.

Puttin' in the work,
puttin' in the reps,
comfort in discomfort
is such a flex

Some of you asked about the Resources we shared.  Here's a short list...

Feb 4: Dances of Universal Peace @ TC Friends Meetinghouse

 

Sufi Dancing
(AKA Dances of Universal Peace)

Sunday February 4th, 6:30 to 8:45 pm (fb event)
at the Twin Cities Friends Meeting House

1725 Grand Ave, St. Paul (map)
https://tcfm.org/
-Donations accepted, but not required-

Come and weave a circle of sacred presence and harmony with shared movement and song. All spiritual traditions of the world are honored in a circle of universal prayer.

No former experience is necessary (And... seasoned dancers and dance leaders are more than welcome to bring their wisdom, dances, and shared leadership:)

We'll take a break in the middle of this event for some meet and greet with snacks (bring something to share if you like)

All beings are welcome in this circle

Send Adam Wolter (AKA Saleem) a line if you have any questions about this event: (612)237-6690

For more info on the dances:

Setlist from Jan 6, 2024 Sing at HCL

Here are the songs we sang at the Library on Saturday morning, January 6, 2024:

1. Gather / We Are Not Alone (Joanna Laws Landis)
2. Welcome to the table/circle (clb)
3. Neuroplasticity Song (Ahlay Blakely) - first line "everyday I can change ..."
4. The Center Will Hold (text: Brene Brown, from Atlas of the Heart; music: clb)
5. Summons (words adapted from Aurora Levins Morales poem “Summons”/music: Ahlay Blakely) - first line "last night i dreamed 10,000 grandmothers..."
6. What we need is here* (from The Wild Geese by Wendell Berry/Music: Amy McCreath) 
7. Answer back in love** (unknown***) - first line "trouble is gonna find you/happen"
8. Let it snow! (sea shanty adapted for winter) - 
9. Open Sentences (Ahlay Blakely) - first line "I love being alive because ..."
10. Healing is Possible (Orion Johnstone)

* Click on the red "View Attached resources" to see a video.

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

*** We don't know the source of this song, but we'd love to know.  If it's you or you know who it is, please let us know in the comments! 

We are grateful to you if you sang with us! We also want to thank fellow songleader Sarina Partridge for inviting us to sub for them yesterday, librarians Emma and Mark from the Hennepin County Library for hosting us, and the MN Legislature for the Arts and Cultural Heritage funds to provide programming like this!