Sept 20: People's Peace Picnic, Northfield

 

What:  People's Peace Picnic on the UN's International Day of Peace

When:  Sunday, September 20, 12n-2p

Where:  Bridge Square, Northfield, MN

Hosts:  Cannon Valley Friends Meeting

Bring your picnic, chair, friends, and family.  

Join us in 

• Song with Singing Resistance Northfield
• Dance with Dances of Universal Peace
• Art with all of us chalking our visions of peace

More details on Facebook. 

Offerings for Individuals

Greetings,

I am opening my calendar to more paid 1:1 clients/mentees in these realms:

• spiritual direction/companioning
• full voice coaching
• song leading mentoring
• dances of universal peace leader mentoring

If you would like to explore the elements of your voice or take time to check in with your inner world or strengthen your leadership skills as a song and/or dance leader, I would be honored to walk with you. Send me an email at pointsoflightmusic@pm.me.

My ideal clients are folks doing movement work, folks interested in healing wounds, and the intersections therein.

Aug 28: Songs for Tending Our Hearts

When:  Fri, Aug 28, 7:30-9p
Location: Yess Yoga, near 26th + Nicollet, Mpls.
With Good Trouble.
Register: https://www.yessyogastudio.com/yoga-workshops/

Aug 11: PoLiMu recommends Karly Loveling

Stoking the Inner Spark with Karly Loveling

Visiting song catcher/carrier Karly from Eugene, OR will be leading an evening of community singing before heading to WisconSing next weekend.  After you vote in the primary, come and sing with Karly! 

When:  Tuesday, August 11, Arrive after 6p; Singing, 6:30-8:30p

Where:  Was New City Center >> San Pablo Lutheran Church, S. Mpls

Register here:  https://storage.corsizio.com/uploads/65ed4b2ea32a3da9cbf0c766/events/6a4827406879da6e4b0cbb1d/photo-_3-vzsJk3rER.webp

Aug 17: Singing from the Sacred Lands Playlist online

Want to learn more songs from the Songs for Sacred Lands playlist?  We're going to start a new monthly series to help singers and song leaders learn these songs!  

Our first will be Monday, August 17, 2026, from 6:30-8 p.m. Central Time.  The featured song and song catcher/leader will be Calling by Doe Hoyer, the Organizing Director for the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery.  

Register for the Zoom link here.  

We imagine this will happen monthly, though we're in the process of figuring out if they will be the same time of the month or vary from month to month. Stay tuned!  

Jun 22-29: Song Smorgasbord!

Here's a buffet of song possibilities this week.  Join us for one or all!   

• Mon, Jun 22 - Retrain Your Lizard Brain
• Wed, Jun 24 - Protecting Sacred Lands
• Thu, Jun 25 - Online* Song Leader Training 101: For Social Action
• Fri, Jun 26 - Songs for Tending Our Hearts
• Mon, Jun 29 - Singing for Liberation

More details about each under each image.  

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Retrain Your Lizard Brain:  Somatic Singing for Trauma Awareness + Resilience

Mon, Jun 22, 6:30-8:30p (not Jun 25 🤦)
Location: New City Center, near 31st + Bloomington, Mpls.
With Good Trouble.  

😷

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Protecting Sacred Lands:  Song Circle + Meeting

Wed, Jun 24, 6:30-8:30p 

Location: Creekside UCC, I-35W + Diamond Lake Rd, Mpls.

With The Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery, Music That Makes Community, Center for Sustainable Justice, and Singing Resistance TC. 

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Online Songleader Training 101: for Social Action

Thu, Jun 25, 6-8p CT 

Location:  Online

with Music That Makes Community. 

Register: https://www.musicthatmakescommunity.org/virtual_101_20260625

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Songs for Tending Our Hearts: a song circle for grief and the weight of the weary world

Fri, Jun 26, 7:30-9p 

Location: Yess Yoga, near 26th + Nicollet, Mpls. 

With Good Trouble. 

Register: https://www.yessyogastudio.com/yoga-workshops/

 

-----

Bonus!!!

Singing for Liberation: Monthly Songleader Incubator Circle

Mon, Jun 29, 6:30-8:30p 

Location: CTUL, near George Floyd Square, Mpls. 

Open to new/experienced songleaders, drummers, and all singers!

With Good Trouble. 

 

Summer 2026 Heart Songs (Jun 15, Jul 6, Aug 3)

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 Summer 2025:

• June 15
• July 6
• August 3

Where: Online: 

https://zoom.us/j/431161455 

(see call-in options on Heart Songs' main page)

Gather for an informal singing time to re-center our hearts in community. Simple songs will be led paperlessly/taught by ear by C. Onyx Li, Nancy W, Sarah M, 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.

*Dec 5*, Jan 9: Songs for Tending Our Hearts

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.

Dates: 

- Friday, December 5, 2025

- Friday, January 9, 2026

Time:  7:30-9p
Where: Yess Yoga
105 E 26th St, Mpls

Song leaders C. Onyx Li 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.
- We're in a yoga studio, so 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!

- We'll be in the second floor studio.  Folks can choose to use the elevator or the stairs.

- Seating:  There are a variety of yoga mats, bolsters, and blankets available, plus folding chairs for those who prefer not to be on the floor.  

- Transit: Buses 11 and 18 are a block away.  (https://www.metrotransit.org/)

- Bikes:  There is a bike rack out in front of the studio.

- Parking: can be kind of tight around here.  Yess Yoga does have a parking lot adjacent to the studio off the alley (map), but it's not huge so leave yourself some extra time to find a spot!  

*Dec 4*: Retrain Your Lizard Brain

What: Retrain Your Lizard Brain: Somatic Singing for Trauma Awareness and Resilience
When: Thu, Sept 25, Nov 11, *Dec 4*, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: New City Center for Healing Justice, 3104 16th Ave S, Minneapolis

How do we rewire our brains from the lies the domination system baked into us? How can we uproot and compost the harms from patriarchy, capitalism, ableism, oppression ugh ugh ugh and root down instead into our dignity, worth, and interconnectedness?

Singing is one way to start rewiring your brain and helping your body live into a different story. One breath at a time, one phrase at a time, repeated over and over in community, til we live and sing our way into a new way of being together, belonging to one another.

This isn’t singing for performance or perfection; this is singing for healing and connection. We’d love you to join us.

Suggested donation $10-50; No one turned away for lack of funds, we want you there.

What to bring with you: 

- A mask!  Those pesky viruses are still going around!  Keep everyone in your community safe.

- Water to drink!

- A yoga mat and/or seating that works for you.  This work invites full body participation so bring items that will support you being on the floor and on your feet.  Chairs are available for those who need them.

Setlist for Good Trouble's set at 9/20 Coming Together

Dear Friends,

If you're reading this, you might have joined Good Trouble at Pershing Park in Minneapolis on Saturday morning (Sept 20) for Coming Together: Singing for Courage, Resilience, + Hope.  Thanks for joining us!

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

• Put Your Roots Down (Molly Hartwell) - a webpage of the original and several variations that have sprung from it!  
• Heart Flies Open (Ian Carrick) -  Ian's website 
• It’s ok, if you’re not ok (Kira Seto) -  Instagram post 
• How many times will my heart be broken (Liza Walker) - Audio on Google Drive 
• We were made for these times (Clarissa Pinkola Estes/Linda Noonan) - Video on Facebook 
• You Were Born to Be Seen (Moon Clemetson) - Video on Patreon website 
• Healing is Possible (Orion Johnstone) - SoundCloud Audio 

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

Much gratitude to the Fulton Neighborhood Association for sponsoring the overall event and Pershing Park staff for hosting the event and a rain location if needed.    

We would love to have you be part of the community that sings and makes life together, feeling all of the griefs and celebrations. Join our mailing lists (both of us have one) for upcoming song circle announcements by sending your email to goodtrouble@pointsoflightmusic.net with a subject line of "Pls add me to your singing list".

Notes on Instruments

• CajonTab by Louson Drum - Get to know a bit of the cajon's musical history here. (Here's an affiliate link to get 10% off).

*Nov 20* Dec 9: MSP MMC Gatherings

Fall 2025 Music that Makes Community Gatherings in the Twin Cities Metro

**Confirm dates, times, and locations on MMC's Community Events calendar**

September 2025

Date: September 18, 2025

Time: 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Location: University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE, Minneapolis

October 2025

Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2025
Time: 6-7 p.m.

Location: Zion Lutheran Church, 1697 Lafond Ave, St. Paul

November 2025

Date: Nov 20, 2025
Time: 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Location: University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE, Minneapolis

December 2025

Date: Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Time: TBA

Location: St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Sunfish Lake

Sept 20: Come Together: Singing for Courage, Resilience, and Hope

Coming Together:  Singing for Courage, Resilience, and Hope

Day:  Saturday, September 20th (rain or shine)
Time:  10 am - 1 pm 
Where:  Pershing Park, 3523 W 48th St, Minneapolis

Singing together is one of the best ways we have to find hope in hard times and anchor our courage for the work to come. Community singing is open to all: if it would lift your spirits, we hope you will join us.

Every voice is welcome – there's no sheet music and you don't need to "know what you're doing,” just simply open your mouth and echo back line by line.

We'll teach simple, easy to learn songs to help us connect, heal, and create joy together.

Schedule!

𝟭𝟬 𝗮𝗺- 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝘆!

Fun with songs, instruments, and dancing scarves with Liz, aimed at ages 0-6 with caregivers.

𝟭𝟭 𝗮𝗺- 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲:

For all ages! with GOOD TROUBLE, aka Liz Digitale Anderson and C. Onyx Li

𝟭𝟮 𝗽𝗺- 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗵 𝗠. 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿:

Circle songs, spontaneous singing, and musical improv games: magic created on the spot together!

Come for one session or stay for them all!

What to Bring - 

• Your voice, a water bottle, a blanket or a camp chair to sit on
• Bring a picnic lunch and stay to play in the park afterwards!
• If it's raining, we'll be indoors in the gym at Pershing Park.

This family-friendly event is FREE thanks to the Fulton Neighborhood Association. 

Setlist for 9/4 Singing for Grief: After Annunciation

Dear Friends,

If you're reading this, you might have attended the Singing for Grief: after Annunciation circle at Creekside UCC in Minneapolis on Thursday night, September 4, 2025. Though this tragedy should not have happened, we take solace in feeling our grief together through song, in community.

I, C., was listening to a podcast of Francis Weller and Thomas Hubl, the morning after this, speaking of Grief Rituals and Soul Hygiene and Embracing the Wisdom of Grief, and commend them to you if creating communal space for grief is new to you.

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

• Holding Song (Ian Carrick) - Instagram video + Bandcamp audio with parts
• We Know that Grief is Boundless* (Sarina Partridge) - many of Sarina's songs are on SoundCloud and Bandcamp, but this one is not so we are sharing her website so you can explore the many aspects of MSP local Sarina.
• The Center Will Hold (text: Brene Brown, from Atlas of the Heart; music: clb) -  Mixcord video 
• Don’t numb to this (Abigail Bengson) - Instagram video
• Grief (Sarina Partridge) - Bandcamp audio + SoundCloud audio
• Stone by Stone (Taya Ma) - Bandcamp audio
• One Body (Ahlay Blakely) - Instagram video + included in Bandcamp album "Wails: Songs for Grief" 
• We Belong to Each Other (words: James Baldwin; tune: Annie Rambeau) -  SoundCloud audio 
• Carry This All (Ahlay Blakely) - Bandcamp audio 

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

Writings included: 

• from Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds. adrienne maree brown
• "Every bombed village is my hometown".  James Baldwin

Much gratitude to Bree and Linnea of Creekside UCC for welcoming this circle into their space and supporting it so abundantly.  Deep bows to the three therapists who volunteered their time to hold the hearts and voices of those who wanted more support.  

We are so heartened by each of you who attended.  Whether you had close ties to Annunciation Church and School or just have the tender heartstrings feeling our interconnectedness to this tragedy and the ones that have come before it, I (C.) trust that all of us are doing the work of listening to the pain of grief that is current and present and also that of our ancestors that has gone unheard, unprocessed, and is among the ghosts surrounding us (listen to the first episode above). There is so much work we need to do in this space of communal grief and I'm glad we all took a step towards tending that last night.  

We would love to have you be part of the community that sings and makes life together, feeling all of the griefs and celebrations. Below are a few events coming up that you are invited to. If you'd like to be added to the email lists (both of us have one) for song circle announcements, please send your email to goodtrouble@pointsoflightmusic.net with a subject line of "Pls add me to email list".

Notes on Instruments

• CajonTab by Louson Drum - Get to know a bit of the cajon's musical history here. (Here's an 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. C.'s instrument is from Shrutibox.com, run by Ron Kravitz of https://www.musicinthemoment.com/ in Philadelphia, PA; Ron has recently retired and is pointing folks to https://www.shrutibox.co.uk/. (Talk to C. if you're thinking about buying new or used).

Upcoming Events

Coming together: Singing for Courage, Resilience and Hope 

  When: Sat, Sept 20, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
  Where: Pershing Park, 3523 W 48th St. Mpls
  More Details: Facebook

Retrain Your Lizard Brain: Somatic Singing for Trauma Awareness + Resilience

  When:  Thu, Sept 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

  Where:  New City Center, 3104 16th Ave S, Mpls

  RSVP: coming soon.

Songs For Tending Our Hearts:  a song circle for grief and the weight of the weary world. 

  When:  TBA

  Where:  Yess Yoga, 105 E 26th St, Mpls

  Pre-register + pay what you can: Yess Yoga's website:  https://www.yessyogastudio.com/yoga-workshops/

Setlist from 8/13 BIPOC Centered Sing about Water

Dear Friends,

If you're reading this, you probably attended the BIPOC Centered SING about Water in St. Paul on Wednesday night, August 13, 2025. Thanks so much for joining us!

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

• Wade in the Water (African American Spiritual) - The Bird Sings website
• A Water Hymn (Connie Lim, aka MILCK) - Instagram video
• The Water Song* (Liz Digitale Anderson) - email goodtrouble@pointsoflightmusic.net for more details
• Rubber Ducky (sung by Ernie of Sesame Street! written by Jeff Moss) - YouTube video
• I belong (Sarina Partridge) - Bandcamp audio | also part of The Sacred Lands Playlist, a partnership with the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery: https://dismantlediscovery.org/sacred-lands-playlist/
• Oh River (Karisha Longaker of MaMuse) - YouTube video | The Bird Sings website
• Boundary Waters* (tune: Heart and Soul; text: Cory)
• Becoming Kin (Nathan Holst, inspired by Patti Krawec’s book, Becoming Kin) - YouTube reel
• Down by the Riverside (African American Spiritual) - YouTube video
• May This Body Be a Bridge (Te Martin) - YouTube video
• Waterfalls (TLC, written by Lisa Lopes) - YouTube video
• Shruti improvisation* (everyone present)
• Sitting at the Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding) - YouTube video

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

Here's some notes on Instruments

• CajonTab by Louson Drum - Liz has one of the Pro series. Get to know a bit of the cajon's musical history here. (Use Liz's, Conie's partner, 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. C.'s instrument is from Shrutibox.com run by Ron Kravitz of https://www.musicinthemoment.com/ in Philadelphia, PA; Ron has recently retired and is pointing folks to https://www.shrutibox.co.uk/. (Talk to C. if you're thinking about buying new or used).

Gratitude to Asha Shoffner of St. Paul Parks and Recreation and the Capital Region Watershed District for organizing this event.  

If you'd like to be added to C.'s BIPOC song circle list, please your request and email to goodtrouble@pointsoflightmusic.net.

May we sing together soon!   

C., Aimee, and Asha.

August 2025 Events: BIPOC + MMC MSP

Mon, August 11 - Heart Songs Online

Details HERE.

Wednesday August 13 - BIPOC Water Sing

Time:  6-8pm

Location:  St. Paul river location

We are inviting all BIPOC folks to the river to come sing about water!

No registration is required — just show up, bring a chair (if you want to sit), your dinner (if you want to eat), water/something to drink, and any percussion or non-amplified instruments you know how to play.

Email Asha.shoffner@ci.stpaul.mn.us for location info and the link to add songs about water that you’d like to sing!

Monday, August 25 - Singing for Liberation

Details HERE.

Wednesday, August 27 - MMC Mpls-St. Paul Gathering

Details on MMC's Events Calendar.

Thursday, August 28 - Sacred Lands SING @ Land Alliance Folk School, near Iowa City, IA

Details on MMC Events Calendar.

Friday, August 29-Monday, September 1 - Singing Rabbit @ Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, Rutledge, MO

Details HERE.

Aug 29-Sept 1: Singing Rabbit, A Community Singing Event

What:  Singing Rabbit, A Community Singing Event
When:  Labor Day Weekend, Friday evening, August 29-Monday noon, September 1, 2025
Where:  Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, Rutledge, Missouri

More details here.

Summer 2025 MMC Events

Music that Makes Community - Summer 2025

in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

When: 

Monday, July 21, 2025
6:30-8 p.m.

Where: 

Morningside Hills UCC

4201 Morningside Rd, Edina, MN

More details here.

--

Elsewhere

Check out the Calendar on the MMC website for more details on what's happening in Kansas City on July 13, Detroit on July 15 and July 17 and beyond.

Aug 8: Songs for Tending Our Hearts

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: Friday August 8, 7:30-9p
Where: Yess Yoga
105 E 26th St, Mpls

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.
- We're in a yoga studio, so 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!

- We'll be in the second floor studio.  Folks can choose to use the elevator or the stairs.

- Seating:  There are a variety of yoga mats, bolsters, and blankets available, plus folding chairs for those who prefer not to be on the floor.  

- Transit: Buses 11 and 18 are a block away.  (https://www.metrotransit.org/)

- Bikes:  There is a bike rack out in front of the studio.

- Parking: can be kind of tight around here.  Yess Yoga does have a parking lot adjacent to the studio off the alley (map), but it's not huge so leave yourself some extra time to find a spot!  

May 20: PoLiMu recommends Grief + Gratitude Community Ritual

Grief + Gratitude: A Ritual Evening for These Here Times
With songs by Liz Digitale Anderson

Tuesday May 20th
Arrival + settling in 6 pm
Singing 6:30-8:30 pm

IN-PERSON**:  

New City Center for Healing Justice

3104 16th Ave S, Minneapolis

LIVESTREAM OPTION:  

*Friends in other places, the event link will livestreamed on Zoom - it's not going to be a true interactive hybrid, but more a way for folx elsewhere to sing along with us and add to their toolkit of grounding and resilience in these times. It's a bit of a trial run for some equipment we're testing out and we'd love your feedback on how this goes!

Register in advance for this event & reminders:

https://us02web.zoom.us/.../register/xEuBLonlRLO9e3As55nSbw

Free and open to all; suggested donation $0-$25

**Masks up for singing indoors please, thank you <3**

**********************************
"What are we gonna do with all this grief?"-- Prentis Hemphill
"We're gonna sing our way, sing our way through."-- Liz

How can singing meet this moment to usher in personal, cultural, and structural change?
How can singing serve our collective liberation?
How can our community bring this vision to life?

These are the questions I’ve been asking over the past few years, and the songs I've been catching and writing to sing together to try and answer them. I'd love you to join me for an evening of teaching some old and new songs and weaving them together in ritual. We'll use the space, somatics, and song to help us process these here times we're living in together.

More info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1213267597158685/

May 22-25: MMC in New England

We're be in New England later this month!  Join us for ...

• a Community SING in Hartford, CT on Thursday evening, May 22
• a 1-Day Community Singing Workshop in Hudson, MA on Saturday, May 24
• a Community SING in Boston, MA on Sunday afternoon, May 25

Find all the details to register on the MMC website.