Featured Post

Sum-Fall 2026: Dances of Universal Peace in Twin Cities (1st Fridays!)

What: Dances of Universal Peace (also known as Sufi Dancing) When:  1st Sundays, 6:30-8:45 p.m. July 5 August 2 September 6 October 4 Novem...

Showing posts with label grief. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grief. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

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/

Sunday, June 21, 2026

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.  

-----

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.  
😷

-----

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. 

-----

Online Songleader Training 101: for Social Action


Thu, Jun 25, 6-8p CT 
Location:  Online

-----

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. 
 

-----

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. 
 

Sunday, November 16, 2025

*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/)
BikesThere 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!  

Thursday, October 23, 2025

Oct 24: The BIPOC Good Cry

 


What:  The BIPOC Good Cry

When:  Friday, Oct 24, 7-9 p.m.

Where:  Meraki Community, 100 W 46th St., Minneapolis
(where Yoga Sanctuary is; former Solomon's Porch building)

More details on Facebook.

Friday, September 5, 2025

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.
  WhereNew 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/

Monday, July 7, 2025

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!  

Sunday, May 4, 2025

May 30: 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: May 30, 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.
- 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!

Saturday, November 23, 2024

Setlist from Nov 22: Songs for Tending Our Hearts @ Yess Yoga



Friends,

Here are the songs we sang at Songs for Tending Our Hearts at Yess Yoga on Friday night, November 22, 2024:
* 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...
We are grateful to you if sang with us and to Yess Yoga for hosting.

If you'd like reminders of upcoming singing gatherings, 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




Saturday, September 14, 2024

Setlist from Sept 13: Songs for Tending Our Hearts @ Yess Yoga



Friends,

Here are the songs we sang at Songs for Tending Our Hearts at Yess Yoga on Friday night, September 13, 2024:
* 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...
We are grateful to you if sang with us and to Yess Yoga for hosting.

If you'd like reminders of upcoming singing gatherings, 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




Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Setlist from May 24 Songs for Tending Our Hearts @ Yess Yoga

Friends,

Here are the songs we sang at Songs for Tending Our Hearts at Yess Yoga on Friday night, May 24, 2024:
  1. Holding Song (Ian Carrick)
  2. One by One (Michael Stillwater)
  3. Be with me, Yah (Koach Baruch Frazier)
  4. Haida* (words & music: traditional Jewish niggun)
  5. Keep it open (Ahlay Blakely)
  6. Let my soul dance in the rain* (unknown; learned from Scott Skoog)
  7. My soul’s home* (Shireen Amini)
* 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...
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:
  • July 19* Revised date
  • 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

Thursday, March 28, 2024

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

Saturday, March 23, 2024

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...
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

Monday, January 29, 2024

*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 19 (revised!)
  • Sept 13 (revised! again!)
  • 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!

Saturday, January 27, 2024

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:

* 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...

Monday, December 18, 2023

Jan 26: 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: Friday, January 26, 7:30-9p
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 Required as Covid is surging at this time.  
- 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!

Saturday, November 18, 2023

Setlist from Nov 17 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, November 17, 2023:
  1. Gather / We Are Not Alone (Joanna Laws Landis)
  2. Holding Song (Ian Carrick)
  3. The Feelings Song (Heidi Rojas)
  4. One Body (Ahlay Blakely)
  5. Don’t numb to this (Abigail Bengson)
  6. We were made for these times (Clarissa Pinkola Estes/Linda Noonan)
  7. We shall be known (Karisha Longaker/MaMuse) - teaching page at The Bird Sings website
  8. Healing is Possible (Orion Johnstone)
We are grateful to you if sang with us and to Yess Yoga for hosting. 

In 2024, we're hoping to have bimonthly sings at Yess Yoga.  Stay tuned here or sign up for the In-person Sings/Good Trouble mailing list here to get an email after they're scheduled.  Or just check-in with the Yess Yoga's website.

Keep singing and stay warm, graceful, and creative!

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

Friday, November 10, 2023

Setlist for Nov 9: "NONE OF THIS SHOULD BE HAPPENING" Grief Song Circle for Palestine & Israel

Friends, 

If you're reading this, you might have attended the Song Circle and Grief Vigil for Palestine and Israel on Thursday, November 9 at Stewart Park in Minneapolis.  

We invited folks to not be alone, but to gather together and name aloud how difficult it is to bear witness to the loss of life.  To make space within ourselves to feel and let it move through us.  

Here is a list of the songs we sang that night with links to online recordings.

  1. We Shall Come Together Singing (Maggie Wheeler)
  2. Holding Song (Ian Carrick)
  3. Syncopated Bismillah (Words: traditional Arabic/Music: Fattah Kriner)
  4. One Body (Ahlay Blakely)
  5. Why aren’t the children safe (Liz Digitale Anderson)
  6. Grief (Sarina Partridge)
  7. I pray for peace and liberation (Abigail Bengson)
  8. The Cure for the Pain (text inspired by Rumi; tune: Yam)
  9. Cross the Sea (Molly Bajgot & Sol Weiss)
  10. Shalom Benediction (music: Shlomo Carlebach/movements: Tasnim Fernandez)
  11. When Times Are Hard/We Lead in Love (Liz Digitale Anderson)


Here's a list of Resources:
  • Artist Grief Deck https://griefdeck.com/ - 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.  This one was created by hospice workers during the pandemic.
  • Here's the pack of Poems for This Moment by Palestinian and Israel/Jewish poets that Liz compiled.  
  • The Wailing Ritual was adapted from The Cosmic Mass (Matthew Fox) as shared through Joran Oppelt. 
  • Buddha Board - https://buddhaboard.com/

Friday, November 3, 2023

Nov 17: 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:  Friday, November 17, 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 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!