Workshops in the pathways of Music, Movement, Voice and Seva will be posted as they are confirmed, which can extend all the way into late May or early June! To see the wide variety of workshops offered over the years, you can visit the “Past Festivals” page.
Drumming in Service (Ult Mundane)
Whether you’re an experienced musician or it’s your first time touching a drum, adopting the spirit of offering service brings vitality to each moment in a fire circle. Together we’ll explore how to listen to each other and how to be a part of the musical conversation, supporting the deep work that we all do together around the fire. This workshop will include some instruction on basic drumming technique, and will follow the needs of the attendees, but the high-level focus will be establishing our intention to serve the container.
Circle Singing (Aidan Linden) Come join in the joy of Circle Singing: a form of vocal improvisation in which musical ideas are created and layered one at a time. It’s a fun, interactive, and communal process of making music in the moment. No experience is necessary (or even the ability to “carry a tune in a bucket”)! We will explore how to take a simple phrase or musical spark of inspiration and turn it into a singable chant that others can spontaneously join. Also, we will play with our favorite chants and explore ways to add harmonies, counter-melodies, and other vocal layers. Beginners and experienced singers alike will learn new skills, develop confidence, and find joy playing in the pathway of Voice!
5Rhythms Dance and Movement Meditation (Joel Stanley)
5Rhythms® dance is a journey in movement through the rhythms of Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical, and Stillness, which together form a process of feeling, expression, release, renewal, and integration present not only in the dance but also in ceremony, transformation, and countless other contexts throughout life. Each rhythm contains its own medicine, teachings, and discoveries, accessible to anyone through spontaneous movement. Dancers’ authentic movement is supported by Joel’s holding, invitational facilitation and a DJ set of exquisite, life-giving music.
Yoga (Bucky Sparkle) We all work our bodies – strenuously – playing at SpiritFire. While a yoga class can be a vigorous workout, this is not the time or place to push further. This 90-minute class is designed to unwind the achy tightness which tends to accumulate during festival play. Expect a blend of classic Hatha asana (to activate our bodies) with more restorative poses (to soothe our muscles). No yoga experience necessary. Bring a mat or floor-blanket, if possible. A couple mats will be available. I promise a long shavasana!
Fun with Odd-Meter Rhythms (Kazuki Kozuru-Salifoska)
Ever been curious about odd-meter rhythms? The kind people play and dance to, in places like Turkey and the Balkan countries? I would like to help spread the fun so you can participate in these rhythms at the nightly fires. This is going to be a rhythm class, so you could bring a percussive instrument of your choice, or just your clapping hands and stomping feet. This workshop is open to all levels, and I will break it down and show you the simplest (which doesn’t necessarily mean the easiest!) to more elaborate versions of a few rhythms in meter of 5, 7, 9, and maybe 11. We can learn and have fun together, and see what transpires as a result around the fire!
Frame Drumming (Jake Sirois)
Frame drums provide us with a beautiful and hypnotic layer of sound at our circle – it is a way to allow for a quieter yet powerful flow that supports different ways to move and integrate within the ceremonial area. If you have a frame drum and would like to dive deeper into ways to play as an ensemble, explore some rhythms and ways to participate more deeply with your instrument, jump in!