A teaching gathering for ceremonial singing circles, dancing, and music
We change the world as we transform ourselves with songs of blessings, devotion, and gratitude.
Lillebakke @ 1778 Northriver Rd, Cosmopolis, WA

 

WHAT IS SINGING ALIVE?
This event is about bringing people together to sing and dance in circular devotion to the regeneration of humanity and the earth. We focus on songs which embody the re-emerging consciousness of love for the planet and for world peace. The old paradigm of domination, exploitation, and war is gradually being replaced by cultural forms of peace, partnership, respect, and reverence for all life. Over the past 30 years a new genre of songs have (re)emerged that reflect and celebrate this new paradigm. Our intent is to invite singers and musicians who can share songs of this genre which work in the format of communal singing. This is not an entertainer / audience gathering; rather it is a participatory event where we all sing together, and work together to make this happen. Those who don't think they can sing are encouraged to come and claim the birthright of a singing species!

A Teaching and Sharing Gathering
Whole-Group Singing Circles & Small Song-Circles
Dances of Universal Peace,
Playing Musical Instruments,
Voice & Breathwork,
Midwiving New Languages & Reclaiming the Ancient Ones,
Bardic Legacies and Storytelling,
Creating & Sharing Songbooks & Songbook Art

Traditions (Song Tribes)
Rainbow, Rasta, Shamanic, Daime, Native American, Orisha, Osho, Amma, Sufi, Gospel, Kirtan, and omward . . .

Themes and Invocations
World Peace, Divine Mother, Planetary Acupuncture, the Devic Realms, Human Flowering, Harmonic Toning, and song on . . .

We aim to keep the event affordable and accessible to all who wish to attend. To this end, we ask everybody to volunteer their time and talents. Everyone is asked to bring food to contribute to the community kitchen. Everyone is requested to help cook, clean, and do the necessary tasks to keep our village running smoothly. There will be a barter/vending period on Sunday in which all are invited to participate (Cd's. instruments, crafts, . . .).

The idea for this gathering was conceived on July 16, 2005 by Michael Pilarski (Skeeter) , & Morgan Brent (M.T. Xen).
Skeeter is an wildcrafter and farmer of medicinal plants, permaculturalist, educator, and the founder of many gatherings, such as the Okanagon Barter Faire, the Northwest Herbal Faire, and the Human & Fairy Relations Congress.
Morgan is an educator and organizer, who specializes in the prescriptive teachings of medicinal plants, aka Nature's plan to save the humans. He most often shares these teachings thru Creation-story styled sacred song circles

SCHEDULE:
Daybreaks with possible choices in yoga or morning song circles. At 9:30 am we all gather in a MORNING CIRCLE, to altar the day and introduce the events to come. Likely we will do one large theme circle (where we go around the circle and everyone has the opportunity to share a song on a single theme, such as Blessings, Peace, Gratitude, the Elements, Divine Mother, etc.), and 2 or 3 smaller specialty circles (those that are more 'taught', or led), both in the morning, (10:00 ~ 11:30/12), and in the afternoon (2:30 to 4/4:30). At 5:30 we gather again in an AFTERNOON CIRCLE, to close out the day and introduce dinner and the evening events, which are mostly free-form fire circles, though we do have some special things in the works.

COSTS:
$60 at gate, $50 pre-registered (send to Morgan Brent @ below address), $20 per day, ½ price for teens 13-17 with parents, children under 12 free.

for advanced tickets, please send a check to:
Morgan Brent
1631 NE Broadway, #426
Portland, OR 97232

LOCATION:
Lillebakke @ 1778 North River Road, Cosmopolis, WA. The land, 180 acres or so, is privately owned by a couple with two children, all of whom will be attending as well. Cosmopolis is located in SW Washington, not to far from the coast. We are a few miles outside of town in the coastal rain-forest. Coming into the land off the road, you will be ushered into a big meadow that you can camp in. From there, it is a walk across a bridge and down a trail, to another (main) meadow, which is where the Singing Alive event will take place.

RIDE SHARE:
if you need a ride, or can offer a ride, email me (xen@tribesofcreation.com), and I'll see what can manifest.

DIRECTIONS:
From Portland ~~ Travel on I-5 to exit 88B (if heading North), exit 88 (if heading South), the 'Tenino/Rochester/South Sound speedway' exit, which is 15 - 20 minutes S. of Olympia, 90 minutes N. or Portland; go West on Hwy 12
2) go West about 12 miles, thru and past Rochester until you come to BLOCKHOUSE RD. If you've come to Oakville the town you've gone to far.
3) take a LEFT on Blockhouse rd, go to intersection, then straight (slight rt actually) on CEMETARY Rd. It T's into another Rd. (SOUTH BANK RD.) take a LEFT
4) go a mile or so until crossing a big, big river, then take first LEFT onto GARRARD CREEK Rd
5) Follow it, and it will become BROOKLYN RD. It will 'Y' after a few miles, but go straight on it (don't go to Centralia!), to and thru the non-town of BROOKLYN (where by this time it becomes NORTH RIVER RD, and you will see 1778 NORTH RIVER RD. on your left. Be aware that there are a few miles of rough logging road on this route.

From Olympia or Seattle ~~
1) Take S. 101 N toward Aberdeen/Port Angeles
2) Continue on WA-8 West (signs for Aberdeen/WA-8 W/Montesano)
3) Continue on US-12 West
4) Take the Jct WA-107 ramp to Raymond/Montesano
5). Turn left at S Main St
6) Continue on WA-107
7) Turn left at US-101
8) Turn left at Artic Rd
9) Turn left at N River Rd to 1778 North River Road

ACCOMODATIONS:
Free Camping! Tents and some (limited) space for RVs. Early Sept. is about the driest time of the year – nevertheless, unexpected rains should always be expected!

FOOD:
The food vision for this event is to run it as a great potluck, with us, the focalizers/organizers, providing some staples, such as grains, condiments, cooking oils, and the kitchen infrastructure. Since it will be harvest season then, there should be much abundance out there. Bring what you can to feed the Family! At each large circle before the two meals a day, it would be good for those who brought something we are going to eat to introduce the food. Everything will be vegetarian, and as organic as possible. Bring your own bowls/plates/utensils!

THINGS TO BRING:
First off, bring drinking water, as there is none at the site (though plenty of river water). We ask that you bring your own plates. cups, and silverware and keep them for the duration. We'll have a dishwashing station set up. This is a camp-out, so come prepared with tent, bedding, flashlights, water bottle, etc. Bring your bathing suit since the site in on the North River. Bring songbooks and CDs for show and share. We wish to create lists of songs, singers, songbooks, CDs etc. CDs, songbooks, musical instruments and the like can be sold/traded throughout the weekend, and there will be a barter period on Sunday morning for people to trade and sell other types of wares. You can bring your dog, but keep her/him leashed in the main meadow areas.

WISH LIST:
Remember this is a inexpensive gathering depending on communal, co-operative energies to make it happen well. We have drinking water down the road, but need some BIG plastic containers to get an optimal amount into the site, and plastic tubs to wash dishes in. We'll have a tea kitchen set up in the evening, that could use donations of teas, chai's, coffees, etc. Also looking for a sweat lodge person(s). What else - we have both posters and flyers that I can send you either by email, or physical mail, if you ask me. Also bales of hay to sit on, firewood, and LOTS of food bounty. The childrens area would like a good supply of: toys, basic craft supplies (please, no glitter or little pieces that get all over and make it challenging to Leave No Trace), blankets, sheets, decorations, pillows for quiet areas

WORK PARTY:
August 30, 31 at the site. We are going to do a few infrastructure things, such as build an outhouse or two, and do general site preparation. A little pre-Singing Alive gathering. If you've got the time and inclination, let us know . .

Sing You There!