Newsletter Archive

Dear One,

I hope that springtime is treating you well.

It is time for the equinox:

/ˈikwəˌnɒks, ˈ[ee-kwuh-noks, ek-wuh-] the time when the sun crosses the plane of the earth’s equator, making night and day of approximately equal length all over the earth and occurring (dictionary.com) March 20 5:02am Mtn. for the spring passage from dark into light.

I like the way Machelle Small Wright thinks about the Solstice and Equinox cycles, read more here:

http://www.perelandra-ltd.com/Solstice-Equinox-Cycle-W4585.aspx

I have been happily planting away in the garden (and David has been digging): a cold-frame with greens, carrots, transplanting yarrow and adding a few new Asian Pear trees to the mix. It’s very exciting for me to feel the shape of our garden really starting to show itself. And I’m making friends with lots of new planties especially after studying medicinal plants this winter.

 

In non-garden news, the FEAST tour was a success. Thanks for all your prayers for safe travels; the weather cooperated remarkably well for heading north in February. You can see some pictures here. And here’s a video of David and I performing our rhythmic vocal duet  Solkattu Conversation from FEAST Nov. tour.

 

And now, David heads to the east coast today to visit family and friends, work with the Home School Talents, play some shows in Maryland and D.C. and record on Sticky Mulligan’s sophomore album. You can find out more and support Sticky’s album here.

 

lots of love,

Arlyn (and David)

www.embodyingrhythm.com and ladyarlyn.wordpress.com

 

 

   —> UPCOMING EVENTS <—

 

 

David with Sticky Mulligan www.stickymulligan.com

Wed. April 3rd at the Music Cafe in Damascus MD. 7-9pm. Thurs. April 4th at An Die Musik in Baltimore, MD. 8-10pm. Friday April 5th at Bloombars in Washington, D.C. 8-10pm.

 

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David with the HST Homeschool Troupe

April 19 and 20.

hstonline.org/home/shows-2

 

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David with Sea Stars and Tierro

Saturday May 4 at Sunrise Ranch in Loveland, CO

www.seastarsmusic.com and www.tierrolive.com

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And an event for your calendar:

Arise Festival 2013 a 5 day festival in Loveland, CO. August 14-18, 2013

David will perform with Sea Stars and Tierro.

get your tickets here: arisefestival.com

The festival features Xavier Rudd, Zap Mama, Midnite, Michael Menert, Lunar Fire and many more!

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The Music we are by Rumi (translation Coleman Barks)

 

Did you hear that winter’s over?The basil and the carnationscannot control their laughter.The nightingale, back from his wandering,has been made singing master overall the birds. The trees reach outtheir congratulations. The soulgoes dancing through the king’s doorway.Anemones blush because they have seenthe rose naked. Spring, the only fairjudge, walks in the courtroom, andseveral December thieves steal away.Last year’s miracles will soon beforgotten. New creatures whirl inFrom nonexistence, galaxies scatteredaround their feet. Have you met them?Do you hear the bud of Jesus crooningin the cradle? A single narcissusflower has been appointed InspectorOf Kingdoms. A feast is set. Listen.The wind is pouring wine! LoveUsed to hide inside images. No more!The orchard hangs out its lanterns.The dead come stumbling by in shrouds.Nothing can stay bound or be imprisoned.You say, “End this poem here andWait for what’s next.” I will. PoemsAre rough notations for the music we are.

 

Dear One,

 

Sending blessings and love for a splendid 2013!

 

I wanted to share with you a quote that a friend shared with me recently (loosely translated from satsang with Jacque Jefferies): “We are here to not only personally bring to rest our own tendency/conditioning of suffering, but for the world as well.” So thank you my dears for every deep breath you take and share with your friends and families.  Thank you for every moment you choose to smile. Thank you for every time you notice the beauty of the natural world. Thank you for every time you choose kindness. Thank you for every time you are able to be honest with yourself and your relations.

 

I’ve been noticing how quick and small the triggers towards suffering can be. One phone call that is unexpected. One moment that didn’t go how we thought that it would. One look or a tone of voice from our loved ones. One ache in this body that is unexpected. The slowing down and bringing them back to rest is such an ongoing practice. For me it sounds like this, “Ah, welcome, this list of things to do. Ah, welcome, this familiar pain in my hip. Ah, welcome, this sensation. Here.”

 

If you’re reading this – you likely have a minute and safe space for your body. And here is my invitation for us to relish this moment – just as it is. Rich with humanity.

 

lots of love,

Arlyn (and David)

www.embodyingrhythm.com

 

____UPCOMING EVENTS_____

 

JANUARY 2013: FEAST’s brand new show, “Celtic Rhapsody” in Colorado

tickets: http://junctionconcerts.tix.com/Schedule.asp?OrganizationNumber=3329

Jan. 10: Montrose Pavilion. 7:30pm Jan. 11: Avalon Theatre, Grand Junction. 7:30pm Jan. 12: Avalon Theatre, Grand Junction. 7:30pmJan. 13:Glenwood Springs High School 3:00 pm

with two new arrangements by David Alderdice plus a fabulous duet with frame drum and modern dance (David and Rosie).

This incarnation of FEAST is: David Alderdice and Arlyn Deva on percussion with Marcin (violin) and Becky Arendt (vocals), Ben Dekock (bass), The entire Mientka crew: Catie (piano), Gabe (cello), Stephanie (viola) and Rosie (dance).  And two champion Irish Dancers Blaine Donovan and Jessica Lesser (these two are fabulous, we got to tour with them in November and so much fun to watch!)

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David with Sticky Mulligan

Jan. 18: Fruita, Cavalcade. 7:30pm

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FEAST – Celtic Fire 2013- please tell your friends in the North. . .

Feb. 16, 7:30 PM: Yankton, South Dakota; High School Theatre Feb. 17, 7:30 PM: Huron, South Dakota; High School Aud. Feb. 19, 7:30 PM: Milbank, South Dakota; High School Theater Feb. 22, 7:00 PM: Merrill, Wisconsin; High School Aud. Feb. 23, 7:30 PM: Eagle River; Wisconsin, Northland Pines HS Aud. Feb. 25, 7:30 PM: Devils Lake, North Dakota, Lake Region State College, R. Fawcett Aud. Feb. 26, 7:30 PM: Rapid City, South Dakota; Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Feb. 28, 7:30 PM: Helena, Montana; Civic Center

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Saturday, Mar 09: FEAST Celtic Fire. Grand Junction, CO

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from Rumi:

 

My worst habit is I get so tired of winter I become a torture to those I’m with.

If you’re not here, nothing grows. I lack clarity. My words tangle and knot up.

How to cure bad water? Send it back to the river. How to cure bad habits? Send me back to you.

When water gets caught in habitual whirlpools, dig a way out through the bottom to the ocean. There is a secret medicine given only to those who hurt so hard they can’t hope.

The hopers would feel slighted if they knew.

Look as long as you can at the friend you love, no matter whether that friend is moving away from you or coming back to you.

 

 

Dear One,

Blessings to you in this time of intensity and evolution. May you keep breathing into your belly and remember to tell your family you love them.

I’ve just updated our website to reflect the upcoming shows that I know of in the next two months. www.embodyingrhythm.com

Also we updated the “look and listen” page on the website. Here is a sample for you; a you tube video for your viewing pleasure: http://youtu.be/7V6RTkw3NdA

The tour with FEAST in November went well. And we are busy putting our program together for the January shows. We hope to see you there.  If you have any friends a bit further afield, please let them know about our February tour too.

Happy Solstice! Happy Holidays! Happy New Year! Happy Birthday to the many of you celebrating at this time of the year.

And now I am obliged to keep harping on about this fracking thing; the idea of leasing 20,555 acres in my valley really does distress me when I think about my future and the future of our children. I know we need to be making alternative energy choices and evolving personally as much as possible, but taking some action also feels relevant.

Please, Sign and Share the White House Petition.  https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/withdraw-blm-oilgas-leases-colorados-premier-organic-farming-region-and-update-blms-25-year-old-land/cFjBGbDM     to remove all North Fork parcels from the Feb. 2013 lease sale. We need 25,000 signatures by Dec. 20 to receive an official response from the White House.  If you have connections to other groups or organizations, please share this message with them and ask them to distribute it widely. It takes a minute to register and then you have to re-check your email, but it would be ever-so-wonderful to stop this lease/sale from happening.

More information here: www.citizensforahealthycommunity.org

Also, here is another way to help: Sierra Club has an easy letter to send to the President. “Right now, the White House and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are taking another look at their outdated rules for fracking on over 750 million acres of public, private, and Native lands. This is your opportunity to make sure protecting our air, water, and public health are the first things BLM must commit to before allowing any fracking to move forward. Tell President Obama to protect our communities from natural gas drilling and create strong rules for drilling on public lands. Find out more and send your message here: http://action.sierraclub.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=10009&

 

all the best,

Arlyn (and David)

www.embodyingrhythm.com and ladyarlyn.wordpress.com

 

____________UPCOMING EVENTS____________

 

Thursday, Dec 20: The Dark Night with Craig Childs – David on Percussion. Paradise Theater. Paonia, CO   7pm

Friday, Dec 21: Solstice Gathering at the Yoga Tree in Hotchkiss, CO with Margaret Gilfoyle noon-1:30pm

Friday, Dec 21: The Dark Night with Craig Childs and DJ Smyth afterparty – David on Percussion. Paradise Theater. Paonia, CO 8pm

Saturday, Dec 22: Christmas Concert – with Arlyn and David on percussion. Sacred Heart Church. Paonia, CO

Tuesday, Dec 25: Christmas at the Heideman’s. With Bernie Heideman leading the Dances of Universal Peace. more info: 872-2172

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FEAST in Colorado

Tickets here: http://www.junctionconcerts.com/celtic-rhapsody.html for tickets

Thursday, Jan 10: FEAST – Celtic Rhapsody. Montrose Pavilion    7:30pmFriday, Jan 11: FEAST – Celtic Rhapsody, Avalon Theater, Grand Junction, CO 7:30pmSaturday, Jan 12: FEAST – Celtic Rhapsody, Avalon Theater, Grand Junction, CO 7:30pmSunday, Jan 13: FEAST – Celtic Rhapsody, Glenwood High School 7:30pm

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Friday, Jan 18: Sticky Mulligan with David Alderdice + full band @ Cavalcade, Fruita, CO

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FEAST – Celtic Fire 2013

Feb. 16, 7:30 PM: Yankton, South Dakota; High School Theatre Feb. 17, 7:30 PM: Huron, South Dakota; High School Aud. Feb. 19, 7:30 PM: Milbank, South Dakota; High School Theater Feb. 22, 7:00 PM: Merrill, Wisconsin; High School Aud. Feb. 23, 7:30 PM: Eagle River; Wisconsin, Northland Pines HS Aud. Feb. 25, 7:30 PM: Devils Lake, North Dakota, Lake Region State College, R. Fawcett Aud. Feb. 26, 7:30 PM: Rapid City, South Dakota; Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Feb. 28, 7:30 PM: Helena, Montana; Civic Center

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Saturday, Mar 09: FEAST Celtic Fire. Grand Junction, CO

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we have come to be dancednot the pretty dancenot the pretty, pick me, pick me dancebut the claw our way back into the bellyof the sacred, sensual animal dancethe unhinged, unplugged, cat is out of the box dancethe holding the precious moment in the palms of our hands and feet dancewe have come to be dancednot the jiffy, booby, shake your booty for him dancebut the wring the sadness from our skin dancethe blow the chip off our shoulder dancethe slap the apology from our posture dancewe have come to be dancednot the monkey see, monkey do danceone, two dance like youone, two, three, dance like me dancebut the grave robber, tomb stalkertearing scabs and scars open dancethe rub the rhythm raw against our souls danceWe have come to be dancednot the nice invisible, self conscious shufflebut the matted hair flying, vodoo mamashaman shakin’ ancient bones dancethe strip us from our casings, return our wingssharpen our claws and tongues dancethe shed dead cells and slip intothe luminous skin of love dancewe have come to be dancednot the hold our breath and wallow in the shallow end of the floor dancebut the meeting of the trinity: the body, breath and beat dancethe shout hallelujah from the top of our thighs dancethe mother may I?yes you may take 10 giant leaps dancethe Olly Olly Oxen Free Free Free dancethe everyone can come to the heaven dancewe have come to be dancedwhere the kingdom’s collide in the cathedral of fleshto burn back the lightto unravel, to play, to fly, to prayto root in skin sanctuarywe have come to be dancedWE HAVE COME-jewel mathieson

 

Dear One,

Fall-time already. It feels like spring and summer were here and gone in just a moment. It’s always stunning to me how the cycles of the earth just keep flowing.

 

This is from Melissa Michaels, Arlyn’s dancing mentor –

“Greetings friends. As our election season approaches, please take a moment to confirm that you are CURRENTLY REGISTERED TO VOTE. Although the system is not working as ideally as we know it can and must, our voting voices absolutely matter in the shaping of our future. For those of you in Colorado, the following link will allow you to check your voting status and sign up if you are not yet registered. NOW is the time to register. October 9th is our last chance to register for this coming election. GO FOR IT!”

https://www.sos.state.co.us/voter-classic/secuRegVoterIntro.do

many blessings!

Arlyn (and David)

www.devadancing.com and www.embodyingrhythm.com

 

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . .UPCOMING EVENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

Marble Fall Fest

Fundraiser for Marble’s community fund

$20 for two days of live music Saturday Oct. 6 and Sunday Oct. 7 – Bring a Friend!

David with Sticky Mulligan  – October 6 – 6pm

David and Arlyn with FEAST – October 6 – 7:30pm

all sorts of other good bands too!

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Untitled Fall Poem

 

The pears are ripening, falling and rotting.

The blue bugs with the fuzzy white butts are back in season.

The cattails have been painted gold to match the blazing rabbit-brush.

The clouds came down and touched

the edges of my lips.

 

Bring me an apple, a pumpkin, a sunflower.

Bring me the magic of sleep where everything is possible

Bring me the wonderment

that you saved in your pocket

from when you were a child.

Give me a pen and a piece of paper

And I’ll write you a dream, I’ll whisper you a memory.

 

Peace

IS this

sometimes agitated

movement through the moment

Held by everything and nothing at all.

 

I offer my breath to this possibility.

 

Here,

listening deeper than ever before.

 

-Arlyn Deva

 

 

Dear One,

Hello, I hope that you are well.

 

David and I were just out doing some backpacking and hiking in the wilderness.  It is beautiful up in the high country right now and I recommend a trip. Especially if you tie it in with seeing some live music. . . I find the wilderness to be so cleansing, even just being out for an afternoon makes a big difference for my well-being.  It also helps me to be more at peace with my garden to see how plants come and go in the wild – I feel that simply witnessing nature is an important part of life. The presence found in nature is such a great teacher of being okay with the way things are and going with the flow.

 

Our friends Blaine and Sarah have arrived from Maryland and rehearsal for Pretty Gritty sounds great!  We’re excited for their Colorado tour. The schedule is below. This is fun, soulful, danceable music!   Here are two videos so you can get a taste of them. . .Hey You        Highway

 

lots of love,

Arlyn and David

www.devadancing.com and www.embodyingrhythm.com

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

________________

Pretty Gritty visits Colorado! check out their website: www.prettygrittymusic.com

with David Alderdice on drums playing their hearts out for you. . .

 

Wed. July 4th – Paonia Town Park – Cherry Days. 12pm-2pm

Wed. July 4th – Louie’s Loft in Paonia – 8pm-11pm

Thurs. July 5th – interview aired worldwide on KVNF.org 3:30-4pm  (mtn. time)

Friday, July 6th – Steve’s Guitar’s in Carbondale – 8pm $10

Saturday, July 7th – at Cavalcade in Fruita 201 E Aspen St., 8pm $12 www.cavalcadefruita.com

Tuesday, July 10th – at Eddie McStiff’s in Moab, UT www.eddiemcstiffs.com

Wed. July 11th – Revolution Brewery in Paonia. 5:30-8:30pm

Thursday, July 12 – Ridgeway town Park – Pickin’ in the Park 6-6:40 pm opening for Shinyribs

Thursday, July 12 –  Sherbino Theater in Ridgeway 10pm

Friday, July 13 – live radio interview. listen worldwide at www.kbut.org 2:45pm (mtn. time)

Friday, July 13 – Rumors in Crested Butte (next door to Townie Books) 4-6pm

Friday, July 13 – Kochevar’s in Crested Butte 10:30pm

Saturday, July 14 – Gunnison Farmer’s Market 10:30am – 1:30pm

Saturday, July 14 – Delicious Orchards in Paonia – 4-7pm

 

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Write On! Poetry Anthology Reading with Arlyn Deva reading 2 original pieces and other local authors. 7pm at the Blue Sage in Paonia, Thursday July 5th.

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David with Sticky Mulligan

 

Saturday, July 7th – at Cherry Days 4-5pm

Wed. July 18th – in Glenwood Springs at the summer of music concert series in the park. 6pm

Thursday July 19th – @ Main in Montrose in Montrose CO. 6-8:30pm

Friday July 20th – @ Cups Tavern in Ridgway CO. 8-11pm. Tix $5.

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David plays with the Sea Stars

 

Sunday, July 8th – Paonia Town Park – Cherry Days. noon

Saturday, July 21 – Ridgeway, CO – Sherbino Theater doors at 8pm, music at 9. $10

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Celebrate the Beat – Children’s dance performance. Friday afternoon, July 20.  Paonia. www.ctbeat.org with David on drums.

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“Where Everything Is Music” by Jelaluddin Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks Don’t worry about saving these songs! And if one of our instruments breaks, it doesn’t matter. We have fallen into the place where everything is music. The strumming and the flute notes rise into the atmosphere, and even if the whole world’s harp should burn up, there will still be hidden instruments playing. So the candle flickers and goes out. We have a piece of flint, and a spark. This singing art is sea foam. The graceful movements come from a pearl somewhere on the ocean floor. Poems reach up like spindrift and the edge of driftwood along the beach, wanting! They derive from a slow and powerful root that we can’t see. Stop the words now. Open the window in the center of your chest, and let the spirits fly in and out.

 

 

Dear One,

Happy Spring Equinox!

I wish I could speak like music. I wish I could put the swaying splendor of the fields into words So that you could hold Truth against your body and dance. I am trying the best I can with this crude brush, the tongue,To cover you with light. I wish I could speak like divine music. I want to give you the sublime rhythms of this earth and the sky’s limbs As they joyously spin and surrender, surrender against God’s luminous breath.Hafiz wants you to hold me against your precious body And dance, DANCE.~Hafiz

 

I’m so excited for the upcoming Open Dance Space on Sunday March 22 from 2-5pm at the Blue Sage in Paonia that I wanted to send you all another email to remind you about it. An exploration of movement and sound through deep listening. I hope you can join David and I for this grand adventure. Open to the whole family. Please arrive at 2pm even if you can’t stay for the whole afternoon.

The last time we had the combination of live music with the Open Dance Space, I found it to be quite ecstatic. The longer time-frame will allow for a deep alchemy to occur of movement and sound – as well as personally for anything you are being with in the turning of spring.

“Creative movement is a function of our innate biological rhythms and is thus closer to natural human expression than any other.” ~Diane Lynch Fraser

 

And, I’m happy to announce the Embodying Rhythm 7-week frame drum class with David Alderdice (I’ll be there as an assistant). Wednesdays 7-8:30pm, at the Blue Sage in Paonia May 6 – June 17, 2009.We will explore and expand our rhythmic awareness with traditional grooves and modern applications.Open to beginners. Frame drums available to use.Call 527-3826 for more information and to sign up. $57 for all 7 classes.

 

I have several KVNF public radio Medicine Shows coming up: Sundays 10am – 1pm: March 29, April 12  & April 19. http://www.kvnf.org/

 

Blessings and I look forward to seeing you soon (maybe even at the open dance space march 22, 2-5pm),

LOVE! Arlyn

www.devadancing.com