Throat singing concert
MINNEAPOLIS – Steve Sklar, the leading Western performer and teacher of khoomei, or Tuvan Throat-Singing, performs with his group The Overtone Orchestra, opening for the Tuvan band Huun-Huur-Tu, at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3 at The Cedar, 416 Cedar Ave. S.
Members for this event include: Johnna Morrow (Big Sky lead singer), flutes, vocals, percussion, didgeridoo; Steve Lazarski, didgeridoo; John Pascuzzi, didgeridoo, and the new Swiss instrument, the hang, and igil; Steve Sklar, vocals, throat-singing, didgeridoo, percussion.
For more information, call The Cedar at (612) 338-2674, visit www.thecedar.org or http://khoomei.com, or call Steve Sklar at (612) 521-4308.
Chanting and sacred songs
MINNEAPOLIS – Inspired by the timeless art and spiritual practices of Sufi and Yogic traditions, David Schmit, Ph.D., of Meeting Rivers Sacred Music Theater and Gary Waryan present a monthly program of easily learned mystic chants and songs from 8 to 10 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month at 360 Yoga Studio, 2327 Hennepin Ave. S.
Events are scheduled on Feb. 11, March 11, April 8, May 13 and June 10. The suggested donation is $8 to $12, with children free. A portion of proceeds goes to SEVA Foundation, to restore sight to the blind of India and Nepal.
Schmit is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and collector of sacred songs from many traditions. He has studied human development, East and West for three decades. Waryan brings years of experience performing on India’s magnificent finger drums, the tablas.
For more information, call (612) 729-5289. To receive updates on the gathering, e-mail [email protected]
Steven Farmer to present "Power Animals"
MINNEAPOLIS – Dr. Steven Farmer, shamanic practitioner, international speaker and author of the best-selling "Power Animals" will show you how to connect with your own personal animal spirit guide, known as your power animal, in a lively and powerful evening workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
By working with your power animal and animal spirit guides, you’ll find spiritual allies who will guide, teach and heal you, and make dealing with daily life smoother and easier. You’ll gain a greater sense of personal authority and confidence, knowing you can call on them any time for assistance with various life challenges and issues.
Dr. Farmer also will introduce his new Power Animal Oracle Cards, an easy-to-use divination tool that will give you immediate advice and counsel from animal spirit guides.
"Finding and connecting with your power animal opens up a magical world of possibilities that will help you in very practical ways," Farmer says. "Working with your power animal also helps us remember our connection with both the natural world and the spirit world, and especially with our animal brothers and sisters."
Space is limited and early registration is suggested. The cost is $25 if you enroll by March 25; $30 after that time or at the door. To register, call 1 (866) 809-8080, or in the Greater Twin Cities area, (763) 433-9291.
Living nonviolently
Ron Erdman-Luntz and Laura Erdman-Luntz, M.A., who operate the Center for Healthy Living in Eden Prairie, Minn., have been studying yoga, T’ai chi and philosophy for more than 45 combined years. Eventually, they began to connect their path to the journey toward nonviolence and have developed a self-taught course on Living Nonviolently available online. It debuted in January at www.ayearoflivingnonviolently.com.
For them, it did not begin with the works of Mahatma Gandhi or Martin Luther King, Jr. It was their relationship work with their children.
"I realize now that that is where it begins," Laura writes on their website. "The small changes we make within ourselves create a ripple effect within ourselves and also affect others, as well as the consciousness of the world. As I worked on my relationship with my children, I evolved as an individual. I became a kinder, more loving wife, daughter, sister, friend and yoga teacher. I know I am creating two much more compassionate and loving souls for the world than my old self would have, and I cannot even begin to guess the effect I have had on others along the way who have then gone on to affect others."
The course is a 13-unit program that assists those who want to cultivate more joy and compassion in their lives. The price varies, from free for the initial "Awareness and Focus" unit and supporting newsletters by email, to the full $295 price for all supporting lesson plans and newsletters. Participants can join at any time.
For more information, e-mail [email protected].
New Textures exhibit
RICE, Minn. – New Textures, a touring art exhibit from Minneapolis artists, Courie Bishop and James Fitzgerald, will be on display February 1 through March 1 at Rice Print Shop, 435 Main St. E., in Rice. An opening reception for the artists will be from noon to 8 p.m. on February 1.
Bishop’s new works are an evolution from her beginnings as a painter. Self-taught, she tackles large issues in her abstract paintings, stemming from her own recent experiences with birth, death, loss, change and a radical shift in her own perception and life.
The visual beauty of James Fitzgerald’s work is only surpassed by his keen intellect and experience in photography. In his photographs, he combines form and color in modern terms. He approaches photography as more than taking pictures; he describes it as "making pictures." This is exemplified in his textural work, which are more like paintings than photographs, using exquisite composition and an uncompromising eye for color.
The opening reception also serves as a world premiere release party for Courie Bishop’s new graphic novel, "moving forcefully into scope." A sample of the book can be seen at http://moonoftheaeon.com/moving%20forcefully%20into%20scope/moving.html.
For more information, call (320) 492-0475 or visiting www.riceprintshop.com.
