Community Gamelan – Gift from White Deer and Violette Rose

August 30, 2010September 28, 20102 Comments

At this years Sacred Harvest Festival, guests White Deer and Violette offered much. Following each day from a series of six workshops for drummers by White Deer, Violette offered workshops in Improvisational Belly dance for bonfires. Members from the drumming class stayed on to provide live drumming for the dance classes.

Both men and women participated in Violet's improvisational dance workshps, often 10-15 people

Drawing from their backgrounds in formal music and years of performing at national Pagan Festivals and reinvigorated from a recent trip to Bangalore, India, they masterfully offered this exceedingly ambitious series for drummers and dancers….. but that’s just the start of it. Continue reading →

Meet Harmony Tribe

August 25, 2010October 11, 201014 Comments

A “Meet Harmony Tribe” (HT) event was held at Sacred Harvest Festival on Wednesday Aug. 11th. Present for most of the meeting were the members of the HT board, referred to as the “council”, as well as several past and present members, and 3-5 folks interested in Harmony Tribe. Introductions were offered by the Board and those present. Elected chair, (now “president” in the new bylaws) Benjamin Davis summarized what he believes some of the accomplishments of Harmony Tribe were this year. He elaborated regarding the state non profit incorporation filing and new bylaws adoption, by amendment, by the HT board. The sweeping and fundamental changes were made, Benjamin stated, “to protect Harmony Tribe members from potential liability”. Other incorporation questions were deferred until the end of the presentation.

Each Board member reviewed their defined duties in turn, and prospective members asked about the process of getting involved. Examples were given of individuals that contributed through committees or other methods to Harmony Tribe. It was clarified that a person does not have to be a member to work on a committee. A prospective member asked about communication and response difficulties with Harmony Tribe over the past year. Registration Director Sean Nilsen assured the meeting that, “All communication issues have been resolved and any information prospective members need to find is on the Harmony Tribe website. ” When asked how prospective new members find out about meetings, locations, times, etc., it was explained non-members must directly contact HT via the website, rely on posted past minutes ( May is the last meeting minutes currently posted online), or join Harmony Tribe to receive current meeting minutes via the membership email list. Continue reading →

Cherie Sampson – International Artist at SHF

August 24, 2010September 28, 20102 Comments

Cherie Sampson is a visual artist working in environmental sculpture, performance and video, exhibiting her work in the US and abroad. She currently resides

Cherie Sampson

in Columbia, Missouri and is an Assistant Professor of Art at the University of Missouri where she coordinates the Foundations program and teaches Foundations and Video Art. She contributed as a national guest at Sacred Harvest Festival and offered a series of workshops on “Embodying Sacred Space”, and a Thursday night performance piece multimedia premier, entitled “One of Many Limbs”. This interview is in its entirety, but somewhat edited for flow. You can listen to the whole interview here.

What was your experience like this year, coming to Sacred Harvest Festival and presenting to a bunch of Pagans camping out?

It has been really good, really great, and I haven’t been to this festival. This is the first time. I am familiar with many people who have been really close for a long time, Alvin and Lila, and I’ve known you for probably twenty years. I still remember many of the songs from the ritual you did years ago, so I feel certainly a part of this community, although there are many people I don’t know.

Set Created for Cherie's performance photo: jtouchette

Well, when Judy emailed me in February, I just felt really honored to be asked to come as guest artist. I have been kind of reflecting on how in some ways in my work, career, especially in an academic environment at a research university, there are certain expectations to be showing your work, and doing your research. It becomes very externalized, the work becomes part of this career chase. I knew this would give an opportunity to connect with a community that understands the deeper spiritual dimensions of my work. Also for me to reconnect with those dimensions as well, which are always present. When I am seeking the gallery venues and that art world sort of channel, it (spiritual dimensions) becomes quieter. Continue reading →

SHF Workshops – Inspired by the Muses

August 23, 2010August 23, 20101 Comment

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Seducing the Muse was the theme of this year’s Sacred Harvest Festival and many of the workshops were true to that theme. There were workshops on opening up your inner self to divine inspiration, lace making, writing, leather working, and achieving ecstasy through chanting, just to name a few. Temple Arts by Gypsy Nilsen and Color Texture Therapy by Judy Olson were two workshops that involved a high degree of hands-on participation by attendees.

Continue reading →

Ken Ra Grandfathering

August 19, 2010September 28, 20103 Comments

Over a hundred people gathered on Saturday Aug 14th at Sacred Harvest Festival to honor Ken Ra and his years of passing knowledge. The event was hosted by Linda Green and an informal circle was cast using the songs “Air Moves Me”, the “Lady’s, Lord’s, and an Ancestor’s Bransle”.