Another Opening, Another Show

UPDATE :  STILL NEED FEEDBACK ON THIS!!!!

Yes, ladies, we've hardly recovered from our Solstice ritual and it's already time to think about our yearly Fundraiser in April.

I know many of you want to do more contemporary songs, so my thought is this -- a time traveling radio show.  Here's why.

1) We can set up mikes and perhaps other instruments
2) No Choreography or Costumes (well, minimal costumes)
3) We can have scripts and music onstage
4) Open to any song 

The "frame" of the show would be a radio (I think I can persuade Jay to help us create a stage set with a radio theme,) with a "dial" that tunes into various years associated with certain songs.  We can also create a skit or two (possibly recreating some classic skits, like "Who's on First" or things like that) or do a "scene" from a "soap opera". Since people don't actually "see" what's playing on a radio, we would be performing as if in a studio, without worrying too much about where we are standing or anything like that, and with our scripts or sheet music in our hands.   People could chose to wear clothes appropriate for streetwear for the period of the songs they want to perform, or just wear something nice and comfortable as one would wear in  a studio setting.   I don't want to get too elaborate with it, but that's the idea.  We could be extremely flexible.  We could even have some all instrumental pieces -- jazz, rock, country, classical, it's all open  It's a radio show.

Maybe we could get Ken Marsh to be our announcer, and Nate or other men in the congregation could show off their chops.  We are getting much more support from the congregation so we certainly can make space for members to have a little time in the spotlight with minimal fuss.  We should put out an "audition call" in January to see who else might be interested in performing. and we should reserve a date early on so people can decide their schedules.

So, how does this sound to everyone?  Please leave a "yay" or "nay" vote in the comments.

Other events?

  My friend, Paula Appling  wrote this to me and it has fired some thoughts--- see below

 Elaine,

The performance last night was beautiful.  Thank you for telling me about it.  Thank you for doing it.  I hope it is repeated each and every year because I felt . . . not as alone .. . or . . . not as dark . . . or .. . something.  I'm sure you understand.

I am trying to piece together how/what She Sings is.  Is it something like The Vagina Monologues which can be done every year because there are lots and lots of mini-vignettes to choose from?  The words Terre spoke spoke to me and I'm sure a lot of others too. I sat there thinking, if we all feel this way, why do we do the whole Christmas thing?  Celebrating the winter solstice, however, makes a ton of sense.

  So  in response to :

I am trying to piece together how/what She Sings is.  Is it something like The Vagina Monologues which can be done every year because there are lots and lots of mini-vignettes to choose from? 

I wonder what other rituals with music might be out there that are worth our time and energy.  We have to be sure it's really worth it--- I'm  not saying   "hey that was  fun, let's forget about how much work it was and sign up for 3 more"

But I am intrigued by the idea of adding to our repetoire-- My colleague who introduced  WSSR to me has another  Christmas event that she  and her choir do every other year.  I"ll look into that.  

Ladies

We rock!  Thank you for letting me sing with you.

I will now sleep until tomorrow afternoon.

After Show Get Together

I"m hosting an after show wind down  party at my house.

Don't know who has other  obligations or who needs to go home and just crash--- but I'll be eating something-- probably pizza-- and having a glass of wine.

Significant others welcome!

Warning: Joseph  is making grasshopper bars which are the worlds best mint  brownie.

But  dont  let that temptation stop you from coming!

cheat sheet for WSSR

The little symbols are meant to help: = means a reading (kind of like lines of words on a book), o means a meditation (open, nothing), and music note means song.

I'll bring the sharpie and highlighter in case anyone wants to add other little reminder notes.

A little treat

I just caught this online and had to share it.  There's music EVERYWHERE!

Good News

Doctor's appt. this morning -- nothing different, nothing new -- lead to an appt. this afternoon with the Ear/Nose/Throat specialist.  The problem isn't my vocal cords, but that I have some sort of silent acid reflux that is burning the back of my throat.  That can be dealt with -- meds are called in.  So, I imagine there will be some healing time, but in the meanwhile I should be good to go on Saturday no problem!

I'll have to figure the acid reflux thing out, but at least now I have a target.  I am SO relieved as I was imagining the worst.

photo record of my experiment today: how many candles in a bowl?

This will be long, but informative! Enjoy!

(and sorry my photos are mirrored, that's how my computer camera takes them. And Elaine, I put the black trays on the piano bench in the DRE/Choir Director room)

I found some ribbon labeled for "saving seats" during weddings and memorials. A nice bronzy color!

Terre and I were trying to decide if we could avoid taking off the paper wax catchers (to speed up the process). 

This was essentially a decorative cookie tray that was as deep as a pie tin. This depth is sufficient for holding candles! Even tough keeping the paper wax catchers skips a step, it seems a bit more cumbersome to try and place the candles with the paper on. 

Ooh! We found a square tray that was shallow and made of plastic. 

And a round one!

But when I filled the round one with sand it was noticeably flimsy. Scratch the round one.

But the square one was much firmer....

It holds 27 candles (with shown spacing). Note: the candles cannot go too close to the sides because (1) you want a good place to grip the edge, and (2) the tray is less deep there, so the sand is not deep enough to hold the candles.

The depth is about 1.5 - 2" 

Top view of the unlit candles in square tray

Half of them lit...

I blew them out to try and gauge how much smoke came off. There was a little puff that disappeared rather quickly.

Here's how the candles could get added... First you grab the top of the candle...

Then remove the paper wax catcher, discarding it in a basked (or some container the candles helpers have)...

Place the lit candle in the sand, next to the others... This took 1 large Foldgers can of sand.

Another thought was the shallow dish SS has.

Note: it is not very deep on the edges. It is also rather heavy.

Because it is not uniformly deep, the candles will not stay upright along the edge. We could fit 20 - 24 candles in this vessel, or something this size.

Inventory in SS hall closet:
51 candles in rectangular purple box
30+ candles in square purple box
150+ candles in white rectangular box
a bazillion paper wax catchers
3 rolls of 2.5" X 3yd bronze ribbon for roping off aisles (if we don't have anything else already)
Yellow plastic lining material (like for table cloths) - could be used to line baskets that hold candles and wax catchers
We have plenty of Sand! one Tidy Cats bucket (probably 6 large Folders cans worth)

Need for congregation candles collection:
Estimating 70 - 120 people, we would need 3 - 5 trays for holding candles (including the one black square one)
Baskets to hold wax catchers after removed (helpful if they have a large handle to look on your wrist, or have a second helper designated for just this).

Ideas
Use these pot trays (for potted plants) as shallow vessels to hold sand. They're plastic (also come in green and terracota red) and sturdy. Couldn't find them on Lowe's website, but they are at Home Depot in Seneca: Fiskars 24 in. Resin Terra Pot Tray, Model # 51624 Store SKU # 214617

Candles!!!

Just got a note that they are " in production"  Being made today, just for us!!!
Unto us a candle is born..... sorry couldn't resist

HOLIDAY BREAK

Do we want  to meet the Mon after WSSR?  Please lets vote.  I'm up for a party, myself~

I am not holding rehearsals on December 24  or 31.  Rehearsals resume Jan 7.


Also,  there is a note on the calendar re singing with Peace Church  on Christmas Eve.  As far as I know, Inge has agreed to sing, but no one else was able to be here.  So we are NOT singing with Peace Church.  Don't  worry if you see that note....

do not tilt a lit candle

here's the simple info graphic

inspiration and warmth

I know by the flood of e-mails in the last 24 hrs (seriously, > 10, we are so communicative!) that another one is too much just to pass on this little photo.

But I couldn't help but think of you all when I found this...

This is taken from a site that linked to the Secret Lantern Society in Vancouver. Doesn't it look like a chalice? Not for this year, but how special would it be to set some luminaria out in the memorial garden circle for an optional post-service reflection time? or a little bonfire?

Anyway, as stressed and worried and overwhelmed as we might all feel, take a breath, enjoy the energy of a lit flame, and the circle that holds us all together. We are in the crunch time, but less is more, like Andi said, it's about the feeling and expression, not so much the words and the finishing touches. It will be an amazing night!

Have a great week, She Sings!

found candles!!  the bestcandles.com

Previous Orders 12/04/2012 #5841 Elaine Fredendall, USA Received $56.78

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