Setlist from the Dec 30 Songs for the Turning of the Year @ Yess Yoga

Here are the songs we sang at Songs for the Turning of the Year at Yess Yoga on Friday night, December 30, 2022:

1. You are in the right place (Martha Burford)
2. Welcome to the Table (chaos) (clb)
3. Put Your Roots Down (Molly Hartwell)
4. the neuroplasticity song (Ahlay Blakely)
5. Comfort* (Heather Wilson)

Year End BnR Fundraising Gratitude & S T R E T C H!

This update is about a month overdue. Partly because of shock (we made our initial goal! What what?!?) and partly because it's a pretty busy time for church musicians everywhere.

We feel so appreciative of all our donors. The ones who gave $2,500 and those who gave $10. You're all the same to us. We're feeling the love and support for the Biracial & Rural community and the Freeing Stuck Refrains project at Points of Light Music pretty strongly. Thank you.

With four days left in the calendar year, we're putting out a stretch goal of $5,000. We'll only $605 short of that now. Those funds will go toward creating an in-person gathering of Freeing Refrains.

  

Can you help us reach this goal?  Donate here.

Jan 21, Feb 4: Subzero Singalong, A Community Sing on Ice with Good Trouble

Dates and times are set for the Subzero Singalong: A Community Sing on Ice at Art Shanty Projects (ASP) at Bde Unma/Lake Harriet!  

There will be community sings every Saturday in the village Town Square at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m.!  

We are delighted to be one of two community singing proposals selected for this year's festival and collaborating to make a strong  "Let's Sing Together!" impact!  

• Good Trouble (us!) will be leading songs on Saturdays, January 21 and February 4.
• The amazing Sarina Partridge will be leading on January 28 & February 11.

Registration is Open for "The Breathing Life of All" Aramaic Jesus Retreat

2/21/23 Update:  We are so very sorry to inform you that The Breathing Life of All retreat with Neil Douglas-Klotz April 14 – 17 in Des Moines, IA has been cancelled. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you. Eventbrite will provide full refunds for those registered. Please let us know if there is any problem with that process. Read more details here.  

Jan-May 2023 Heart Songs Calendar

What: Heart Songs: Lament, Longing, & Love (a community space for you to bring your heart and your voice)

When: every other Monday, 6:30-8p CDT (05-UTC)

• January 2 & 16 & 30
• February 13 & 27
• March 13 & 27
• April 10 & 24
• May 8 & 22

Where: Online:

Dec 30: Songs for the Turning of the Year

What:  Songs for the Turning of the Year

Where:  Yess Yoga, 105 E. 26th St., Minneapolis

When:  Friday, December 30, 7:30-9 p.m.

Come breathe deep, open up, and join us for a Full Voice Song Circle as the year turns. As we let go of 2022, what needs to be celebrated? What needs to be released? What intentions would you like to set for the new year? We will sing for joy, grief, and courage, and move towards wholeness and delight.

Setlist from Dec 4 Longing for Justice Song Circle

Here are the songs we sang at the Longing for Justice Song Circle at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities on Sunday afternoon, December 4, 2022:

1. Healing is Possible (Orion Johnstone) - led by Doe
2. Net of Remembrance (Ahlay Blakely) - led by Bridgette
3. Come, Light of Lights* (words: trans from Celtic chant of Ceile De order/Tune: © 2006 Ruth Cunningham) - led by Conie
4. When Times Are Hard/We Lead in Love (Liz Digitale Anderson) 

Dec 4: Longing for Justice: Song Circle + Potluck @ UTS

You're invited to Longing For Justice, a hybrid song circle & in-person potluck!

Tapestry Community of Song and United Family Dinners present an evening of community song and meal. Led by UTS students and song leaders Doe Hoyer and Bridgette Weber with special guest song leaders Liz Digitale Anderson and Conie Borchardt. We gather to sing songs for Justice, transformation, and liberation, taught through the practice of aural tradition, call and response community singing. This is a queer friendly and all voices friendly space.

Date:  Sunday, December 4, 2022

Nov 17: Give to the Max Day for Biracial & Rural projects

It's the Great Mni'sota Give Together, Give To the Max Day today! Points of Light Music (polimu) is participating with two projects: Biracial & Rural and Freeing Stuck Refrains.

Please read on to learn more about what we're dreaming for 2023... (or just hop over to this link to make a donation)...

***

Biracial & Rural continues to grow a community of care for mixed race and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) in predominantly white spaces. Over the last year we have continued to connect with folks who are yearning for kindred places to gather, share our stories, and do the healing work of shedding the ways we've internalized oppressive systems.

And there is more connection and healing to do.

In 2023, we want to hold six Freeing Stuck Refrains gatherings and invite 10 folks into a Biracial & Rural retreat space.

Would you help us connect, tell stories, and create arts-based healing spaces?

** 

Setlist from Nov 12 Songs for Truth Telling, New Narratives, and Cultural Composting

Here is a list of the songs Good Trouble led at the Songs for Truth Telling, New Narratives, and Cultural Composting workshop session at the Overcoming Racism Conference organized by the Facilitating Racial Equity Collaborative (FREC) in St. Paul, on Saturday afternoon, November 12, 2022.  

1. I did not come here alone (The Peace Poets)
2. Somebody’s Hurtin’ my brother (Yara Allen) - in We Rise (see below)
3. The Center Will Hold (words: inspired from introduction to Brene Brown's Atlas of the Heart/music: clb)
4. We Keep Us Safe (Liz Digitale Anderson)
5. Always (Grace Lee Boggs as quoted in Emergent Strategies by adrienne maree brown/Nathan Holst)
6. This is the Moment (Peace Poets)
7. Thy Light is in all forms (words: Hazrat Inayat Khan/Music: Yakzan Valdez)
8. When Times Are Hard (Liz Digitale Anderson)
9. We get there together (Or never get there at all) (Josh Blaine)

We also promised to share a list of resources, i.e., songbooks, instruments, song catchers to follow, so you can build up your personal skills & repertoire.  Here it is! 

Jan-Feb 2023: Subzero Singalong @ Art Shanties on Bde Unma

Good Trouble is delighted to be part of the Art Shanty Projects this winter!  

Don't know what the Art Shanty Projects are all about?  Let us tell you!

Art Shanty Projects creates a temporary community on a frozen lake centering art, whimsy, and weird winter experiences in Minnesota.  From the ASP About page:  

Since 2004 Art Shanty Projects has created whimsical, weird and joyful winter art experiences for grown ass adults and kids of all ages. Inspired by pop-up ice fishing villages,

Setlist from Oct 30 Grief Song Circle @ Anam Cara

Here is a list of the songs we sang at the Song Circle for Grief Tending at Anam Cara House on Sunday evening, October 30, 2022.  In alpha order by title: 

• Do You Feel, Do You Heal? (words: Spirit; Music: Liz)
• Find Hope (People's Echo)
• Grief and Love (Sarina Partridge)
• Healing is Possible (Orion Johnstone)

Setlist from Full Voice Song Circle @ Yess Yoga, Oct 28, 2022

Here are the songs we sang at the Full Voice Song Circle: Celebration of the Elements at Yess Yoga on Friday night, October 28, 2022:

1. Shruti Improvisation (not recorded)
2. I did not come here alone (The Peace Poets)
3. The Way Knows the Way (Lyndsey Scott) - plus the studio version from their new album

Oct 27: Freeing Stuck Refrains - Open Zoom Rehearsal

You're invited to an Open Zoom Rehearsal!  

Rie Gilsdorf and I will be presenting Freeing Stuck Refrains: A Reflective Storytelling Space for "What binds us? What liberates us?" at the Overcoming Racism Conference, November 11-12, 2022 in St. Paul, MN.  

We know that not everyone can attend that, so we're inviting friends and colleagues to join us for an Open Zoom Rehearsal.  

When:  Thursday, October 27, 2022, 7-8:30 p.m. CT

Where:  Zoom (Meeting ID: 810 1908 8042 // Passcode: 344304) -- if you'd like a link sent to you, sign up for the Freeing Refrains newsletter here.  

This is a 90-minute reprise of the Freeing Refrains gathering we had in May.  

Meet Rie and her work at Embody Equity here.  

Nov 11-12: Offerings at the Overcoming Racism Conference

 

We're excited to offer two breakout workshops at the Overcoming Racism Conference* at Metro State this year.  

1.  Freeing Stuck Refrains: A Reflective Storytelling Space for “What Binds Us? What Liberates Us?” with Rie Gilsdorf on Friday, November 11, 1:10-2:40 p.m. 

* We're having an Open Virtual Rehearsal on Thursday, October 27, 7-8:30 p.m. on Zoom.  Use the Contact Us form to reach out and ask for the link, if you're not able to attend the conference!

2.  Songs for Truth Telling, New Narratives, and Cultural Composting with Liz Digitale Anderson (as song leading duo, Good Trouble) on Saturday, November 12, 12:10-1:40 p.m.

* Check out some of the other community singing gatherings we're having here!

Checkout the program (in-person & livestreamed) and register before midnight on Friday, November 4 (EXTENDED!) October 28.  

* The Overcoming Racism Conference is organized by the Facilitating Racial Equity Collaborative (FREC).  

Oct 30: Song Circle for Grief Tending @ Anam Cara

What:  Song Circle for Grief Tending 

Where:  Anam Cara House (see below for details)

When:  Sunday October 30, 5-6 p.m.

Our culture lacks space and containers for grief.
......these days, there's a lot to process.

If you need space from more expression and movement of grief, or just room to feel some feels in community, please join us to sing together next Sunday, Oct. 30.

All songs will be taught call and response, oral tradition (you don't need to know what you're doing, just be willing to breathe and open your mouth and sing back.) Liz Digitale Anderson and Conie Borchardt will be holding the circle.

The songs will give our bodies and our hearts space to feel what we need to feel and let it work through us.

Dress warmly as we will be outside around the fire. There is a port-a-potty available for use. Although wearing masks outside will be optional, we do invite folks to wear masks to tend to themselves and others. Please tend to yourself and your family as needed.

2023 DSM Dances Retreat Lodging & Meal Notes

2/21/2023 Update:  We are so very sorry to inform you that The Breathing Life of All retreat with Neil Douglas-Klotz April 14 – 17 in Des Moines, IA has been cancelled. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you. Eventbrite will provide full refunds for those registered. Please let us know if there is any problem with that process. Read more details here.

--

This retreat will offer an experience of chanting, moving and meditating with the Aramaic Prayer of Jesus (the "Lord's Prayer").

Information about the retreat is here. Registration will be on eventbrite.  Please note the staggered registration schedule.  

This page has lodging information and more details about meals provided.  Please use the contact us form is you have questions!  

Lodging

A block of rooms is reserved at the Courtyard Des Moines West/Clive (By Marriott): 

1520 NW 114th St

Clive, IA 50325 

Event Summary: Neil Douglas Klotz Room Block 

99 USD - 109 USD per night

• Start Date: Thursday, April 13, 2023
• End Date: Monday, April 17, 2023

 Last Day to Book: Thursday, March 23, 2023

Here is a direct link to book a room in the block.  

These accommodations are either close to the hotel with the block or closer to the retreat location:

1. Days Inn, 1600 NW 114th St, Clive, IA 50325 - close to the Courtyard above
2. Sleep Inn and Suites, 885 South 51st St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
3. Drury Inn and Suites, 5505 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266

If you would like to be matched for a homestay, please contact the coordinator at guildtammy@gmail.com.

Meals

For the main retreat, two lunches (Saturday & Sunday) and one dinner (Saturday) is provided in registration. 

On Monday, lunch will also be provided.

Your information about dietary restrictions, i.e., vegetarian/vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc., will be collected during registration. We will accommodate your needs as best we can.

COVID Protocols

For the health and well-being of everyone coming to sing, dance, and pray together, we ask each of us to participate in these group agreements:

• Practice limited large group experiences the week before the retreat
• Take a home test before leaving for the retreat and each day of the retreat, attending only when you have a negative result.
• Don't come if you are not feeling well.
• We hope most are vaccinated and boosted and request unvaccinated folks to mask. You are encouraged to tend to your personal risk tolerance and sense of safety to the level of your comfort.
• The retreat space will have windows that can be opened and HVAC filters are changed regularly.
• Refunds (minus the Eventbrite fees) are available on request.

Setlist from 9/27/22 Sing Out Stress + Sing In Rest Sing

Here are the songs Liz and Conie led at the final Sing Out Stress + Sing In Rest Song Circle at Springboard for the Arts on Tuesday night, September 27, 2022:

1. I did not come here alone (The Peace Poets)
2. People Gonna Rise Like the Water (The Peace Poets)
3. I release control (Alexa Sunshine Rose)

Setlist from the Full Voice Song Circle: Celebration of Elements @ Yess Yoga, Sept 16, 2022

Here are the songs we sang at the Full Voice Song Circle: Celebration of the Elements at Yess Yoga on Friday night, September 16, 2022:

1. Shruti Improvisation (not recorded)
2. Lord, I'm Free, Free, Free (Melanie DeMore)

Oct 28, Dec 30: Full Voice Song Circles @ Yess Yoga

 

Full Voice Song Circle

Date: Fridays, October 28, November 18*, December 30

Time: 7:30-8:45 pm
Sliding Scale: $5-$20
Register here

When it feels like the world is falling apart, singing in community is a thing that heals and centers us—we’re not alone. Join us for a New Moon Song Circle, where we welcome in fresh beginnings and take our time exploring the potential of our voices.

* With apologies, we are cancelling the November date.  Liz and I will be attending a SongSpreaders Reunion that weekend.  Expect some new songs in December! -clb

Setlist from 9/13/22 Sing Out Stress + Sing In Rest Sing!

Here are the songs Liz and Conie led at the Sing Out Stress + Sing In Rest Song Circle at Springboard for the Arts on Tuesday night, September 13, 2022:

1. I don’t know if I can hold this alone (Ian Carrick)
2. Do You Feel, Do You Heal? (words:  Spirit; Music: Liz)
3. I am connected (Beautiful chorus)

Sept 10-18: Song Week September!

We're doing it again!  

We thus declare Saturday, September 10 through Sunday, September 18, 2022, September's Week of Song!  

(we don't know if this is going to happen every month, but choosing to ride the wave whenever it happens!)

Here's the overview for the potluck of singing opportunities coming up for the week; see more details below!  Then signup for the corresponding email list when you feel it's a good fit!

The Sunday Morning Heretics Sing

What:  The Sunday Morning Heretics Sing

When:  1st & 3rd Sundays of the month, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Where:  Anam Cara House, So. Mpls

--

Do you miss singing? Please join us for The Sunday Morning Heretic Sing!

A community song circle welcoming everybody
+ especially holding space for ex-religious & queer folx
to sing heart songs, justice songs, & spirit songs
with our whole selves.

The Sunday Morning Heretic Sing!
September 4th & 18th, 2022 
10:30 - 11:30 am at the Anam Cara House Backyard

**Come through the gate at the right side of the house**

3612 Bloomington Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55407

Songleading by Liz Digitale Anderson + friends 
Free + open to all; donations gratefully accepted.
Questions? Email lizdances@gmail.com

Notes:
— Gate is on the right side of the house. If the weather is rainy we'll move into the covered back porch space, and may ask people to mask up there depending on whether Covid is surging.
—Kids: Are very welcome to come and sing; there's also a great play space set up for them in the basement if we're indoors.
—Allergies: The house has a resident dog and a cat.
—Access: The house is unfortunately not yet wheelchair accessible. If you have mobility needs and can possibly do a few steps, please let us know in advance; you can park in the back and we can assist you up the back stairs.
—Heretic: "A person holding an opinion at odds with what is generally accepted. From the Greek 'hairetikos'— able to choose."

Sept 10: Move Sound A.C.T.! @ Open Streets West Broadway

What: Move Sound A.C.T.! 

When: Saturday, September 10, 2022, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

**West Broadway Schedule!**

11 a.m. - Labyrinth Walk

12 noon - Don't You Feel It Too!

1 p.m. - Morningstar Singers Comfort Choir 

1:30 p.m. - Dances of Universal Peace/Spirit of Peace Meditation

2 p.m. Street Justice Singalong 

3 p.m. Labyrinth Chill Out

Where: between Bryant & Dupont on West Broadway, Minneapolis (map)
as part of Open Streets West Broadway.



Who are our leaders?

Liz Digitale Anderson (she/her) I write songs for community singing. They're songs for the streets, to keep us going in the struggle for justice, songs to remind us another world is possible and carry us through to liberation. I hope you'll find some friends and sing these together. Hear my songs here: https://soundcloud.com/lizdigitaleanderson.

Conie Borchardt (she/they) is a mixed Asian Public Heart Artist, a listener and vibration holding space for truth, pain, and delight while inviting creative expression in sound, movement, and color within themselves and in others. Learn more about them by checking out this website.

Setlist from the Singing Field Song Circle @ St. Luke's Farmer's Market, Aug 20, 202

Here are the songs Liz and Conie led at the Singing Field Song Circle at St. Luke's Farmer's Market on Saturday morning, August 20, 2022: 

1. You are in the right place (Martha Burford)
2. I am free in my body (Shireen Amini) - teaching notes

Setlist from the New Moon METAL & AIR Vocal Exploration Song Circle @ Yess Yoga, Aug 19, 2022

Here are the songs Liz and Conie led at the New Moon METAL & AIR Vocal Exploration at Yess Yoga on Friday night, August 19, 2022: 

1. Breathing In, Breathing Out (words: Thich Nhat Hanh/Music: Betsy Rose)
2. Sweet Surrender (text: Saint Symeon/music: Sophia)

Sept 16: FULL VOICE SONG CIRCLE: Celebration of the Elements

New Moon Song Circle: FULL VOICE SONG CIRCLE: Celebration of the Elements w/ Conie & Liz

Date: Friday, September 16th (Date changed, FYI)

Time: 7:30-8:45 pm
Sliding Scale: $5-$20
Register here

When it feels like the world is falling apart, singing in community is a thing that heals and centers us—we’re not alone. Join us for a New Moon Song Circle, where we welcome in fresh beginnings and take our time exploring the potential of our voices.

Fall 2022 Heart Songs Calendar!

What: Heart Songs: Lament, Longing, & Love (a community space for you to bring your heart and your voice)

When: every other Monday, 6:30-8p CDT (05-UTC)  

• September 12 & 26
• October 10 & 24
• November 7 & 21
• December 5 & 19

Setlist from "Sing Out Stress*Sing In Rest" (BIPOC & Mixed Race Centered Sing), Aug 18, 202

Here are the songs Liz, Conie, and Ihotu led at the first "Sing Out Stress*Sing In Rest" BIPOC & Mixed Race folk centered sing at Springboard for the Arts on Tuesday, night, August, 16, 2022:

1. Sweet Surrender (text: Saint Symeon/music: Sophia)
2. I did not come here alone (The Peace Poets)
3. Healing is Possible (Orion Johnstone)
4. Put Your Roots Down (Molly Hartwell)
5. This is the Moment (Peace Poets)

Oct 18: MGH Huddle Up

We are convening folks from past reads of My Grandmother's Hands (MGH) for a time of community catchup, discernment, and mutual support on

Aug 13: NO Open Streets

TLDR: On Saturday, August 13, we were hoping to offer sound and movement at Open Streets East Lake, but have decided to withdraw our participation. 

We are saddened by the death of a dear friend whose memorial is that day and will be joining family and friends in remembering that person. 

We plan to bring more space for grief and joy, action and peace to future Open Streets. Please stay tuned. 

Week of Song! (Aug 13-20)

One link for a potluck of singing opportunities coming up so you can see what resonates (and then sign up for the corresponding email list!)

The Week of Song in Saturday, August 13 through Saturday, August 20, 2022.  Here's the overview; see more details below!

• Saturday, August 13, 11a-4p @ Open Streets East Lake, Mpls (tbd) CANCELLED
• Monday, August 15, 6:30-8p CT:  Heart Songs (on zoom)
• Tuesday, August 16, 7:30-8:30p @ Springboard for the Arts, St. Paul - centering BIPOC & Mixed Race folks; led by Soul Song trio
• Friday, August 19, 7:30-8:45p @ Yess Yoga, Mpls - Vocal Exploration of Metal & Air Elemental qualities of the voice
• Saturday, August 20, 10-11a @ St. Luke's Farmer's Market, St. Paul

Tinyurl: https://plm.tiny.us/SongWeek

Aug 20: Singing Field (Song Circle)

 

We're gonna sing at the Farmer's Market! Join us!

All Voices Welcome!

What:  Singing Field

When:  Saturday, August 20, 2022, 10 a.m. (for at least an hour?)
Where:  1807 Field Avenue, St. Paul (St. Luke Lutheran Church, map)

More specifically, we'll be on the grassy lawn to the east of the building, under the shade of two magnificent oaks.  

There's a Farmer's Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come and shop early for best selection or afterward if you need less temptation ;)

Bring: water, something to sit on (blanket, camp chair ... limited bench space available), mask if that makes you feel more comfortable, your open heart and voice!  All songs will be taught.  Every voice is needed and welcome!

Song Leaders:  Liz Digitale Anderson and Conie Borchardt hold joyful, care-filled circles for you to discover freedom in your voice, de-stress your nervous system, and move your body. Come breathe deep and open up: we’ll sing songs to ground you, heal you, and motivate you for the days to come.  

--
Tinyurl: https://plm.tiny.us/SingingField

Aug 16, 30, Sept 13, 27: Sing Out * Sing In (BIPOC/mixed-centered SING)

A Free Song Circle Series
Centering BIPOC + Mixed Race folx

Songs for joy, justice, grief,

wonder, and the work ahead,

all taught call and response

When:  Every other Tuesday night, 7:30 pm

August 16, August 30*, September 13 & 27

Where:  Springboard for the Arts, 262 University Avenue, St. Paul (map)

*August 30 circle will be held at Western Sculpture Park (map)

Every voice welcome.

--

Share:  facebook event link  

Tinyurl:  https://plm.tiny.us/SoulSongSings

Jul 10: Move Sound A.C.T.! @ Open Streets Franklin

What: Move Sound A.C.T.!

When:  Sunday, July 10, 2022, 1-4 p.m.

• 1-2 p.m. Community Singing with Liz & Conie
• 2-3 p.m. Dances of Universal Peace with Conie (with the Spirit of Peace Meditation at 2:15 p.m.)
• 3:15-4:30 p.m. More Community Singing with Liz & Conie 

Where:  in front of Maria's Cafe, 1113 Franklin Ave, Minneapolis 
as part of Open Streets Franklin

Who are our leaders?

Liz Digitale Anderson (she/her) I write songs for community singing. They're songs for the streets, to keep us going in the struggle for justice, songs to remind us another world is possible and carry us through to liberation. I hope you'll find some friends and sing these together.  Hear my songs here:  https://soundcloud.com/lizdigitaleanderson. 

Conie Borchardt (she/they) is a mixed Asian Public Heart Artist, a listener and vibration holding space for truth, pain, and delight while inviting creative expression in sound, movement, and color within themselves and in others.  Learn more about them by checking out this website.