As we bring in the snowy month of February, here in Toronto, there are some lines of poetry written by a friend of mine that speak to the landscape around us…and that encourage us to find in that landscape ~ a new perspective. . .

“I privately praise you

For taking away colour

And forcing us to see how many shades can be found

Between black and white and grey

Giving us new patterns to make in our snowy hearts. . . .”

Exerpt of “Your Snow” by Nathalie Vachon,

(The entire poem and more on the author can be found at the bottom of this newsletter.)

This month, ‘come make new patterns in your snowy hearts’. . .

Joining me at this month’s Sound Journey: “Deep Healing Trance” is special guest Michael Moon. If you’re looking to kick up your heels and dance, I’ll be joining Dennis Gaumond and the Bhadra Collective along with special guest, Gary Diggins, at the Trane on February 15^th – see details for these and more events below.

There’s a special treat for anyone who hasn’t had a chance to pick up a copy of my new CD. For the month of February ONLY, I’ve posted the first five pieces from my new CD “New Horizon” on myspace: www.myspace.com/annmarieboudreau I hope you enjoy the first half of this sound journey! I’ll be posting the last four pieces on-line in March.

Sending good vibrations your way, ~ am

Wednesday, February 4th: Sonica Sanctus - Music as Medicine!

With Gary Diggins Enjoy an evening of improvised sound and music as medicine!  When: 7:30pm sharp!, Where: Gary Diggins Studio, 219 St. Clair Avenue West, lower level, Cost: $20.00 To RSVP contact: gdiggins@aol.com For further information on Gary: www.garydiggins.com

Sunday, February 15th: Dennis Gaumond & The Bhadra Collective!
Host: Dennis Gaumond, with Jen Gillmor and Kathleen Gillis  www.whyislife.com
or listen to samples from the CD “Soon Come Shekinah”at www.bhadra.ca
Special Guests: Ann-Marie Boudreau (hang, vocals) & Gary
Diggins (trumpet, flugelhorn, didgeridoo, hang) www.garydiggins.com

Dennis Gaumond is a visionary, researcher, musician, and author.  He is also the founder and leader of the Bhadra Collective, a group of musicians who present chant-based world-beat dance music celebrating the Return of the Goddess.  Join us for an evening of danceable, world music and chants.  When: 8:00pm, Where:  Trane Studios, 964 Bathurst St – a funky nightclub on Bathurst, north of Bloor, Cover: $15.00.  “The Trane has great food!” for more info:  www.tranestudio.com

Saturday, February 21st: A Sound Journey Experience “Deep Healing Trance”Hosted by Ann-Marie Boudreau

‘Come make new patterns in your snowy hearts’….. .An intimate and personal ‘live surround-sound’ experience! Special Guest, Michael Moon, has studied many healing modalities and currently works as a sound healer, astrologer and photographer as well as an international recording, performing artist and award winning composer: www.thetempleofsound.com.  To help make this “Deep Healing Trance” evening a very special experience, three gifted Reiki Practitioners will be available, upon request, to share their work with anyone who would like to experience sound and energy work at the same time. With Debbie Ingham, Hazel Walker and Lisa Hartt-Spillane. What is a Sound Journey? For 90 minutes allow yourself to be enfolded by deep healing sounds from acoustic world instruments being played around and over you. A sound journey can support you as you move into a deepening meditative state while reclining and relaxing. At times melodic, sometimes dissonant, the soundscape is created utilizing an intimate knowledge of the chakra system, shamanic traditions and the vibrational nature of our bodies to enhance and deepen the meditation experience. Sounders: Ann-Marie Boudreau, Kathleen Gillis, William Phiper, Lucie Brisson and special guest, Abdul, on Tablas.  To learn more about Sound Journeys, check Ann-Marie’s website page: www.annmarieboudreau.com Doors open at 7:15pm, the Journey starts at 7:30pm sharp! Arrive early to set up your space. Note: doors are locked at 7:45pm so as not to interrupt those journeying. Where: Vivace Studios, 291A Jane Street, just south of Annette, Cost: $25.00 Please bring: a mat, blanket, pillow and bottle of water for your comfort. You must RSVP as space is limited: amboudreau@yahoo.ca

The Poetry of Nathalie Vachon:

“Your Snow”

Nobody was awake to see

Your snow fall silent and sideways

On the city

We slept beneath

Two duvets

Each falling off our pillows,

Landing in the middle

No use being remote

Two bodies closer

Closer creates more heat

As the black tree appears ominous

And tangled against the white angel wings of winter

I privately praise you

For taking away colour

And forcing us to see how many shades can be found

Between black and white and grey

Giving us new patterns to make in our snowy hearts

In our weepy, icy windows

In the howling wind

We could find resignation here

Blahs

Blues

Or we could keep the whispers of white

Pressed right up to our ears

And listen so carefully for the quiet song that appears

To learn more about Nathalie, artist, storyteller, performer - see: www.nathalievachon.com

MARCH SNEAK PEEKS!

March 4^th Sonica Sanctus

March 7^th & 8^th Soundwork Skills Development Intensive
A two-day immersion in soundwork as soulwork. RSVP: gdiggins@aol.com

March 17^th Toronto Sound Source Hosts a Vocal Workshop with: Suba Sankaran – An Introduction to South Indian Vocal Styles www.subasankaran.com To RSVP: gdiggins@aol.com

March 21^st Sound Journey Experience “Deep Healing Trance”

To RSVP: amboudreau@yahoo.ca

Soundwork Resources:

Soundwork as Soulwork Program at Toronto Sound Source: Contact Gary Diggins at: www.garydiggins.com

Soundwork in London/Stratford Area: Contact Jocelyn Drainie at: www.sonicmedicine.ca

Soundwork in Hamilton: Contact Stephen Hudecki at: www.laughingboy.ca

Soundwork in Barrie: Contact Elizabeth Levine at: www.healingwithsound.ca

January Sound Events Newsletter. .. From Ann-Marie Boudreau

Between us and the stars,

there lies but silence;

and there in the stillness,

let us listen to the

voice that is speaking within us.

In these quiet months of winter and in keeping with the wise words of Jerome K. Jerome above, I’ll be offering a series of three Sound Journeys, one a month throughout January, February and March.  This type of experience can help you move into deepening meditative states. The first of this series will  feature ‘Sounds of the Exotic’! where Ann-Marie will perform on exotic East Indian instruments including the Sitar and Swar Sangham and will be joined by special guest, Tabla player, Abdul.

Perhaps in these quiet months you feel called to explore and study.  I will be a guest facilitator at several wonderful workshop series for soundwork, voicework and rhythmic expansions. See full details on all three of these workshops below. 

There were those of  you who loved the wonderful bellydancer, Joanne Camilleri, at my CD launch and wanted to know more about her bellydancing classes. For more information see:  www.vivacestudios.ca  and for class schedules call 416-762-9100 or email: vivancestudios@yahoo.ca.

For those looking to move into a deep and contemplative exploration of their lives Ann-Marie is available for private psychotherapy sessions. 

Sending good vibrations your way as you move forward into the New Year!

am

Ann-Marie Boudreau, RIHR, ARCT

Spiritual-Psychotherapist, Soundwork Practitioner

Multi-instrumentalist & Improvisational Vocalist

(Available for private therapy and soundwork sessions)

Phone:  416-604-8871

Website: www.annmarieboudreau.com

Email:  amboudreau@yahoo.ca

Wednesday, January 7th: Sonica Sanctus

Music as Medicine!

With Gary Diggins

Enjoy an evening of improvised sound and music as medicine!  

When: 7:30pm sharp!, Where:  Gary Diggins Studio, 219 St. Clair Avenue West, lower level, Cost: $20.00 To RSVP contact:  gdiggins@aol.com For further information on Gary:  www.garydiggins.com 

Friday to Sunday, January 16th-18th:

Soundwork Practitioner Training Intensive

Taught by Gary Diggins, with guest facilitator Ann-Marie Boudreau

A three day immersion in the principles and protocols of Soundwork.  The course is open to all levels of musical experience.  Experiential learning augmented by an in-depth guidebook. (Only one space left!), Where:  219 St. Clair Avenue West, 10am-5pm each day, Cost: $420.00. Contact: gdiggins@aol.com   

Tuesdays, January 20th to February 10th:  Giving Voice: A Four Part Vocal Series

Co-facilitated with Gary Diggins, Ann-Marie Boudreau, Hazel Walker & Lisa Hartt-Spillane

Come Explore circle singing, story-catching, sound-shaping, plus more… Deepen your improvisational skills and gain imaginative vocabulary.  Open to all levels of singing.  Where:  219 St. Clair Avenue West, 7:30pm, Cost: $120.00 for all four sessions. Dates: January 20, 27 & February 3 & 10.  Contact: gdiggins@aol.com 

Saturday, January 24th: 

A Sound Journey Experience

“Sounds of the Exotic”

Hosted by Ann-Marie Boudreau

If you enjoyed the ‘live surround sound’ experience at my CD launch then you’ll love this intimate and personal Sound Journey!  For 90 minutes you will be surrounded with the sound of exotic instruments while you recline and relax. A Sound Journey experience can help you move into deepening meditative states.  At times melodic, sometimes dissonant, the soundscape is created utilizing an intimate knowledge of the chakra system, shamanic traditions and the vibrational nature of our bodies to enhance and deepen the meditation experience.  To learn more about Sound Journeys, check my website page:  http://www.annmarieboudreau.com/group-facilitation/sound-journeys-meditations

This month features ‘Sounds of the Exotic’ with Ann-Marie performing on East Indian instruments, the Sitar, Swar Sangham, Shruti Box and Tibetan Bowls.  Special guest and Tabla player Abdul will be joining her along with her favorite sounder musicians. 

Arrive early to set up your space. Doors open at 7:15pm, the Journey starts at 7:30pm sharp!  Note: doors are locked at 7:45pm so as not to interrupt those journeying.

Where:  Vivace Studios, 291A Jane Street, just south of Annette,  Cost: $25.00  Please bring:  a mat, blanket, pillow and bottle of water for your comfort.  You must RSVP as space is limited: amboudreau@yahoo.ca or call: 416-604-8871

Thursays, starting January 29th to April 2nd:  Rhythmic Expansions: 10 week Drumming Program

Facilitated by Terri Segal  with special guest facilitator in March - Ann-Marie Boudreau

This program is designed for those of you who have basic hand drumming (Djembe) experience and are ready to expand rhythmically & technically, while doing so playfully.

Continue to experience the benefits of drumming, self-expression & creativity at the next level. Some Djembes are provided or bring your own.

Each session will focus on:

* Reviewing, consolidating and building upon Djembe technique and West African   ensemble rhythms

* Group improvisation & solo playing

* Self-expression, self-care, and play!

* March 6th with Ann-Marie focuses on sound exploration.

Where:  4 Austin Crescent (Bathurst/St Clair), 7:15-9:00pm, Cost: $199+gst, $208.95 covers all sessions.  ($90 deposit required to reserve your spot).  Contact: To register for the above program, please contact:  Terri Segal, Expressive Arts Therapist, Facilitator, & Educator, Owner/Director, Rhythmic by Nature, 416 662 6488, or email:  terri@rhythmicbynature.com

Soundwork Resources:  Soundwork as Soulwork Program at Toronto Sound Source: Contact Gary Diggins at: www.garydiggins.com

Soundwork in London/Stratford Area: Contact Jocelyn Drainie at: www.sonicmedicine.ca  

Soundwork in Hamilton: Contact Stephen Hudecki at:  www.laughingboy.ca

Soundwork in Barrie: Contact Elizabeth Levine at:  www.healingwithsound.ca

The Creative Moment:

Providing dynamic learning experiences for companies that want to embrace their creative spirit and build a culture of innovation and imagination!

www.thecreativemoment.com

TAC: The Transformational Arts College:

Since 1988, Transformational Arts has been at the leading edge of the psychospiritual development and holistic education fields, creating many unique programs unparalleled in Canada and the Western World.

www.transformationalarts.com