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