RESONANCE & RHYTHMS NEWS from JUDY PIAZZA

It's been some time since I've written, and so much has happened.  My sister had a stroke in January, which affected my life somewhat out here in California.  She has recovered remarkably well!  I'm back in Ojai again, so grateful to be in this beautiful place.  Three weeks on Maui in April was a gift of rest, relaxation, and nourishment by wind, water, sun, whales, dolphins, the sacred aina and aloha spirits, new friends, and more.  I began rewriting and organizing a collection of reflections from over the past ten years while I was there to be published at some future time.  It felt so good to be there.  Since returning to the mainland, there's been Rites of Passage programs with youth, Residency program, a new relationship with The Ojai Music Festival, which featured Steve Reich, Nexus, and SOpercussion this year, playing with the UCSB MidEast Ensemble, and more.

I am guessing at how incredibly busy you all are these days.  It's the number one response when I ask people how they are. As cosmic vibrations rise in frequency, so too our internal rate of vibration and demands of the world.  I have known for a long time that, if I can stay in the moment, I can integrate and align with the increased frequencies rather than feel stressed by it all ... existing only in the present, on the cycle of one breath ... inspiring, pausing, expiring, pausing ... and then again.  It is worthy of our practice, to ready ourselves for the changes upon us. 

I wish us all the best as we turn towards this Solstice time, at the peak of our Earth's cycles.  If you are in the Wisconsin area, please join me at the National Women's Music Festival for "An Ocean of Love, A World of Change" healing the waters Solstice ceremony at Willis Island on Friday, 4 pm. (see below for info ... you can come to the ceremony even if you are not attending the festival!). 

As always, if you prefer to be removed from this mail list, please just let me know.

For peace, on Earth, Judy

NEW ...
www.myspace.com/judypiazza ... go here to listen to full song selections from  "Crescent Moon", from Repercussions, from Ann Arbor Kirtan, and from the group Manitou ... Purchase songs ...  Become my friend! (just e-mail a quick friend request) ...  I'll let you know when new songs are added to the list.  Thanks, Sandy, for the encouragement!

NEW ...
I am thrilled to announce the SACRED MAYA JOURNEY 2009, Opening Our Hearts to Mother Earth ...
February 14-21, 2009, with optional Rhythm & Relaxation extension
A  journey to Palenque in Chiapas, Mexico invoking the Sacred Feminine through drum, chant, ceremony, sacred site visits, study of Maya cosmology, and quiet reflection ... with MIGUEL ANGEL VERGARA & JUDY PIAZZA for men and women ... Go to www.resonanceandrhythms.com for more info and full itinerary.

NEW!
For years I have been visioning and working on a design project for a new instrument.  It will be finished this summer, and I am so excited about this!  Andy Bennett of The Dulcimer Shop in Manitou Springs and I have been designing and testing it out ... to be revealed shortly!

MICHIGAN FRIENDS ...
I am ready to rent the upstairs apartment of my house 5 minutes north of Rochester, by Stoney Creek Metropark.  If you know anyone who might need a place, who wouldn' mind living without a kitchen, temporary or long term, please let me know.  Also, if anyone just happens to have an extra car laying around that I might use for the two weeks I am back there, please let me know.  Car rental prices have skyrocketed along with everything else.


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June 5-8
OJAI MUSIC FESTIVAL
I won't be playing at this one, but help produce some of the events.
Steve Reich WILL be playing, along with Nexus & SOPercussion.
Ojai, CA

June 19-22
NATIONAL WOMEN'S MUSIC FESTIVAL
Madison, WI
Devotional Songs of the Feminine Nature, Friday, 10-11:30
Frame Drum Bliss, Friday, 1-2 pm
An Ocean of Love, A World of Change Healing the Waters Solstice Ceremony, Friday, June 20, 4:00
Women's Rhythms & Songs, Saturday
Performance at Sunday Brunch , 9 am
Main Stage Drum Jam and All Performer Closing, Sunday 1:00 pm
www.wiaonline.org

June/July dates to be arranged
DEVOTIONAL SONGS
Ojai, CA

June 23-27 & June 30-July 3
OJAI VALLEY SCHOOL DRUM CAMP
Ojai, CA

July 7-11
DRUM KAMP FOR KIDS
West Michigan Academy of Arts & Academics
Spring Lake, MI

Sunday, July 13, 2 pm
DETROIT INSTITUTE OF THE ARTS:  RhythmSongs Around the World
Detroit, MI ... Family Performance

July 17-20
CONCERT OF COLORS: DETROIT'S DIVERSITY FESTIVAL
At Max M. Fisher Music Center, Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI
Thursday opens with Buffy Ste. Marie!  Full Stage line-ups online.  The Rhythm Stage hosts Stonefish Family Dancers and NAHII Drum (Native American), Nagata Shachu Taiko Ensemble, Pandit Samar Saha & Kozora (North Indian Classical & World Fusion), Alessandra Belloni w/Judy Piazza (S. Italian Drum & Dance), La Inspiracion Bomba Troupe (Puerto Rico Drum & Dance), Abuakwa (W. African Drum & Dance), and Rhythmic Adventures (2 rhythm circles)
www.concertofcolors.com

July 20-25
WORLD RHYTHMS ARTS PROGRAM (WRAP) ... REGISTER NOW!!!
Holy Spirit Retreat Center, Los Angeles, CA
A weeklong rhythm and dance experience for educators, facilitators,
therapists, and more
with Kalani (World Rhythms), Ryan Camara (West African Drum), Marietou Camara (West African Dance), and myself (Middle Eastern Drums & RHythms).
www.drum2dance.com, click on WRAP Summer Training Course

August 22, 5 pm
SYMPHONY FOR 1,000 DRUMS
Aztlan Community Center, Fort Collins, CO
I am thrilled to be one of the featured performers for this event!  I'll have one solo performance slot, and one for a group of framedrummers ... let me know if you are interested in participating!
www.drumsymphony.com

August 22-24
MANITOU SPRINGS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Manitou Springs, CO


--
Judy Piazza
Resonance & Rhythms
248-563-0049
www.resonanceandrhythms.com
www.myspace.com/judypiazza