Arts First Oakland
2501 Harrison Street, Suite 1
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 444-8511 x15
info@artsfirstoakland.org
December 12, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sunshine Becker, 510-507.7664, sunshinebecker@comcast.net
ENDING THE YEAR IN SONG
SoVoSó members bring closure to 2008 with twelve hours
of improvised a cappella
(OAKLAND, CA) – Arts First Oakland invites singers and listeners alike to join members
of SoVoSó in “Singing For Your Life” – a twelve-hour year-end open house, featuring
improvised Circlesinging and interactive altars art at First Congregational Church of
Oakland. Tuesday, December 30, from noon to midnight, all are invited to sing out the
old year, or just relax and listen to the continuous, spontaneous song of closure and
renewal. Throughout the day, people will come and go, sing and meditate, gather and
reflect, and interact with an exhibit of Altars representing the changing of the year.
Originated by Bobby McFerrin and Voicestra, ”Singing for Your Life”, a combination of
concert and ritual migrated in 2002 from San Francisco's Grace Cathedral to Arts First
Oakland. Now, the addition of the Art Altars and a café hosted by East Bay Food Not
Bombs gives the event a distinctly East Bay flavor. SoVoSó members Sunshine Becker,
Bryan Dyer, and David Worm, along with guest leader Nicolas Bearde, continue and
expand the tradition, which attracts participants from all over the Bay Area and beyond.
Several members of SoVoSó are originators and leading proponents of Circlesinging – a
unique improvised a cappella song-form.
(more)
Arts First Oakland/Singing For Your Life Page 2 of 2
In Circlesinging, a skilled leader proposes layered melodic and rhythmic parts to a choir
of singers, creating songs unique to the moment. As the leader cues out old parts and
introduces new ones, the song continues and changes without stopping, at times
supporting individual solos, always grounded in attentive listening. Singing volunteers
are recruited ahead of time to ensure that there is always a core group to form the
choir. Others will come and go as the day continues and the music evolves – singers at
all levels of experience are encouraged to participate.
In the church sanctuary and at the entrances, Venee Call-Ferrer, Deborah J. Hamouris,
and other local artists will exhibit altars that represent “Be the Change You Want To
See” as the theme for the ending of the year. Each altar will contain an interactive
element that invites the viewer to reflect on and express the theme from different
cultural perspectives, influenced by and informing the changing musical environment.
Those who join the Circle will find themselves both challenged and affirmed – the result
is a meditation in song, and a remarkable interfaith ritual that is sure to bring new
meaning to the year’s end for all who attend.
All are welcome to drop in and sing or simply enjoy listening, to connect with
friends, and to make time to reflect on the Year just ending. This event is supported by the
Oakland City Council and funded by the City of Oakland's Cultural Funding Program
Event Information:
WHAT: Singing For Your Life with members of SoVoSó and special guests
WHEN: Tuesday, December 30th, Noon to Midnight (NOT NEW YEAR’S EVE)
WHERE: First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison Street (at 27 th Street)
SPONSORS: Refreshments by East Bay Food Not Bombs
Massages by In-Touch Community Fundraising, to benefit Arts First Oakland
COST: Suggested Donation $10 and up, sliding scale, no-one turned away for lack of
funds.
Contact: (510) 444-8511 x15, info@artsfirstoakland.org, www.circlesing.net or
www.artsfirstoakland.org
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Arts First Oakland is a non-denominational community cultural center located at First Congregational
Church of Oakland, where more than thirty artists and arts organizations have come together to foster
and exhibit the creativity and beauty of Oakland’s diverse cultural heritage, promoting spiritual growth
and community transformation through artistic empowerment.