Several Westsiders are among the eleven performers in “Sisters Singing: Poetry & Music,†a joint poetry and music concert on Saturday, June 6, to celebrate publication of the new anthology “Sisters Singing: Blessings, Prayers, Art, Songs, Poetry and Sacred Stories by Women.†They include local and internationally known author Deena Metzger, Valerie Wolf/Grandmother White Bear and Lawrie Hartt, all Topanga residents; Deborah Edler Brown, West LA; and Danelia Wild of Santa Monica.
Also headlining is critically acclaimed Portland, Oregon-based musician Jami Sieber, plus Southern California writers Carmen Menendez, Reem Hammad, Sharon Simone, Nancy Rigg, and “Sisters Singing†editor Carolyn Brigit Flynn of Santa Cruz. Said Flynn, “With so many gifted writers and poets, this evening of music and poetry will be transcendent.â€
Metzger, author of the new poetry collection “Ruin and Beauty,†and several novels and works of non-fiction, wrote the Foreword for “Sisters Singing.†“This joint poetry reading/music concert will be a living prayer,†says Metzger, “a real embodiment of women’s spiritual lives as articulated in this beautiful book.â€
Musician Jami Sieber, whose music appears in “Sisters Singing,†will present her unique style of evocative electric cello and vocal music in solo performance, as well as combined music/poetry offerings with Metzger. Sieber is said to reach inside the soul with her passionate playing and compositions that are contemporary and powerfully evocative, and is renowned by worldwide audiences.
“Sisters Singing†interweaves several spiritual traditions, reflecting a connection to the sacred among women that often transcends religious boundaries. “This book is an offering for us all, men and women,†says Flynn, “as we repair our world and move toward creating a living, viable future.â€
The “Sisters Singing†book includes work from more than 135 writers, artists and musicians across the country. Though they span a wide variety of spiritual traditions, religious affiliations and ethnicities, they share an intimate and profound connection with the sacred.
Flynn says, “Spirituality can be defined as simply showing up for a real relationship with what is uniquely holy to you. For some people that might be a beautiful tree or an ancient stone, for others it might be God or Jesus; for others, Kuan Yin or the Buddha. What we see in ‘Sisters Singing’ is there may be something about women’s connection to the sacred that makes it possible for them to embrace multiple traditions that struggle with each other in the larger world.â€
“I intend to keep ‘Sisters Singing’ in arm’s reach for at least the next year. Congratulations on this fine work,†wrote Maya Angelou.
The 2009 book tour includes readings in Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York.
“Sisters Singing”: Poetry & Music is Saturday, June 6, 7:30 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 12355 Moorpark, Studio City. Admission is $15 at the door or in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/67918/.
For more information, see www.sisterssinging.com or call 310-815-1060.
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