Greetings, One & All~
Please accept my apologies for being late with your October A 440 Newsletter. As most of you know, I try hard to get the good news out on the first of each month, and more often than not succeed; but having been on the road for most of the last two months, I haven’t been able to compile this month’s issue incrementally as I usually do. Better late than never, as they say; and the good news is you haven’t missed any good news, as our Harvest Moon Harvest is just beginning. Enjoy!
Ancient Voices, Future Visions
On Saturday & Sunday October 14th & 15th from 9 AM-4 PM each day, I’ll return to the Kiva Room at Western National Parks Association in Oro Valley AZ to conduct the newest iteration of my on-going and ever-evolving Myths & Masks workshop. Exploring the theme Ancient Voices, Future Visions, participants will create their own original, wearable mask art and compose a mythic persona poem that interprets how all that we have been and all that we are now manifests in the highest self we have yet to be. Those of you who’ve experienced previous iterations of M&M know how deep, rich and profound an experience it is, and I welcome you back to take your self-transformation to the next level; for those of you who are new to M&M, what a treat you’re in for!
information and registration at:
http://www.wnpa.org/event/national-parks-store-ancient-voices-future-visions-multi-media-mask-making-workshop-will-clipman/
Shadow Chant CD Release
The Sun Dog Twins (aka, Leon Joseph Littlebird & Will Clipman) enchanted audiences across the Western Slope of the Shining Mountains on the first leg of their 2017-18 CD Release Tour for their new album Shadow Chant. A longer tour through Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado is planned for next Spring, and you can enjoy the uplifting sounds of Shadow Chant in the meantime by ordering a CD or digital download at:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/leonjosephlittlebird3
The Dawgs do The Steamplant in Salida CO
Family Night at Canyon Ranch
On Wednesday October 18th from 5:30-7:30 PM I’ll return to the world-renowned spa and self-transformation center Canyon Ranch in Tucson AZ for the second installment of my new programming initiative there with a Family Night maskmaking workshop for staff and their families.
What Lies Beyond Wins ISMA
The ground-breaking, boundary-shattering new Canyon Records release What Lies Beyond by the R. Carlos Nakai Quartet recently won the Indian Summer Music Award for Best Contemporary/Modern Instrumental Album. WLB and RCNQ also nabbed two Native American Music Award nominations: one for Best Instrumental Album and one for Duo/Group of the Year.
You can learn more about NAMA and support our nominations at:
https://www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com/
Nakai & Clipman at CasaBella
On Saturday October 21st from 5-9 PM, R. Carlos Nakai & Will Clipman will provide musical atmosphere for the one-year anniversary gala of CasaBella, Tucson’s premiere Southwestern art gallery.
Scroll down to mid-page for an Invite Request at:
https://www.casabellafineart.com/
Photo of the Month
I never had ravens at Rancho Improvisoso before Shery arrived; but she summoned a few from her previous home in Sedona, and now we see and hear them quite frequently and enjoy their magical presence. Shery happened to catch a momentary visit from this extraordinarily large one perched atop a saguaro outside her meditation room.
Poem of the Month
And in keeping with that motif, here’s a Poem of the Month that was composed in the forest near Mount Shasta some years ago, which speaks to the powerful medicine of the Saami messenger bird. I trust you’ll find it as insightful to read as I did to write. Enjoy!
Raven Medicine
Bring your wings
trust raven medicine
in a pool of sunlight
among ancient trees
Bundle feathers
send prayer smoke up
sit still
receive
Lift a sequoia cone
from the moist duff
and sniff its underbelly
Trust what nose
pressed in loam tells
Be that one
mysterious cloud alone
in a cloudless October sky
that vanishes above the mountains
in the blink of an eye
Let god’s dogs rouse you
to go out at three
and stare at stars
Remember to remember
that you are made
of that bright stuff
© Will Clipman 2017
May the full Harvest Moon illuminate your way this month,
and may your October be blessed with much abundance.
A keen observer and careful listener has a natural advantage in any situation.
~Guillaume Henri
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Will Clipman
musician • poet • performing & recording artist • maskmaker • storyteller • educator
phone: 520.591.0776
fax: 520.743.0650
email: williamclipman@aol.com
website: www.willclipman.com
facebook: www.facebook.com/willclipman
