I will be one of the four musicians performing that night as part of my friend Jack Irving’s Singer-Songwriter Showcase at the new Sleeping Lady. As you may know, The Sleeping Lady is located at 25 Broadway in Fairfax at the sight formerly occupied by Cafe Amsterdam. It opened its doors for the first time about 2 weeks ago, and with it’s unique mixture of good food and great music it has already become the favorite destination for dining and entertainment in Fairfax.

Joining me will be Teja Gerken, a virtuoso acoustic guitarist who has toured throughout Europe and the United States; new-comer Sam Rogers, whose stunning a cappella vocal performances have garnered him gigs at Yoshi’s and comparisons to Jazz great Bobby McFerrin; and Jon Keigwin, whose unique voice and incomparable skills as a songwriter combined to make him a crowd favorite at my show last week.

The show starts at 9:00, but please come early to have dinner and then stick around for what is sure to be a wonderful evening.

TEJA GERKEN    -
SAM ROGERS
JON KEIGWIN
JACK IRVING

This afternoon introduction to TaKeTiNa will include one or two deceptively simple, polyrhythmic adventures in stepping, clapping, and singing. Surprisingly deep yet accessible to all levels, this participatory music healing modality fosters a sense of peace/stillness and can enable profound connections to other areas of life. No musical experience is necessary, just curiosity (though extra bonus points will be awarded if you bring a sense of humor!).

Please come enjoy the musical and meditative group rhythm process called TaKeTiNa, as led by Zorina Wolf (the premiere TaKeTiNa Trainer in the US) and Sam Rogers (One Mouth Band and recently-certified TaKeTiNa graduate). Donation $10-20 sliding scale.

The Irrationals are a soulful and eclectic a cappella group that’s been a mainstay in the East Bay for nearly 20-years. Come help celebrate the release of our new bouncing baby CD! To commemorate the occasion, for this night only: just buy one CD for $15 and pay no cover charge. Best of all, we promise there will be NO Christmas music (we all need a break every now and then, right?).

There will be two full shows (8PM and 10PM) by The Irrationals, with additional performances by poetry-slamstress Aya De Leone, and other special guests to be announced. For more on The Irrationals, visit http://www.casa.org/acapedia/profile/508 or http://www.the-irrationals.com/

For those yet to become hip, Anna’s is in the Gaia building, just east of Shattuck Avenue & downtown Berkeley BART. This is an all ages venue (they serve food) with a 1-drink minimum. For more info, visit http://annasjazzisland.com/

• Last Year: Left my corporate job of 6+ years as an eLearning Developer for GreenPoint Mortgage. Within three months, the whole company folded anyway. Began consulting as an Instructional Designer, part-time and almost fully remotely. This kind of independence works great for my increasingly mobile and musical lifestyle.
• February: Separated from my partner of nearly 10-years, Mary Keydash. This was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. Still suffering a bit on this one.
• March: Turned 32, started writing loads of new music.
• April-May: First Grand Solo Road trip, visiting folks all over from San Francisco to Portland to Colorado to LA and plenty of places in between. Along the way I rekindled connections with family and close friends that had gone untended for far too long.
• June: Incorporated as Snap Synapse, a media content production company shell for my consulting and music work.
• July-August: Taught at kids music camp, attended California-Brazil Camp, had a blast performing all over Burning Man.
• September: Decided Couchsurfing lifestyle (AKA no fixed residence) was working out so well that I would continue through at least June of next year.
• October: Graduated from my 3-year international rhythm training program, becoming a Certified TaKeTiNa Rhythm Teacher.
• November: finished new CD with The Irrationals, revamping One Mouth Band / Organic Human Music web presence.

Through all of the above I’ve been traveling all over both coasts and performing a lot. I plan to continue, but take it international. I’m currently planning trips/performances in Australia/New Zealand (January-February 2009) and Europe (May-June 2009).

If you’e like to get in touch, now is a great time to do so. My phone is the same as it has been for about 8-years now, and you’re welcome to email anytime! I look forward to hearing from you!

Here’s the letter I just sent to Senator Barbara Boxer, Senator Dianne Feinstein, and our old friend who is still in office, President George W. Bush.

I oppose the $25 billion in emergency loans to the auto industry because they have done nothing to earn additional assistance. The market is holding them accountable for decades of poor decisions, and it is not the place of the US government to reward such flagrant stupidity.

I feel for those who will likely loose their jobs as a result, but no one has proposed a $25 billion dollar job retraining program and relocation fund (which would be a more permanent solution to the problem, rather than just a temporary one). Such a thing would be laughed out of every office of government. This proves that joblessness is not the issue here. Therefore I oppose ANY bailout of “The Auto Industry”. It is not an industry that is getting a free handout, it is a failing structure filled with failing decision makers who are using the hard-working little guy as human shields.

It is understandable that automakers should ask for a bailout, it is their job to ask for a bailout on behalf of their shareholders. But it is the duty of the US government to determine if that is in the best interests of the rest of the nation. It clearly is not.

So what does that mean? Well, not too much in and of itself. It just means I can use the TaKeTiNa name to lead rhythm workshops anyplace in the USA. But this basic level certification is the result of the past 3-years of work and a whole life full of changes. This was the last remnant of my former life (of any structure, really) that I have been holding on to. This incredible training program was in fact a catalyst for letting go of everything, and its completion is big for me.

Now what? I don’t know. But I can’t say I’m too bothered by that question these days. Or by any others for that matter. How about that?

What happens is that a very few of these “letters” get read, then computers tally up the keywords and print off reports on number of aggregate responses for each major issue and position. Then automatic emails go out signed from elected officials telling you how much they care. The beauty of it is that they never got a chance to read even what they’re sending you! Yes, this is what our American brand of democracy has come to. I find the whole situation highly entertaining, and couldn’t help but participate by way of the following note:

I oppose the proposed bailout plan because the costs simply outweigh the benefits for the majority of Americans. Most of US do not have any savings, we only have debt (hence the current crisis). What banks can lend and what 401Ks are worth does not affect Most of US directly because we can’t pay for access to play that game. Adding more debt (by way of taxes) is all this plan does for Most of US. Yes, I understand there is a trickle down effect you might argue for, but trickle down economic arguments have been used before and their worthlessness to Most of US has been proven. I defy you to make any other semi-rational case to Most of US!

This message was sent via Congress.org to George W. Bush, Henry M. Paulson (Secretary of the Treasury), Senator Barbara Boxer, Senator Dianne Feinstein, and my local representative Mike Thompson. If you’d like to play the Resistance if Futile game yourself, click below and laugh all the way to the bank!

Click like they care!

You are invited to the TaKeTiNa Open Rhythm Sets with Advanced TaKeTiNa Teachers from Oct 23 to Nov 1, 2008 in Palo Alto

Encounter Rhythm!
The candidates for Advanced TaKeTiNa Rhythm Teacher certification invite you to attend our 10 different day-long workshops. You can attend one or more!

These workshops offer you an opportunity to experience this internationally renowned rhythm process presented with 10 uniquely personal approaches. Get to know TaKeTiNa from the inside. Experience the meditative and joyous quality that being in rhythm provides.

During each workshop, an advanced certificate candidate guides us into rhythm during two 3-hour sets — one in the morning and one in the afternoon. In the evening, he or she gives a free lecture exploring an aspect of working with rhythm.

Take part!
Attend one…attend them all!
info: http://www.villageheartbeat.com
or zorina@villageheartbeat.com

TaKeTiNa is…
a musical, meditative group process for people who want to develop their awareness of rhythm.
You don’t need to play an instrument.
People at all levels can work together to transform their relationship to rhythm, to each other, and to life.