I am delighted to continue my community singing project – Giving Voice to Grief – in an artistic residency with Lakewood Cemetery.

This iteration of Giving Voice to Grief will be an immersive singing and sounding experience that I’ve crafted to align with the changing seasons. Over the next year, I will lead four circles with a changing cast of co-collaborators near each of the solstices and equinoxes.

The theme for our summer circle is The Fruits of Grief: Change and Love.

Each one-hour singing session is bookended by a half hour at the beginning and end to transition in and out of our singing ceremony. You can arrive at 6:30 to help assemble the communal grounding space (altar) as a sound bath artist plays. You are also invited (but not required) to bring a small item – i.e. a photo, book, plant, flower, name on a piece of paper, etc.) to add. (You can take your item with you when  you leave.)

Once the space is made, we will spend about an hour (7-8pm) singing and holding grief through music and songs.

At the session’s close, you can help clear the communal space if you like. To me this is another way to practice how to hold beauty and connections for a time and then release them.

Previous vocal or music experience is NOT required. “This is not about how well you sing – this is about being in community with other grieving bodies as we literally vibrate together. This is singing and sounding for every body.”

6:30 – 7:00 PM | Placemaking musician: Tamiko French: Tamiko French is a Vibrational Sound Practitioner. Her sound healing services have been featured in numerous Twin Cities spas, hospitals and community spaces. Tamiko’s accreditation from the International Natural Healers Association further underscores her commitment to holistic healing practices.