Journeys In Rhythm

find your voice, find your rhythm, find your self

Journey in Improv with NZ’s Covert Theatre

May 1

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One of the many things I love about leading Journeys In Rhythm is exploring new and unexpected avenues for this work. Two weeks ago I led a workshop for New Zealand’s Number One Improvised Comedy Company, The Covert Theatre.

Together we discovered ways to use the basic tools of improv theater to expand into the musical realm, someplace where even the best improvisers often tend to get a little squeamish. I used TaKeTiNa, CircleSong, Body of Sound, & One Mouth Band techniques as well as my years of improv training, and soon participant analogies for rhythm, pitch, harmonies, blend, solos, & more soon emerged and everyone had a great time being playful AND vulnerable together.

Special thanks to my friend Greg Ward for convincing their Artistic Director, Wade Jackson, to give this workshop a shot. Since he is  trained to say “yes, and” so it probably wasn’t too hard. I got lots of fantastic feedback from the group, and here’s what Wade had to say…

Sam Rogers’s workshop was a valuable experience for all our improvisers; those highly experienced and complete newbies alike. Sam beautifully illustrated the  principles of improvisation through song and voice and without a doubt, this will enrich our improvised comedy performances.

Wade Jackson
Artistic Director of Covert Theatre and founder of The Improv Bandits

Thanks to Wade and everyone at Covert Theatre for being willing to risk and play!

This experience taught me how wonderful it can be to work with groups who already trust each other, and are there to learn and grow. I will undoubtedly be working with improv groups again soon…

 

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Sounding Circles Hawaiian Intensive

Apr 25

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This July I’ll be heading to the Big Island of Hawai’i to participate in and co-lead parts of the 2012 Sounding Circles Intensive. My friend Joule L’adara leads this week-long retreat every year, and I am thrilled to be invited to be a part of it!

In this experiential workshop, the group will be guided into deep explorations of the voice and the self. I’m on board to bring my form of TaKeTiNa-infused CircleSong into the mix, with an emphasis on rhythm. There is an early bird discount for registrations before May 1st, so get in quick for the best rate at SoundingCircles.com. Hope to see you there!

 

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Update: Body of Sound workshop at Esalen

Apr 8

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Due to a family emergency, PJ Novotny will not be co-leading the upcoming five-day workshop at Esalen. But The Bay Area Sonic Ensemble (B.A.S.E.) is rising to this occasion to combine Body of Sound and Ecstatic Dance with live music. There is still room for you to sign up and dance your heart open and refine your own expression of rhythm, voice, and movement.

Live music will be provided by B.A.S.E. members: Alyssa DeCaro, Aharon Wheels-Bolsta, Yari Mander, & yours truly. The workshop runs from April 22nd to 27th.

Here’s what you get in this workshop at the world-famous Esalen retreat center in Big Sur, California:

  • 2-3 workshop sessions per day
  • 3 amazing organic meals per day
  • Accommodations
  • Free time to enjoy a nature walk or relax in the natural mineral hot springs on site overlooking the ocean
  • 2 movement classes per day offered by Esalen staff teachers
  • Optional massage and bodywork (for additional fees)

Body of Sound invites you to discover your body as your most essential instrument. We’ll explore rhythmic and vocal exercises as well as structured improvisation to open fresh avenues of expression. Through body percussion, circle song, balinese kecak and toning we will become a tapestry of sound.

The ecstatic movement sessions draw inspiration from the teachings of Vinn Martí, 5 Rhythms, and contact improvisation. We will use live, improvised, multi-genre music as the bridge between deep trusting and spontaneous connection with others in a safe, nonjudgmental space.

Click here to reserve your space!

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CircleSong Auckland

Mar 20

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As announced in a previous post, Journeys In Rhythm is indeed presenting a CircleSing gathering in Auckland, New Zealand again this year. This time it promises to be even better in the following ways:

  1. Co-led by musical mutant Mal Webb
  2. At a gorgeous facility on the water
  3. Fully open to the public

Here’s the writeup…

Awaken and deepen your music & performance abilities by through experiential learning and musical connections. Perfectly suited to vocalists, instrumentalists, teachers, dancers, and actors, no musical instruments or previous skills are required. Your willing voice, present body, & aware ears are all that you need here! Your curiosity, fears, and humor are also welcome to join us, of course. Expert musicians will be met & gently challenged, brave beginners will be embraced & celebrated. $15 and you’re in.

If you want to sing like instruments, you will learn.
If you want to get some beatbox chops, you’ll have plenty of opportunity.
If you just wanna SING explore your voice someplace fun in rhythm and harmony with a group without fear of being criticized, this is the spot!

7:30-9:30pm, Tuesday, 3rd April
Endeavor Street, Auckland, New Zealand

SAM ROGERS (USA) is an award-winning solo performer, skilled educator/facilitator, experienced CircleSong leader, and Certified TaKeTiNa Rhythm Teacher. As The One Mouth Band, he is the first solo act to compete (and win!) in an a cappella group competition and a finalist in the 2010 US Beatbox Championships. He performed for years with SoVoSo (spin-off of Bobby McFerrin’s Voicestra) and now happily astounds & inspires audiences from San Francisco to Sydney to Sao Paulo to Salzburg to Singapore. http://www.JourneysInRhythm.com/

MAL WEBB (AUS) Around the world and into your brain, vocal adventurer, multi-instrumentist and looping beatboxing songwriter Mal Webb will take you on a lip to lung journey through the physics, physiology and phrivolity of all the sounds a face can make. Sideways yodelling, beatbox, harmonics, throat singing, uvular fluttering, advanced clapping. He’s like Bobby McFerrin, Aphex Twin and Cole Porter playing scrabble. Ebulliently eclectic. Nefariously varied. Family fun free from facile frippery. http://www.MalWebb.com/

THE BLOCKHOUSE BAY BOAT CLUB
Over the tide at the seaward arm of Blockhouse Bay Beach Reserve ( at the end of Endeavour Street) lies an amazing venue, as beautiful as it is spacious. Just walk about 300 metres around the edge of the bay’s footpath from the car park to the Boat Club, which is wheelchair-accessible. It is also easily accessible from the 191-199, 19X, 207, & 258 buses. http://www.3bc.org.nz/

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Journey in rhythm to…Esalen!

Mar 10

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Teaming up with one of my favorite people and frequent Journeys In Rhythm collaborators, Alyssa DeCaro means “a good time will be had by all.” Throw in the freedom of dance of by PJ Novotny of Yum Sessions and hold it at one of the most beautiful retreat centers ever, Esalen, and you’ll be pinching yourself to make sure it’s real!

I’ll be assisting with the facilitation of sections of this week-long workshop, as well as using my vocal skills as The One Mouth Band to provide musical support. I highly recommend this experience to anyone who wants to feel more at home in their body, more music in their life, and more presence in their everywhere.

The pricing on this is a lot more reasonable than you’d think. Click below to check it out…

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