Guided and (De)Lighted in Two Part Harmony

PART I. Stop the bus, I've been seduced. No really. Simon and William Shaheen visited Daily Planet on KBCS and graced our listeners with a sonic journey with Simon's two favorite instruments, both of which he demonstrates effortless mastery: ud/oud (Arabic lute) and violin. So, stop the bus, get off, and get thee to a record store now, and when you arrive, find the 'International' section where a copy of Blue Flame by Simon Shaheen and Qantara awaits you...if you're lucky. You see, I'm not the only one who was seduced. The radio station phone lines lit up, the concert hall was packed. People in the audience were all mesmerized and glowing, including the ud/oud master himself. And he wasn't alone in his sonic conspiracy: He was joined by by Walid Zairi who offered exquisite bass playing, and Zafer Taweel, whose percussive sense of humor added just the right rhythmic embellishments. The trio was also joined by Simon's brother William, also a master ud/oud player, who plays with a distinctly different style that's passionately edgy and crisp. It doesn't end there, Simon and William's older brother Najib is a master luthier of the ud/oud and has crafted some of the world's most beautiful instruments.

Gretchen and Matt from the UW World Series go above and beyond in curating the most delicious concert series!

PART II
Guiding Lights Are Everywhere!

"This little light 'o mine, I'm gonna let it shine...
...let it shine, let it shine, let it shiiiine!" That song always inspires the crowd and it's how Patrinell Wright and the Total Experience Gospel Choir wound up an incredibly lit up three days, filled with hundreds of people at the Guiding Lights Weekend, founded by Eric Liu , author of Guiding Lights: How to Mentor - and Find Life's Purpose.
Did you ever have a mentor? Have you mentored? Listen to experiences of some of our community's inspired individuals
on how mentoring is so essential to our human being and being human. Eric Liu presented Willie Austin with the Mindful Mentor of 2008 award last weekend, Jan. 27th, at the Seattle Center. And to think, just a couple of decades ago, I stumbled across Willie at the YMCA where he became my first fitness mentor. Willie Austin is the founder of the Austin Foundation. Their goal is to transform youth through fitness. Willie is also the owner of Nowis Fitness Center in Seattle. Listen to Willie's and two of his mentees' reflections about health justice and childhood obesity, and how mentoring through fitness has been successful in the lives of thousands of young people on Voices of Diversity.

Lift Ev'ry Voice for Justice and Freedom

There we were, thousands of us, united through the spirit and vision of one man's dream...Well, the dream of many men and women: freedom, justice, peace and love. And harmony, dernit! On a bright and sunny January 21st (usually it rains; this time the cloud people moved over for the sun) more than 5,000 folks of all walks of life gathered together to reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s principles of non-violence, peace, freedom, and justice. A few were happy to share their reflections. Why did it feel so powerful to be in the presence of each other? Inspiration. We were inspired and folks need to be inspired ("in spirit") to feel connected to the world and each other. Wait. The world is each other! How have you been inspired today? How will you inspire someone today? Will you encourage each other to "lift every voice and sing"?

Walking the Talk: Dr. Shakti Butler Reflects on Putting King's Principles into Practice

Dr. Shakti Butler is the creator of "Heart-to-Heart Conversations," a national program of public dialogue that speaks to critical social issues of race, gender, class, and sexual orientation. In Dr. Butler's keynote address, she reflects on the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s six principles of non-violence in her work on healing racism.

Are you searching for that healing that you can't describe? That transformation that guides you to the next [higher] level of consciousness? You may want to invite Dr. Butler to speak at your organization or workplace.
On the second day of Dr. Butler's visit, a packed room of a hundred or so folks gathered to participate in the outstanding and liberating workshop based on her film, Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible. The film is incredible. One in every household could transform our lives forever.

Dr. Butler's visit was hosted by Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. and the Bush School Diversity Speaker Series. Dr. Moore is also the founder of the visionary and innovative White Privilege Conference.
Before you getchyer panties all in a bunch about the words 'white privilege' read this.

Andy Palacio (1960 - 2008) Passes to the Other World

Sing praises and gratitude for the life of Andy Palacio. We visited in August of 2007 during his tour in Seattle and he inspired me to step up my game and to tap into my potential. He reminded me of an older brother, looking out for his global sister(s). He was an incredible force on many fronts. He carried great wisdom, compassion, humor, and a perspicacity that I greatly admired. I will miss him and treasure his beauty in my heart forever. His eternal force lives through the Garifuna musical legacy he's left for others to enjoy and learn from. "Legacies" by Michele Treesong


Andy's most recent release with The Garifuna Collective, Watina, is a tribute to, and revitalization of, Garifuna language and culture through music. He has inspired many others to carry on the tradition. You can learn more at Stonetree, a magnificent record label dedicated to Belize's rich musical culture.
May the Palacio family and friends be surrounded by great love and support. Rest in peace, Andy.

On Friday, January 25th there will be a Mass in Belize and a national day of Andy's music. Below is the press release and links.

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In the Garifuna culture the death of a loved one is an opportunity to celebrate their memory and rejoice in having been blessed to have had them in your life. We feel so fortunate to have known this incredible individual and we mourn the loss of truly great man.

In an interview conducted last July, Andy was asked how he wanted to be remembered when he died. He replied, "As a proud Garifuna...someone who instills pride in Garifuna and raises their self-esteem. To me, that's the most important thing." This was already the case while he was alive, and we're certain it will only be more true in the future.

Sincerely,

Ivan Duran (Stonetree) and Jacob Edgar (Cumbancha)

PRESS RELEASE
Friends and supporters are invited to post messages in memory of Andy Palacio to his MySpace page as well as to the blog of his international record label Cumbancha .

The Whirled in 2008

I envision a Peaceful world, manifest through each and every one of us in sizes great and small, short and tall; from near and far, from star to star. Breathe in, breathe out, breathe Peace. In contemplating a musical selection, I'll readily admit: the music found me. Oh, how I loves some inspiration!

I'm having a mass choir moment. New Direction brings sonic goodness to their gospel number entitled "Peace" from their most recent release,
Send the Praise. Enjoy!