Winter SolstiCelebration

I’m really honored to be a part of the annual “Winter SolstiCelebration” this year, as one of the many talented performers. It’s one of the largest celebrations of solstice anywhere.

The theme for this year’s event is “Our Human Journey,” and for the first time ever, it will be presented on two nights:

Friday, December 16 and Saturday December 17th
Doors open at 6 pm. Event begins at 7 pm

Cathedral of Hope Sanctuary
5910 Cedar Springs at Inwood,
Dallas, Texas 75219
Click here for ticket information.

I hope many of my friends will be interested in attending. I have been for several years, and have always found it a very moving and inspiring event.

Specifically, two of my songs, “Thanks,” and “I Will Sing” will be a part of the music for the night. This is a huge honor, and I’m thrilled to be a part. Just take a look at some of the incredible performers who will be a part of this night.

Our friend, Amy Martin is the passion and vision behind this event, but literally dozens of people take part to bring this event together.

Here’s some of what the Earth Rythyms’ website says about this year’s event:

“Can we guide our evolving humanity?

What are our choices for the future?

Are we doomed to endless war, social injustice and environmental degradation?

Or, is it our epic destiny to live in peace with prosperity for all?

Join the journey to the
future we choose
at Winter SolstiCelebration.”

“Not a service, not a show, but something much more, this two-hour event blends a wide spectrum of performing arts, participatory movement and ceremony to guide the audience in an archetypal discovery of our human destiny.”

“Dramatic monologues from an Everyman and Everywoman reveal the personal struggles we undertake to make peace with ourselves and our species. The qualities that mankind must master to evolve into a brighter future are brought to life via commentary on the proceedings by a clever but crotchety comedic couple. Both are woven with music, dance, theater, poetry, and even magic and circus arts.”

“The core of Winter SolstiCelebration is a passage through three minutes of silent meditation in total darkness, evoking the three-day Winter Solstice period, followed by a dramatic and participatory return of the light. The event concludes with an exuberant dance of attendees through ceremonial gates. A Yule Fest with refreshments follows.”

Many deeply spiritual, creative, and thoughtful people come together to make this event a reality. Many many thanks to Amy for inviting me to be a part.

As a reminder, here are my two songs that will be a part…

“Thanks” will be sort of in the middle of the show….

And “I Will Sing” is scheduled to be one of the ways the show comes to an energy climax:

I’m so excited about this.

More later…EF

Update 12/14/11)
Well, the event is now just days away. And it’s gonna be amazing. We had a dress rehearsal for the show last night, and it’s just lovely. What an honor to be singing with some many talented singers….Lainey Bernstein, Rahim Quazi, Robin Hackett, David Roseblad, Kerri Arrista, Matt Willis, and Andrew Tinker. And, of course, my old friend Cornell Kinderknecht, as co-musical director with Lainey.

Lots of these folks will be joining me on “Thanks” and “I Will Sing.”
As a guy who usually performs solo, it’s so amazing to hear the backing on this stuff. And the rest of the show is just as amazing. You won’t want to miss.

(As always, if you like this post, then “share it” or “like” it on Facebook by clicking the box below, so others can see too…)  

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Eric Folkerth is a minister, musician, author and blogger. He is Senior Pastor of Kessler Park UMC United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas. Previously, he was pastor at Northaven UMC in Dallas for seventeen years. Eric loves to write on topics of spirituality, social justice, music/art and politics. The entries on this blog reflect that diversity of interests. His passion for social justice goes beyond mere words. He’s been arrested at the White House, defending immigrants and “The Dreamers,” and he’s officiated at same sex weddings in his churches, in defiance of what some believe is Methodist teaching. Eric is an avid blogger and published author, and 2017 recipient of the prestigeous Kuchling Humanitarian Award from Dallas’ Black Tie Dinner. (Human Rights Campaign) Eric has led or co-led hundreds of persons on mission trips around the globe, to places such as Mexico, Haiti, Russia, and Nepal. He has worked with lay persons to build ten homes, and one Community Center, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Dallas. He’s a popular preacher, and often tackles challenging issues of social justice in his writings and sermons. His wife, Judge Dennise Garcia, is a State District Judge for Dallas, County. As judge of the 303rd Family District Court, she consistently gets high ratings from area lawyers, and was named “best judge” by The Dallas Observer. First elected in 2004, she was the first Latina ever elected to a county-wide bench in Dallas County, and is currently the longest service district judge in that district. She was re-elected for a fourth term in 2018. They have the world’s best daughter, Maria, and an incredible dog, Daisy. Find links to Eric’s music-related websites, at the top of this site’s navigation menu.

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