Dear Friend
The BFG - Roald Dahl - highly recommended film to restore a sense of magic and innocence.
Dreaming and singing a more peaceful world
Dreams is full of mystery and magic . . . . Do not try to understand them. - The BFG, Roald Dahl
Many great leaders such as Ghandi or Martin Luther King were lead by a dream that did not seem possible in day-to-day reality. The strength of their passion, inspiration and commitment to follow through on their dreams allowed them to make a huge contribution to the world we now live in. When we follow the creative callings of our dreams they become real - so we too can sing, speak, write, dance a more peaceful world this September. Seeing The BFG was a magical treat during my summer Staycation, so in tribute to his gentle giant wisdom I will let his words, dreamt by Roald Dahl, lead the way.
Peace One Day
Human beans is the only animals that is killing their own kind - The BFG
World Peace Day on 21st September offers a chance to reflect on the world we live in and how we can play our part in making it more peaceful. One Day One Choir is a global movement of choirs, where any group can dedicate a concert, event, gathering or rehearsal to peace. There are a multitude of ways small and large in which people are daily making a difference to each other. Those in the Transition Town Network lovingly tending our community gardens and a hairdresser giving free haircuts to the homeless are just two examples I've been touched by recently. I dream of a world where we put the caring, positive aspects of our humanity centre stage and stop feeding and financing the warlike shadows.
Letting Go of Being Right
Meanings is not important, said the BFG. I cannot be right all the time. Quite often I is left instead of right.
Dreams often look upside down from the way of the world. It can seem crazy to dream of peace in a wartorn world. Sometimes we have to let go of our logical minds in order to create something different. Sometimes we have to be brave enough to let go of the fear of being labelled crazy to share our dreams. Sometimes we have to let go of our need to be right to see that others are just doing their best. Sometimes we have let go of our attachment to identities, interpretations, words and meanings in order to reach new levels of understanding. This letting go makes space for something magical to happen.
Singing for Peace
So the music is saying something to them. It is sending a message. I do not think the human beans is knowing what that message is, but they is loving it just the same. - The BFG
Music is one of many artforms that can inspire us to think, feel and act differently. When we sing, every cell in our body begins to vibrate to a new tune. The power of singing to reclaim a sense of peaceful power is testified to by the stories of members of Rainbows Across Borders LGBT Asylum Seekers Choir who I recently interviewed and wrote about on Inside Story Radio Show and The Croydon Citizen. Singers who have experienced persecution in their countries of origin said that singing gives them the confidence to have a voice, to become leaders, to cope with challenging situations and to enjoy 'strutting their stuff', as they did with 3000 supporters at Croydon's first PrideFest. The dreams and campaigns of so many LGBT rights activists made it possible for us to walk the streets, whistling, waving flags and singing 'We Shall Overcome.' For many, this freedom of expression is not yet possible, which is why we must keep singing and dreaming a more peaceful world for everyone.
Peaceful Singing Events for September
This autumn I invite you to join me at the following peaceful events:
Sing for Water - choirs across the UK join together in song for WaterAid at the Thames Festival on September 11th.
Shakespeare's 400th Anniversary - At the invitation of by Raficq Abdulla, author of Reflecting Mercury, Dreaming Shakespeare's Sonnets I will be performing arrangements of Shakespeare's sonnets and songs with acapella group Anima on 16th Sept.
Creative Croydon Choirs - Caterham Community Choir restarts on 6th Sept, Croydon Community Choir restarts on 12th Sept and Croydon Carers Choir continues fortnightly from 21st September.
Heart of the City - delighted to have been invited to guest lead this wonderful choir at St Botolph's Bishopgate from September 22nd
Dream Choir - a play day of song and improvisation in the magical ambience of St Mary Abchurch on 24th September
Wishing you a powerfully peaceful September :)
So the music is saying something to them. It is sending a message. I do not think the human beans is knowing what that message is, but they is loving it just the same. - The BFG
Music is one of many artforms that can inspire us to think, feel and act differently. When we sing, every cell in our body begins to vibrate to a new tune. The power of singing to reclaim a sense of peaceful power is testified to by the stories of members of Rainbows Across Borders LGBT Asylum Seekers Choir who I recently interviewed and wrote about on Inside Story Radio Show and The Croydon Citizen. Singers who have experienced persecution in their countries of origin said that singing gives them the confidence to have a voice, to become leaders, to cope with challenging situations and to enjoy 'strutting their stuff', as they did with 3000 supporters at Croydon's first PrideFest. The dreams and campaigns of so many LGBT rights activists made it possible for us to walk the streets, whistling, waving flags and singing 'We Shall Overcome.' For many, this freedom of expression is not yet possible, which is why we must keep singing and dreaming a more peaceful world for everyone.
Peaceful Singing Events for September
This autumn I invite you to join me at the following peaceful events:
Sing for Water - choirs across the UK join together in song for WaterAid at the Thames Festival on September 11th.
Shakespeare's 400th Anniversary - At the invitation of by Raficq Abdulla, author of Reflecting Mercury, Dreaming Shakespeare's Sonnets I will be performing arrangements of Shakespeare's sonnets and songs with acapella group Anima on 16th Sept.
Creative Croydon Choirs - Caterham Community Choir restarts on 6th Sept, Croydon Community Choir restarts on 12th Sept and Croydon Carers Choir continues fortnightly from 21st September.
Heart of the City - delighted to have been invited to guest lead this wonderful choir at St Botolph's Bishopgate from September 22nd
Dream Choir - a play day of song and improvisation in the magical ambience of St Mary Abchurch on 24th September
Wishing you a powerfully peaceful September :)
At Croydon PrideFest with Catherine Pestano, Anne Crump & Gill Manly