Renowned folklorists from West Virginia — Carrie and Michael Kline — will lead a singing intensive on Aug. 23-24 in Davis called “Song in Sacred Community.”

The Applachian duo is being hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis.

“This is a rare opportunity to sing with Michael and Carrie Kline, who have a wealth of knowledge about oral traditions of Appalachia, ballads of miners and the labor movement, even California songwriter Kate Wolf,” says Laura Sandage, UU choir director.

The event will include experiences of singing in sacred spaces on the woodsy campus of the church, 27074 Patwin Road, as well as lunch, and the strengthening of community through song.

“It is my hope that people from all over will feel welcomed at this event, which is very much in the spirit of the UU principle of creating vibrant community with peace, liberty and justice for all,” said the Rev. Beth Banks of the UU church.

Participants will meet on Friday, Aug. 23, from 7 to 9 p.m., then reconvene Saturday, Aug. 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Before heading East, the Klines will perform a live concert on Sunday, Aug. 25, from 1 to 3 p.m.

All events are open to the public and no experience with group singing or knowledge of music is required. There is a flexible fee of $25 to $50 to participate, and a suggested donation of $5 to $20 for the concert

Spots may be reserved by contacting Sandage at [email protected] or the UU church office at 530-753-2581, ext. 203.

For local singers who want to follow the weekend with ongoing community singing, Sandage offers two choirs that meet regularly at the church. The UU Sparks Choir will begin rehearsals on Aug. 29, and continue on Thursdays from 7:15 to 9 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

This choir is open to members of the church and friends from the wider community, and singers need not have prior choral experience. The commitment includes performing for the 11:15 a.m. worship service three times per month.

The Free Range Singers, an inclusive community choir, begins its fall session, “The Rhythm of Love,” on Sept. 17.

This group meets on Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. All voices are welcome, including singing children when accompanied by a singing adult.

The fall session will run 16 weeks from Sept. 17 to Jan. 20, with no rehearsal the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, and extra rehearsals the week before the concert.

The culminating event will be “The Rhythm of Love,” a community fundraising concert on Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 20, which will include the UU Sparks Choir and other local singing groups.

The Free Range Singing experience is funded by singer contributions of $125 to $195 for the season, or $30 to $50 per month for four months. Scholarships are available and free trial rehearsals open during the month of September. Contact Sandage for more information.

appalachian duoW

Carrie and Michael Kline will lead a two-day choral workshop Aug. 23-24 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis, 27074 Patwin Road in rural West Davis. The pair “have a wealth of knowledge about oral traditions of Appalachia, ballads of miners and the labor movement, even California songwriter Kate Wolf,” says Laura Sandage, the church’s choir director. Courtesy photo

Comments

comments