Mt Tamalpais, Marin County, California
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Planetary Dance is an annual all-day ritual of healing and community renewal. It is an invitation to people all over the world to join in a dance for peace in their own communities and for peace with the Earth. It brings people of all ages and abilities together in a beautiful setting to "dance for a purpose" much as people in traditional cultures have danced for a bountiful harvest, a successful hunt, or a happy marriage.
The Planetary Dance is a participatory dance rather than a theatrical performance. At its heart is the Earth Run, a simple dance that everybody can do. Participants are invited to run, walk, or simply stand in a series of concentric circles, creating a moving mandala. As we all move to the steady heartbeat of the drums, we become one collective body. Each step upon the Earth becomes a prayer for healing.
Leader's Workshop with Anna Halprin
March 26-28 2010
Friday, March 26, 6-9 PM
Saturday, March 27, 10 AM-6 PM
Sunday, March 28, 10 AM-6 PM
To train people to lead the Planetary Dance, Anna Halprin and staff will conduct an intensive Planetary Dance Workshop at her studio in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Planetary Dance Workshop is designed for people who are committed to presenting the Planetary Dance in their own communities this year-creating a circle of Planetary Dances around the world. The intention is for participants to acquire skills to address significant community issues and use the life/art process to create a community ritual with both local and global meaning and purpose. Participants will learn the collective creative process using the RSVP Cycles by Lawrence Halprin.
Click here for more information.
Billy Cauley: Counselor, professional musician and educator, 38 years experience
on stage, recording, radio and video. He has devoted his life to exploring
rhythm and applies the healing potential of sound worldwide. Performs with
dance visionary/healer Anna Halprin. Has performed with Pharaoh Sanders, Al
Jarreau, Scott Cossu, Judy Mowat, Ellis Marsalis and many, many others. He
has studied with many master drummers and spiritual masters around the world.
Educated at Cleveland State, Oberlin Conservatory, Harvard University, Naropa
Institute and Tamalpa Institute. He is successfully leading groups in the U.S.A.
and Europe for schools, the public and private corporate sector. His
incorporation of an array of artistic tools into a fulfilled experience is
educational, emotionally and spiritually rewarding.
Billy
Cauley a pioneer with artistic vision …
innovator in the world drumming movement.
Profound musical and
rhythmic experiences in early childhood brought moving realizations
of the power of sound and vibration. At a young age he was exposed
to monumental artists of vision and scope, artists who later
set the bar for the formation of jazz, rock and roll and pop
music.
His innate knowledge of the forceful effects of generating spontaneous
improvisational music and psychology lead him to the formation
of drumming groups with the intention of change. It was far
more than just delighting in the chance to make music with like
hearted and like-minded individuals; it was an opportunity to
explore the intuitive psychophysical connection of music.
Billy’s approach
is dynamic, powerful and liberating. He creates a setting and
a safe container for the individual to do the work that is necessary
to liberate themselves from their dilemmas, misconceptions and
pain.
In a recent interview, Billy had this to say:
“I work only with individuals who are ready and willing
to make radical changes in their lives and to stop working with
old patterns and reactionary issues that keep arising causing
their own pain and difficulties. This self-commitment is the
key to change. We have the strength, what is lacking is the
unique desire and inner impulse to make a difference.
Rhythm is particularly
useful with autistic children owing in part to the nonverbal,
non-threatening nature of the medium. Multi-rhythmic music activities
are designed to support the objectives of the child as observed
by the therapist or as indicated by a parent, teacher or other
professional. A music therapist might observe, for instance,
the child's need to socially interact with others. Rhythmical
games might be used to promote hand/eye coordination. Eye contact
might be encouraged to stimulate direct engagement. Specific
rhythms may be used contingently for a wide variety of cooperative
social behaviors.
Here
on this web site you can find information about our
ritual drumming workshops led by Billy Cauley. Billy
is a professional musician and educator with 30 years
experience on stage, recording, radio and video. He
has played with many renown jazz musicians and studied
with many master drummers. Educated at Cleveland State,
Oberlin Conservatory, Harvard University, Naropa Institute
and Tamalpa Institute.
Billy is successfully leading groups
and workshops in the U.S.A. and Europe for adults, children
and for private businesses. Presently working with dance
visionary Anna Halprin. He brings a unique spirit to
this work with an Ethiopian, Native American and Madagascarn
ancestry. He has devoted his life to exploring how healing,
transformative and fun it is to play with rhythm.
"I play Berchtold drums because of the
depth and range of tonal quality. I have played many
drums from many countries around the world. I find
that the drums made by the craftmen at Berchtold to
be of the finest quality. Their drums are made with
the true knowlege of the power of the drum".
Billy Cauley
Billy suggests you visit these web sites as well. These
are other projects/places where you can find Billy displaying
his artistic talents.
Expand your skills and develop your ability to play
in a drum circle group and as a solo player. Bring your open
hearts and spirits to share in our combined prayers of peace,
harmony and love perpetuated by Ritual Drumming.
