2007 Presentation Descriptions & Presenter Bios

All included in full registration of $99 (Ubaka Hill Sunday workshop $49 extra)
or register for these performances & workshops separately at the prices listed.

Showcasing the work of visual artists:

Lydia Ruyle

Aya · Andre Ferrella · Isadora Gabriella Liedenfrost ·

Bettina Madini · Peggy Meyer · Joel Pfeiffer

Dale Allen - In Our Right Minds:
A Celebration of Women, the Sacred Feminine and the Right Brain

Saturday, March 31st, Monona Terrace - 9:30-10:45am   $20

"Dale Allen, in her one-woman performance, is the first woman I have ever known who can define the essence of women in a thought provoking way that empowers women while embracing men. Her message and her beauty shine from within and from without." - Arlene Scanlan, Broadway Producer, On Golden Pond

In Our Right Minds has been igniting audiences at universities, conferences, executive women’s meetings, healing centers and theaters since it’s premier in 2005. This passionate message guides women to their strength as leaders, and restores in men and women, the validity of right-brain, “feminine” strengths.

Described as a "Cape Canaveral lift-off," this dynamic, multi media 1 hour 15 minute performance features history, myth, original songs, art, artifacts, characters and comedy. Dale Allen, a 15-year veteran of corporate and commercial communications, gives voice to a brilliant, long-forgotten intelligence that is within each of us – the intelligence of the right hemisphere of the brain, the “feminine gatherer-nurturer” side.

In Our Right Minds explores the Goddess archetype as a metaphor for our right-brain wisdom. Without an understanding of this archetype, women have been left with no clear model to guide them to their strength and wholeness, and men have been forced to suppress vast parts of their own intuitive, emotional and nurturing natures.

Dale Allen is a fifteen-year veteran of corporate and commercial communications. Her extensive resume includes hundreds of voice-over, on-camera and live presentation projects. She is an accomplished lecturer, workshop facilitator, playwright and theatrical actress. Ms. Allen enhances the presentation of her lectures with her acting and comedic ability, as well as original songs to bring the material to life. She thoroughly engages and inspires her audience, which ranges from highly educated corporate leaders to young women seeking their place in the world. www.daleallenproductions.com

Hear Dale Allen's Women in the World interview with Sharon Riegie Maynard on Sister Space - click here.


CELIA

Saturday, March 31st - Monona Terrace -

Opening 9am
Saturday evening concert with Ubaka Hill, 7pm, $15

Celia's music calls women to their glory and men to their hearts."
- Marianne Williamson

Red-headed Renaissance woman, Celia is a singer-songwriter, musician, actress, storyteller and dancer. Her uplifting performances entertain, captivate and provide plenty of humor leaving the audience easily won over by her magical spell. The Everyday Goddess event is named after Celia's song - Everyday Goddess, which is recorded on her Breathe cd.

Celia graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance from the University of Michigan . She then headed for New York City where she wrote, produced and performed "Stories in the Stone," performed live music for the Off Broadway production of Conor McPherson's "Rum and Vodka", and toured with Theatreworks USA . Her cd "Breathe", produced by popular musician Willy Porter, comprises a variety of musical styles, including alternative country, bluegrass, world beat and R&B. Other recordings include "Fire in the Head" and "Irish Tales". Her rendition of "Song for Ireland " was chosen for Discover Wisconsin 's recent compilation CD "Art of the State". Her newest cd - Red, Alabaster & Blue is scheduled for release in April, 2007 and is available for pre-order on-line.

ANDRE FERRELLA:  Artist of the Spirit
An internationally celebrated multi-media artist, painter, and photographer, Andre Ferrella emphasizes thoughtful consideration of our place in the universe while producing imaginative, luminous images. His art ranges from the beauty of nature and its relationship with light to using a variety of artistic methods that include physically painting with light on photographic film and the manipulation of the human figure to represent harmony in the universe. His work explores the realm of microorganisms and draws a line of similarity to stars and galaxies within the cosmos. 


UBAKA HILL

Drumsong: The Art & Spirit of Drumming Workshop Sat. 1-4pm $49

Ubaka Hill & The Drumsong Orchestra in Concert -
Beyond the Wind cd release!

7pm Saturday, 3/31 at Monona Terrace
with special guests Celia & Kellianna $15

TICKETS ON SALE at Wooden Voices, 1348 Williamson St., Madison

and A Room of One's Own, 307 W. Johnson St. and by phone at 206-6219

 

Drumsong:  The Art & Spirit of Drumming Workshop

Saturday, 3/31 , 1-4pm at Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Drive

$49

Drumsong is the exploration of rhythmic resonance. A fun and empowering exploration of the art and sprit of drumming that fosters individual ability and authentic self-expression . A pathway to connect with the power of ones inner rhythm . Learn complete drum songs rooted in various cultural and contemporary rhythmic styles and patterns. We will focus on developing and improving playing techniques for tonal definition and clarity. Develop rhythmic ability for community drumming circles. Explore the foundation of the universal language of drumming , rhythm and pulse, time and tone. Focus will also be on breathing, playing posture, concentration, physical dexterity, and warm-up exercises .

We will experience the spirit of drumming, the unifying, energizing, and revitalizing effects of individual and group/ensemble playing, improvising, and singing . We will also explore topics such as drum etiquette, acquiring a drum, care of your hands, drum maintenance, and drum tuning. All hand drums and percussion welcome. Geared to beginners-intermediate. No previous experience necessary. Please bring a tape recorder and tapes.

 

Drumsong: Beyond the Edge Workshop

Sunday, 4/1, 1-4pm at Unity of Madison, 601 Tompkins Drive $49

An experiential intensive journey that explores the impact and relationship of sound frequencies on our energetic states of well-being and growth. We will deepen our awareness and knowledge of the transformative qualities of intentional drumming and chanting/singing and sounding. Experience playing in odd time rhythmic forms. Explore deep listening, overtones, harmonics, and un-struck sound. We will explore ways to integrate the drum, rattles, and other sounding forms for transformative healing of ones self, clients and community. We will explore different vibrational healing modalities through the times . We will learn ways to raise, hold and direct sound frequencies to revitalize and inspire health and balance of ones whole being.

 

We will also explore topics such as the principals of vibrational healing, intuitive drumming/sounding and the relationship of sound and vibration to the natural world. All drums, rattles, singing bowls, and melodic instruments are welcome . The intensive is geared to beginner/intermediate. All instruments are welcome. Please bring a tape recorder and tapes.

UBAKA HILL ( ooh-BAH-ka), a native New Yorker, a drummer, percussionist, vocalist, songwriter, composer, poet and teacher of hand drumming to inspires healing and soulful joy. Ubaka has been an inspiration to many for 30 years of her professional career as a performer and teacher throughout the United States and international communities. She is the Founder/Director of the Drumsong Institute Museum , Archive, and Library of Women’s Drum and Percussion Traditions , co-founder and co- producer of “The Happen’n” in Upstate New York. Ubaka is recognized as a motivational speaker, visionary, and fine art oil painter. She is the “first teacher” of many hand drummers.

 

Ubaka’s musical approach embodies various ideas to create authentic, melodic and rhythmic music from the cosmic to the ordinary, ancient to contemporary; intentional music that motivates and reflects our expanding minds, changing beliefs and the birth of new drumming traditions. Ubaka’s primary instruments are her voice and hand drums, the Djembe and the Ube (ooh-bay ) are the drums she plays most often. The ” Ube “ is Ubaka’s Signature Drum . Visit www.splevinemusic.com for more info.

We're thrilled to welcome Ubaka Hill back to Madison for this event &
the release of her new cd - Beyond the Wind!

Kariel & Friends - Playshop:  Synergizing the Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine
through Movement, Sound, Image, and Sharing 
Saturday, March 31st - 1-4pm Lecture Hall $49

This experience is in 3 parts: 1- Heather Good and Nataraj Hauser introduce contact improvisation as a form of enlightened play, a way of being fully present with self and other, using non-verbal communication to joyfully co-create expressive movement. Comfortable clothing, minimal jewelry, and bare feet are recommended.  2- Artist Joel Pfeiffer facilitates a participatory immersion into projected mandalas (of visionary artist Aya), sound, and transcendence. Please wear white clothing or bring a white sheet to wrap in.  3- Carl Landsness weaves magical sounds (of renowned sound healer Jonathan Goldman) with trance dance and cosmic videos (Andre Ferella)... to heal, transmute, free, and express our inner selves All are invited to share their experiences and visions... nurturing new possibilities for healing, connecting, and transforming all life.

Heather Good has been a lifelong student of dance and a teacher, choreographer, and performer. She has put energy towards developing contact improvisation in Madison and beyond for the past seven years. She is also leader of the Red Herrings, an ongoing investigation of site specific public improvisational dance.

Nataraj Hauser has been involved in movement - martial arts and dance - for over twenty years with an intense focus on contact improv for the last four. Over the last three years he has taught numerous beginner and several advanced-beginner classes or workshops. His love of contact improv stems from its combination of strength, softness, agility, intimacy, whimsy and physical listening in an intuitive, egalitarian form that make it a pleasure to do. Teaching with an easy sense of play, he will encourage you to explore your edges; of fear, of fun, of being physical, and your relationship with gravity and the horizon.


 

Carl Landsness has passionately pursued personal and planetary healing for twenty years... exploring vast numbers of traditional and alternative paths. Weaving sound, movement, image, and intention have been most fulfilling and effective for him, especially when built on breath, belief, and play. His primary mission is to help transmute the dominator paradigm to a synergistic partnership paradigm.

Joel Pfeiffer is a man of many passions: artist, educator, healer, and visionary. Joel is best known for his community based art projects called Clay Stomps. For the past 30 years, Joel has directed, local, national, and international Clay Stomps. Participants mix the powdered clay with their bare feet. The clay is then used to create community based murals or sculptures. Joel’s favorite quote that came from a Russian participant is: “As we mix the clay, the clay mixes us.” Permanent works of art have been created for

schools, libraries, art centers, and airports. One of the best known is the Russian mural that is installed at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Kariel - Sounding Love to Gaia - State Capitol Rotunda

Sunday, April 1st - 8-9:30am

Meet outside the Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. entrance to Capitol
(the entrance facing Monona Terrace)

Co-creating sacred sound (tone, chant, etc... with intention) in the capitol (Temple of the People)...tuning into Spirit, place, and others... healing and uplifting self, community, and planet... transmuting dominator paradigm to partnership paradigm
No experience needed. Bring intention and intuition.

 

 

Kellianna

SpiritSong Workshop Saturday 1-4pm  $49

Saturday evening concert with Ubaka Hill & Celia, 7pm  $15

Music, song and sound have been used by countless cultures as extraordinarily effective vehicles for healing, communal bonding, and spiritual awakening. Kellianna studies and performs with author, composer, singer and sound-healer Shawna Carol, who has emerged as a leading figure in the contemporary revitalization of the art of sacred song as a transformative tool. She has developed “SpiritSong,” a unique approach to singing and toning based on a method of “singing without words;” a powerful technique that permits us to reconnect to the most primal form of singing.

SpiritSong uses the voice to sound what you are feeling in the moment and this unlocks your power and unique beauty. Kellianna uses guided meditation, chanting and toning exercises to create a warm, safe space that allows participants to discover their own unique “essence song.” No singing experience necessary - open to all who are interested in using the power of the voice to connect with their creative source. Visit www.wayofsong.com for more info on Shawna and her work.

Kellianna is an accomplished singer/songwriter/musician and international performer. This Chantress and Storyteller spins tales of myth and legend in the tradition of the bards of old. Her cd, Lady Moon, released in 2004, is being recognized around the globe as a must-have for any lover of Goddess-inspired folk music and includes Norse, Celtic and Greek Mysteries and Chants to the Ancient Mother. Kellianna was a featured artist at the 2003, 2004 and 2005 Goddess Conference in Galstonbury, England and at the 2004, 2005 & 2006 Women of Wisdom Conferences in Seattle. 

 

Bettina Madini - Painting with the Inner Goddess

Saturday, March 31, 1-4pm  $49

An experiential and experimental workshop with artist Bettina Madini for men, women and youth.

The connection between the arts and the divine is still a mystery, and as a society we have only just begun to explore the role of the arts as a transformative vehicle. Art is a channel that connects us with our soul and has been expressed by mankind throughout Earth’s history as a way to release the old, affirm ourselves and expand our awareness into the new. Bettina combines creativity and spirituality to guide us on our inner journey of transformation to find and expand Joy, Peace and Love.

The Inner Goddess or our Wise Part is an archetypal term that she uses as an expression of the Divine Feminine, the part within all of us that intuitively knows, before the mind interferes. The creative spirit has never left us, no matter how much we allowed ourselves to “shrink”, no matter which beliefs about ourselves we adopted.

In her workshops, Bettina uses drumming and meditation to gently guide us to this space within, this universal mirror where we have the chance to meet ourselves and heal, if we so choose. Painting is for Bettina an intuitive process that allows the flow of the image from the heart. We will work with watercolors. No artistic background is required for the class. All art material will be provided .

Born in Berlin , Germany , Bettina is a visionary artist and colorist, and a vocalist. She started her art education in Europe and continued her extensive art studies in New York City at the National Academy of Fine Arts after having changed her life entirely and moved to the US in 2003 to be a “full-time” artist.

She has a background in shamanic wisdom and is an energy healer, blending Reiki, Kathara and crystal healing. She is involved with WomanWithin, a training program for women’s empowerment, initiation and healing.

“Art is a way of bringing peace into our minds and from there out into the world. It is an initiatory path that allows me to see that I am much more than what I think I am.”


Olenka - Grown Wild : A tale of THE MAGDALENE

Saturday, 3/31 - 4:30-5:45pm - Monona Terrace Lecture Hall 
$15 (included in afternoon workshop admission)

Narrative concert with original music by inter-media artist Alexandra (Olenka)

Grown Wild: A tale of The Magdalene is a narrative concert of acoustic (guitar) as well as fully-orchestrated original songs. Polish-born, New York-raised artist Olenka laces multi-cultural, world music and rhythms together with women's spirituality.

The 20 original songs in this 90-minute show have been written over a period of 15 years and express a variety of experiences that link together with poetic and musical segues. The story unfolds the experiences of the Lover and Wise Woman – feminine archetypes that have been de-emphasized in the Western spiritual worldview. By honoring these qualities the show reintegrates them into the fullness of the feminine personality, and addresses issues in feminist theology.

Women's spirituality is a rich, interdisciplinary subject. Interest in Mary Magdalene as symbol of the fullness of women's spirituality has tapped into a need for balanced perspective of femininity as well as divinity. This has been demonstrated by the popularity of the recent novel The DaVinci Code . Although the research used in this book has been available in other forms, the success of the novel suggests that processing information in the context of the arts enriches the experience and makes the knowledge uniquely our own in the way that plain data cannot integrate.

Olenka has been performing since 1989 at venues like The Limelight in New York City , various colleges, and television programs like B-Town Sounds, recorded in Bloomington , Indiana , and The Creators Series of Quad City Life and Times . In 2003 she received a grant from the Iowa Arts Council for her project “World Rhythms in Original Music” which included a 20-venue tour of Iowa with venues like Quad City Arts and workshops for middle and high school students throughout the state. In fall, 2004 Olenka was been chosen for the Literary Arts Residency with Quad City Arts Visiting Artist Series.


Lydia Ruyle

Exhibit of Goddess Icons/Spirit Banners

Presentation: Herstory of the Divine Feminine Goddess
Around the Globe

Saturday, March 31st - Monona Terrace, 11-11:45am $20


Artist and scholar Lydia Ruyle will share images and stories of the Divine Feminine Goddess from many cultures of the world. For ten years, her Goddess Icon Spirit Banners have flown at sacred sites, conferences, museums, temples, galleries to empower, teach and share the Divine Feminine.

Goddess Icons / Spirit Banners are sacred images of the divine feminine from the many cultures of the world. Each image was created and revered at some time in human history. The designs reflect the cultural image making traditions of time and place in the world and in art history. They portray images of the divine feminine--the Goddess. They can be grouped by time period; i.e.Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, Greco-Roman, Celtic, MesoAmerican; by image, i.e. Great Mother, birthing, flowering, death, maiden, crone: or by symbol, i.e. snakes, lions, shells, labyrinths.

Lydia Ruyle is an artist /scholar who has been pursuing Goddess research for several decades with her mind, body and spirit. As an artist, shecreates icons, sacred images of the divine feminine from the many cultures of the world. Since 1995, the icons have become spirit banners which fly around the globe weaving the sacred energies of the divine feminine. Twenty years ago, she began collecting images of women from art history which she teaches at the University of Northern Colorado. She put the images in her art and in 1987, Better Homes & Goddesses was born for National Women's History Month. The Goddesses now number in the hundreds.


Elisabeth Wilhelm


Writing Workshop for Teens:  Muse Afire! FREE to ages 13-19|

Pull the stories out from your thoughts as your fingers as they flash across the page. In this workshop, you'll learn how to find inspiration in the most mundane of places, and use those ideas to write poetry, stories, and nonfiction that speak from the heart. We'll start off with not your normal kind of writing exercise, and will give a new meaning to writing with a fury. The next step is learning how to critically read someone else's writing and offer a supportive critique, which will make you a stronger writer. We will also cover what avenues of inspiration and publication there are for your writing, such as OneWord, blogs, literary agents, spoken word slams, PostSecret, and haiku.

Elisabeth Wilhelm has been published over 150 times online and in print, in a variety of publications, and has edited for publications as diverse as Kiwibox.com, an online teen magazine with 1.6 million members, Moondance.org, heading the Song & Story section, and is a regular columnist for Voice of Youth Advocates magazine. Lis has also headed up youth newspapers and art projects in Europe, Asia, Africa, and in the United States at UN-affiliated conferences, and has worked with young writers and adult writers all over a literary agency based out of Brooklyn. Elisabeth is currently a sophomore writing major, cultural studies minor, at Pratt Institute, also known as the live-in- a-box-when-you-graduate track. But darnit, she'll be happy!