I really don't have the words to describe my full experience curating and then playing this set for Denman Dance Temple. I can say that I went in feeling tired, a bit nervous and having some imposter syndrome. But... I got out of my head, dropped into my heart and I trusted my experience and intuition. I know I can't please everyone but the feedback was very good and tears were shed. 

I am thankful to Erin O'Brien and Riane DaSilva for curating this event, rentals and promotion and for holding space....The Denman Dance Temple Team! 

Thankful to bones and builders of the building and the lodge that we danced in. Thankful for the land and our Ancestors. 

Thankful for all who showed up to Dance and Be in the experience. There were people there from 4 different islands! 

I had a friend show up that I have known for over 25 years and who was there with me in my very early days of DJ'ing. We shared some sweet moments. What she shared afterwards really had me reflect on all that has happened in the past 25 years. 

We had oracle cards there and I had one literally fall out of the deck as we were setting up: 

"Metamorphosis is naturally destructive" - I couldn't believe this because when I was very very unwell I had this card up on my windowsill for about a year, maybe more. So seeing ti again having come through that experience had me in awe. 

"Pleasure Is Power" also came up and I smiled because one of the tracks in the set is called "Pleasure" 

I covered the bass bin with some purple velvet and I put the card there. I suggested that people bring their cards and place them there if they wanted something to be amplified or boosted. Erin and Riane had cute little pieces of paper and I suggested they could bring those there too and Erin suggested to put them in the fire! Yes, there was a wood-stove! 

At the end I read some of the cards out ... after a minute of chimes and silence. 

~~~

Here are the bits and pieces that showed up before the event and the words that I had written as well that I shared before the event...

First, I thought of my friend's poetry book "shaping pearls". I knew she written during a particularly challenging time in her life and I knew I'd find something there. With her permission I was able to share it: 

*tender beginnings by Caroline Miskenack

blush is the air of morning. Tender are its hands 
that lift your eyes to see the gravity of innocence pulling you toward acceptance 
so that you may remember 
your inherent goodness. so that you may begin, again. 

~~~ 

Then, these words came out of me and I posted it to Facebook and IG to help promote the event: 

Exceptional leaders don't impart just vision, rather they cultivate the emergence of vision.
~Sudha Murty

I wouldn't call myself an exceptional leader but I do like curating, cultivating and co-creating spaces and events where we can come to-gather and share our visions, our voice, our energy. 

In community we find the courage to show up, we listen, we activate, we grow, we co-create and hopefully we begin shifting paradigms.

We change narratives, we stand for things.

We speak for those who can't, we dance for freedom.

Today is a new day to emerge.

Denman Dance Temple: Super Charged Spring Emergence
~~~ 

And then I wrote this while sitting in the car whilst on the Denman Ferry ... reflecting on emergence—not just in nature, but within ourselves. 

What does the theme "Emergence" mean to me?

When I imagine the word emergence I think of a seed being planted in fertile soil. I see and feel the rain. And soon a little sprout emerges. The sun shares its love, heat and energy to call the little sprout upward.

Invitation: 

Today, I wonder who has been cultivating and preparing the soil? 
Who is planting seeds? 
And who has already been emerging, growing, blossoming?
Whose Soul may simply be in a liminal space? 

~~~ 

Let's dance each other home... starting with ourselves. 

If you like what you hear, I'd love a heart and / or share. Comments on the Soundcloud upload really help to get the music out there too. Thank you. 

"shaping pearls" book of poems by Caroline Miskenack can be found here: https://www.blurb.ca/b/10709227-shaping-pearls

Track IDs: 

BAILE - Fall at Lake Taghkanic (Original Mix)
Contra, Saturna - What I Can Do (Original Mix)
Thriftworks - Mr. Plastic Fantastic (Original Mix)
Sage, Dominus - Pleasure (feat. Sage) (Original Mix)
Raffaele Ciavolino - Dizzy Guitar (Extended Mix)
Dam Swindle - That's Right (Original Mix)
Get To Know - I Just Love (Phil Fuldner Remix - Extended Mix)
Angelo Ferreri, Gas Di Fede - Da House Vibe (Makito Remix)
Cajmere, Dajae - Brighter Days (Marco Lys Remix)
CASSIMM, Tamika Tyan - Release feat. Tamika Tyan (Extended Mix)
Kyle Watson - See Your Truth (Extended Mix)
DJ Susan, Rich DietZ - Everything Off (Ante Up) (Extended Mix)
Cloonee - Fine Night (Original Mix)
Gorgon City - One New Change (Extended Mix)
PARISI, Anyma (ofc) - Sacrifice (Extended Mix)
Ellis Moss, Jackie Hollander - Pass You By (Extended Mix)
Autograf - I Wanna Go (Extended Mix)
SI-FI - Not 4 Nothin' (Original Mix)
Borne, Alexis B - Hush (Original Mix)
Sorana, YDG, it's murph - Down Low (YDG Remix)
Handsome Tiger - QUILOWATT
Cosmal, CØNTRA - Slowrise (CØNTRA Remix)

Happy International Women's Day! I love that around the world people are coming together around the world to celebrate the feminine.

I have decided to stay in today to work on my projects as I have some dreams that were put on hold that are now resurfacing and coming true.

I am aware that many of my friends are gathering today to share poetry, music, art and much more. I see you. I love you.

Here is a playlist that I started putting together in 2016 when I was invited to DJ an event in Squamish that showcased local women artists. It was a beautiful event that my dear friend Patricia Robinson curated and was absolutely lovely in every way. Just like her.

I have been adding to this playlist now for 9 years. It spotlights all kinds of women in all styles of music from as far back as I can find. I often listen to this playlist when I am looking for inspiration.

Whatever path you've chosen or perhaps you're enduring a lot of struggle, I honour your womanhood. Let's keep on rising, loving unconditionally, and nurturing as women do... and for those who are extra loud and take up extra space... Let NO ONE get your freakin way! YOU pave the way for the rest of us and sadly you'll likely get criticized for that now but one we'll look back and be ever so thankful. THANK YOU xoxo

I hope you in-joy this playlist and share it with your friends! spoti.fi/3FeJWrC

Please share your favourite song by your favourite female artist in the comments -- and I'll add it in!

#internationalwomensday #women #womeninbusiness #womensupportingwomen #babesknowbabes