**Please note, I requested July 13th initially, but I have a conflict on that day, so my request is for July 20th instead. Please disregard the other one.

This workshop will introduce a practice/methodology called Música do Círculo aka MdC (translation: Music of the Circle) originating in São Paulo Brazil. This is a collective music-making experience that uses elements including body percussion, improvisation, singing, movement and play to uncover spontaneous and joyful music. MdC explores how music affects human relations and is a wonderful tool for embodying music, community building, cultivating creativity and connection. Joni has been to Brazil three times and has been studying with MdC for 2.5 years.

We will also explore Collective Vocal Improvisation using Circlesongs, in Bobby McFerrin's style as well as through methods Joni has developed over the years as a vocalist, songwriter, music educator and choir director.

This workshop is open to anyone who is ready to make collective music with others. It may be especially beneficial for singers, musical theatre performers, musicians, etc. But really, anyone who is interested in exploring improvised music through singing, body percussion and learning about Música do Círculo is welcome.

Fee: $35 (Please email info@luvsum-music.com to register and or request lower pricing)

Join us for live performances from remarkable fiction, non-fiction writers, poets and playwrights. Featuring: Shawn DeSouza-Coelho, Madeleine Brown, Joni NehRita and Jaden Curtis.

$10-$15

Chorus of Courage is many things. It is a space created to hold and honour the voices and stories of survivors of violence (our storytellers). We came together as a group and became friends and allies – a supportive family. We created a home to explore some of the most difficult experiences one can imagine – a retreat – and we did it with love, music, silence, acceptance, guidance, connection, and movement, hand in hand. This project explores the entire spectrum of emotions that are felt through the unique experiences of the ones we are here to honour – our storytellers.

The evening at the National Arts Centre will showcase the songs our songwriters and allies created and provide a platform for the storyteller’s stories and experiences to be held and heard through song and music.

Free Música do Círculo session at Forest Heights library in Kitchener.

Monthly Música do Círculo (Circle Music) session with facilitators Joni NehRita, Jane Lewis & Erwan Noblet Suggested donation: $15-20. No one turned away for lack of funds. 16+

I'll be do a free one hour concert sponsored by Sidedoor Access.

Body percussion is a fun, engaging and no-tech way to learn about rhythm, rhythmic structures and groove.

In this workshop, I'll introduce the basics of body percussion- we'll explore sounds, go through some rhythmic games and exercises that will help you to understand, and more importantly, feel pulse vs sub-division of the beats vs groove. Then we'll put it all together and play grooves that go along with particular genre/styles of music including pop/rock, reggae, R&B and samba and maybe even try singing on top of what we're playing!

Body percussion and body music (singing + body percussion) can bring an extra element of musicality to choirs, jams, classrooms and more. The no-tech nature means it's accessible and can be done anywhere and since our bodies are the literal instruments, it's an embodied practice that helps us to feel the music, in a deeper way.

I plan to give more body percussion and body music in the future, so join the email list if you'd like to keep up with my offerings.

To register & receive the link email: info {at} luvsum-music.com

Música do Círculo / Circle Music is a collaborative music-making experience that uses improvisation, body percussion, singing, movement and play to foster community and connection. No experience necessary. I've been studying this methodology for over a year and half and has travelled twice this year to Brazil to further her training with the founders and their collective in São Paulo, Brazil. I'm excited to bring this beautiful practice to our region!

It's free to register & you can do one or do them all.

More info soon.