Firing up an inner and outer voice
The Union staff
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12:01 a.m. PT May 1, 2008
Singer-songwriter Melanie DeMore sings in the African-American folk tradition of Odetta and has shared the stage with the likes of Buffy Saint Marie, Ani DiFranco, Sweet Honey in the Rock and Pete Seeger.
She is coming to Grass Valley to do a workshop Saturday. The day is divided into three parts. The first is 10 a.m. to noon: "Gullah Rhythms," which is singing, stick pounding, clapping and drumming in the Gullah tradition from the Low Country region of South Carolina and Georgia.
DeMore has roots in this culture, which was originally from West and Central Africa.
The second: A 2-hour potluck lunch break to share food, friendship and songs. The third: From 2-5 p.m. is "Full Body Forward," in which participants learn songs from various vocal and communal traditions, as well as how to sing with power, determination and energy.
DeMore is also a founding member of the Grammy nominated, critically-acclaimed vocal ensemble, Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir, a group that tours in the US and abroad.
She is featured in a short documentary titled "Stick & Pound," a finalist in the 2008 International Documentary Challenge, held in Toronto in April.
Today she directs the Oakland Children's Community Choir, and is on the music faculty at St. Paul's School in Oakland, Calif., where she teaches a cappella singing.
- The Union staff
KNOW & GO
WHAT: "A Day of Multicultural Song"
WHEN: Saturday, 10 a.m. Đ 5 p.m.
WHERE: Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains, 246 South Church St., Grass Valley.
ADMISSION: Suggested donation is $15 for the morning, $25 for the afternoon, all day for $30 in advance, and $35 after May 1. For advance registration, call Annie Haymaker, (530) 477-0701.
INFORMATION: Workshop details are available at
http://www.uugrassvalley.org/PDFfiles/DeMoreWorkshop.pdf
