In BRAZIL, 10 DAY DRUM and SONG RETREAT w/ PLANT MEDICINE, YOGA. AUG 7-17

AUG. 7-17th in BRAZIL, DRUM AND SONG RETREAT
WITH HAALE & PERCUSSIONIST MATT KILMER

To register, contact: haalebooking@gmail.com

Strengthening Your Inner Pulse. Unleashing Your Natural Voice.

At the Lua Private Retreat Center in the high mesa of Brazil. Drum and Vocal Workshops, daily yoga, hikes, swimming, waterfalls, outdoor stone sauna, organic, vegetarian food, evening jams and fire circles, 2 medicinal plant ceremonies, and more.

LOCATION:

Lua is a gorgeous retreat center nestled in the high mesa of Brazil's Goias region, on a 6000 acre nature preserve, 4 hours from Brasilia. There are waterfalls, natural pools, exotic, jubilant birds, an outdoor stone sauna, iguanas (!), organic food, and comfortable accomodations. The center was founded by students of Osho 17 years ago and was established upon the principles of permaculture. See photos here: www.lua.tur.br.

WORKSHOPS and EXTRAS:

Students are asked to chose either the drumming workshop, led by Matt Kilmer or the singing workshop, led by Haale Gafori (see workshop descriptions and instructor info below). In addition to the workshops, morning yoga, hikes to waterfalls, swimming, outdoor stone sauna, 3 organic vegetarian meals a day, and 2 medicinal plant ceremonies will be offered.

Each day, students will spend 4 hours in workshops with the instructors. Afternoon hikes, swimming, and musical exploration will continue throughout the day. In the evenings, everyone will be invited to reconvene around a fire, or in one of the meeting rooms, and play more music together. There will also be a performance by the instructors and local musicians.

Percussion Workshop: This workshop will focus on techniques for frame drums and rhythms that strengthen one's inner pulse. The South Indian rhythmic system and various rhythm cycles from selected traditions will be at the core of the workshop. Students will also learn how to speak all of the rhythms in order to internalize them even deeper. The drumming techniques and repertoire learned in the workshops can be applied toward all aspects of music - from group drumming to individual drumming meditation, to instrumental combos. (Students must bring their own frame drum with them. Quality drums will be available to order in advance of the workshop at a discount price for participants from Cooperman Drum Company. )

Vocal Workshop: Haale aims to create a comfortable, loving atmosphere in which students can feel at ease exploring their voices. Each class will begin with relaxation exercises and Speech Level Singing warm-ups to help students strengthen the inner muscles of the larynx and further develop muscle coordination. Students will learn chant songs, derived from various cultures, including 2 songs featuring lyrics by the Persian poet Rumi. Students will do various improvisational exercises, group singing exercises, and will be asked to compose their own chant. Singing will be done in the outdoor temple space where the class will be held, in the resonant stone sauna, and at the bank of the river.

INSTRUCTOR AND PRESENTER INFO:

Matt Kilmer (percussion workshop) attended the Berklee School of Music where he studied world percussion with reknown drummer and educator, Jamey Haddad. Matt has taught drum workshops and classes at Oberlin College, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and the Berklee School of Music. Matt is well versed in techniques on many drums, including frame drums, kanjira, ocean drum, dembe,and cajon. He has toured extensively throughout the world with various artists, including the legendary Simon Shaheen and the popular hip-hop artist, Lauryn Hill. He has recorded with artists such as Krishna Das, Steve Gorn, and Brad Shepik. Two drum solos: Video 1
Video 2

Haale (singing workshop) is a vocalist, composer, and poet. She has toured extensively, offering her unique blend of American folk rock and Persian mystical music to audiences in America and Europe. In 2007 and 2008, she released her debut EPs and full length CD, 'No Ceiling' to critical acclaim. She was invited by David Byrne to perform with her band at Carnegie Hall, has opened for Salif Keita, played the Bonnaroo festival, and shared the stage with such luminaries as Odetta and Hugh Masakela. Haale graduated from Stanford University and CCNY, with a masters in poetry and has led presentations on Persian mystical poetry at universities across the country. Tracks from 'No Ceiling' and her EPs can be heard at: www.haale.com

Sargam Shook (yoga classes) Born of Brazilian and American parents, Sargam is the director and founder of the nature preserve and of Lua. He grew up in California and Brazil and traveled to India where he studied meditation and yoga with the Indian guru, Osho for many years. He will guide students through asanas and pranayamas in the Hatha yogic tradition.

Ambika Cruz (medicinal plant ceremonies) Ambika and the Lua Retreat Center will host two medicinal plant ceremonies. These are optional for students, and a donation of $50 per student, per ceremony is requested. Ambika is a Brazilian vocalist and shamaness who has been leading ceremonies in Brazil for 10 years during which she shares beautiful, richly melodic songs in the ponto tradition.

REQUIREMENTS AND RETREAT STATEMENT:

There will be experienced musicians participating in this retreat, but no prior musical training is required. The intention of the retreat is to encourage all of us to access, develop, and expand our innate ability to hold a beat and carry a melody. In tribal cultures throughout history, playing music was considered a communal experience in which all were invited to participate. There is something exceptionally satisfying, rewarding, healing, meditative, and uplifting about playing music as a group, and we ALL can partake and enjoy this experience.

TRANSPORTATION:

Airfares are not included in the cost of the workshop.

Participants will fly via Sao Paolo or Rio to Brasilia arriving on the 7th of August and departing on the 17th of August. Good air fares can be found at www.clickandfly.com or www.sidestep.com

There will be two shuttles to pick participants up from the airport in Brasilia to transfer participants to Alto Paraiso. One will be scheduled for the the afternoon of the 7th and the other for the evening of the 7th, times TBA. These shuttles are included in the cost of the workshop. If participants miss the shuttles they will have to pay for their own transportation. We will try our best to accommodate everyone.

On the night of arrival in Alto Paraiso, participants will stay in a guest house for the night. This cost is also included in retreat fee. In the early afternoon of the 8th of Aug, the journey to Lua will continue via a 1.5 hour jeep ride and a 45 min hike. There will be helpers to help to carry the belongings of all participants. Dinner at Lua will be served on the 8th.

Retreat officially starts morning of the 9th, and the group will hike out of Lua on the August 16th, spend one night in Alto Paraiso in a guest house, and then travel on a shuttle to Brasilia airport on the 17th.

COST:

Early registration fee: 1500 US Dollars.

Price Includes: Drumming and singing intensive workshops, morning yoga classes, 3 meals a day at Lua, comfortable sleeping arrangements, ground transport to and from Brasilia Airport, Alto Paraiso, and Lua, as well as arrival and departure accomodations in Alto Paraiso.
50 % deposit must be received by May 25th.

Late registration fee:
After May25th, the cost of the workshop is 1700 US, 50% deposit is required.
Full payment must be received by August 1st.

A 50 dollar fee per student, per ceremony is required for participation in the plant medicine ceremonies

REGISTRATION & INFORMATION:
Limited to 20 participants.
Contact: haalebooking@gmail.com