CIRCLE SINGING with Tracy LJ Robertson in PDX

SING PEOPLE SING! PDX PRESENTS...Vocal Bloom CIRCLE SINGING with Tracy LJ Robertson

Co-creating container both through and for musical connection and creative self-surprise • A cumulative series of games and exercises bringing joy and ease to collaborative vocal improvisation

***Tracy is visiting us in Portland all the way from Ithaca, NY so don't miss this incredibly special opportunity to sing with him!! Tracy is collaborating with local songleader, singer-songwriter Shireen Amini on arrangements and production for her upcoming community song album. For this event, Tracy will also work with the community to create improv elements for one of Shireen's songs that will be featured on the album.*** 

Who:
You and perhaps a pal or two that you'd love to sing with

What: 
Circle Singing - a facilitated improvisatory form of group singing; made popular in modern times by Bobby McFerrin

When:
Doors at 6:45pm for a 7pm start on Wednesday, September 25th. Finding an ending by 9pm

Where:
McMenamins Kennedy School: Community Room

5736 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97211

Why:
This may be for you if you enjoy:
• Being playful
• Singing with others
• Having a positive experience of doing something new
• Exploring the nexus of music and meditation/prayer

How:
Join us in co-creating container for an individually and interpersonally generative experience, for connection and creative inspiration! We will be tilling and fertilizing with introductory and intermediate games and exercises that bring ease and joy to collaborative improvisation, and then dive into some Circle Singing.

Vocal explorations in sound and stillness • From sound-bath
 to soulful dance party • By you for you

• All experience welcome, no experience necessary
• Masks welcome, not required
• If you are feeling physically unwell, please honor your body and the wellbeing of fellow participants by waiting until the next singing opportunity.

Gratitudes to Sing People Sing! PDX for hosting, and Bobby McFerrin, Rhiannon, and Joey Blake and so many others for modeling such rich methods for welcoming forward the songs of the soul.

Facilitated by Tracy LJ Robertson.

ABOUT TRACY...

Vocalist, educator, and vocal percussionist Tracy LJ Robertson enjoys working in a variety of musical settings. While studying at Berklee College of Music he performed in ensembles of global influence, from Balkan to contemporary Indian, to Latin, to western classical and jazz.  He's since performed and recorded with a range of artists including Bobby McFerrin, Valerie Simpson, Justin Timberlake, Sabrina Carpenter, Andy Grammer, Michael Bublé, and Billie Eilish.

Meanwhile the a cappella community has offered opportunity to tour and educate with groups like Pitch Slapped, Overboard, Vocalosity, m-pact, The Magnets, and The House Jacks.

He is also supremely grateful to work and facilitate for organizations like the Urban Voices Project, and in more and more spaces where improvisation and music is explicitly supporting/instigating healing and empowerment. Tracy enjoys spreading his passion for life through music and ever deepening appreciation of mother nature.

Featuring Shireen Amini.

ABOUT SHIREEN...

Shireen Amini (masc non-binary person - in transition but still using - she/her) is a queer Puerto Rican-Iranian
American, earth-loving song creator, rhythm maker, and community facilitator based on unceded Multnomah, Wasco,
Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Chinook, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and Grande Ronde territory, aka Portland,
Oregon. She believes strongly in music’s power to propel cultural revolution and blends pop, rock, hip hop, latin, and
roots sensibilities with socially-conscious themes as a singer-songwriter and creates modern medicine music for
community singing. As a community songleader, she holds transformational space, leading joyful, groove-based
songs, evoking tenderness, and often engaging her participants in the rhythm and ceremony of it all. She also teaches
drumming, facilitates grief ritual, and hosts a Portland-based queer and poc-led song circle series called Sing People
Sing! as part of her community-based music empowerment project, Shireen Amini Music Medicine.