Sound Circle - A Women's A Cappella Ensemble

Performance Calendar

Sound Circle sings Praises for the World

Sound Circle, the 16-voice Boulder-based women's a cappella ensemble, will perform Praises for the World at the Broomfield Auditorium on Friday, February 5, at 7:00 p.m. Vocalist Rene Marie will join Sound Circle for the concert. The concert is sponsored by the City and County of Broomfield Cultural Affairs Division.
Sound Circle's performances of this unique piece in recent years have received tremendously strong audience response. "I'm absolutely in awe of this piece. The chant's combination of simplicity, beauty and power are unlike anything I have ever experienced in any other performance," says Sound Circle's Artistic Director Sue Coffee.
Praises for the World is a simple chant with layers of vocal and instrumental improvisation performed over the chant. The diverse musical talents of the women of Sound Circle will enhance this performance: guitar, piano, drums, marimba - even musical saw - will be part of the improvisational color, along with vocal improvisation and spoken word. The chant is like a canvas or a vessel; each performance emerges with different textures, colors and feelings. The audience will be invited to sing the chant as the hour and a half-long piece unfolds.
Rene Marie performs as a jazz vocalist locally and also tours both nationally and internationally. Most recently, in fall, 2009, she premiered a one-woman show, Slut Energy Theory - U'Dean, a play about incest and domestic abuse told through original music, spoken word and monologue. The soundtrack of the show was released in December, 2009.
Jennifer Berezan, composer of Praises for the World, is a unique blend of singer/songwriter, teacher, and activist. Her lifelong involvement in environmental, women's, and other justice movements, as well as an interest in Buddhism and earth-based spirituality, are at the heart of her writing. Berezan's vision is for this work to be a celebration that will "deeply inspire all people to join in the vital work of social activism... and to find a renewed reverence for our world." She says, "we need to find ways to keep our hearts open in the midst of the fear, loss, and turmoil, to keep connected to our sense of love for the world and to act from this place to help save it. People throughout time have understood the power of ritual to focus our intentions, create community and healing, and empower us to act in awakened compassionate ways."
The performance is a fundraiser for Unbound Grace, a nonprofit organization working with incarcerated women, their families, and the larger community. It facilitates healing and transformation from wounds left by childhood neglect, domestic abuse, and trauma through the use of personalized programs involving the arts, the natural environment, physical challenge, and the workplace.
Tickets Tickets are $10 for general admission, and $7 for seniors and students. Ticket purchase for this event is through a reservation process, with payment by cash or check at the performance. To reserve seats, call the Broomfield Auditorium, 303-464-5835 or 720-887-2371. The box office at the Auditorium is also available for walk-up service on Thursdays and Fridays from 2:00-6:00 pm, but we recommend the phone reservation system as the easiest option. There is no service charge for tickets, either by phone or in person. There is no online purchasing option for this event.
Directions to Broomfield Auditorium The Broomfield Auditorium is located at 3 Community Park Rd. in Broomfield, adjacent to the Library and immediately east of Main Street at 2nd Ave. A map and directions are available at www.broomfieldauditorium.com. From the intersection of 36 and 287 (Broomfield exit on 36), go north on 287 and quickly right/east on Midway Blvd. to Main St. Turn right/south on Main St, and left/east on Community Park Rd. From the north, come south on 287 to Midway Blvd, just before the intersection with 36. Turn left/east on Midway, then right/south on Main St. and left/east on Community Park Rd. The auditorium entrance faces the parking lot behind the building.