What do Little Red Riding Hood, Jack & the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Cinderella, have in common? They all come together for adventures in one musical entitled: Into the Woods! As you may have guessed, after my Bali trip earlier this summer, I headed to my family vacation in Michigan with all my grandnieces/nephews. We have a tradition of creating a video production each year, and despite our best efforts to go in a direction of simplicity, we ended up being totally enthralled with the intersection of beloved fairy tale characters all engaging in a complex & playful romp in the woods!
There is a lot going on in our world right now. So many clashing struggles and hopes! In this fairy tale, each character has a wish … and each has to go on a challenging adventure to help participate in his/her wish coming true. One of my favorite moments in the play is when Cinderella visits the grave of her deceased mother to ask her to help realize her dreams. With a blend of prayer, spiritual support & commitment, magic can happen!
I’ll warn you that our production is an hour long! But I invite you to curl up with some popcorn and enter into the journey of dreams coming true (with music written by Steven Sondheim, no less!) Creating with these children is one of my dreams coming true, and helps me live in the world of beauty that children open up in our hearts. (Plus the adults in the family are courageous enough to enter the creative journey, too!)
The video is here for your inspiration and entertainment! Below that, please find some opportunities to dance into the fall with me. Blessings!
Into the Woods
SpiritPlay Class in Seattle!
Do you live in Seattle? Come play & pray with us!
SpiritPlay has become a staple of Seattle’s InterPlay offerings! Now in our 24th year, we have developed a wonderful community of faith and foolishness. This monthly series is for those grounded in Christianity who so long for the spontaneity of InterPlay to help us navigate the humble & holy journey of our lives. This year, we are now in a new location at St. Joseph Church! Come explore becoming the Body of Christ together!
Begins October 8th!
For more information or to register, email me!
The Love of Thousands
Praying with Angels, Saints, & Ancestors Prayer Cycle – Video Launch!
Begins October 11th
(two releases weekly for 7 weeks!)
Exciting news! Here at Abbey of the Arts we are releasing a new Video Prayer Cycle!
It is always such a rich process to create prayer dances to help enflesh the material in Christine Paintner’s offerings. And the themes of Angels, Saints and Ancestors are quite potent as we move into the fall. As producer, I am overseeing the finishing touches on the 28 video dance prayers for all our Morning & Evening Prayers. (Woohoo – good thing I love to edit!) This is one of our favorite Abbey offerings – free to all. Enjoy!
Guest dance artists include:
Corey Action, Lorraine Bayes, Vania Bynum, Freya Checchetti, Agnotti Cowie, Jocelyn Horne, Leah Mann, Soyinka Rahim, & Karin Stevens
To access all the Prayer Cycles, click here.
Women of Wisdom Grand Finale
Sunday September 22nd 1:00 – 4:30
For many years, I had the blessing of offering dance meditations at the Women of Wisdom Conference in Seattle. As this journey comes to a close, I am honored to help folks celebrate in beauty. Join us for some memories and mutual inspiration!
To register for the closing ceremonies, click here!
Do you live in or near NYC? I’ll be there the week of October 23-27th for a special celebration of Omega Liturgical Dance Company founded by Carla DeSola in 1974. I’ve known Carla for about 45 of those 50 years! There will be a special liturgy celebrated on Sunday October 27th with Omega Liturgical Dance Company and guests (including me!) Let me know if you can join us for worship (and a visit that week!)
Dancing with the Divine: Celebrating 50 Years!
Sunday October 27th
11:00 Mass
Riverside Church
4990 Riverside Dr. (at 120th St.)
NY, NY
In Closing
A Short Poem!
I must say it is always a gift to engage with my InterPlay community in Seattle. They help me stay sane in a crazy world! Here is a short poem written by Francine Walls entitled “Emergency Poem” and danced by me …. in case you need a little help to survive!
Love and blessings, dear friends!
Betsey
Betsey Beckman, MM
