Yoga Fiddling Experience

Nearly 30 people set up yoga mats Saturday night and experienced a beautiful class complete with the mellow sounds of 4 xylophones and 2 fiddles!  We played almost continually for the full hour, moving from one instrument combination to the next and one improvisation to the next...from what we heard, it was a new and positive experience for all participants.  Afterwards, attendees sat on their mats on the floor while we played a brief fiddling concert.  Kate Hawley, who led the yoga class, described our collaboration beautifully, emphasizing the intention of strengthening community that both Shri Studio and the RI Fiddle Project share. 
*photos coming soon -- next week I hope!*

What else has been happening...students have been dancing and learning new tunes in preparation for our June 7th fiddling celebration.  We're all getting psyched about a visit to the program by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason on May 15th.  And as for me (Rachel), I played a thrilling contra dance in Concord, MA, last night!

Join us for a "Yoga | Fiddle Project" event this Saturday

This exciting experiment is 2 days away!
6-7pm live music with your beginner/gentle yoga class.
7-8pm concert with Michelle and Rachel
(followed by snacks!)  
@Shri Studio, 21 Broad St, Pawtucket, RI
Here's more info:
Event on facebook
Event on Shri Studio's website

Blogging again: our performance at Magnolia's Cajun Dance

It's been a little while since the last blog entry, but we're back with the intention of a once-a-week blogging schedule! Here are some photos from Pawtucket's German Hall, where RI Fiddle Project students danced and performed two fiddle tunes on Saturday night, April 2nd.  It was a night that was filled with more smiling and laughing by students than I had ever seen before at one of our events!

Students started by participating, along with all the adults who were there, in a basic Cajun dance lesson taught by Michelle.  Then we got our fiddles and performed "Quo Faire" and "Hop, Skip & Jump", accompanied by Martin on the electric guitar.  We got a great response, and then, everyone started dancing again (students included)! 





Later on in the evening, two of our students were invited to join in with the band on the triangle!  They each did a stellar job and got an instant fan club cheering them on!