Transformative Arts & Culture

Rhythm Workers Union: 
An exciting new phenomenon originating in my own neighborhood!  "The Rhythm Workers Union uses music, rhythm and song 
to promote peace and unity, and to aid in the creation
of a culture that respects and celebrates life."  

"Our Vision:

• . . Anyone is welcome to join us at anytime. . 
  

•  We believe music is a living part of culture 
  and touches us in so many ways, through our 
  minds, hearts, bodies, spirit, and community. 
  We take a stand for a culture that celebrates life .  . 
  it's not about US and THEM, but 
  WHICH DIRECTION we are moving in.
  

•  We live what we feel, through art, music, and dance. 
  Looking at the history of oppression 
  coming out of the country we live in, 
  we feel it is time for a celebration of life 
  rather than a glorification of greed and oppressive power.
  

• We are Direct Action Syncopators; 
  we are one part of the whole picture. 
  We accompany our fellow activists
  in fighting for true democracy. 
  We provide chants, songs, and rhythms
  for marches and rallys of all sizes 
  for the benefit of our Mother Earth. 
  We believe in educating ourselves as much as possible 
  about issues that effect [sic] the world."
  

Common Ground on the Hill:
A group in Maryland offering many workshops 
where one can learn folk music and other arts & crafts, 
based on this vision:

" . . . We search for a "common ground" among ethnic, gender, age and racial  groups.  We have assembled a marvelous community of master musicians, crafters, artists, writers, orators, actors and dancers who share and teach their traditional music, arts and writings. . . . 
We find what we have in common with one another 
far outweighs our differences.  
Peaceful solutions to our cultural and inner conflicts 
can be found in our shared artistic traditions. 
We assemble around the belief that we can improve ourselves and this world 
by searching for the common ground in one another 
through our traditions." 

 

Bread & Puppet Theater ~  The few pages provided by a participant are the closest thing to an official web presence for this truly legendary and magical theater group, based on a farm in Northern Vermont, whose powerfully transformative work has done so much  to inspire and accompany social change movements in our time.  At most any major national demonstration, such as those against corporate globalization, one can see giant puppets and elements of their work, which has been spread far and wide by numerous former interns. 

    The magnificent Domestic Resurrection Circuses, huge public rituals of unrivaled magical power and influence (which I was fortunate enough to be able to attend in the 1970s), are tragically no longer being held since 1998, but Bread & Puppet's work continues.  I will be seeking information on upcoming performances, though the group's self-protective guardedness makes this difficult to come by.  

The Circus was destroyed by its own success, in that it drew ever-larger and more unruly crowds which eventually created a chaotic atmosphere and energy overwhelming the original intent of the ritual dramas.  
Of the few other web pages relating to Bread & Puppet, 
this is one of the most helpful:

"The End of Our Domestic Resurrection Circus: Bread and Puppet Theater and Counterculture Performance in the 1990s" by John Bell, from The Drama Review.

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