Heartsong Summer Solstice Gathering
About this Event
Solstice is a time of celebration, and we would love to call in some light and joy together in community with a special OUTDOOR singing circle and (optional) potluck in High Park.
The intention for this musical gathering, as always, is to come together – with whatever is on our hearts – find some vocal freedom and elevate our spirits through the voice!
We will be sampling from a variety of musical traditions including medicine songs, Kirtan (i.e., devotional singing in the Hindu tradition), and community singing (i.e., multi-part circle-songs taught in the oral tradition), with originals woven in. Some favourite artists include Sam Garrett, Jahnavi Harrison, Beautiful Chorus, Alexa Sunshine Rose, and Deva Premal & Miten.
We will also open space for improvisation through toning and maybe even with some words. This will be an opportunity (completely optional, of course) to push our boundaries and practice active listening, authentic expression, and collaboration.
All musical skill levels are welcome, and no prior experience is needed – we welcome beginners, music hobbyists, shower singer, sound healers, and more experienced musicians who wants to explore and revel in sound. If you’re shy, come and grow into it. If you’re not shy, see how creative you can get. You may find yourself singing with a fuller voice, expanding your musicality, releasing creative blocks and finding a greater sense of ease and playfulness with one another.
Please bring whatever you would like to make yourselves comfortable on the patio or grass adjoining the High Park Nature Center: blankets, cushions, camping chairs. Bring any food or snacks you would like to share potluck-style during the extended break. Also bring a water bottle and any musical instruments you would like to play along on and off throughout the evening! Note public bathrooms are available nearby.
See below a little more about your hosts – we can’t wait to sing with you!
Flow of the evening:
- 5:00pm - Start to gather at High Park Nature Center
- 5:30pm - Opening Song, Welcome, Warm-up (breath & movement)
- 5:45pm - Community singing
- 7:00pm – Break, Optional potluck & snacks
- 8:00pm - Community singing, Jam & improvisation
- 9:00pm - Closing circle, Community timd
We have a PWYC (pay what you can) option available and are happy to make accommodations to ensure all who would like to attend this gathering are able to. If cost is a barrier, please reach out to one of the organizers directly (via the Contact button below or otherwise) and we'll get you set up! Also, if you would like to go out of your way to support our work you can consider the Supporting tier at checkout and we will be very grateful.
Our mission at Heartsong is to create safe and deeply loving containers for free and authentic expression to be shared.
Justin Grant is a spoken word poet, song weaver, body-oriented energy healer and social entrepreneur. Through his work and loving presence he supports people to move through blockages and bring their bodies, hearts and minds into a more divine alignment. Justin leads community and Kirtan-style singing events in Toronto with the intention of bringing more love and light into our hearts and into the spaces where we gather.
Instagram: @justingrantpoetry
Will Kleinwood is a singer songwriter, multi instrumentalist and producer from Toronto. Using his classical guitar and voice, he guides listeners back into stillness. His muse is nature itself, a birds song, falling leaves, a gentle river, a sunset over a lake. In the modern world driven by technology, we are reminded that we are not separate from nature, we are caretakers of the earth, and we are earth.
Instagram: @willkleinwood
Amanda Attwood is a community song leader, forest school teacher, and expressive arts therapist-in-training. She weaves together a tapestry of song, movement, storytelling, visual art, poetry and nature connection practices to help guide people back into deeper presence and connection with themselves, each other, and the land. Amanda grew up feeling like her authentic expression wasn’t always welcome. It was through Kirtan and community singing that her voice opened up and she got to experience a whole new level of freedom. She loves bringing people together to experience the expansive and healing power of song.
Instagram: @amanda.inthewoods
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
CAD 27.96 to CAD 38.61
