Keep Going Choir

In the dark times

Will there also be singing?

Yes, there will also be singing.

About the dark times.”

― Bertolt Brecht

Through these wild times full of uncertainty, chaos, and possibility, we remember what has always been true: music is a balm for the soul. The songs we sing can nourish us, reminding us who we are, why we're here, and how we want to show up. No matter what, we've got to keep singing.

Keep Going Choir is a space to cultivate the collective resilience we need in these times by singing together in community. Community singing harnesses the power of our shared voices as a tool for connection, truth telling, healing, and liberation. Together we'll learn and sing songs that celebrate the beauty of life, tend to collective grief, remind us of our interconnectedness, and fuel us with the courage to keep going in a good way.

Come raise your voice with us as we sing ourselves into and through the dark times…

What is community singing?

Gathering to sing with other humans is something our ancestors across cultures have been doing for thousands upon thousands of years. Today, the practice of community singing often means gathering to sing for the pleasure of singing itself, with an emphasis on connection over perfection. This is a non-performing, non-religious group that welcomes all voices, even folks who think they "can't" sing (spoiler: you can). We learn songs through oral tradition (repeat after me), so you don't need to read music or have any previous experience to participate, and the songs are simple enough that anyone can catch on. Whether you've sung in dozens of choirs or never sang a note in your life, your voice is welcome and wanted here!

What will we sing?

The majority of the songs we'll sing come from the modern community singing movement. These songs tend to consist of short, mantra-like repeating parts with meaningful lyrics, often with layers that overlap, weaving rhythm and harmony into beautiful musical tapestries. We honor and uplift the people, places, and stories where the songs originate, resisting appropriation by only sharing songs we have permission to sing. From soothing melodies to vibrant layer songs with juicy harmonies, the themes of our songs include songs about courage, community, grief, despair, resilence, resistance, hope, healing, interconnection, joy, and love.

“A good song reminds us what we're fighting for.”

― Pete Seeger

Meet Your Facilitator

Bex Lipps (they/them) is a queer & nonbinary song carrier, songcatcher, artist, performer, facilitator, and mental health therapist (LSWAIC) who firmly believes in the power of art, music, and creativity to foster individual and collective healing. As one of the original members and co-organizers of The People's Echo, a healing and justice centered singing collective on Duwamish land, Bex has been an integral part of the community singing landscape in Seattle since 2019. Guided by the wisdom of movements for collective liberation, they delight in holding spaces that honor the beauty, vulnerability, and complexity of the human experience with a reverence for ritual and a healthy dose of humor & playfulness. To learn more about Bex's work, visit www.bravesoulshealing.com

Sliding Scale & Financial Intentions

Suggested donation is $20. Can't afford that? Pay what you can. Can afford more? Pay what you will. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. RSVP for free, pay when you arrive via cash or Venmo.

We believe it's possible to find a balance between making the space accessible to all while sufficiently honoring the time and energy it takes to make healing spaces happen, AND give back to communities and causes that need our ongoing support. The goal is to cover costs (space rental, organizer/facilitator compensation) and donate any remaining funds to projects and organizations that support vital community and cultural tending in these times, with a specific focus on those led by people of the global majority, queer/trans/LGBTQ+ folks, and other communities requiring solidarity in the face of oppression.

Please email Bex at [email protected] if you have any questions.

We can't wait to sing with you!

Host or Publisher Brave Souls Healing