2009 DISTINCTIVE LECTURE SERIES

You are in the Week 2 Distincitve Lecture Series
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Traditions Week Two Keynote Lecture

Nonviolence, the Root Tradition: Receiving It and Passing It On. Dr. Charlie Collyer of the Ira & Mary Zepp Center for Nonviolence and PeaceEducation will give a talk on nonviolence within the Common Ground context of the traditional music and arts, and relate some present-day stories about applications of nonviolence in schools, communities, and everyday life.  The lecture is open to the public.
Monday, July 13th, 8 p.m.
Alumni Hall

Following the keynote lecture, enjoy

An Evening of Playback Theatre with the Maryland Playback Ensemble

The Maryland Playback Ensemble is  an interactive and community-based theatre company.  Playback theatre is a non-scripted form of theatre in which stories, experiences and feelings shared by audience members are enacted spontaneously by a company of trained actors and musicians.  These story enactments are intended to celebrate the uniqueness of each story.  At the same time, playback theatre builds community, as we find that our stories have themes and feelings in common with those of others. Through the rituals of storytelling and playing-back, each performance of playback theatre affirms our shared humanity, and our common nature as stewards of memory and tellers of stories. The performance is highly recommended to the entire Common Ground community and is open to the public.  Ron Miller, Joel Plotkin, and Suzanne Kristensen See the Maryland Playback Ensemble for bios.
Monday, July 7th, 9 p.m.
Alumni Hall

Masterclass of Roots Music - Tim O'Brien Tim O'Brien's musical life has walked a curious, reflective and adventuresome path.  From Appalachian oldtime music, to bluegrass, to blues, traditional and modern folk, rockabilly, Celtic music, swing, newgrass ...... Tim has done it all, and he's nowhere near finished.  A master vocalist, songwriter and instrumentalist, everything is done with both ease and power.  Don't miss this chance to learn from this American master close up.  Tim will cover a different topic every day in a relaxed, informal and informative atmosphere.  All are welcome.  Period 3, Tim O'Brien

Roots - the Quest for Your Past  An important part of who we are is knowing who we were; our ancestors. Open to all levels of expertise. Beginners will learn how to research and construct a genealogical database to record their family history. Instruction will be given in the use of the common sources of genealogical information: US Census, birth, death, marriage, deeds, wills, and websites for accessing this information. For those more familiar with their family tree, we will work on your knottiest problems. A significant amount of time will be set aside each day for participants to research records online and obtain advice on specific problems. If the class wishes, special problems with African American genealogy will be discussed. Participants are strongly encouraged to gather together and bring to the workshop basic family records that could be used in constructing a database, i.e. full names, dates, locations of all known direct ancestors – parents, grandparents and others. Participants should also bring a Maryland public library card, if they have one. email: rhsmith@mcdaniel.edu www.accomacroots.com Periods 3 & 4, Rick Smith

Passing it On (This course is the primary workshop of the Nonviolence Institute.)  Nonviolence is a roots tradition too.  It is historically ancient and geographically global, with countless cultural variations – very much like folk music!  It isn’t a mainstream school subject, but you can learn about it from practitioners if you seek them out.  Its insights do not come from the powerful, but from disadvantaged people trying to get their needs met in peaceful and mostly honorable ways.  In this course, we will touch on the ideas and methods of nonviolence, the music and song that accompanies most nonviolent movements, the humor, the visual arts, the personalities.  We’ll also look at current projects in schools, families, prisons, workplaces, and politics.  It will be a busy week.  This workshop may be taken as a single course or as part of the Institute on Nonviolence.  Period 1, Charles Collyer, and Pam Zappardino

Music and Grassroots Movements for Social and Environmental Justice in Appalachia:
This is a class for those who want to learn more about grassroots efforts to defend the culture and ecology of the Appalachian region that has given birth to so much of the folk music we play and love. The week will begin with a discussion of the social and ecological impacts of the coal industry with specific regards to Mountain-top Removal in Appalachia. Throughout the week the class will discuss the philosophy of and some of the basic skills used in grassroots organizing. We will address organizing, strategic campaign planning, campaign messaging, engaging the media, direct action and alliance building. We will also discuss our own experience playing traditional music as a part of a grassroots movement. The lessons and organizing skills that we will discuss are applicable to many situations so there will be opportunities to discuss organizing and issues that class members are bringing from their communities.  Period 4,  Here's to the Long Haul

(Understanding) Contemporary Native American Philosophy & Religion in the Southeast:
This course creates a foundation for understanding the vibrant Southeastern Native American Cultures of today and their philosophy.  It includes an introduction to Native languages, ceremonialism and its public & private roles, the Great Duality of life and its many expressions, and, the spiritual nature of foods, herbs and healing. So much to cover, so little time--nevertheless, we’ll touch on art, music, death & dying, family life and child rearing. Time and interest permitting, we’ll try our hand at dance, crafts, gain a taste of ceremony and food. This class is very interactive and hands-on with related text materials provided to all students. If taken for credit, please contact the instructor in advance for selected reading materials. There is no course fee but contributions are welcome to offset the cost of materials and foods to be sampled. Period 1, C. Randall Daniels-Sakim  

The Sacred Circle - Living & Dying, A Study to Help Those in Transition: Since the early 1940's, death has largely been removed from the intimate family setting and relegated to strangers, professionals. Most Americans no longer have the understandings formerly shared among family and friends during death’s visit and the dying process, understandings that sustained, uplifted and guided us through all the steps to finality and closure. Most no longer view it as a privilege to comfort the dying. This class will explore emotional and spiritual issues of the dying process in our present day culture. What is life and soul as viewed by three of the world’s great traditions, Western, Eastern and Native American? We will look at the processes and stages of death as well as explore the role of the dying person and the role of the living during life’s final transition. We will look at what happens after the death of a loved one: Now what do we do? Can one really move on? What’s fair to the living and the dead? Music can play an important role in the dying process, nourishing the survivors while comforting the departing. In addition to an overview of the philosophical, emotional and spiritual issues in the dying process, we will learn about the traditional roles of music in this life confirming process. Elements to be covered include: Music for the soul’s travels; Singing as a bridge between worlds; The flute, a special gift of Creator’s Breath: Stars, are they the Campfires of the Departed? The needs and experiences of class participants will play an important role in how the class takes shape. This course is taught by three unique instructors with three very different approaches to the Art of Dying. Together, they will help you find your own voice, discover your own abilities and the define your own actions as you help those you are called upon to witness and help in their end of life transition. Period 3, C. Randall Daniels Sakim & guest instructors.

Native American Flute Learn from a traditional master from the Native American community. Here is a unique opportunity to become part of an immensely rich and ageless musical tradition. You’ll learn how to play the flute and study the traditions associated with it, such as salutation, courting, weddings, birth, mourning and meditation. Make your flute in Robin Tillery’s class or bring your own. Sakim has been a flute player since childhood. His music can be heard in several films, NPR clips and in numerous filmed interviews. There is a related course, Native American Flute Construction, in the Visual Arts. Period 2, C. Randall Daniels-Sakim

Gateways for Teachers:  This class is designed to provide a lasting and authentic experience of teacher renewal from the inside out. The pressures within educational institutions are in a constant state of acceleration. As a result, there is an increasing need for teachers and students to maintain a sense of balance. “Gateways” refer to those aspects of every individual that are often minimized as one tries to deal with the pressures of teaching. By activating and opening these gateways, teachers begin to experience themselves in a much richer and effective light, resulting in a greater capacity to enrich the lives of students. Participants are provided with a tool kit of ideas that maintain a sense of renewal for teachers and students throughout the school year.  www.gatewaysforprofessionals.net
Class materials fee: $10.00 Period 2, Marya Michael

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