Hey friends!!! I’m finally back home for a bit! But there’s no slowing down for a while yet! The 2023 Western Mass Sacred Harp Convention is this coming weekend, on March 11–12! My household is heavily involved in the planning and organization of it. My roommate Ben is the chair, and I’m the treasurer. And we’ll be hosting the Social at our home! And I am so looking forward to seeing so many wonderful people and singing loud!! If you’ve never done Shape Note Singing, this is an excellent chance to see what it’s like! It’s free and open to the public and no experience is required!! (Though COVID vaccination and a day-of rapid test are!) Also, it’s honestly kinda super goth in a weird old time religion kinda way! Also-also, though it’s an old American Christian type of gospel song tradition, these things tend not to be especially religious beyond the songs being sung. And how folks might connect to them individually (or not). (It’s certainly welcoming and fine for my Catholic-Unitarian-Jewish-raised-Discordian practicing self!!) It’s also, though I can’t necessarily speak for other communities, quite welcoming of queer and trans folks around these parts!! (And, I’m told, pretty widely as well.) If you drop by, come say hi!! I’ll be the big femme in the Bass section! (There’s a good chance I won’t even be the only one!!! But I’m sure you’ll be able to spot me anyway!) The really cool flyer I posted was designed and drawn by the artist Allison Steel @ablakesteel and you should totally check out her work!! There’s a link in my bio! And some more info in the comments! Come sing with us!!! #sacredharp #wmshc #shapenote #singing #sacredharpsinging #shapenotesinging #westernmass #northampton #song #traditionalsinging #traditionalsong #tradsong #community #transfriendly #queerfriendly (at Northampton, Massachusetts) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpdwTuRPgEE/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
