Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Gypsy Luna Moon, Seabury Gould - Rumi: Art and Music Behind the Redwood Curtain




The word "Rumi" was one I first heard about 6 weeks ago. Rumi, more formally called Mawlana Jala ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, is one of the most influential Persian poets of the 13th century. Rumi is frequently associated with Sufism and with the Mevlevi Order, known to most of the world as Whirling Dervishes. He espoused that God should be celebrated through poetry, song and dancing.(Wizegeek.com)

Lovers of World Music and the poetry of Rumi were invited to "An Evening with Rumi".  I taped the event at the Arcata Playhouse. This was a concert of world Music/Indian Music blended with the ecstatic poetry of the thirteenth-century Sufi mystic Rumi who is regarded as the world's most God-intoxicated poet.

I was delighted to find that one of my all time favorite belly dancers would be performing. Miss Gypsy Luna Moon, who is typically seen at fairs and festivals entertaining all with her seductive hip-hop-bail-eastern fusion of dance.

This event was delightfully different. It took me on a cultural journey that made me look inward and yet I was mesmerized by what was happening on the stage, the whirling of the dance and the rhythmic beat of the drum and other instruments intoxicated me and I felt as if I could smell exotic spices and hear sounds from far away lands. One of Gould's specialties is combining the poetry of Rumi with eclectic musical accompaniment which is the work of his last 2 CD's. The musical performers this night were Seabury Gould on vocals, guitar and bamboo flute; the extraordinary Swedish musician Olof Soderback on violin and tabla; and Chris Hinderyckx on sitar, mandolin and bouzouki.

Gould is known locally for his love of all things spiritual and folk, he is a eclectic musician & multi-instrumentalist often seen performing vocals, guitar, bamboo flute, bouzouki, storytelling, and singalongs. He  offers private lessons in guitar, piano, singing & song and musical arrangement. He is often seen performing diverse music for adults and children. 

Gould is also a Independent recording artist. He has cd's available covering Celtic, other folk music, Blues & Beatles. Blending music with poetry of Rumi. Celtic sessions & Song Circles, Over the last 8 years I have seen Gould performances and have always been impressed with his intelligence and musical creativity. If one is seeking a cultural expansion of thought and heart, Gould events are not to be missed. 

To book Gypsy you can find her at:  www.fireandisisdancecollective.com 
To book Seabury Gould you can find him at: http://www.seaburygould.com

Video shot by Barrett Kelley of Arcata, Ca.
Tim Gray, photographer & sound man & recording engineer & photographer for Sea bury's Rumi CD(s).

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