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Dropping Keys 3:540:00/3:54
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Sun Never Says 3:590:00/3:59
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0:00/5:08
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When the Violin 2:000:00/2:00
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0:00/4:46
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0:00/6:35
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Act Great 4:260:00/4:26
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Every Child 5:370:00/5:37
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Troubled 3:470:00/3:47
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Sweet Old Beggar 4:400:00/4:40
A Concert, A Circus, An Inspiration
A Musical Journey of healing Poetry of Hafiz of Shiraz as rendered by Daniel Ladinsky
This exquisite collaboration between Sweet Can Productions, The Levins and Broadway Director, Mindy Cooper weaves the unifying wisdom of a 14th Century beloved Persian poet, the breathtaking beauty and wonderous circus pageantry of Sweet Can Productions, the “rich tapestry of unique harmonies” of award-winning songwriters, The Levins, the Broadway directing/choreography expertise of Mindy Cooper, the transportive projection design of Ian Wallace and the alluring shadow puppetry of Amelia Adams into a show that is transformational.
"Wonder at aerialists, be dazzled by acrobats and laugh with the clowns. It's a delight for all of your senses!"
The material is accessible to all ages and the interaction between audience and performers is refreshing. The music is rousing, freeing and joyful. The lyrics are inclusive and inspiring. The aerialists, dancers, clowns and artists of Sweet Can Ensemble present magical performances that allow the audience to wonder and connect with universal truths and each other.
Full 2018 cast: Performers featured include: Beth Clarke (Producer, Slack Rope, Aerial); Gregangelo Herrera (Whirling Dervish, Musician); Natasha Kaluza (Clown, Hula Hoop); Zoë Klein (Aerial, Acrobat, Dancer); Ira Levin (Inn Keeper); Tushar Mathew (Clown, Actor); Natalie Nayun (Dancer); Nina Sawant (Cyr Wheel, Aerial); Jeremy Vik (Hand Balancer, Acrobat).
Music will be performed live by: The Levins - Ira Levin & Julia Bordenaro Levin (Composer, guitar, piano, vocals); Joe Chang (Cello), Aharon Wheels Bolsta (Percussion). Callie Floor (Costumes); Joan Raymond (Costumes); Ian Wallace (Projections).
My Friend Hafiz is produced by Sweet Can Productions, The Levins and director, Mindy Cooper.
MUSIC
ALBUM
Music by The Levins
Inspired by Daniel Ladinsky's renditions of the poetry of Hafiz of Shariz, as found in the book, "The Gift."
My Friend Hafiz Nominated for 10 Theatre Bay Area Awards
Director Mindy Cooper/Sweet Can/ The Levins collaboration gets the TBA Nod!
"My Friend Hafiz" (December 2018) has been nominated for 10 Theater Bay Area awards! Ira Scott Levin and I, Julia Bordenaro gathered with Natasha Kaluza, Jamie Coventry, Beth Clarke (Sweet Can Productions) and Director, Mindy Cooper Grenke, to transform our 2014 Levin/Sweet Can Collaboration into a cosmic gem...a conduit for healing and change. It's nominated not only for Outstanding Specialty Production and Outstanding Ensemble, but also Director (Mindy Cooper), Projection Design (@Ian Wallace) and many acts were nominated for Outstanding Featured Performer, as well! (Beth Clarke, Gregangelo Herrera, Natasha Kaluza, @Zoë Klein, Nina Sawant, and Jeremy Vik). Huge thanks to Sweet Can, cast and crew coming together in such a beautiful way!
Show Synopsis / Press & Quotes / Road Requirements
SHOW SYNOPSIS
Mystical and meaningful - A Conduit for Healing & transformation
A despondent traveler, heavily weighed by baggage, discovers an inn in the midst of a terrible storm. The inn's colorful inhabitants welcome, feed and encourage him to stay, only to find that his baggage is more than meets the eye. The company persists in their invitations and offers many delightful maneuvers to lighten the traveler’s internal burdens. Through loving kindess, forgiveness and mystical words of wisdom, the healing begins. But will he stay in company of benevolent merry makers? Regardless, the invitation is open to us all and the production leaves you lighter than when you came in.
SHOW REQUIREMENTS
Take it on the road!
We are looking forward to sharing this production from the west to the east. Our touring production can be minimized to the production requirements:
A minimum of 6 performers-actors
4 musicians
4 crew members including lighting, sound, rigging and stage personnel.
Our prop requirements are:
2 projectors
table, chair, bench, bowl
Other requirements and detailed production cost information is available by request.
SHOW PRESS
and Quotes for Music
SF CHRONICLE DATEBOOK EVENT PICK! (DEC.21,2018)
-----------------------------------JWEEKLY https://www.jweekly.com/2018/12/12/folk-singing-duo-and-circus-group-partner-up-for-holy-goofing/
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San Francisco ARTS
https://sfarts.org/event.cfm?event_num=79526
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“The meditative nature of the material is meant to impart gentle philosophical lessons, each a much needed remedy for a hurried and harried world. They also serve to remind us of that old adage that says music and poetry can indeed be a soothing balm for troubled times. Credit the Levins for showering these ancient proverbs and admonishments with such enticing appeal.” - No Depression, Lee Zimmerman
"The lyrical pearls of wisdom float along on the luscious harmonies The Levins offer from their beautiful hearts." L. Ferraro, SCIENCE of MIND
“The Levins folk music speaks the universal language of hope and compassion.” Serge Kozlovsky of Radio Magico
Hear selections from My Friend Hafiz: https://soundcloud.com/myfriendhafiz
BE A PATRON OF THE ARTS!
SUPPORT, STRENGTH and NURTURE
Our goal is to create a touring road show of My Friend Hafiz to prepare it for New York and Broadway. We welcome your inquiries and interest as we are starting to reach out to individuals, organizations, producers and sponsors for contributions, grants and developmental consideration.
The Team
Sweet Can Productions
Beth Clarke , Natasha kaluza, Jamie Coventry
https://sweetcanproductions.com
Sweet Can Productions’ mission is to create intimate, heartfelt performances in which the audience and performer easily connect. Sweet Can presents the circus performer as a human being, and uses the performer’s circus skills to make connections by demonstrating the shared emotional experiences that unite us all. Beth Clarke, one ot the founding members, and Natasha Kaluza and Jamie Coventry (a.k.a. Coventry & Kaluza) heralded the spirit of this show presentation, first in 2014.
Mindy Cooper
Director
Mindy is an award-winning Director/Choreographer. She is comfortable in many venues, from Broadway to Corporate, and has created stage shows, industrials and events around the world for over 25 years.
Her early career in the concert dance world has helped shape her work today. She is highly influenced by rhythm, cadence, musicality and how the visual dynamics affect and inform a piece. Her work marries innovative and traditional stagecraft with creative thinking. As a collaborator, she loves to bring together teams of artists with ideas and vision.
The Levins
Ira Levin & Julia Bordenaro Levin
https://thelevinsmusic.com
The contemporary harmony-driven folk duo, The Levins (leVINNS) offers lyrically rich acoustic music that is warm and uplifting without skating over life's complexities. From harmony in voice to harmony for humanity, husband and wife duo uplift with unflinchingly feel-good folk-pop, infectious musicality, sharp songwriting skills, and a unique approach to vocal harmonies that is both soulful and unexpected.
