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Post by admin on Jan 30, 2006 17:38:07 GMT 1
This is a talk by a guy, Mike O'Donnell, a New Zealander of Irish Descent, and expert in the Maori Traditions. He is referred to as "The Waterman" as he teaches how to listen to water.
Mr. O'Donnell has succesfully defended local areas from mining companies, protected rivers, and done many other great things to promote and protect the environment, including taking a bowl of water into a courtroom so that it could conduct its own defence! He comes from a shamanistic background and throughout the performance will be encouraging the listeners to hear their own inner-waters.
This promises to be a very interesting talk - the guy was recommended by none other than our very own Doctor of Music, Dr. Clement, well known on the Birmingham pagan scene for his combining of music and spirituality.
It's on Wednesday 15th February, at The Wellington, on eh the corner of Bromsgrove Street/Bristol Street, Birmingham City Centre. The room will be open from 7.30 p.m. with the talk/performance starting at 8.00 p.m.
The venue is about 5 minutes walk from New Street station - if you use multimap.co.uk or mapquest.co.uk or have a fancy navigation system in your car, the postcode is B5 7AH.
There is disabled access to the building, although I have to say it's not as easy as some places, but we have got wheelchairs in there before now.
As Mike is flying over from Ireland the talk will have a small fee (suggested donation is £2.00 - £3.00).
bb Rhiannon
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Post by admin on Jan 31, 2006 17:10:10 GMT 1
Bit more about him here:
Michael O'DONNELL - Clay worker, Ceramic Artist and Storyteller Article by reporter Peter Gibbs, Nelson Mail, Wednesday June 15th 2005
Its been a long journey for a clay worker, ceramic artist and storyteller Michael O’Donnell, from Christopher Vine’s pottery in Nelson 32 years ago, on to the Hauraki district, Ireland and around New Zealand. Now he’s back in Nelson to tell us his story.
The Water Man Michael O’Donnell uses water as a metaphor for the life spirit - the water of life. His story starts with the water of his stream, Tarariki, in the Hauraki district close to Paeroa. His pottery workshop stands on the banks of the stream.
When the stream and all the surrounding ecology came under threat from gold-mining companies more than a decade ago, O’Donnell reacted on many levels.
He used his scientific background and training to fight the mining companies in the courts. He also used his background as a potter and an artist to give expression to the spirit of the water.
His water guardians, water bowls and water carriers became a symbol of a heritage under threat, which touched people of all races who saw them.
The large sculptural works so impressed art impresario the late James Mack that he sequestered them to use in a ceremony to welcome back the artworks in glass and clay that had formed the basis for the display in the New Zealand pavilion at Expo ‘92 in Seville.They also impressed the Maori elders in the Hauraki district.
Local people had a sense of the mana of the work and the importance it would comer to have for the district. As well, they respected the stories O’Donnell told about water and its power in representing the story of the people of the land, so they sent him back to Ireland to learn the stories of his old people.
To accompany him on his journey they gave him a symbolic tokotoko (walking stick) and a piece of pounamu passed to him by historian Barry Brailsford.
In Ireland he discovered similar stories about water. He swam into the source of the Shannon river to leave the pounamu as a link between the country of his birth and the country of his ancestors.
Since then he’s interspersed periods of working with clay with periods of taking his water guardians on walks around New Zealand, telling people his stories and introducing the people who have helped and befriended him in his journey through life. Among those friends are Nelson musicians Miles and Margaret Jackson. The Jacksons were introduced to O’Donnell during a tour around Hauraki in 1991 and spent an evening with him and his wife Julienne. During the past 14 years they’ve refined and built on that music and have now completed work on a CD of their own compositions, titled Tarariki.
While that album is not due for release until July 4, the Jacksons will perform the first movement of the title track as a prelude to O’Donnell’s performance on Monday. StonePrint is hosting a talk by Mike O’Donnell the Waterman He calls it ‘Watering the Seed’
“I’ve sat in awe of Mike’s work, of his understanding of the inner secrets of water, of the wonderful support placed by Maori elders who marvel at the return of wisdoms long concealed. I look forward to this evening with excitement and hope you can join us at the meeting of the waters. Sounds a bit like the Old Tides – the ancient songs that abide.”
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Post by peller on Feb 14, 2006 14:14:30 GMT 1
Is there anywhere nearby that's okay to park?
BB
kereve
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Cornovii
Spends too much time here
Wassail
Posts: 207
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Post by Cornovii on Feb 14, 2006 15:45:37 GMT 1
Hi there,
The Wellington is on main road (Bridstol Rd) there is free on road parking & reasonably safe. I park there. There are side roads again on road parking - thou busy at times due to the theatres.
There is a euro car park - charges apply 24hrs. Hope that helps, if you need more info pvt me can always coantact via phone-emial. Dafe journye & see you there Wednesday.
Hawker
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Post by admin on Feb 14, 2006 17:09:11 GMT 1
As Barry has said, there is plenty of on-street parking around there. The area has lots of CCTV cameras so it's safe too.
bb Rhiannon
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Cornovii
Spends too much time here
Wassail
Posts: 207
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Post by Cornovii on Feb 16, 2006 9:06:09 GMT 1
Well I must have to say, this was a really moving, uplifting, spiritual & fascinating talk. It was also humbling to listen to the old stories, hear the Maori words & ideals.
All I can say is privelaged the Waterman wanted to share his story with those that attended. Thanks to organising this for us.
Hawker
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Post by sue on Feb 16, 2006 10:03:37 GMT 1
Hi there, i totally agree with hawker, it's the first time i have attended a talk in brum. It's one of those that makes you think...........
hopefully will amke it to a moot soon...
BB Sue =)
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Post by poshfrock on Feb 16, 2006 11:31:31 GMT 1
it was very inspiring and as the others have said very spirtual.
it was one of the most interesting talks i have listen too in a long while.
posh
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julie
Spends too much time here
Posts: 195
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Post by julie on Feb 16, 2006 17:42:16 GMT 1
hhhmmm as sue says it one off them talks that make you think ;D
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Post by brumwolf on Feb 16, 2006 18:22:54 GMT 1
I'm actualy really upset, I came down with toncilitus and a head cold on Tuesday so could not attend without passing out I really wanted to go. W.
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Post by sleepyowl on Feb 16, 2006 19:48:28 GMT 1
I wish I could have gone but I had already made comitments for yesterday. It seemed that everyone who went enjoyed it though.
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