sound healing

SOFAR Sounds started in 2009 in London when a friend invited a few friends to his pad to listen to another friend perform live music. Almost a decade later, this has expanded to 431 cities and is an opportunity for locals and tourists to experience local performers, as well as an opportunity for local performers to share their gifts to the community and expand their following.

The location and the performers are a surprise to those who attend until 24 hours in advance. In certain cities, performances are offered almost every day of the year. My house was built in 1878, and the previous owner had used it as a bed and breakfast, often renting out rooms to Broadway performers who were looking to stay close to the entertainment district of Fillmore yet away from the busy downtown where the theaters that housed the Broadway shows were located. As he passed on the keys to the house, he relayed stories of the guests often hanging out in the front parlors, inviting friends like Carlos Santana, to perform impromptu gigs and sing-a-longs into the wee hours of the evenings.

As the furniture from the staging was removed from the house, I did not have the heart to replace them, and it seemed that with the empty space, it was a great opportunity to get the house back to some of its roots and creativity, providing a venue for performers to share their vibrations and expand their sound healing. The organizer had noted that night that he had not seen such a great set as that night in a very long time, as the three performers (Carolina Story, William Wild and Speakease) were very symbiotic in their sounds, with one traveling as far as Tennessee to grace us with their magic.

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Update January 15, 2019:

I found myself committed to hosting a SOFAR Sounds event during a tough moment in my life, and while I had made excuses to not be present during the event, I found myself drawn to the music. I am grateful for The Carrots, Andrew Duhon and Dux for lulling me to its vibrations, drawing me out of my room and reminding me to be in the moment, providing me with the sound healing that my soul needed at the time.