Last Friday the MAJIC series hosted Michael Gould who is a master of the shakuhachi, a Japanese flute made of bamboo. His presentation included a description of how the instrument was made, the history of the way the instrument was used starting as far back in Japan as the 8th century, and demonstrations of the many performance techniques of the shakuhachi. He began his performance playing in the Bethlehem Church sanctuary an hour before the concert. Folks tentatively walked in, not sure at first if they were interrupting. However, as the concert time approached it became apparent that Michael was inviting people into the sanctuary space with the sound of his shakuhachi.
James Fissel presented a beautiful collection of paintings that were part of the Eyekons Gallery show "A Mystery Revealed". Each of the works contain an orb, a spiritual symbol that is a perfect match for a concert that features the shakuhachi. When I mentioned Fissel's "orb" theme to the audience, Michael Gould responded by lifting his flute to show them the round dark space at the end of his shakuachi.
Most of the comments about the evening highlighted that this was a unique and refreshing event.
