Is there ever an Entertainment Night at a Congress or Subud event that starts on time? Well, at the San Damiano Retreat Center, it was as close as you will ever get. A beautiful dance by our regional helper, Helena Mertens set the tone for the evening, with an improvised song from Sofia Madden backing her.
Gospel songs from our sister, Hosanna Bauer from Sonoma filled the Chapel with the power and lyricality her voice – we especially loved it when she included the audience, providing tambourines for the seven who raised their hands. Thank God they could keep a beat.
Halimah Collingwood, the MC and organizer of the night, and Melissa Joy, her understudy, kept the audience laughing with spontaneous silliness but also some astute and timely jokes, quips and sarcasm including when Philip Lindstrom played his Woodstock red guitar singing several songs from Mexico. Only if you were there would you remember Halimah saying, “Or even in Spanish.” You’ll have to ask a friend the meaning of that remark.
We had excellent poetry from Emmanuel Williams, Raina Snyder and Leanna Harrison, finger-picking from Reynold Weissinger, songs from Stephanie Ferreira, and also Lucas who, it was said, traveled all the way from England to sing for us. Damon Hyldreth shared his Subud joining and Sculpture calling story which is always worth remembering.
The final burst of energy was a “growing-up in Subud” tale from Hamid Martin. Moving or gliding across the stage with occasional physical theatre drama, we all laughed when he referred to the audience as, “people who look like you guys” — again, you had to be there. Ending the night was a well-known Hawaiian farewell song with the words written large enough for us all to sing along with Hosanna Bauer.
Another wonderful evening of Joy, Laughter and Love shared by our Subud members came to an end. Just remember, you MUST come to Congress next year. It can only get better.