Mary Dennison is on a mission to "re-enchant the world with beautiful melodies, delightful harmonies and rounds from the sublime to the ridiculous."
For several years, Dennison has been coming to Ladysmith to lead a community choir that she calls Sing for Pure Joy!, and the choir will hold its first song circle of 2013 this Saturday (Jan. 19) at Lodge on 4th.
The choir first met at the Frank Jameson Community Centre, but last year, they began gathering to sing at Lodge on 4th.
"For quite a while, we alternated floors every other week so that the residents of the lodge could join in with us," said Dennison. "My desire was to bring community in to our elders. It was wonderful to sing to and with some of the residents."
Sing for Pure Joy! is not a performing choir. Dennison says that occasionally, they engage in a SWAT (Sing When Asked To) or a SWIT (Sing When Inspired To). Some of the choir members like to attend and sing a few songs at The Coffee House at Hardwick Hall on the last Saturday of every month.
"We sing for the pure joy of singing," said Dennison. "Our choir is a safe, non-judgmental circle where everyone can sing for pure joy. No experience is needed — only the desire to help access and express the profound joy and beauty at our core."
Dennison says they sing songs from many cultures around the world, and no written music is used.
The choir will gather this Saturday (Jan. 19) from 6:30-8 p.m. at Lodge on 4th.
Because Dennison lives on Quadra Island, she come to Ladysmith on alternate weekends, so the song circle will also meet on Jan. 26, Feb. 16, Feb. 23, March 16, March 30, April 13, April 27 and May 25.
There is a $10 drop-in fee or a reduced fee if one joins the choir for the term. Dennison offers a sliding scale by request and has limited scholarships for anyone who is unable to afford the fee.
"I just want to encourage people to raise their voice in song," she said.
For more information, contact Dennison at singforpurejoy@gmail.com or 250-285-3764.