|
|
"One of the most potent workshops for me is the Elders Council. It is always so amazing to be in the presence of such incredible wisdom keepers."
|
Chris Deckker Bio:
Musician, artist and visionary entrepreneur, Chris Deckker, has been involved in the arts and entertainment industry for over 25 years. His extensive experience spans every level of the industry from artistic to business and he has played an integral role in the development and implementation of many successful international projects.
From 1982 – 1989, Chris partnered with his father to establish the “Sri Lanka Room” restaurants located in Sydney Australia. By 1986 Chris was running two very successful restaurants, each with over 120 seats. “The Sri Lanka Room” restaurants grew to become one of the most popular ethnic fusion restaurant concepts in Sydney at that time.
In 1989 Chris left Australia for London UK, where he founded the legendary night club concept "Return to the Source", which grew to become one of London's most successful club nights with regular parties of over 5000 people. Chris expanded "Return to the Source" to a global level in 1995, with regular club events across Europe, South Africa, USA, Australia, South America and Japan. "Return to the Source" was one of the first UK clubs to hit the British news headlines and was described by Channel 4 national news as "doing for the nineties what Sergeant Pepper did for the sixties". In 1995 Chris co-founded the independent record label “Return to the Source Records” which released over 20 electronica CD compilations with total combined sales in excess of 200,000 units. In 1997 “Return to the Source Records” signed a major distribution deal with EMI Europe.
In 1997 Chris founded the international charity "Earthdance, The Global Dance Party for Peace", which has now grown to become the world's biggest synchronized dance event with over 350 locations in 65 countries involved.
Originally aimed at supporting Tibet, Earthdance now supports global charities worldwide and has been described by the Dalai Lama's London secretary "as the most successful global event of its kind aimed at supporting the Tibetan people."
Chris is also the founder and producer of the ethno/electronic music group "Medicine Drum" which was signed to Higher Octave/Virgin records USA from 1999 to 2004. In that period Medicine Drum toured the world including support dates with Moby, The Chemical Brothers and the Orb and their 1997
music video, titled “Alpha Return”, hit the top 5 most requested video clips for MTV Amp.
Connections:
Chris Dekker
c/o Yvonne Hendrix
yhendrix at earthdancelive dot com
Center on Earthdance:
The Earthdance event in Laytonville is one of over 300 global events celebrating peace on September 26th, 2009.
Earthdance, the Global Dance Festival for Peace has grown to become the world's largest simultaneous music and dance event. Founded in 1997, with 22 cities and 18 countries participating, Earthdance events have occurred in over 350 cities in over 50 countries. , with locations ranging from the club-lands of New York to the rain forests of Brazil. Every year, in alignment with the International Day of Peace, over 200,000 people unite in dance with hundreds of thousands more joining online in support of global peace and humanitarian aims.
The defining moment of each Earthdance event is a synchronized link-up, (4pm Pacific Standard Time) when every event around the world plays a specially produced song called "The Prayer for Peace" at exactly the same time.
Earthdance has been described by the music industry as the "Dance Aid" for the new millennium. The aim of the event is to bring together global communities to create a synchronized global festival and dance event to help fund humanitarian causes and develop an environment of peace throughout the global community.
|
|
|
|
"Over the years, the mandala has been a wonderful focal point for community sharing and healing."
|
Please shake off your day job and dance into our interview with Chris Deckker, founder of Earthdance, by Willi Paul.
Visit Online: Earthdance 2009
How did this event come into your vision? What are the primary goals that you wish to achieve?
It came to me when I visited the Kings Chamber in the great pyramid of Giza, 14 years ago. The kings chamber was very strong and I stayed within for about an hour. At one point I went into a spontaneous trance and had a vision of a global synchronized prayer using dance as the medium, with many locations joining across the world. That was the vision for Earthdance. The goal is simple. To harness the exponential power that happens when we synchronize our collective thought and focus on a unified intention. Another goal is to allow everyone who participates to feel the universal power of music.
What is a “Reclaiming teacher" teacher?
From my understanding, a reclaiming teacher teaches the art of sacred ceremony and the unification of spirit and politics.
Tell us how the community Earth Mandala represents the sacredness of life?
The word Mandala is a derived from the Hindu language and is a circular design arranged in layers radiating outwards from the center. The mandala has a rich history in many ritual-based traditions. It is found in the Tibetan art, Australian Aboriginal sand paintings, in Hindu cosmology, in ancient Mayan architecture, in Celtic art, and in Native American ritual and art, where earth materials and used for prayer and protection.
The creation of the community Earth Mandala has been a tradition at Earthdance since 1999, when the first mandala was created at the Golden Gate Park band shell. Community participation is what makes this co-creation so precious and so very potent, as people from all walks of life are invited to join in the creative process. Over the years, the mandala has been a wonderful focal point for community sharing and healing.
What is the most important Workshop to you?
They are all very special. However, one of the most potent workshops for me is the Elders Council. It is always so amazing to be in the presence of such incredible wisdom keepers.
Do you see Burning Man on the same plane as EarthDance?
Burning Man and Earthdance are definitely very similar in that they inspire incredible levels of human connection and expression. However, Burning Man doesn't have a single pointed agenda. It is more of a "ground zero" concept set within a Bacchanal backdrop, where people are encouraged to express whatever they are feeling from dark to light without judgment, which is fantastic. Earthdance has a very singular mission of focusing global intention on peace. Earthdance is also not site specific and can take place anywhere, from people's lounge rooms to large festival sites.
How is sustainability like or unlike a religion?
For me the purpose of "religion" is to create a roadmap to understand the sacredness of life. Once you realize that all life is sacred you naturally move towards living in a more sustainable way - ie: you strive to live in balance.
Are you creating new stories and symbols in a drive for a new mythic reservoir for the planet?
This question reminds me of an old saying "Creativity is the art of taking a fresh look at old knowledge". I am just being creative with the ancient tools of music and ceremony, to bring a positive experience for the "tribe".
In the instance of Earthdance, the global tribe.
Can you tell us more about the synergy between the live music and the painters?
It's a wonderful fusion of artistic expression. When you watch the painters in action with the bands you can totally see them express the music through the paintbrush. It is a wonderful convergence of art forms.
What could the top issues be before the International Elders Council?
Sustainability and the preservation of the planet is one of the top agenda points for the elders. This year, they will be sharing wisdom on the importance of the youth in the changing times, as our international Earthdance theme for 2009 is "Blessing the Children".
How do know a shaman when you see him/her?
It is more of a feeling. Most Shaman's I have experienced are the most humble, heart centered people I have met. It is not a role that is accompanied with theatrics and ego.
Please offer us one of your poems or lyrics.
I think the Earthdance Prayer for Peace would be a great way to end.
We are one global family
All colors, All races
One world united.
We dance for peace and the healing of our planet Earth
Peace for all nations.
Peace for our communities.
And peace within ourselves.
As we join all dance floors across the world,
let us connect heart to heart.
Through our diversity we recognize Unity.
Through our compassion we recognize Peace.
Our love is the power to transform our world
Let us send it out
NOW..."
|
|
Comments
Zowww!!
Thank you, Chris, for sharing. This interview sent shivers up my spine.
I think I have used dance since I was a kid to express my sacred communion with life, but I didn't know what to call it at the time. About 8 years ago, I started dancing and spinning and imagining a light enveloping and healing the Earth. As I did, I felt that there were other beings of light working with me around the globe, but I didn't know who they were. I was not aware externally that others were doing this, I just felt it.
Well, now I know I am not alone!
I say, Keep on dancing... and visualizing the world as we desire it to be.
We are all a part of the Divine Imagination.
Nothing is more powerful than energy. Yay!
Love and Peace.
thanks! :)