Ecstatic Dance Recordings

This is a recording of the music of the 'Warmup' section of the 2 hour journey we enjoyed at Ecstatic Dance in Williams, Oregon, on October 8, 2017.  Between the Warmup, and the Program (Part 2), we had an opening circle in which we connected with words about the guidelines which create the Ecstatic Dance container, and a beautiful Invocation song by a community member.

It's Fall season in southern Oregon. The tiny Town of Williams, which normally consists of very private rural farmers suddenly is awash with migrant farm workers. Young and old, they come from near and far, and they love to dance. 
It's been freezing every night for a week, and fortunately the air isn't thick with smoke from the nearby forest fires. 
It’s night time, as the venue is booked in the mornings of the 2nd Sundays.  It’s a special Ecstatic Dance, when we get to dance in the night time energy.
As the first couple songs play, community members arrive and greet each other with huge smiles and bigger hugs.  For some of us, it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.  For others, only a week.  Still, we immediately start filling the room with LOVE.
Playing one song into another, choosing each in the moment, we co-created the journey.  Myself as the Musical Facilitator did the technical work, but I feel that the energy we brought together was the true guide.
The recordings are for us to revisit the moments we had at Ecstatic Dance, and for those who weren’t there to potentially tap into the energy we shared.
This was, at this point, the most fun I’ve had at Ecstatic Dance… ever.  Thank you to everyone who participated.

Recorded Live October 8, 2017, Williams, Oregon
*Tracklist is on Album Art of Part 2*

Never Give Up

Ecstatic Dance @ Williams Oregon (Never Give Up Part 1) - October 2017

This is a recording of the music of the 'Program' section of the 2 hour journey we enjoyed at Ecstatic Dance in Williams, Oregon, on October 8, 2017.  Between the Warmup (Part 1), and the Program, we had an opening circle in which we connected with words about the guidelines which create the Ecstatic Dance container, and a beautiful Invocation song by a community member.

It's Fall season in southern Oregon. The tiny Town of Williams, which normally consists of very private rural farmers suddenly is awash with migrant farm workers. Young and old, they come from near and far, and they love to dance. 
It's been freezing every night for a week, and fortunately the air isn't thick with smoke from the nearby forest fires. 
It’s night time, as the venue is booked in the mornings of the 2nd Sundays.  It’s a special Ecstatic Dance, when we get to dance in the night time energy.
As the first couple songs play, community members arrive and greet each other with huge smiles and bigger hugs.  For some of us, it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.  For others, only a week.  Still, we immediately start filling the room with LOVE.
Playing one song into another, choosing each in the moment, we co-created the journey.  Myself as the Musical Facilitator did the technical work, but I feel that the energy we brought together was the true guide.
The recordings are for us to revisit the moments we had at Ecstatic Dance, and for those who weren’t there to potentially tap into the energy we shared.
This was, at this point, the most fun I’ve had at Ecstatic Dance… ever.  Thank you to everyone who participated.

Recorded Live October 8, 2017, Williams, Oregon
*Tracklist is on Album Art of Part 2*

Ecstatic Dance @ Williams Oregon (Never Give Up Part 2) - October 2017

Improvised Setlist:

Nils Frahm - Says
Bluetech - Becoming The Ancestor (Ft. Eve Ladyapples)
Great Skies - Like All Good Summer Moments
Azaleh - Rainy Nights
Seba - Painted Sky (DFRNT Remix)
Random Rab - Dilection
Fat Freddy's Drop - Roady
A Tribe Called Quest - Oh My God
Little People - Start Shootin' (Little People's Americana remix)
Luke Mandala &amp; David Dewey - Oracular
CloZee - Koto
SOOHAN - Sushu - Zalem Delarbre (SOOHAN Remix)
CloZee - Inner Peace
MC Yogi - Road Home (Instrumental)
The Human Experience - Kyrstyn Pixton - Beads on the Wind (The Human Experience Remix feat. Theo Brama)
DNKL - Battles (Lambert Rework)

Ecstatic Dance @ Portland (Muse Dance) - December 2017

This is a fully improvised set, and a live recording of Ecstatic Dance at Kalani Honua, on January 21, 2018.  
It was a rainy day in Puna.  I'd flown from Oregon several days before, and jumped right into digging for songs to play at Ecstatic Dance.  
A week before, the day after I'd arrived on the Island, Maura Star played for Ecstatic Dance at Kalani.  Her set was absolutely flawless.  It was amazing.  The flow, the peak, the vibes... it was all so perfect.  It made me anxious to think that I wouldn't be able to bring the energy up as high as she had done, for the 300+ dancers who would come to get down!

Up until the day of the event, I didn't know what I was going to play.  I wavered back and forth whether to play 'on the fly', or to have 'it all figured out'.  I had a few songs I knew I wanted to play, and I was so afraid I wasn't going to do well enough.  But, after a couple songs, I got into the groove.  I closed my eyes and danced until I felt the music in my soul.  Then, I let the spirit of the Community help me choose what to play next.  I'm SO glad I did!!

I really wish there were photos of Ecstatic Dance at Kalani.  I'm going to hold the memory of us all getting AS DOWN AS DOWN CAN GET for as long as I can!
After nearly 10 years since the last time playing music for Ecstatic Dance at Kalani Honua, I'm facilitating again.  It's been far too long.  Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen.  I LOVE you!

https://kalani.com/ecstatic-dance-saved-life/

Setlist (Improvised):
>> Deya Dova - The Winged One @deya-dova
>> St. Petersburg Chamber Choir - Chorale @stpetersburg-chamber-choir
>> Desert Dwellers - Give Thanks (vajra mix) @desertdwellers
>> Phaeleh - Ochre @phaeleh
>> Yaima - It's Written In The Wind @yaima-music
>> Existance - Miles Apart (Concepts) @cutmusic
>> Friend. - New Familiar @friend_music
>> SOOHAN - Kya Dekh Rahe Ho Tum (SOOHAN & HÄANA Remix) @soohan
>> Sakchyam - Saathi (SOOHAN Remix) @soohan
>> Random Rab - 39 Circles (feat. Lapa) @random-rab
>> Dirtwire - Taiga feat. Kongar-ol Ondar (Dimond Saints Remix) @dirtwire
>> Mos Def & Talib Kweli - Definition @mos-def-official talibkweli
>> ill-esha - Crossroads (Buku Remix) @ill-esha
>> SOOHAN - Somos Sur - Ana Tijoux (SOOHAN Remix)@soohan
>> SOOHAN - Elephant Man @soohan
>> CloZee - Baiana @clozee
>> SOOHAN - Missy Tribute @missyelliott @soohan
>> CloZee - Koto @clozee
>> Tha Trickaz - Heritage (CloZee Remix) @thatrickaz @clozee
>> CloZee - Secret Place (Tor Remix)@clozee
>> Dirtwire - Still There (feat. Jed & Lucia) @dirtwire
>> KiloWatts - The Other Side Of The Earth @kilowatts

Ecstatic Dance

Ecstatic Dance @ Kalani Honua

This is a live recording of Ecstatic Dance at SoulPlay Festival, on June 10, 2018. 
It's a dream come true playing for Ecstatic Dance at SoulPlay Festival and it will remain in my mind and heart forever.  
It was a warm morning in Pinecrest, CA.  The attendees of SoulPlay Festival had been hard at work, diligently acting to improve themselves for the past several days.  
The Ecstatic Dance started out calmly, with several Souls stretching out and meditating to the music while others stood outside in the sun.  As the journey progressed, the dance floor filled and exploded in Ecstatic Movement.
I couldn't help but cry several times during the set as the songs resonated so strongly with me.  Many of the songs were released within the past few days and I'd never played before.  
Thank you to everyone who came and moved with me this Sunday morning at SoulPlay!

Improvised Set List:

>> Entheo - Perfection @entheo
>> Crystal Nada - 弁財天 - Benzaiten @crystalnada
>> Agnes Obel - Familiar @agnesobel
>> Totem - I'm Gonna Shine (feat. Pharaoh MoonKat) @totemuzik
>> What So Not - Us (feat. Daniels) @whatsonot
>> David Starfire - Soma Dreams (Clozee remix) @davidstarfire
>> Aztek - Drone @aztekbeats
>> Big Wild - When I Get There @bigwild
>> Soohan - Elephant Man @soohan
>> What So Not - Touched @whatsonot
>> Hataah  - Webra (Skrude Remix) @hataah
>> Opiuo - Huxley Hustle @opiuo
>> Barbatuques - Kererê (CloZee Remix) @clozee-remixes
>> Volo - Mystic @volovibes
>> Infinite Brothers - Signals @infinite-brothers
>> Cobalt Rabbit & The Penguin District - Invisible Friend @official-cobaltrabbit @thepenguindistrict

SoulPlay 2018

Ecstatic Dance @ SoulPlay

Download (Lossless) for free: https://theartistunion.com/tracks/9f4a09

This was the first time playing for Ashland Stomping Ground, since it began in late 2017.  With a long year of traveling, it took some time to get the scheduling right and to be able to make it for Stomping Ground.  Finally, the stars aligned, as did our schedules.  When I arrived, I met the host, Shivaani.  She welcomed me with a beautiful smile and a warm hug.  I immediately felt at home.  It was also a pleasure to see familiar faces I knew from Williams.
As usual, after sound check, I searched through my songs to determine what to play first.  Since 2016, I moved away from playing sets with Ableton, and moved over to Traktor.  Hosting Ecstatic Dance in Williams made it necessary to be able to play impromptu and different sets for the many weeks without other trained Ecstatic Dance facilitators.  
After a couple songs and a rough transition, I found my flow and had an amazing time.  The Ashland dance community is so beautiful and full of LOVE.  I can’t wait to go back.  Thank you!

This is a recording of the second hour (the Main Program) of the 2 hour Ecstatic Dance Journey at Ashland Stomping Ground on 2018/09/20.

Improvised Setlist:

Scott Nice - Raio - Cuñaq (Scott Nice Remix)
Sansai - Do Banque
What So Not - Us (feat. Daniels)
Eduardo Castillo & Bora Uzer - Road to Tulum (Original Mix)
Dandara - Uivando (Original Mix)
Nicola Cruz - La Cosecha (Captain Planet Remix)
Thornado - Chapinero
Thornado - Koz Kazah (feat. KarenBE)
Nicola Cruz - Cumbia del Olvido (Montoya Remix)
Party Pupils - Party Pupils- Ms. Jackson
Infinite Brothers - Signals
KiloWatts - The Other Side Of The Earth
Henriq - Sons do Monte (field recordings)

Ashland Stomping Ground

Ecstatic Dance @ Ashland (Stomping Ground) - September 2018

Puna is where the Ecstatic Dance moniker started.  I remember the first CD I burned for Max Fathom, who was vetting me after I offered to play Warmup sets for him.  Near 15 years later, Ecstatic Dance is still a mainstay of the Puna - Hawaii Community.  
I awoke this Sunday morning feeling anxious.  I really, *really* wanted this homecoming set to reintroduce myself to the Community with as much *love* and *passion* as possible.  

This is a recording of the full 2 hour improvised Ecstatic Dance Journey at Hawaiian Sanctuary on 2018/10/14.

Improvised Setlist:
>> Crystal Nada - 弁財天 - Benzaiten @crystalnada
>> Danit Treubig - Cura Sana (Andres Cordoba Cover)
>> Nicola Cruz - Cocha Runa (ft Tanya Sánchez) @nicolacruz
>> The Gaudan Project - Bal @the-gaudan-project
>> Vicious - This Dub Is Untitled @vicnorman
>> Ayla Nereo - Show Yourself (The Human Experience remix) @ayla-nereo
>> Pacific Patterns - Early Bird @pacificpatterns
>> CloZee - Spiral @clozee
>> Eduardo Castillo & Bora Uzer - Road to Tulum (Original Mix) @eduardocastillo
>> Nicola Cruz - La Cosecha (Captain Planet Remix) @nicolacruz
>> Soohan - Trap Mome! - Oratnitza (Soohan Remix) @soohan
>> Missy Elliot vs DJ Snake x Artistic Raw - Get Ur Freak On x Magenta Riddim  (Scooter Bootleg / Moombahton) @missyelliott @djsnake @artisticraw
>> Kozmo & Provider - Mumbo Jumbo @kozmoradio @providermusick
>> Masia One - 3 Warriors Tongue (Illgates Remix) Eq'd [Dks]  @masiaone @ill-gates
>> Simcha - Airtist (Soohan's Shake Dem Dreads Remix) @soohan
>> Zakir - Save the Children (David Mayer Remix) @zakir_a
>> MEUTE - Rej @muete
>> Pablo Fierro - Baobab @pablo-fierro-official
>> Volo - Atlantic @volovibes
>> Elder Island - Bamboo @elderisland
>> Bonobo - Second Sun @bonobo
>> Henriq - Sons do Monte (field recordings) @henriq-aka-zen-baboon

Puna Ecstatic Dance

Ecstatic Dance @ Hawaiian Sanctuary - October 2018

Sky Makai is one the facilitators of the original Ecstatic Dance on Hawai'i Island. 
A dancer at heart, Sky joined Ecstatic Dance at Kalani Honua in the early days when Ecstatic Dance was only a handful of people and unheard of -  except as a concept in Gabrielle Roth’s seminal book: Maps to Ecstasy 
Sky began providing opening music with Ecstatic Dance’s founder, Max Fathom.  Later, Sky took part in the original Ecstatic Dance Facilitator workshops, becoming one of Kalani Ecstatic Dance's core team of facilitators.   

Staying true to the roots of Ecstatic Dance, Sky's sets observe a distinguishable arc.  These musical journeys pay homage to Gabrielle Roth's influential practice of observing and moving through a “Wave” of musical selections.  The practice involves considering how waves are inherent in all of nature; our life cycles, our relationships, and in our most intimate moments.
Sky’s musical journeys are designed to reach intense and energetic ecstasy while also encouraging introspection and emotional release.
We love Sky’s passion and dedication to our Ritual Community Movement Journey, his dedication to personal growth, and his love of helping others.

Today, Sky is a steward and resident Facilitator of Ecstatic Dance at Kalani Honua, having previously been co-founder of Ecstatic Dance at Honoka’a as well as Ecstatic Dance in Williams, Oregon.

In an effort to preserve the history this worldwide phenomenon, Sky created on an unofficial Ecstatic Dance Facilitator Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MeU3X6Gz3BIXrEFEfFpmZJhrO0GsWDOL4hWMPdYT6IY/mobilebasic

Ecstatic Dance Recordings

Sky Makai - Ecstatic Dance Music