It's been a MIRACULOUS 2011. My personal and professional world exploded wide OPEN
and I count my blessings daily for the experience that this now continually brings with it.
The year began with Shakti and I finding ourselves living and working together out of the Prosperity Hive. For the Hive's mystical birth on December 4th, 2010, Barry Logan of La Milpa Organica Farm dropped a $100 bill into my hand which I then spent at the Little Italy Mercato in order to feed our community on this amazing evening. Afterward, our friends Sean Savage and Yuba Foxfire built our wooden loft within a loft platform with the money that was raised on the Hive's debut. DJ Alan B. also hooked us up with a very necessary refrigerator. Other than that, the Hive was a blank slate, an empty canvas awaiting for a DIVINE year to unfold.
Our Dance Jam and Encinitas Dance Community, including Devi, John, Ery, Corinne, Blaize, Samuel, Brooking, Jenn, Sara, Gwendolyn, Carey, Dave, Trina & so many more, repeatedly showed up for US by warming up our dance floor, bedding down in the Hive and then enjoying numerous brunches, the morning after, together.
The brilliant artwork of Mario Torero has graced the Hive's walls since its official opening, along with the work of Rich Walker, Daniel Jaimes, Rory Canfield & True DeLorenzo. Mario even painted live in the Hive on two occasions.
Local favorite Todo Mundo helped to kick off the Hive's launch and kept the live beats flowing through the spring. The Hive's Peace Stage was consistently lit up by the amazing sounds of Joshua Napier, Universal Greetings, Sister Speak, Matt the Folkmuse Stone, Sweden's Kvartetten Raeken, Ariana Saraha, Song de San Diego, moon by you, and so many other amazing live, improvisational artists.
Sarva Dharma Productions brought both the Kirtan Rabbi to the Hive for a Friday night Shabbat service as well as the Earth-grounding sound and lyrics of Singing Bear.
Devra Gregory consistently held monthly space with her Sacred Soul Circles, as did the 1st Saturdays organization that gathers a 40-person strong circle together every month in order to "Help the Homeless."
Nikyta Palmisani shared an evening of her "Journeys with the Shuar Tribe in Ecuador." Meanwhile, New Mexico's healer and singer Windwalker graced the Hive with her strength while providing me with some much needed hands-on healing.
DJs Alan B., Johnny T., Matt B., and Dr. Diggs were instrumental in our celebrations of LOVE.
Lucilla de Alejandro of Suzie's Farm presented an Ojo de Dios workshop in the Hive (a few of my designs currently hang in the Hive) and also brought her twin daughters along for numerous Baby Boogie experiences, along with Leyla Makris, Carolina Godoy, Lorien Cortez, Jenelle Ferhart & many more.
Dance company Critical Morph debuted during the Spring Equinox, Super Moon event of "Persephone Rising," which was a rousing success produced by Jenn Shultz.
CSA boxes chock full of Sage Mountain Farm produce were provided for some of our neighbors here in the Art Center.
The Enchanted Gardener brought Sharon Alexander and her Jewish Gospel to the Hive for an afternoon of singing Jospel.
Angel Franquez held weekly space in the Hive by inspiring others to "Sing their Song."
Congregation Shir Ya Ham sponsored an afternoon of "Embodying Prayer" with Rabbi Diane Elliot.
The local 3HO Organization shared a Kundalini Yoga workshop in the Hive taught by Dhyan Khalsa, and accompanied with a live gong and music.
Shakti spent her summer traveling and moved out of the Hive in August.
I've held weekly dance space on Wednesdays and am eternally grateful for the small tribe that has continually gathered together, namely Sasha Peter Carter, Maya Ramirez Schwarz and Felix Diaz. Together, we've shared our improvisational dancing live at Jon Block and Adam Rosen's Sight and Sound as well as Art Around Adams.
The Prosperity Hive was also at Here & Now, as well as presenting private concerts, along with Todo Mundo, at facilities for the under-served, such as senior citizens, psychiatric outward patients, and an HIV-support home.
A Peruvian Shaman lit up the Hive with his Icaros on a summer night.
Hasmik and Andrea brought the National Lawyer's Guild in to the Hive to sponsor a radical mixer on a summer night, called RadFest.
Amrita Joy Ananda Ma shared her ExtraTerrestrial Shamanism in the Hive, as psychic D.r. Peck cleared the Hive of any lingering past-life agreements.
Chef Centuhua taught an evening class of making raw pie and a super food elixir as Shaela Noella Roselena brought her sacred scents and sound.
The Break Bread and Build dinner series was born in the Hive during which a few dozen local San Diegans came together to explore what the meaning of sustainability is.
There have been countless sleepovers, brunches and meals shared together in delight and in honor.
For my 35th birthday, Gina Tang, Angel Franquez, and Marlon Frausto honored me with a day spent building during our leadership retreat.
The Soular Power Brigade was born out of the Hive and the Soular Flare on 11/11/11 was truly a palpable surge of restorative and rejuvenative energy.
Cynthia Salonista brought her Spaghetti Social to the Hive on Thanksgiving and it was an evening full of Shiva energy.
The HoneyFest San Diego organizational committee filmed a delightful video in the Hive that will debut early in the new year. I can't wait for you to see it and I certainly hope that you will join US in celebrating not just an unBEElievable one year anniversary party but in promoting awareness of the crucial role that Honeybees play in our world. HoneyFest SD takes place Jan 13-15th - here is the website link.
In this year's end, all that remains is
LOVE.
True to form, I don't know what 2012 is to bring with it.
I can only hope that it brings YOU.
Because, ultimately, it is your presence, your smile, your bee-ing and your dancing feet that enliven not just my hOMe, but my heART.
It's all I could ever ask for...
