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■ PETALUMA PROFILE ■
Petaluma’s Clark inspired by love of music
Singer and Feldenkrais
specialist brings unique
vocal sound to Bay Area
By AMELIA PARREIRA
FOR THE ARGUS-COURIER
N
umerous musical and
vocal groups swirl
through Petaluma and
the Bay Area, with regular per-
formances by such groups now
relatively common. That said,
former Sonoma State University
instructor Karen Clark, and her
group known as The Vajra Voic-
es, definitely bring something
unique to the table. “Vajra,” a
Buddhist term, indicates that
the singing group is clear, strong
and Clark describes it, “Has the
meaning of a lightning bolt that
is cutting through all delusion.”
Vajra Voic-
es, exclusively
performing
Medieval hymns,
consists of seven
women with a
variety of vocal
ranges. Not only
are the sing-
Karen R. ers connected
Clark through music,
Clark says the
women have become like family,
easily one of the best parts of
being in any musical group.
“We’ve created this dynamic
where we’re really friends, and
we’re really encouraging and
supportive of one another,”
Clark says. “I think that shows
in the music-making too, and
that’s important to me.”
Vajra Voices earned critical
raves for its debut CD, “Oh
The Petaluma Mothers Club presents its
annual Preschool Fair on Thursday, Feb. 8, at
the Community Center at Lucchesi Park.
Parents presented
with public platform for
Petaluma Preschools
The Petaluma Mothers
Club once again offers
its annual Preschool
Fair, featuring between
15-20 local preschools,
with representatives on
hand to discuss their own
individual programs with
parents in the market for
pre-Kindergarten educa-
tion. The free event takes
place Thursday, Feb. 8, at
the Petaluma Community
Center, at Lucchesi Park,
320 N. McDowell Blvd.
6-8 p.m. PetalumaMother-
sClub.org.
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PETALUMA ARGUS-COURIER • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2018
VAJRA VOICES
Karen Clark will next perform with
her ensemble on March 4 at St.
Bede’s Episcopal Church in Palo
Alto, and will present a workshop
for choirs and conductors on May 5
in the East Bay. For information on
the group visit VajraVoices.com.
musical family, and took up
piano lessons at the age of 5.
To Clark, music brings an
amazing force to a room, one
that nothing and no one can take
away.
“They call music the universal
language,” Clark says, when
asked to describe what it’s like
to sing with a group of other
people. “It’s like everything else
falls away,” she adds. “I think
that’s what I’m trying to find
with my group.”
Even though a career in music
can be financially trying at
times, Clark believes that any-
one who has a dream to pursue
music should follow their heart.
“You’re going to feel really
challenged by society and the
PHOTO: NORBERT BREIN urge to make lots of money,”
VAJRA VOICES: Allison Zelles Lloyd, Amy Stuart Hunn, Lindsey McLennan Burdick, Juliana Urban, soprano, Cheryl Shafer Moore, Clark says. “Somehow, I have
Celeste Winant, mezzo soprano, Karen R. Clark, director/contralto, Shira Kammen, medieval harp & vielle. been able to maintain that
thread of my passion, no matter
Eterne Deus,” a recording of method. Though more tradition- We do blend, but the way we do what happened. I just keep com-
ecstatic music by Hildegard ally used as a fitness and health it is by everyone being who they ing back to it. It’s who I am.”
Von Bingen. While the group practice, Clark uses Feldenkrais really are.” She also has another piece of
mostly rehearses and performs techniques to show students Before going on to an array of advice for aspiring singers. Be
in Berkeley and Oakland, Clark how to sing using a combina- ambitious career aspirations — patient and watch as the flower
opened a studio in Petaluma tion of breath, embodiment and including singing with some of slowly blossoms into life.
about a decade ago when she self-awareness. the best ensembles in the world, “You have this idea that (great
started working at SSU. She “I want every person to use and working at top schools like singers) just roll out of bed
mainly teaches at the Petaluma their own voice,” she says of her Princeton — Clark says she was singing like that,” Clark says.
studio on Thursdays, educating work with Vajra “and then we just a girl with a passion for “That’s rarely the case. You have
students on the Feldenkrais create our ensemble like that. music. She grew up in a very to do the work.”
■ OUT & ABOUT IN PETALUMA ■
Josh Gad, Chadwick Boseman and Sterling Heebe Jeebe’s Back House Gallery presents
K. Brown star in “Marshall,” screening at the The Petaluma Library Book Sale takes place “Foiled,” an art show about love, lust and
Petaluma Library on Monday, Feb. 5, at 6 p.m. again in February. aluminum foil.
Cinema series marks series running through- up a paper or canvas car-
month with major ‘Mar- out the month. ‘Marshall’ rier for a mere $2 per bag.
shall’ movie screens Monday, Feb. 5, 100 Fairgrounds Drive.
In celebration of Black 6 p.m. Petaluma Library,
History Month, the 100 Fairgrounds Drive. Artsy exhibition finds
Petaluma Library hosts SonomaCounty.Libcal. focus in foil
a screening of the 2017 com. In celebration of Val-
film “Marshall,” about entine’s Day, The Back
the iconic lawyer and Local library bags House Gallery at Heebe
judge Thurgood Mar- bountiful books Jeebe General Store
shall, who became the The 2018 Winter Book will present “Foiled,” a
first African-America Sale is about to happen community-wide art show
Supreme Court Justice. again at the Petaluma focusing on the subject
The film, starring Chad- Regional Library, so of love and lust, with an
wick Boseman (“42,” “The clear some space on additional emphasis on The King Street Giants (formerly The Dixie Giants) celebrate
Black Panther”), describes your shelves, test the the use of aluminum foil. Mardi Gras at Lagunitas Brewing, and fundraiser for Petalu-
a career defining case weight-bearing strength of Shiny but commonplace, ma Music Festival.
in the young Marshall’s your favorite canvas bags, foil is a universally versa-
life. The film is part of a and prepare to attend tile item, and these artists times will definitely roll, Ugaseb.org/events. Else-
countywide, multi-library Petaluma’s best bargain will demonstrate exactly as Hermann Sons Petalu- where in town, the King
basement book event. As how versatile in this show ma Lodge #26 throws its Street Giants (formerly
usual, the kids will go first. opening on Saturday, Feb. annual Karneval Mardi known as the Dixie Giants)
Children’s Book Sale Days 10, with a reception un- Gras Costume Ball, Satur- will bring their own good
are Friday, Feb. 9, 10 a.m.- folding from 7-9 p.m. Heebe
5 p.m., and Saturday (half- Jeebe General Store, 46
day, Feb. 10, at Hermann
Sons Hall, 860 Western
times at the Louisiana-
themed Mardi Gras fund-
price day), Feb. 10, 10 a.m.- Kentucky St. Ave. Dance music will raiser for the Petaluma
3 p.m. General Book Sale be provided by the Steve Music Festival. Dinner
Days are Wednesday Feb. February fundraisers Balich Band. Admission will be served by Preferred
14, 4-8 p.m., Thursday and make Mardi Gras mirth includes the party, light Sonoma Caterers; price
Friday, Feb. 15 and 16, 10 & merriment snacks and desserts, and includes party favors and
a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, As they say this time coffee. A no host bar will more. Tuesday, Feb 13, at
Feb. 17, 10 a.m. to 1:50 p.m., of year in New Orleans, be serving appropriately Lagunitas Brewing Com-
followed immediately by “Laissez les bons temps festive libations. Doors pany, 1280 N. McDowell
the big bag sale, from 2-4 rouler!” Yes, it’s almost open at 6, dancing 7 p.m. Blvd. $25 for adults, $15 for
p.m., in which you can fill Mardi Gras, and the good $25. Purchase tickets at 21-under, free for 12-under.
Pain Free!
I had a headache for one month nearly Next Week in Community
constantly. By the time I found Dr. O’Connor
I was desperate for relief. Within 2 days Here are some of the stories and columns we’re
the headaches were gone, and they haven’t working on for next week’s Community section,
returned!! She’s efficient and appointments are Thursday, Feb 8, 2018.
a snap. I’m lucky to have found her.
INSPIRATIONAL BLUESMAN: The Rev. Shawn
- Debbie McMurray Amos, fast-rising blues musician and stellar stage
performer, talks about his new album, ‘The Rev.
Shawn Amos Breaks it Down.’
Dr. Kathy O’Connor
& Debbie McMurray ‘GOOD PEOPLE’ REVIEWED: Theater critic Al-
No Obligation Exam! exa Chipman gives her thoughts on Cinnabar’s new
production, David Lindsay-Abaire’s “Good People.”
Exam includes:
• Low-dosage x-ray, spinal motion analysis. HITTING THE ROAD WITH iRIDE: A look at
(a $225 value alone!) Petaluma People Services Center’s iRide program, in
• Thermographic and computerized spinal which volunteers with cars assist seniors and others
motion testing lacking transportation.
• Detailed report of the findings
Our focus: YOUR WEEKEND: A round-up of events, musical
Get you fixed fast, keep you fixed longer and otherwise, taking place February 1- February 4
Our promise: in and around Petaluma.
If we can’t help you, we will let you know
LOOKING BACK: Fifteen years ago, the Ar-
gus-Courier profiled Jack Stein, a Hollywood pro-
ducer who’d recently moved to Petaluma with grand
plans to assist Sonoma County theaters and local
non-profits. What happened after that became one of
PA L M E R G R A D U AT E
the most notorious scandals of the last two decades.
Call today!
778-1145 (Some or all of these anticipated stories are subject
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