In a culture where one in five people describe themselves as "spiritual but not religious" (Pew research 2012) many people feel left out of meaningful holiday entertainment. In a holiday season that is focused on male archetypes of the Divine, there is eagerness for an experience of the Divine Feminine. In the over-the-top, consumerist frenzy that is our holiday season, people yearn for a simple, low-tech, communal, beautiful and meaningful experience. 

Jaime Meyer’s “Winter Solstice Blessing” is part theater, part laugh-out-loud storytelling, and part interactive shamanic ceremony. It’s played to sold-out houses for 11 years. Everyone in the audience plays drums or rattles supplied by Meyer (many audience members bring their own drums). Dancing and ecstasy are encouraged but not required. The evening blends Meyer’s seminary degree with his 30 years of studying indigenous spiritual traditions with various shamans. 

The experience takes the audience deep into the realm of the reindeer as the “great beating heart of blessing at the center of creation.” The evening culminates with a shamanic ceremony in which everyone on the audience can receive a blessing form the Reindeer. 

Meyer first encountered the spiritual reindeer while studying with a shaman, an ethnic Sami—the indigenous people of northern Scandinavia. Meyer’s fascination with the reindeer as a spiritual image, and how that image has been twisted by the patriarchal, industrial culture into the story of Rudolf lead him to create this winter solstice event. 

The show includes live musicians playing a variety of unusual ethnic instruments and a chorus of women chanting mysterious Celtic and Nordic melodies with a dark and ancient feel, songs that, as one audience member said, “Lutherans are simply not allowed to learn.” 

Meyer has a long background as a playwright and theatre producer. For the last 15 years he has lead drumming circles and performed shamanic healings for thousands of people. 

The Minnesota Opera Center is located at 620 North First Street, in the warehouse district of Downtown Minneapolis (three blocks north of Washington Avenue, six blocks West of Hennepin Avenue.). There is ample free parking directly across the street from the MN Opera Center, paid parking ½ block away, and parking on the street.

Production Information: 

12th Annual Winter Solstice Blessing by Jaime Meyer

At: The Minnesota Opera Center, 620 North First Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Dates:

Friday, December 19, 7:30 PM.

Saturday, Saturday, December 20, 7:30 PM.

Sunday, December 21, 7 PM (30 minutes earlier!)

Doors open and drumming begins 30 minutes before curtain. 

Tickets: $20

Seating is limited. All seats are general admission.

For more information on Jaime Meyer see www.drummingthesoulawake.com

Contact Jaime Meyer: drummingthesoulsawake@gmail.com