'Musical Dreamtime Journey' celebrates season and solstice

As part of the Big Sky Alive! concert series, Lawrence Duncan and Michael Marsolek will present “A Musical Dreamtime Journey” Dec. 22 in Kalispell. The program celebrates the season of lights and winter solstice and has been presented around the region for more than two decades.

Each performance features a variety of world instruments and sounds, including didgeridoos, ethnic flutes, bassoon, saxophones, drums and percussion instruments, harp, Tibetan bowls, voices, poetry and other musical surprises. Unique to the world of performing arts, the Dreamtime Journey concerts are held without applause, in the round, and by candlelight. And for contemplative comfort, participants are encouraged to bring pillows, pads and blankets etc.

For many attendees, the Musical Dreamtime Journey has become an annual holiday tradition and a great way to de-stress during the sometimes frenetic holiday season. Admission is a suggested $10 donation at the door along with an item of non-perishable for the Flathead Food Bank.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m. for the 7 p.m. concert held at Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Road in Kalispell. For more information contact visit www.drumbrothers.com or call 406-370-3339.

About the musicians

Lawrence Duncan has worked as a music thanatologist for Hospice of Missoula, and as a performer and workshop co-facilitator with Drum Brothers World Rhythm ensemble based in Arlee. He has recorded tracks on projects with Shake Russell and Dana Cooper, Mandir, Drum Brothers, Brian Kopper, John Floridis, and A Musical Dreamtime Journey. Bassoon, soprano saxophone, flutes and recorders, West African percussion, harp, voice and EWI are some of the instruments Duncan makes use of in performance and in his work as a contemplative musician.

Michael Marsolek is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist. In Drum Brothers and as a guest in other ensembles he is featured on numerous drums and percussion instruments. He has a passion for the didgeridoo and Native American flute. He is a longtime singer and is in his 14th season with Dolce Canto, Missoula’s premier vocal ensemble. Marsolek has been collaborating with Duncan on the Musical Dreamtime Journey events for more than 20 years. He has appeared with the world music ensembles Mandir and Tapas. He produced and performed on “The Stories Project” and “A Musical Dreamtime Journey” CDs and has performed on over 15 recordings since 1996. He was the live recording coordinator and engineer for Bill Harley’s “Yes to Running” 2009 Grammy-winning CD. In 2011 Marsolek received the individual artist award from the Missoula Cultural Council. He has worked at Montana Public Radio since 1989 and has appeared on Montana PBS.