On Sunday, January 26, West Plains United Church will host The Gratitude Project, an event featuring music and poetry as part of the church’s Live!@WestPlains series.
The event will showcase 18 poems centered on gratitude, read by Leslie and Christopher Gray of Burlington’s KooGle Theatre. The Burlington-based music group Effusion will accompany the readings with a blend of classical, pop, jazz, and folk music.
Effusion member Andrea Battista created the project after discovering a book of poetry about gratitude. The book features poets from around the world, including Indigenous, Chinese, and Canadian writers.
“I knew I needed to do something with this,” said Battista. “I wanted to pair the poems with music. With my musician friends, we selected poems on topics like love, friendship, nature, and things to be grateful for. Then we chose music that either directly or indirectly connects to each piece.”
Battista will be joined by Effusion members Jason Hales, Sephanie Numan-Scholman, Shiori Kobayashi, and Philip Corke for the performance.
The event will feature several poems, including Eagle Poem by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Joy Harjo, Recovery by Edward Hirsch, and Wild Geese by Mary Oliver.
Battista hopes the performance, which will not include applause, will help the audience reflect on their own gratitude.
“People will have the chance to listen to the poem and think about its meaning,” she explained. “For example, the first poem is about a father. A soloist will sing Wayfaring Stranger before the instrumentalists continue. This allows the audience to think deeply about the poem and their own experiences with their fathers. It enhances the overall experience.”
The free event will take place from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 26, at West Plains United Church. A recommended donation of $25 can be made at the door to support the performers and the church.
