2024 Heavenly Sound
A Celebration of the Shaker Musical Tradition
Tours, Events & Activities | September 6-8, 2024
Explore the musical traditions of the Pleasant Hill Shakers during this special September weekend. The Shakers wrote more than 10,000 songs, and music was a central component of their religious worship. Join us in exploring the many intersections between music, creativity, and religious practice.
Shaker Music and Dance
Friday, September 6
11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. – Shaker Music: Join us for a live performance of Shaker music in the 1820 Meeting House as we explore the connections between song and spirituality. Included with general admission.
7:00-10:00 p.m. – Contra Dance: Enjoy an evening of dance in our 1820 Meeting House! Contra dance is a beginner-friendly form of social dance that is non-competitive and perfect for families. No partner or experience necessary – an orientation session for beginners will be offered from 7:00-7:30 p.m. Calling by Jerome Grisanti and music by Tom Cunningham and The Cat Came Back. Admission by donation, with all proceeds supporting Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.
Tours & Community Sing
Saturday, September 7
Shaker Village will be hosting special tours and our seventh annual community sing, included with daily admission and in addition to our other Daily Adventures.
10:00-11:30 a.m.- Celestial Company: A Journey to Holy Sinai’s Plain: Enjoy a leisurely hike to the Shakers’ outdoor worship space, Holy Sinai’s Plain, interspersed with 1840s music and readings. Separate ticket required, register here.
11:00 a.m. – Top to Bottom: Explore the Shakers’ 1820 Meeting House from the foundation to the attic and learn how this innovative building was designed and engineered to support the Shakers’ inclusion of music and dance in their religious worship. Included with general admission.
1:00-2:00 p.m. – Community Sing: Join us in lifting our voices together as part of the seventh annual Shaker Village Community Sing. Curated from the Shakers’ rich musical legacy of 10,000+ songs, selections will include “sing-alongs” that encourage audience participation as well as performances by Shaker Village’s music staff. Included with general admission.
2:00 p.m. – Curator’s Tour of “The Believers”: Tour Shaker Village’s newest permanent exhibit, The Believers, and delve into some of the “behind-the-scenes” decisions that influenced the exhibit’s design and content. Included with general admission.
Shaker Music and Dance
Sunday, September 8
11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. – Shaker Music: Join us for a live performance of Shaker music in the 1820 Meeting House as we explore the connections between song and spirituality. Included with general admission.
1:00-2:30 p.m. – Exploring the Archives - Shaker Music & Hymnals: Take a behind-the-scenes look at Shaker Village’s collection of manuscript hymnals and hear seldom-performed Shaker music from the 1800s. Separate ticket required, register here.
For more information call 859-734-5411 or email [email protected].
