Coastsiders to Celebrate Winter Solstice in HMB, Sunday, Dec 20

For the first time in 30 years, The Winter Solstice Ritual—a non-denominational, non-profit event celebrating the seasonal shift from deepest darkness to the return of light—to be held this year in Half Moon Bay will be presented by local coastsiders.  At the Coastal Repertory Theater on Main Street, December 20th at 7:00pm, and is open to the public.

The ritual was crafted by Cynthia McReynolds in 1979 and has been celebrated in many settings throughout the bay area. It is enriched by the original music and spirit of Joan McMillan and the Voices of the Coming Tribe.

The deepest time of darkness is the time when light re-emerges.  This seasonal truth also occurs within the individual soul, between people who care deeply for each other, and among groups whose lives are bound together by larger circumstances.  The winter solstice ritual is a participatory, communal celebration of this time of year and these processes in spirit

For several years, this ritual celebration has been held in Palo Alto where it has become a holiday tradition for many families.  “The people involved in the production and facilitation are, for the first time,  all coastside residents,” said Vanderpool. “We are offering it in Half Moon Bay in the hope that it will become a holiday tradition here as well, treasured by all who participate.”

The Winter Solstice Ritual will be hosted and presented by coastsiders Carolann Towe, MaryAnn Gutoff, Meta O’Rear, Lillie Barrows, Linda Grace Frost and Reba Vanderpool.  Tom Devine of Moss Beach will direct the choir, Voices of the Coming Tribe.

The coastal community, friends, and family are invited to join the celebration for an extraordinary opportunity to reconnect with self, with community, and with life.

The Winter Solstice Ritual will be held at 7:00pm Sunday December 20 at the Coastal Repertory Theater, 1167 Main Street, on the south end near Highway 1 in Half Moon Bay. All are welcome. The organizers request that participants bring an unscented candle with a holder as part of the ritual.  Suggested donation for the evening is $5 to $20.  Funds beyond expenses will be donated to Coastside Hope.

For directions, go to www.coastalrep.com/directions.html.  For more information, call 650-207-3440.