Taikodelic and Drums Not Guns will perform at 2013 Winter Solstice Celebration on Dec. 21 presented by the Labyrinth Walk Coffee House and hosted by Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff (UUCOC) at 3839 W. Kiest Blvd., Dallas. The festivities begin with an Opening Ceremony at 6:00 pm and end with the Closing Ceremony 9:00 pm.  Indoor and outdoor activities are scheduled on the beautiful five-acre campus. There is no admission fee, but canned goods and gently worn clothing will be accepted for the Church’s food and clothing drive.

Taikodelic will bring the indoor entertainment to a close from 8:30 to 9.  Taikodelic is a wholly American exploration of the Japanese style of drumming called Taiko. The group brings together performers from various backgrounds and “melds the influences within a traditional framework to perform traditional festival pieces, arrangements of well known songs from Japanese touring groups, and original pieces to excite the American audience.”  www.taikodelic.com   A Taiko is scheduled to participate in the open ceremony as well.  

Drums Not Guns will provide the beat for the closing Spiral Dance ceremony beginning at 9 pm.  DNG is a Dallas, Texas 501 (c)(3) non-profit devoted to stopping violence and increasing the peace through the power of percussion; “to provide our youth with creative ways to re-channel negative energy...diffuse anger....build team spirit,  self-worth, self-esteem, learn to listen better,....and community thru the power of percussion. . . .  Drumming is worldwide. Drumming is a communal activity that brings people together and we believe that all traditions have something to offer our communities. We support efforts to develop, revitalize, and appreciate these traditions within the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, in Texas, North America and the world." http://www.drums.org/dng/who.htm 

 Other entertainment features singers and musicians Jenni Mansfield Peal, GloriChanters, Gabrielle West, and Sound Oasis; storytellers Gene and Peggy Helmick-Richardson; and children’s music and entertainment with Willow & Her Giant. Fortunetellers Terry Guyton and Swami Salami will look into your future. Outdoor activities scheduled are Earth Loom decorating, a Labyrinth walk, Yule log burning; and a Spiral Dance with Raven Crow High Priestess Pam Kincaid.

Tipping is encouraged for the performers who are donating their time and talent. Parking is available at the Church’s two lots and at the New Life Bible Fellowship lot at the corner of 3727 W. Kiest and Coombs Creek Drive on the east side of Five-Mile Cemetery.  For more information, see http://www.labyrinthwalkcoffeehouse.com and/or https://www.facebook.com/events/570245633025395