A Telling, Singing, and Blessing of the Bees

Friday - June 5, 2015  -  8pm - 10pm

A telling, singing, and blessing of the bees at Hive House, with animation by Nicole Antebi, a folk concert for the bees with Emily Lacy, and a blessing of the bees ceremony led by Kate Purdy.

“It may be that the custom of telling the bees of a death originated in the idea that the bees were 'souls,' or that they were creatures who could fly up into the heavens from whence they had come. The custom is very widely spread; we find it all over Central Europe carried it, and the first allusion to it can be traced to classical times.”

Hilda M. Ransome from The Sacred Bee in Ancient Times and Folklore

Nicole Antebi created "The Telling of the Bees Telling," a short, stop motion animation about the Telling of the Bees folk phenomenon specifically for Hive House. The animation is composed of archival media, early slide specimens from the American Museum of Natural History, and hand-drawn elements with an original score by experimental composer, Melissa Grey. Kate Purdy, co-organizer of Hive House and keeper of the bees, will lead guests in a blessing of the bees and folk and electronic sound artist, Emily Lacy, will give a folk concert for the bees. 

**++Hive House is a community center and a private residence in Echo Park. If you're interested in attending please RSVP to thehivehousewithstacyandkate@gmail.com, and we'll reply with a confirmation that includes the address++**

We'll be outside on the patio with a campfire, some wine, and marshmallows!  Feel free to bring wine or a snack to share.