Following the premiere of his recent “Leap to Flame” show at PSU’s Lincoln Hall, Max Ribner put out the wish for a second show. No sooner did he think this before it manifested before his eyes in the form of two volunteers who helped it become a reality.
Max Ribner: Proof that Dreams Do Come True
Following the premiere of his recent “Leap to Flame” show at PSU’s Lincoln Hall, Max Ribner put out the wish for a second show. No sooner did he think this before it manifested before his eyes in the form of two volunteers who helped it become a reality. The all ages, “Leap to Flame Dream Show” comes to the Alberta Rose Theatre on Thursday, September 4, from 7-10 p.m. In a show intended to spark change and encourage people to discover their purpose and passion, it will feature Saeeda Wright, Four Winds Foundation, Youth Music Empowerment, Kilikina’s Chocolat & Townshends Tea Company, and special guests Sara Tone, and Ayomide Njo .
To give you a little background, in July, Max Ribner brought his “Max Ribner Band; Leap to Flame Dream Show” to Lincoln Hall’s beautiful stage, fulfilling a dream sparked by a vision he had over three years ago. The inspiration behind the title started with a phrase from Max’s Grandfather, “let your purpose leap to flame,” passed down to each man in the family. The show told a tale of the four seasons of our lives narrated by Sweet Medicine, intertwined with dancers, a men’s circle, singers, and of course, a fabulous band of talented musicians in what was a full-on production celebrating life, faith, hope, unity, love, peace, encouragement, and the fulfillment of one man’s dream for a better world where we are all ONE with each other and the universe.
Photo by Teri Briggs. “Sweet Elder”
Each ‘season’ during the performance began with a men’s Drum Circle, followed by Sweet Medicine talking to the children about the seasons in our lives. She spoke to the music dancing in our hearts, that as we grow, the seed that is us will grow in our hearts.
The stage was alive with the 11 piece Max Ribner Band, dancers, a stilt walker, and children of all ages. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when young Moracco came out with Tim Ribner to play John Lennon’s, Imagine, on the piano, while everyone in the audience joined in to sing-a-long.
Photo by Teri Briggs “Saeeda Wright”
Whenever Saeeda Wright is on stage, she commands it and sure knows how to draw the audience in and get them energized. She did all that and more when she led us all in singing along to “Oh Yes We Will.”
It was also the release of Max’s new album, Leap to Flame which features fifty of Portland’s top musicians, including Bibi McGill (of Beyonce), Liv Warfield (of Prince), the soaring vocals of Saeeda Wright, and his talented brother, Tim Ribner on keys.
Photo by Teri Briggs “Max Ribner Band”
Having gotten to know this young man and his family over the years, it was a great pleasure to witness his beliefs, and the grace with which he lives his life, onstage, at was the perfect setting for his dream. Seeing what he has created through Youth Music Empowerment is so inspiring; it will be a joy to watch these little ones blossom with his encouragement and guidance.
Max has created something special with these shows, blending his love for his family, the earth, children, and a belief in nourishing our bodies inside and out with music and healthful food. Thank you for sharing your soul, Max Ribner, giving us something to smile and cheer about. In the words of John Lennon that your brother and little Moracco played so movingly onstage that night, we too imagine that there “are no countries, nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too, imagine all the people, living life in peace, and hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will live as one.”
Tickets : Alberta Rose Theatre, www.albertarosetheatre.com. Thursday, September 4, 2014, 7-10 p.m. From $5-$25
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