Acacia | inspireyoga

Musical Duet 'Acacia'

What do wood-working, yoga and music have in common?

2001: Gail and Wayne create 'The Spoonstudio', a small

oceanfront workshop where hand-crafted wooden stands

(photo right) for various stringed instruments were created.

The 'Spoonstands' are an original design of the couple, and

in a few years, clients across North America & Britain were

placing orders.

During those cozy, reflective days in the

workshop with the pot-belly woodstove

blazing, and the sound of the Atlantic waves

crashing on the shoreline outside the

window, one of the most fulfilling

creations was undoubtedly the

construction of 'The Spoon Harp'. The kit was Wayne's gift to Gail.

Psalm 150.3 "... praise Him with lute and harp ..."

And ... so we did.

Around this time,

they started designing PEWELRY

at their Spoonstudio also

(jewelry crafted from dismantled,

old church pews

and the nails found within them).

Re-use,

re-cycle,

re-new,

re-enjoy,

rejoice!

Organically morphing from the Christian Rock Band "Holy Smoke",

the then music ministry for the Sunday evening service at St. Peter's, Eastern Passage,

the musical trio 'Acacia' felt called to create. Creation was 'in the air'.

With fellow singer/songwriter/soul mate Charlene Billard, the new trio launched their first music CD entitled 'What Matters' (original Christian songs to 'salve the soul').

Charlene soon after moved away and down-sized Acacia (Gail & Wayne)

continued to share their Music Ministry as a duet wherever invited.

WHY THE NAME 'ACACIA'? (pronounced a-kay-sha)

ACACIA is a genus of shrubs/trees comprising a group of species initially native to Africa and Australasia. Acacia is repeatedly mentioned in the Book of Exodus, in regards to the construction of the Tabernacle and as the construction material for the Ark of the Covenant. Many historians have also believed that the Crown of Thorns Jesus was forced to wear during THE PASSION were those from the Acacia tree (large and protruding). During the days when researching varieties of wood for their SPOONSTANDS was already a passion, the moment Wayne noticed the frequent mentions of Acacia wood in the Bible, he sought out its contemporary use and was grabbed by its beauty.

The appearance of its magnificent grain coupled with its references in the sacred text

we were becoming more and more focused on ...

naturally formed 'the perfect storm'.

Today, Charlene, Wayne and Gail reminisce about their 'era of gifts'.

Charlene, Murray and their family returned to Nova Scotia and remain the warmest of friends.

Charlene remains an Artist, whether it's with her 'Seaside Knits', or her unique/admired paintings ... she is a true talent.

Gail becomes a certified Yoga Teacher ... another gift received organically.

Musical Duet Acacia continues playing at fundraisers, pubs, weddings, cafes, funerals, churches, and then ...

Yoga Kirtans ... you name it, they accepted it.

That 'era of gifts' also sparked Wayne's personal creative side to initiate Eastern Passage's first Town Crier; the popular annual GHOSTLY TALES event (recollecting spooky folklore of Eastern Passage to a wide-eyed audience every full moon in October, donned in Victorian Costume); and the annual invitation to share Seasonal Music at Dartmouth Heritage Museums' EVERGREEN HOUSE Christmas Tea.

'CHRISTMAS TREASURES, an Evening at St. Peter's' received rave reviews and what online Pirate Magazine 'L'Echo Des Mers' awarded in 2015 as THE BEST PIRATE FESTIVAL IN CANADA ... 'Tallahassee Days' became two more projects co-produced by the couple. (www.tallahasseedays.wix.com/piratefestival). And, as the co-founders of THE PASSAGE PLAYERS in 2015,

a not-for-profit Community Theatre Group, it would be an omission not to share how proud they are

that the troupe is still going strong today. 'You getter better every year folks!'

Wood-working ... Yoga ... Music

All gifts to salve the soul! That's what they have in common.