Artistic Director: Heather Houston

A Note from the Director ~

Welcome to our 20th Annual Yala Lati Fall Concert at the historic RIO Theatre! What an extraordinary blessing it is to gather again in the spirit of harmony, surrounded by familiar faces, new friends, and the vibrant Santa Cruz community that has held our choir with such love over the years.

When I first began leading women’s song circles in my parent’s downstairs family room, over two decades ago, I never could have imagined the journey that would unfold… the songs we would befriend, the sisterhood that would blossom, the healing we would witness, the empowerment we would embody, and the sheer joy that would arise from our shared harmonies.

Yala Lati, a name that arose out of an improvised singing session, to us means: women’s voices rising to fortify, harmonize, and uplift the spirit of the feminine, offering the energy of love, hope, and resilience to our community!

This year’s concert is a celebration of all the women who have sung with us, all the artists who have birthed and carried these songs, and all the hearts who have listened. In honor of our twenty years together, we offer you songs from some of our most beloved artists and composers, as well as some new instant Lati favorites!

To my dear choir sisters: thank you for showing up again and again with such devotion. Thank you for your willingness to listen deeply, breathe together, open your hearts, and trust the healing magic we are creating. You are the soul of Yala Lati.

And to you, our cherished audience: thank you for being part of this annual tradition. Your presence means the world to us. May these songs, this singing, soften your heart and nourish your spirit.

And last, but not least, it is an honor to be giving a portion of proceeds to two of our beloved Santa Cruz non-profit organizations — Rising Worldwide and the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. A deep bow of gratitude for all that you offer to our community.

Thank you for joining us tonight everyone! Here’s to twenty years of singing, sisterhood, and song… and to the many luminous seasons still to come.

Let’s have some fun and lift our voices in spirals of living prayer for the world!

With love and gratitude,
Heather Houston
Director, Yala Lati Women’s Choir

Saturday November 22nd, 2025

at the Rio Theatre

~Set One~

When We Sing — Olivia Fern

Stand in that River — Moira Smiley

BrokEn — Chris Martin

Hangaiwa — Traditional song from Zimbabwe

Power of Love — Heather Houston

A Beautiful Noise — Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile

Warrior —Kim Baryluk, Stacey Howse, arr. by Natasha Blackwood

The Lost Words Blessing — Lyrics by Robert Macfarlane & Jackie Morris (from their book “The Lost
Words: A Spell Book.” Music by Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis, Seckou Keita, Kris Drever, Kerry Andrew,
Rachel Newton, Beth Porter, Jim Molyneux. The form of the song is inspired by Scottish Gaelic.

Tending the Spark — Heather Houston

Together We Rise — Heather Houston

Espiritu — Heather Houston

~Intermission~

Please visit Rising Worldwide and the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band at their tables in the lobby, and Heather at her merchandise table

Concessions are available if you need refreshment

~Set Two~

What Happens When a Woman — Alexandra Olsavsky of Artemisia

I’m a Woman — Lyrics from the poem “Phenomenal Woman” by Dr. Maya Angelou, used with permission; melody and vocal arrangement by Heather Houston

Prosperity Codex — Marya Stark

Lantern — Heather Houston

Calling All Angels — MaMuse

Summons — Ahlay Blakely. A choral response to the poem “Summons” by Aurora Levins Morales

Brilliant Mycelium — Beautiful Chorus

Light of a Clear Blue Morning — Dolly Parton, arr. by The Wailin’ Jennys

Sto Mi E Milo — Traditional Macedonian Song

We Shall Be Known — MaMuse

Yala Lati singers:

Alison Scott, Amy Nishikata, Ana Hernandez, Antonina Beyea, Beth Freewoman, Cambria Fast, Caroline Nicola, Elizabeth Crow, Erica DeGarmo, Erin Ramsden, Jill Clifton, Joanna Bremser Clarke, Joy Pacetti, Julia Monahan, Kai Parker, Kai Siedenburg, Krista Claire Holt, Laura Sera, Laura Keen Server, Letitia Velazquez, Line Skjelbred Fader, Lydia Neilsen, Madeline Pott, Marcia Heinegg, Mari Cope, Neti de la O, Sarah Popp, Shoshanah McKnight, Tamara Myers, Tira Schindler, Tish Denevan

Percussionists: Namasya Carpenter, Jamie Barsimantov

Special Guests: Shekinah Tribal Belly Dance

With thanks to the Rio Theatre community!

Upcoming Events with Heather:

Songs of Sustenance

December 2-5
Sivananda Bahamas
Click here for more info

Sisters in Harmony Online Song Leader Training

March-May 2026
Free Informational Call December 17th 1:30pm
Click here for more info

Songs for the Winter Solstice Zoom Sing

Thursday December 18th 1:30-3pm
Click her for more info

Winter Solstice Community Sing and Song Bath

Sunday December 21st 3-5pm
German American Hall, Santa Cruz
Click here for more info

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Thank you for singing with us!

Love, Heather and the Latis