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Banned Bookmarks

 

A fun way to acknowledge the tried but not often successful efforts to censor books.

These original bookmarks feature a book charm handmade in our studio using our unique process. Image appears on both sides! Each bookmark features the addition of metal charms, glass beads, silver wire or plastic leaves.

Willow and Poppy’s banned bookmarks are created from books that at various times throughout their history, faced opposition. These are just some that we have read that have influenced us! The list of available banned book charms includes:

The Merchant of Venice
Mrs Warren’s Profession
For Whom the Bell Tolls
The Call of the Wild
Leaves of Grass
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret
The Grapes of Wrath

To view our complete collection, please visit our Banned Book Bookmark section in our ETSY Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillowAndPoppy?section_id=15160011&ref=shopsection_leftnav_7

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Just as we are set to officially release the seasonal single ‘Street in Winter‘, a US-based music industry professionals network has given the production high marks! Singer/songwriter Donna Creighton received requests for permission to broadcast, alerting us to the accolades.

imagesSpecial recognition was given to the production of the recording, citing Donna Creighton for Composition/Performance and moi(!) as Producer/Arranger. ‘Street in Winter‘ was recorded in 2012 in anticipation of releasing for the 2013 winter season. The advance interest has been very rewarding making the wait worthwhile. Appearing on the recording with Donna is Stephen Holowitz on keyboards, Paul Stephenson on trumpet, Julia Hambleton on clarinet, Ian McKay on drums, Louise Fagan (moi!) on vocals, with our dear friend the late Kevin Muir playing bass. The song was recorded at EMAC Studios.

musicxray 21st Century A&R specializes in connecting commercially viable musicians with industry professionals. Once a song is approved for submission, it is sent to producers who rate the song’s appeal, production values and marketability. If the song receives a high enough rating, musicxray recommends the song to targeted broadcasters. We are thrilled to announce that ‘Street in Winter‘ received the highest ratings! YIPPEE!!

imagesFurther exciting broadcast announcements will be made next week – but this one, well, we couldn’t keep it to ourselves! ‘Street in Winter‘ is just like the lovely meander down a wintry street the lyrics describe. It is destined to be added to everyone’s holiday playlists!

For an advance listen please visit Donna’s Reverbnation site. You can also purchase it for only 99cents! If you choose to buy the song, you will be making an important contribution to the continuing development of new music. And you will be able to sing it anytime you want – on a wintry drive, while ice skating in your backyard rink, decorating your Christmas tree or lying on a beach on a sunny island somewhere South! imagesMore exciting news to follow – stay tuned!

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November through to February  my studio is opening spaces for private creative conversations! If you are beginning a musical work, in the middle of a story, not sure how to end a script, or are looking for some guidance with your artistic work in progress, there is nothing like a ‘comrade in arms’ to champion your work while providing meaningful support.

The writers’ workshops held this past October were extremely well received with requests for private tutoring. While I have offered these on a limited basis in the past, I am so excited to have the space for expansion over these next four months. And what better time to cocoon with a creative project then through the winter!

Private tutorials are held on Skype or Google Chat. These one hour sessions focus on your specific work and strategize moving your projects forward.  It can be detailed editing or general discussion – often it is both. Writers, musicians, creative explorers are welcome!

Message me for details and we can discuss your work further.

Creativity Lives Here!

Arms wide open singing 'AHHHH' in my most operatic mezzo-soprano voice!
Arms wide open singing ‘AHHHH’ in my most operatic mezzo-soprano voice!

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kidsHome grown superheroes are those whose actions improve the life of one person, the community, the world. While not likely hit by lightening, bitten by a spider or hurled to earth from a far distant galaxy, the home grown superhero has some other motivation to act with consideration of others. They inspire, nurture and build a better place for the rest of us. Our Super Powers manifest in the most extraordinary ways! If you know someone whose small gesture made a huge difference or whose idea or invention made you happy then we want to know about it! What is YOUR Super Power? Please add your story, photo, link as a comment here or on our Facebook page. We want to celebrate the homegrown superheroes!

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Ada3aConsidered the founder of scientific computing, Ada Lovelace continues to inspire through what I refer to as her ‘poetry of numbers‘. The daughter of the famously troubled poet Lord Byron and mathematics loving Annabella Milbanke, Ada was raised with a strict sciences and math only education. Annabella separated from Lord Byron shortly after Ada was born, fearing his influence on their daughter would be detrimental. Ada‘s artistic nature however would not be contained as she channeled her creative impulses to mathematics. And so the world was gifted with her extraordinary vision of numbers as she dreamed of inventions and machines, conjuring methods of calculations which resulted in the Analytical Machine.

Composer Kim Sherman, Librettist Margaret Vandenburg, Director Lisa Rothe, Music Director Kimberly Grigsby, and myself as Development Producer, are deeply engaged by her story.   How do we conjure and envision as Ada did? What creative genre could most fully explore the epic mind that is Ada? So we begin: conversations, research, first drafts, edits, read throughs, second drafts, edits, workshops, more conversations. And we are deep in it. Until at last, ADA the Opera, a glorious delicious complex study of an extraordinary life, is becoming a reality. Dear Kim Sherman has left the comforts of her inspiring New York City studio for the serene setting of the Banff Centre for the Arts in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta Canada, sequestered for an entire month as she develops the  score for our ADA. The orchestration and instrumentation of a work this size is a huge undertaking as each music voice supports the other, themes weave, math and music dance on the page.  Continually searching for Ada, drawing upon her essence in the crafting of each phrase.

We will  update on ADA‘s progress as we build to our first production. The process of creating partnerships, fundraising and production development continues and we are always interested in adding to our network. So please don’t hesitate to contact us, keep checking here for ADA updates, and in the meantime, enjoy this view from Kim’s studio at Banff.

Rocky MountainsLearn more about our ADA the Opera team here:

Kim Sherman (www.kdsherman.com) Margaret Vandenburg (http://www.barnard.edu/profiles/margaret-vandenburg) Lisa Rothe (www.lisarothe.com) Kimberly Grigsby (http://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Kimberly-Grigsby/) Louise Fagan (www.louisefagan.wordpress.com)

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Momoires is what I affectionately call stories about motherhood.

Your mother, a friend’s mother, Marsha Brady’s, Rudy Huxtable’s and Lisa Simpson’s mothers, or maybe you as mother to your own brood inspire an endless number of stories about motherhood. One of Canada’s most acclaimed writers has motherhood at the heart of her work. The newest member of the Nobel Laureate clique, Alice Munro, writes about life, family, home and relationships elevating the ordinary and mundane to the epic. Go Alice Go!

Many of the writers who sign up for my workshops want to write Momoires. Stories of reflection, exploration, rambling and ranting. If you have a Momoire,  I highly recommend you check out a new writing contest. The online Yummy Mummy Club created by Erica Ehm www.yummymummyclub.ca is running a story contest asking ‘what surprised you most about motherhood?'(With cold hard cash prizes too!) I can’t wait to read the stories that will reflect the dynamic changes that continue for Moms – surely as diverse as the landscape the stories will be set in!

There are many online forums offering community support for writers. Use your favourite search engine to source them. I will be announcing soon a joint project in development with a writing colleague that explores family relationships – stayed tuned for this original Momoires series announcement!

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Authors Shelly Siskind’s and Gerbrig Berman’s recent book collaboration stokes the ego to push past self-imposed borders and open yourself to the possibilities of living ‘to the full range of your potential’. Sigh.  There are mornings as I sit at my computer my mind drifts to that time when I impetuously, courageously would leap into opportunity. I wonder where that somewhat naive but doggedly determined person I’ve been now slumbers?

Turns out that sometimes a good creative nap is necessary.The quiet rejuvenating before the next creative wave rolls in. ‘The Uncharted Corners of Consciousness’ by Siskind and Berman is full of exercises, thoughts, meditations, personal exploration and revelations. All to assist us to move ourselves to live as fully integrated, present beings. This is a hard task in the busy world, and most especially for those of us who have a creative bent. How do we eek out the time in full days for our ‘art’ or is it that we need to constantly give ourselves permission? Siskind/Berman suggest that the ego is key to this. ‘Ego Management’ (my term!) can be a full time job in itself! In releasing the burdening power the ego has over us, we can move to the uncharted, the mystical unknown, wherein lies all our personal power. On the other hand, a strong ego can be exactly what motivates us! This poem by Siskind/Berman strikes the right note:

Artful

I am eating too much

and writing too little.

Shepherding a flock

that no longer needs tending.

I pour my creativity

into a house that already

brims with artful

Cooking meals devoid of ingenuity

Fearing that my epitaph will read,

‘Famous for her chicken’.

I will be reviewing this book for an upcoming Fall publication and will post the link here. In the meantime, I’m going to continue working through the chapters, drifting off into periodic naps as the creative waves begin to roll in.

Find this book on Amazon.ca The Uncharted Corners of Consciousness by Gerbrig Berman and Shelly Siskind

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The signs have been read and the meaning is clear:

Today is the perfect day to sit where ever you are and enjoy the view. Step out into the world, take a deep breath, look up…way up… and welcome the glorious beauty in.

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As Founding & Executive Producer for this fabulous Canadian summer music festival, I am pleased to share this latest release from the Bach Music Festival of Canada!

We’re Bach!
2013 Season Announcement!

As promised at the end of our 2011 sell-out season when we announced ‘We’ll be Bach….!’indeed the Festival has returned!

The Bach Music Festival of Canada is excited to announce its stellar line-up of artists, concerts, and master classes, for the 2013 Summer Season! Back after its sold-out inaugural season in 2011, the Festival continues to build on its relationships with Canada’s most renowned and respected artists while cultivating roots in the heart of Huron County, Ontario.

The Sunday July 14th Gala Opening concert features Juno award nominated instrumentalist Susan Hoeppner, (Flute) in concert with the incomparable percussionist Beverley Johnston. In having Ms Hoeppner launch the 2013 season, Artistic Director Gerald Fagan states “We met Ms Hoeppner at the 2012 JUNO awards and were struck not only by her extraordinary artistry but the warmth and intelligence she brings to her performance. Truly a Canadian star on the International stage!”

Other Guest Artists include the JUNO nominated Jazz performer Fern Lindzon; Baroque specialists Capella Intima; the fantastic Project Aria (featuring Guy Few (Trumpet), Leslie Fagan (Soprano), Stephanie Mara(Piano); the much loved Bach Youth Choir (Brenda Zadorsky, Conductor), and the newly formed Bach Festival Chamber Choir & Orchestra under the direction of Artistic Director Gerald Fagan.

The Saturday July 20th Closing Gala presentation of the great Bach work the St John Passion, features soloists, orchestra and a mass choir equaling over 150 performers in total with Artistic Director Gerald Fagan conducting. This final gala concert will take place at the extraordinary Huron Tractor Showroom! Truly, music in the heart of the community!

Bach Music Festival of Canada
July 14 – 20 2013
Exeter Ontario Canada
An Inspiring Season of Music!

Full details about the Bach Music Festival of Canada are found on our website http://www.bachfestival.ca. And you can always join us on Face book.

Photos, Interviews and Quotes available by contacting the Festival at 519 235-2565 ext 223; or by email at bachmusicfestival@bellnet.caBach Music Festival of Canada

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Our initiative to ‘Buy Your Sister a Ticket’ for our upcoming show Heroines of the Sexual Gothic was sparked in a conversation with Kimberley Young Milani (Brescia University College). How could we make our presentation accessible to as many people as possible?

The Sister Ticket idea is simple: when you purchase your ticket online you have the option to purchase a 2nd (or 3rd or 4th…)at a reduced rate. These extra tickets are then distributed through the tremendous community organizations that work directly with women who are facing personal challenges.

The ‘Buy Your Sister a Ticket’ really hit the mark with our advance ticket purchasers! Also, I have heard from a colleague in New York City who is adopting this idea for her upcoming productions – her words ‘ this is brilliant… can I copy you? I am adding this to my shows and recommending it to my contacts!‘.

There is still time for you to participate. Even if you, sadly, cannot make it to our show perhaps you would assist someone else from this community to attend?

To purchase an online ticket please visit http://www.thecircle.ca  or http://www.brescia.uwo.ca/thecircle/events/the_sophia_series.html

Thursday May 2nd 8pm Brescia University College, London Ontario Canada!

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