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These past
few months have been a time of memorable changes and opportunities for
me...
March 2008 Update:
Namaste All!
By popular request, I just added the song "Blessed Be" to my MySpace
player! :) However, I decided that just for fun I would not use
the version from my 2005 album, but rather post a "rarity"-- the demo I
recorded in 2001 with my brother Gary and his friend Andy Wallace
producing. :) It is a little tentative, a good representation of
how I was developing as a musician at the time, and I have to say I had
forgotten about something I really loved about this recording-- a
serendipitous Am7 at the end of my guitar solo that never appeared on
any other recording of this song! The guitar solo itself is a
rarity, too, as I am usually just holding down the chords when I play,
and I am not a soloist. It ain't Segovia or Satriani, but I
really like it, now that I am hearing it again! *grin* I hope you will
like this version of the song!
The past weekends have been full of the arts-- The TFFM show in
Newport News on 2/22 and the Sunday 2/24 performance for the
Williamsburg UU were great, with audiences that really listened from
the heart, and that is always a joy to me. Also a joy was working
with fabulous Felicia Brathwaite, who, when it comes to support both
moral and musical, is simply awesome!
Then, I spent this weekend exploring my technical side, once again
being lighting board operator (a.k.a. "the luminatrix", bringing light
wherever I go *lol*) for Coyote Run on 2/29 and 3/1-- and who wouldn't
want to spotlight those gorgeous critters? And on 3/2 I performed
at the WUU again, this time with not only Felicia but also the lovely
Joelle Griffin-Russell on piano and backing vocals! Nothing else
to say but "YAY!"
Thanks to everyone who came out to the shows/services-- you were, as always, a delight!
Safe Journeys and Sweet Music,
Heather!
January 2008 Update:
Namaste, All! It has been over a month since I
posted anything, and lots of interesting things have transpired!
The New Year is already flying by!
So far this year I have been doing a little improv acting-- Murder
Mysteries for Sorcery and Song at the Colonial Farmhouse Tavern in
Surry, VA, and points beyond. On any given night, I might be avid
magic fan Leilani Kalikimaka, jazz chanteuse Dominique Sakura, hippy
dippy Sage Sweetgrass or any one of several other kooky
characters. It is a fun way to spend an evening, and the
audiences have been creative with their answers, with a great sense of
humor! The Mysteries will continue in the coming months-- I
encourage everyone to come on out for Good Food and good
sleuthing!
Also, I have been busy preparing for the upcoming show for Tidewater
Friends of Folk Music Coffeehouse series! My good buddy Mick
Mikula, formerly of Coyote Run, had been working on some six and twelve
string guitar accompaniment in his inimitable guitar papa style when,
whilst slicing potatoes for a stew, injury occured! He cut the
very tip off his left index finger! It wasn't too dreadful, and
according to the doctor, he'll been fine in a few weeks,
fortunately! However, he is fretting because he cannot fret, if
you know what I mean! Please send good thoughts Mick's way for a
speedy recovery!
Just before Mick's kitchen carnage incident, I had finally drummed up
(pun intended) the courage to ask a musician whom I truly admire (but
whom up until more recently I didn't know especially well) to join me
for this show-- Felicia Brathwaite. She is an extraordinary
bassist and percussionist who shares my love for World Religion and
Philosophy. Also a member of Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists
fellowship, Felicia is enthusiastic about bridging social and cultural
chasms through informed dialogue, social action, and of course, MUSIC!
An excerpt from Felicia's official Bio:
Bassist Felicia Brathwaite has been a student of music most of her
life. [Felicia] attended the High School of Music and Art and the
Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College... Felicia excels in
rhythmic and conceptual re-arrangement, transforming folk to hip-hop in
a blink. She is hysterically funny. Her strongest influences of jazz
and funk permeate the music through the sub-floor. Felicia is truly the
original Zen Diva.
I am estatic to say that she is on board for the show and we're already
into rehearsing! It is going to be awesome! I just hope I
can keep up! :)
Here is Felicia (far right, on bass!) with her band, Zendiva (Paulette
Amory, Barbara Shaw) from a 2007 performance! Check out those
skills!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z1FMg_PNIUU
Safe Journeys and Sweet Music!
Heather
October 2007 Update:
-Misprint in Virginia Gazette--
Just found out that theVirginia Gazette calendar listed me as
performing at Sacred Grounds on 10/27, not 10/20 as scheduled. I hope no one missed
the performance last week or showed up on the 28th over that!
Hopefully it won't happen again!
-Changes to schedule--
the SG show on 11/16 has been canceled due to scheduling conflicts! The
December 8 show is still on, now from 6-8pm instead of 7-9pm. We're
going to adjust the performance time to match the demands of the
season! :)
August/September 2007: Hello to all!
It has been a wonderful Summer and a fine Autumn (so far) playing for many friends, both old and new!
First, thanks again to all those who came out to
Sacred Grounds in August! Though the band The Vinyl Strangers
could not be there, we still had a great time! On September 15,
it was great to see so many smiling faces once again!
Many thanks to Scott Hyland (Membership and Promotions Manager for the
Peninsula Fine Arts Center) and the staff for their hospitality
September 1! I performed for the opening of Pfac's newest art
exhibition, "The Reality Show 2"! It was a lovely evening, and
Scott (also a member of Clan MacCool) even joined me on the drum for a
song or two!
I would encourage everyone to visit Pfac (right down the road in
Newport News, Virginia, near the Mariner's Museum); they are always
looking for new members! Membership also has benefits you might
not expect! The Pfac offers art classes virtually every day of
the week and members get a reduced rate. Some of you may have
seen my art and illustrations before—Pfac is where I took my art
classes! There is an Arts Café every Thursday with
live music (and often poetry), as well as other great events
annually! Visit www.pfac-va.org
Thanks to everyone who came out to the WUU for the Autumn Equinox on
September 23rd-- Gratitude to Kimberly Renner for facilitating, and to
all who participated! It was a beautiful night, and it is always
fun making music with Joelle Griffin-Russell!
July 2007: Sacred Grounds was fun as always! I am looking forward to playing there in the coming months!
Another exciting thing is that the Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists are having another delightful childrens' Summer
RE program. The past two years it was Harry Potter themed, which
was delightful, and I enjoyed being music Professor Lyricca both
years! This year we are trying something wonderful and
new, taking them on a trip around the world with our "Passport to
Adventure" program,
courtesy of our intrepid leaders Charlotte Bush and Tracy
Shackleford. We are visiting sites from around the world where
WUU members and friends have lived or visited, like South
Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Costa Rica, Thailand, Poland, and
Palestine. I
will present a program on JAPAN on Sunday, August 19, with my sister
Scarlet (who traveled with me) as a special guest! I am also
honored that one of my newer songs, "Rhythm of Earth", has been chosen
as the anthem for the Summer program!
June 2007: As
many of you know, promoting Religious Diversity and Harmony are very
dear to me, and I know it is important to many of you as well! I
have recently become involved in the project to create National
Spiritual Diversity Month as a participating artist (contributing, of
all things, drawings and photography!) along with many other
musicians/artists/filmakers/visionaries like Celia Farran, S.J. Tucker,
Todd Berntson and Brooke Medicine Eagle.
May 2007: Thanks Again
to everyone who came out to Sacred Grounds in April! The stars
were apparently properly aligned again, so percussioness Catherine
Hauke (Coyote Run's original combustible drum goddess) was back with me
on the 28th! That in itself was awesome, plus we got to enjoy
Joelle Griffin-Russell's dulcet tones on backing vocals once
more! Everyone was wonderful! I really appreciate
everyone's great responses and helpful nature-- I was a little under
the weather, and you all made me feel so much better!
And as if Saturday wasn't great enough on its own, I was lucky enough
to perform on Sunday the 29th at the Williamsburg Unitarian
Universalists for our annual Maypole dance and service, with Cathy H.
and David Doersch on drums and Joelle and Liz Wiley on backing vocals
(the ladies sounded especially fantastic!) What a beautiful day,
and a beautiful time!
Catherine plans to be back with me for the SG May 19
gig, so come on out! (Woohoo!) And don't forget the SG June 23rd gig,
as well!
April 2007: I
went on a great trip to St. Louis over Easter weekend! I was there
performing at the Spirit Awakening Festival, actually just across the
mighty Mississippi in Alton, Illinois! It was a great show, and I am so
thankful to everyone who was part of it! I am afraid to start naming
names for fear of forgetting someone, but the entire staff/crew was
awesome-- Dragon (the founder of the feast,as it were!), Gabby, Dawn
Marie, Laurie, etc. etc. etc. on the organizational end of things, and
all the love, lunch, sleeping space, support and beautiful hugs and
vibes from Robin and Kevin Bell, Amy Holmes, and so many more!!! I love
you guys!
Thank you to Joe Credit (the self proclaimed original "Lebanese
hillbilly") and Andy for their technical assistance, and Joe, Patrick
and Mike for their percussion back up! And much love to Karen
Clodfelter for the loan of her wonderful drum! The audience was awesome
too! I had a great time-- I only wish I could have stayed longer!
I don't know when I will be back again, but if any of you are out on the East coast, please try to drop by a show!
Also, thanks again to everyone who came out to Sacred Grounds in April!
The stars were apparently properly aligned again, so percussioness
Catherine Hauke was back with me on the 28th! That in itself was
awesome, plus we got to enjoy Joelle Griffin-Russell's dulcet tones on
backing vocals once more! Everyone was wonderful! I really appreciate
everyone's great responses and helpful nature-- I was a little under
the weather, and you all made me feel so much better!
March 2007: What
a great crowd we had at Sacred Grounds on March 24! You were
awesome! So nice to see so many unexpected faces, both old and
new! I am looking forward to seeing you again!
For everyone who will be in the St. Louis area over 4/6 weekend, don't
forget about Spirit Awakening! Site link is listed in the next
column!
February 2007:
Thanks to everyone who came out to Sacred Grounds on Friday the
23rd! We had a great show-- who is we? Why, percussioness
Catherine Hauke (Coyote Run's original combustible drum goddess) and I,
with additional vocal love provided by Joelle Griffin-Russell (the
lovely and benevolent queen of the keys, and the "Song" in Sorcery
& Song!)
According to my friend Beth, we "tore it up!" *grin* I am looking
forward to performing more with these dear and dynamic ladies whenever
the planets and our hectic schedules properly align! (Busy ladies--
what a bunch of over-achievers we are *hee!*)
Catherine plans to be back with me for the SG April 28 gig (back to a
Saturday!), so come on out! And don't forget the SG March 24th
gig, as well!
Thanks again to my friends, both onstage and off as well! It was great
to have everyone so excited, happy, and willing help out with the
ladies' little ones who were at the show as well!
January 2007:
WOW!!! Thanks so much for the great crowd who came out to see me at Sacred
Grounds
on January 27! I always love playing for
you! It was great to see so many familiar faces and so many new
ones, as well! You were amazing! Huge thanks and a
batch of peanut butter brownies to Coyote Run's own combustible drum
goddess Catherine Hauke for classing up the joint with her fabulous
performance on djembe-- my drum couldn't be happier! It does
things for her that I just can't make it do! *grin* Her
assistance let me perform one of my newest tunes, "Rhythm of the
Earth", for the Sacred Grounds crowd for the first time! I hope to have the chance to work with her again in the near future!
December 2006:
And thank you to those who stopped by and stayed
around at Sacred
Grounds on December 2nd! I always love playing for
you!
November 2006:
The WUU Auction
on November 4 was a great success all the way around, I do believe!
Thanks to Ruth for asking us to perform! Joelle and I truly appreciated
the kind words about our individual and combined performances!
Then came Sacred
Grounds,
always a favorite spot, on November 11-- thank you to all those who
came out to see me! It was my first local gig since July, and
it
was good to be home!
The WUU YRUU's and
youth did a fantastic job
with their elemental drum presentation on St. Cecilia's Sunday, and I
was so happy to be a part of it. This was followed
by a
stirring performance of Bach's Magnificat,
led by Dr. Jamie Bartlett and sung by the WUU choir, with guest
soloists and orchestra from the College of William and Mary.
As many of
you already know, Coyote
Run
was back at the Kimball Theatre on Thanksgiving weekend for their
annual Christmas concert "Christmas with the Coyotes!" The Coyotes
were kind enough to ask me to join them-- this time singing a little
backup! This event is fast becoming a Williamsburg tradition-- the Coyotes
put on a dynamic holiday show that is not to be missed! So, this email
isn't just shameless self-promotion-- it is shameless group promotion!
October 2006:
It is
hard to believe how much time has passed since I played in Ohio at Autumn's Fire at
the Wisteria Event Campground near Pomeroy! Could it really
have been October 20-21? I want to
extend a huge thank you to all the organizers and facilitators of the
event who provided me with food, fire and friendship! It was a pleasure
to play for the all the wonderful people who attended, old friends and
new, and many thanks to Bob and Todd for sharing their music onstage
with me! Thank you! I would encourage anyone who is able to try to
attend next year-- Wisteria in the Autumn is a brilliant sight to see!
The fresh cider alone is worth the trip! (Having only an hour or so
from the time you pick the apples to the time they are pressed into
cider is the ONLY way to go! Wow!)
On October 29, I had the honor to play at the WUU
for the dedication of a plaque to honor a newfound friend's
dear
late husband. I thank her for letting me share in that day.
August 2006:
I
had the joy of making what I hope will be the first of many trips to
Japan. I met my family there, most of them for the first
time,
and learned just how different our cultures truly are! It was
a
remarkably wonderful experience, one that I was grateful to
share
with my sister, Scarlet. There is music still growing from
that
experience, some that I hope will be ready to share in the
not
too distant future.
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2009 Calendar:
FRIDAY May 22, 2009 7pm
Voices of the Goddess Concert
Western
Massachusetts, USA
Cost:Part of Festival Admission
Please
join Elizabeth Wiley, Sarah Stockwell Arthen, Kellianna and Heather
Jinmaku for the Voices of the Goddess concert at Rites of Spring
2009-- Sure to be an evening of celebration and enchantment! Start and
ending times are, for the moment, approximate.
http://www.earthspirit.com/ros/
THURSDAY May 28, 2009 7-10pm
Squires Everyday Gourmet
6610-K Mooretown Road in
Williamsburg Marketcenter
Williamsburg, Virginia
Cost: Free, but tips are always appreciated!
Squires is a great new place for food, wine, and entertainment, located
right here in Williamsburg! What more could you ask for? Please come on
out-- I hope to see you there!
www.squiresgourmet.com
SATURDAY July 25, 2009 9-11am
Williamsburg Farmer’s Market, Merchant’s Square, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA
Cost: Open to Public
Performing in front of the Christmas Shop on Duke of Gloucester Street
in Merchant’s Square between 9am-11am. Come on out and enjoy the
market! http://www.williamsburgfarmersmarket.com/
THURSDAY Nov 12, 2009 7-9pm
Squires Everyday Gourmet
6610-K Mooretown Road in
Williamsburg Marketcenter
Williamsburg, Virginia
Cost: Free, but tips are always appreciated!
Squires is a great new place for food, wine, and entertainment, located
right here in Williamsburg! What more could you ask for? Please come on
out-- I hope to see you there!
www.squiresgourmet.com
11/27-19/08 Kimball Theatre, Merchant's Square, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia as a guest of Coyote Run- Price TBA
Coyote Run
is back
at the Kimball Theatre for their annual Christmas concert "Christmas
with the Coyotes!" at 7:30pm November 28, 29 and 30! This event is fast
becoming a Williamsburg tradition-- the Coyotes put on a dynamic
holiday show that is not to be missed! Once again, the Coyotes have
been kind enough to ask me to join them as in years past! So, this
isn't just shameless self-promotion-- it is shameless group
promotion! Please call 1-800-HISTORY for your tickets! www.coyoterun.com
2008 Calendar:
02/22/08 (Friday) Tidewater Friends of Folk Music Coffeehouse Concert Series, 7:30pm First United Methodist Church of Newport News (Corner of Warwick Blvd and Main
Street in Hilton Village).
My first performance at the Tidewater Friends of Folk Music Coffeehouse
Concert Series! "For over 30 years, the Tidewater Friends of Folk Music
has been dedicated to bringing quality folk music to the Hampton Roads
area. Formed to advance, preserve, and promote "traditional",
"contemporary" folk and "world music" in the community. Through the
sponsorship of concerts, festivals, music workshops and activities,
TFFM provides a focus for anyone who enjoys folk music and its culture."
02/24/08 (Sunday) Music for Services: Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists, 9am Service!
03/02/08 (Sunday) Music for Services: Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists, 9am Service!
04/27/08 (Sunday) Music for Services: Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists!
05/04/08 (Sunday) Music
for Services: Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists! Join us for
the annual Maypole dance and Beltane celebration at 11:15am!
06/??/08 (TBA) PSG, Wisteria Event Campground, Pomeroy, OH
11/28-30/08 Kimball Theatre, Merchant's Square, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia as a guest of Coyote Run- Price TBA
Coyote Run
is back
at the Kimball Theatre for their annual Christmas concert "Christmas
with the Coyotes!" at 7:30pm November 28, 29 and 30! This event is fast
becoming a Williamsburg tradition-- the Coyotes put on a dynamic
holiday show that is not to be missed! Once again, the Coyotes have
been kind enough to ask me to join them as in years past! So, this
isn't just shameless self-promotion-- it is shameless group
promotion! Please call 1-800-HISTORY starting around mid
September 2008 for your tickets! www.coyoterun.com
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come, very soon! |
Namaste!
Heather
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