Hello everyone!

     Did anyone get to see that solar eclipse yesterday??  I'm afraid all I saw was cloud cover, but did enjoy watching live feeds from sunnier parts of the country.

     I've got a few gigs coming up that I wanted to let you know about – see further below, or the side bar for quick details – and realized I'm way behind on my winter newsletter (don't even ask about my New Year's cards…), so it's turned into a spring newsletter instead!

     The winter was spent mostly dealing with burnout from my political / activist side of life – the upside of which is that I've decided I need to focus more on music and creativity, because that's one of the best tools I have to keep me present and grounded and connected.

     Since we had so much fun putting our fall concert together, Sandra Ruttan and I have been getting together regularly to put together a new program of ‘classical’ music for performances yet to be decided.  We've been exploring some works by many composers whose music is not remembered but should be – it's quite fun finding the music in pieces that have never been recorded (that we know of), and making it our own.

     Oh, and speaking of new music that we loved playing, here's a video of our performance of Frank Horvat's “Seriously Sweet” in November – recorded from a balcony in the church, so the sound quality isn't fantastic, but hopefully you can see how much fun we had:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZJJxieD2So 

     Much other collaboration has been taking shape, including a few exciting projects not quite ready for public knowledge, but man oh man, I sure missed collaboration during that pandemic-that-won't-be-named.  It's so wonderful to be able to mix creative energies with others in real time again.

     With all my “free time”, I've started into a third year of the healing trauma in community course (technically a second go at the second year, since I felt my brain was processing too much last year to absorb everything properly), and am so glad I gave myself that repeat.  Learning much and slowly putting it into practise.  Nervous systems are pretty darned fascinating!

     I mentioned a new pup in the fall – Laila has fit right in with the existing menagerie, and adores her big brother.  She also adores the cats, but they aren't quite as enamoured of her herding tendencies as perhaps she wishes they were.  Her anxiety has come a long way, although she is still a bit jumpy with new people (especially males) coming into the house.  Our walks are a lot more enjoyable as well, although often when we get to the end of a long one, her nervous system will go a little haywire – who knew I'd be able to apply my healing trauma course to a rescue pup?

But, back to the music stuff!

     I'm still sticking close to home (sorry, folks further afield, I still don't see myself getting back into major touring any time soon), and have three — well, three-and-a-half – dates coming up in Hawkestone, Orillia and Barrie.  One folkie, two ‘modern classical’ and one church service with a world premiere of a choral work.

An Evening of Music with BaDAS/S (spring edition)

Saturday, April 13, 7:30pm, Hawkstone Community Hall, Oro-Medonte, ON

     (Yes, that's this coming Saturday – sorry, this long-time music publicist is really lousy at publicizing herself.)

     I was a “featured performer” in the fall edition of this concert, so am in more of a supportive role this time 'round, accompanying a few of my BaDAS/S colleagues.

     For more than 20 years, the artists of the Barrie and District Association of Singer/Songwriters have been meeting to perform our songs with one another. Join us as we showcase our best original tunes.

     Featured Performers: Cyndy Ryder, Edward St. Moritz, Moon Racoon, Dave Hawkins-Johnson, Dave Joyce, Willow Rutherford.

     Minimum donation $20 per person, $10 for ages 17 and under Doors open at 7pm, light refreshments will be available

For advance tickets and other inquiries, email BadassConcert@gmail.com

Premiere of new choral work

Sunday, April 21, 10:30am, St. Paul's United Church, Orillia, ON

     This is the “half” concert I was referring to above – not really a concert, but part of the morning church service.  St. Paul's Choir will be premiering a new commission by Mark Sirrett, in honour of retired Music Director, Blair Bailey.  I will be accompanying the choir on cello, along with a guest flautist.

     The new Music Director, Dan McCoy and I will probably do a bit of other music as well.  This will be my first time working with him, but I like him already – an organist who's not afraid to improvise, and he's a fan of Victor Wooten.  I sense some musical adventures ahead!

     I'll be heading up to Orillia for this service, and then playing for Missa Gaia (below), led by Blair.  It's been a long time since I've been back, and I'm open for lunch dates (can already taste the Brewery Bay veggie Caesar wrap and will definitely be smelling of garlic when I return to St. Paul's, sorry / not sorry…)

Upcoming

April 13, 7:30pm
An Evening of Music with BaDAS/S (spring edition)
(Barrie and District Association of Singer/Songwriters)
Featuring 6 BaDAS/S members (some of whom will be accompanied by cello!)
Hawkestone Community Hall, Oro-Medonte, ON

April 21, 10:30am
Premiere of New Choral Work
As part of their morning service, the St. Paul's Choir will premiere a new commission by Mark Sirrett, to honour retired Music Director, Blair Bailey.
St. Paul's United Church, Orillia, ON

April 21, 3pm
Paul Winter's Missa Gaia
Celebrating Earth Day and honouring the cherished memory of Rev. Karen Hilfman Millson.
St. Paul's Centre, Orillia, ON

May 4, 3pm
The Armed Man, A Mass for Peace
The King Edward Choir presents this acclaimed work by Karl Jenkins, with guest youth choir and chamber orchestra.
Collier Street United Church, Barrie, ON

Blog Roll

The Not-Quite-Yet-Still-Belated-Somebody-Else's Birthday Breakdown
(23-12-11)

Dipping My Toe Back in the Waters
(23-10-23)

Engage Barrie Report on Slanderpalooza Investigation Released
(23-06-22)

Macie's Story (23-01-30 to 23-03-17)
There are A LOT of posts to this one – scroll way, way down to Please Think Good Thoughts for my Sweet Macie-Girl to catch your bearings, then work your way to Dear Humans (*kleenex required!!!)

Music For The Changing Voice

Original Cast Album of music from my show!

Net proceeds of album sales go to support The Katie Project

Older albums also available on my Music page – net proceeds from those sales help feed me and my pets.

Paul Winter's Missa Gaia

Sunday, April 21, 3pm, St. Paul's Centre, Orillia, ON

     I am so excited to be playing this beautiful mass with St. Paul's again – including "Stained Glass Morning", the beautiful duet for cello and songbirds!

     Blair first brought me in to play this work in 2012, we did it again in 2018, and this will be our third performance of it at St. Paul's.  As always, it is performed in celebration of Earth Day, but this year it is also honouring the memory of Rev. Karen Hilfman Millson, who was an incredible supporter of the arts and the environment.  When going through the plans, I realized we will be missing a number of other people who participated in the first two performers, so this will be a bittersweet revival.

     Join us for a performance of jazz musician Paul Winter’s Missa Gaia (Earth Mass) by the St. Paul’s choir and friends. This special event is dedicated to celebrating Earth Day and honoring the cherished memory of Rev. Karen Hilfman Millson.

     Prepare to be captivated by a multi-media presentation that harmoniously blends choral music with an instrumental ensemble, creating an experience that echoes the spirit of our planet.

     A free-will offering will be collected to defray costs and any extra funds will be donated to a local organization working on environmental causes.

The Armed Man, A Mass for Peace

Saturday, Mary 4, 3pm, Collier Street United Church, Barrie, ON

     This is another of those “full circle” gigs.  ‘The Armed Man’ was the first concert I performed with the King Edward Choir – back when I still lived on the other side of Lake Simcoe! It's a thrill to return to play this work again, now as important as ever, with my dear friend from B.Mus days, Leanne Edwards, conducting!  (Notice I did NOT say 'old friend" – we are not old, nope, not at all, no way…)

     This work also has an absolutely stunning (at least, I hope it will be) cello solo in the Benedictus – I shall attempt to play it without weeping.  This is such a powerful piece, and so timely… again… still…