Downriver Summer Concert Series

One of my favorite activities during the summer is enjoying music outdoors. It is such a refreshing change from inside concerts that are outrageously expensive or being in a bar. The crowd is much more diverse and the music is almost always worthwhile.

With all of the belt tightening in every city, I'm encouraged to see that these concert series are surviving.

For families it is very comfortable. Children are free to play and run, there is usually access to restrooms and the concerts are free! This is a great opportunity to have a picnic dinner with the family and enjoy our local parks.

Usually twice a year the News Herald publishes a listing of events. One early summer, the other late summer and fall. Here is a link to the Summer Buzz:

http://www.thenewsherald.com/articles/2013/05/29/entertainment/doc519e8fcf0a897632530340.txt

Many other cities outside of downriver also have concert series, so there should be something every night this summer to enjoy.

Please comment and share your favorite downriver summer events with other readers.

Peace,
Annette DeMaggio
www.songsofjoymi.com
734-693-6656

"The Artist's Way", Week 12 FINAL REFLECTION

In two previous posts, I shared my journey through the exercises in "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron.

The first post reflects on Chapters 1 - 4. The second post reflects on Chapters 5 - 8.

This post will reflect on Chapters 9 - 12 and the overall experience.

Some text from the book that really impacted me:

The part of us that creates best is not a driven, disciplined automaton, functioning from willpower, with a boost of pride to back it up. This is operating out of self-will. You know the image: rising at dawn with military precision, saluting the desk, the easel, the drawing board...

Over any extended period of time, being an artist requires enthusiasm more than discipline. Enthusiasm is not an emotional state. It is a spiritual commitment, a loving surrender to our creative process, a loving recognition of all the creativity around us.

Enthusiasm (from the Greek, "filled with God") is an ongoing energy supply tapped into the flow of life itself. Enthusiasm is grounded in play, not work.  Far from being a brain-numbed soldier, our artist is actually our child within, our inner playmate. As with all playmates, it is joy, not duty that makes for a lasting bond.

Throughout the book, Ms.Cameron asks many questions to help the reader unblock their creative power. These questions were very thought provoking:

What habit do you have that gets in the way of your creativity?
What do you think might be a problem?
What do you plan to do about the habit or problem?
What is your payoff in holding on to this block?

Which friends make you doubt yourself?
Which friends believe in you and your talent?
What is the payoff in keeping your destructive friends? If they answer is, "I like them", the next question is, "Why"?

Asking, "What is the payoff for being destructive to yourself" is different for me and forced me to look at some truth.

In another assignment, you take a piece of paper and cut seven small strips from it. One each strip write one of the following words: alcohol, drugs, sex, work, money, food, family/friends. Fold these strips of paper and place them in an envelope. Now draw one of the "deadlies" from the envelop and write five ways in which it has had a negative impact on your life.

All of this has been very eye opening, and in the future, I will be repeating the process again to unblock more resistance in being an artist.

If you have read this book, and worked the exercises, please comment. If you have read similar books that have helped you, please comment too.

Peace,
Annette DeMaggio
www.songsofjoymi.com
734-693-6656

Then The Curtain Opened: The Bracing Impact Of Stravinsky's 'Rite'

NPR offers another great audio file that discusses the unexpected reception during the first performance of Igor Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring". According to the introduction:

One hundred years ago this week, a ballet premiered that changed the art world. Igor Stravinsky's Le Sacre du Printemps — The Rite of Spring — was first seen by the public on May 29, 1913, in Paris. As the orchestra played The Rite's swirling introduction, the audience at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées began to murmur. Then the curtain opened.

Dancers dressed in folkloric costumes began to move unpredictably to the pounding chords. In the theater, the rumbles grew to pandemonium — hoots and jeers, arguments and even fistfights between traditionalists and modernists in the audience. It became difficult to hear the music.

Here is the link:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2013/05/25/186497792/then-the-curtain-opened-the-bracing-impact-of-stravinskys-rite

This is truly an enjoyable story about this event and the way that the human brain hears music and sound. Very entertaining and informative.

Please share your thoughts and experiences on Igor Stravinsky, "The Rite of Spring" or experiencing an audience react to a piece of art that was unexpected.

Peace,

Annette DeMaggio

www.songsofjoymi.com

Remembering Ray Manzarek, Keyboardist For The Doors

Rock-n-Roll lost another great musician with the death of Ray Manzarek. NPR replayed a 1998 interview with Terry Gross. According to the introduction:

The mythology surrounding The Doors has centered largely on its lead singer, Jim Morrison, who died under mysterious circumstances in 1971. Morrison is still considered one of rock music's tortured poets and sex gods, but instrumentally, The Doors' distinctive sound was based on Ray Manzarek's keyboard playing. His are the riffs made famous in such songs such as "Riders on the Storm," "Break on Through" and "People Are Strange."

Listen to the audio. Besides talking to Ray, he plays examples of songs where he used rockabilly and classical music and transferred the sound to rock-n-roll.

The link is below:

http://www.npr.org/2013/05/24/185827139/remembering-ray-manzarek-keyboardist-for-the-doors

Enjoy this audio interview and be inspired by this great keyboardist.

Please comment on your enjoyment of the Doors or Ray Manzarek.

Peace,
Annette DeMaggio
www.songsofjoymi.com

The Artist's Way --- Week 9

I've just finished week 9 of the "Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. This is a follow-up to the original post and 4th week reflections.

As previously noted, there are many assignments each week. Some of the reoccurring assignments are daily journaling, artist's dates and artist's walks.

I've been faithful with my journaling, completing three pages first thing in the morning. I have found the journaling  helped clear my head and communicate any anxiety, fears, concerns, joys and disappointments. It has helped me to see some of my temper tantrums and that there was always light at the end of the tunnel.

The artist's dates have been easy to accomplish because I regularly visit galleries, attend performances and much of my free time is dedicated to exploring or creating art.

Because we have had such a dark and cold spring, the artist's walks have been few and far between.

I am embracing the encouragement from the author that art is not something frivalous, or that it is any less important then the other activities in our adult life. It is something I must do. Practicing my art is good for me. Good for those I love. Good for those that enjoy it. The way we thank God for our talents.

Here are some paragraphs from Chapter 9 that really resonated with me:

"That part of us that creates best is not a drive, disciplined automaton, functioning from willpower, with a boost of price to back it up. This is operating out of self-will. You know the image: rising at dawn with military precision, saluting the desk, the easel, the drawing board...

Over an extended period of time, being an artist requires enthusiasm more than discipline. Enthusiasm is not an emotional state. It is a spiritual commitment, a loving surrender to our creative process, a loving recognition of all the creativity around us.

Enthusiasm (from the Greek, "filled with God") is an ongoing energy supply tapped into the flow of life itself. Enthusiasm is grounded in play, not work. Far from being a brain-numbed soldier, our artist is actually our child within, our inner playmate. As with all playmates, it is joy, not duty, that makes for a lasting bond."

My favorite assignments:

• List 10 things I want to do
• My list was so doable and doesn't include anything too exotic or elaborate. Money or time are not roadblocks to these wants.
• List people I admire
• Most of the people I admire are "Renaissance Men" who have done many things well and were leaders in many different areas. They also had a good time while they were achieving greatness and were definitely unconventional.
• Send five post cards to people I'd like to see again
• No problem naming five people to reconnect with.

Although I am losing a bit of interest in the journaling, I will complete the process with the best of intentions. In fact, I returned the library's copy and bought the book for myself. I can see this as a resource to revisit annually to unblock my artist and bring in new inspiration.

Have you worked this program, or a similar process, and what did you gain?

Peace,

Annette DeMaggio

www.songsofjoymi.com

734-693-6656

Yoga4Peace --- Yoga for Musicians

Erin Moss  & Yoga4Peace have planned two yoga practices especially for musicians. "Yoga for Musicians" is scheduled for Sunday April 20th and 27th.

According to their website, "After playing the flute for over 8 years, participating in musical theater, and having discussions with a plethora of musically inclined friends, I began to notice that many musicians complained about the same ailments again and again. I have developed a class that can, with continued practice, help to alleviate and possibly even prevent these issues due to poor posture, sitting or standing too long, holding up a heavy instrument, or the repetitive motion that making music often requires."

Yoga4Peace is a wonderful practice space and the instructors are well trained and inclusive of students regardless of yoga experience.

Visit their website for more information about Yoga4Peace and the "Yoga for Musicians" practices.

http://y4peace.org/

If you attend the yoga practice,  or are a yogi and/or musician with a comment, please share your experience with the community here.

Peace,
Annette DeMaggio
www.songsofjoymi.com

Creative Activities Sited in Search Institute Developmental Assets

The Search Institute, a non-profit based in Minnesota, that for fifty years, has been an innovator in discovering what kids need to succeed in their families, schools, and communities. The organization has identified 40 Developmental Assets that help young people grow up healthy, caring and responsible. These range from positive family communication and support to creative activities, personal empowerment and a sense of purpose.

The 40 Developmental Assets are broken down into two categories, External Assets and Internal Assets.
One of the 20 External Assets is Creative Activities.

By age group, here are the building blocks for Creative Activities:

Children Grades K-3 (age 5 - 9)
Child participates weekly in music, dance or other form of artistic expression outside of school.

Middle Childhood (age 8 - 12)
Child participates in music, art, drama or creative writing two or more times per week.

Adolescents (ages 12 - 18)
Young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice in music, theater, or other arts.

Even for adults, it remains important to maintain solid blocks upon which to build and grow. A genuine curiosity and love of lifelong learning will improve any one's quality of life. In fact, I would encourage adults to adopt these Developmental Assets for themselves.

To learn more about the Search Institute and available resources, check out their website:

http://www.search-institute.org/content/what-kids-need

Please comment on the importance of Creative Activities. Your personal experience may encourage others to enjoy this life enhancing asset.

Peace,
Annette DeMaggio
www.songsofjoymi.com