I was so lucky to be part of the committee putting on the SOPA 30th reunion event. Seeing all these wonderful, talented former students of the school made me realize how much I want to be involved with kids and the arts again. There were stars hanging, music playing , great food, a good roast and of course dancing, singing and fun!
That’s “O” for Oprah!
Kathy’s posted an audition video on Oprah’s website. Oprah is looking for new programming and Kathy is ready to host her own “Spiritually Savvy Kids” show…
Click here and watch her video and then vote for Kathy as the next new host on Oprah’s OWN network.
What you didn’t know about Kathy…
Kathy’s had a passion for children and the arts her whole life. Over the years, she has helped to create programs at Rudolf Steiner School in NYC, Connecticut Conservatory of the Performing Arts and Sherman Chamber Ensemble to name a few, that incorporate interactive arts for children of all ages. Kathy’s books for children are all about love, intuition, forgiveness, gratitude
and letting go. The latest title is “Life is a Rainbow.” She’s also written a parent handbook called “7 Simple Steps to Raising Spiritually Savvy Kids.” Both these titles will be published later this year.
Here’s a taste of what’s coming in “It’s All About Love”
art by Veronica Swain
Come see Kara perform tonight (Monday, June 28) at 8:00 p.m. or tomorrow (Tuesday, June 29) at 7:00 p.m.
June 28, 2010
NEW YORK TIMES
The Seating Is the Stage for a Night
By GIA KOURLAS
Jason Jordan’s dance career had humble beginnings: When he was 7, he was voted the best dancer at a Brooklyn house party. (His prize amounted to $5.) He went on to train and perform with Eliot Feld’s Ballet Tech, where he was a particularly luxuriant dancer — sinewy and naïve, yet coolly confident. Now, as part of this year’s Vision Festival, Mr. Jordan presents his own company in a series of dance installations called “Stations,” in which he attempts to capture the essence of human development.
The “first intersection,” presented on Friday night at Abrons Arts Center, took place in the space’s underground theater. (The final performance is on Tuesday night in the main theater.) For this 20-minute dance, featuring direction by Patricia Nicholson, Mr. Jordan altered traditional seating by placing the audience onstage while the dancers — 13 in all — came to life, twisting and squirming in rows of blue seats.
The seating arrangement had more to do with practicalities than gimmicks. (More dancers showed up than he felt the intimate stage could handle.) Whipping out an arm, kicking a leg or rising to pose statuesquely while staring off into the distance, the dancers were caught somewhere between freedom and captivity.
The festival, now in its 15th year, focuses heavily on music, but also has a tradition of pairing dancers with avant-jazz musicians for improvisatory performances. While Mr. Jordan’s production seemed more choreographed than spontaneous, there was a wonderful live-music element. Connie Crothers played a lush, improvised piano piece that helped to transform the sophomoric seat-changing scene (there were too many moments of almost falling) into more of an adventure.
Throughout this group experience, specific interactions emerged. Chellamar Bernaud tipped Kara Walsh over a chair so that her feet pointed prettily in the air; Gerald Haynes, the odd man out, hurled himself across the rows and down the stairs until he remained seated, solitary in the front row until the bitter end.
And Miriam Parker, though she was comparatively still, reacted to the music with the most authenticity. As for Mr. Jordan, he is a choreographer in search of a voice. He can move bodies proficiently enough; the challenge for him is steering clear of clichés. It’s hard to take something seriously when every move is meant to be profound.
Performances of “Stations” continue on Monday and Tuesday at Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand Street, Lower East Side; (212) 598-0400 or visionfestival.org.
Last week, my daughter Kayle and I went to the BookExpo America book fair at the Javits center in NYC. There were over 1500 exhibitors showing ‘sneak peeks’ of their fall titles. In the morning, we heard Fergie, the princess not the singer, give a great speech in front of hundreds of people. This was the same week her latest scandal broke and I just admired her guts and grace in getting up there, being honest and moving forward. Yep, made a mistake, moving on.
As you can imagine, the show could have been overwhelming with so much going on and so many things to see. But I dd what I do when I go on buying trips — let my instincts guide me and not worry about trying to see everything. That would have been impossible anyway. Of course, everything worked out beautifully. I met great people and learned a lot.
I met the most wonderful people from Onionheads. They publish books for children, parents and educators that help us talk about feelings. They call it ‘peeling feelings – teaching us what to do with what we feel’. Here’s a picture of me with Lane Michel who was so kind – just really heartwarming. I also met the founder Denali Jordan. This is a really great company.
Of course we talked about my books and I am sure we’ll be talking about them more in the future. Another publisher was also interested but let’s just keep that news under our hat – shall we?
Lane Michel and Kathy at the BookExpo America show
Last week was one of those weeks where everything just kept clicking into place. A major click was the ‘power lunch’ I had with Diane Warner. (She was one of the artists-in-residence-for-the-day at Homeward Bound’s Second Saturday event.) Hal Tweedy, creativity coach extraordinaire, set up the lunch for us. Diana and I talked about ways we can work together in the future and I read her two of my children’s books. One has already been published – Tara’s Message. The other – you’ll just have to wait for….You’ll also have to wait for the official announcement of the project we came up with to work on together….
The new power lunch - joy, laughter and mirth.
Reading one of my children's books to Diane.
The beautiful Diane Warner listening to one of my children's books.
Hal bringing us together to create magic!
. . .well I do . . .
. . . it happened last Saturday at homeward bound. Sometimes everything comes together to create perfect harmony. Our 2nd Saturday event was a huge success. All sorts of people kept the place buzzing all day long. Lots of clothes, Diana Warner jewelry, Hal life coaching from the Belgian linen chair, and boy oh boy did we take photos…Laurie Klein really sees the world in a unique way and watching her work is what I imagine it would have been like watching Picasso paint . . . it is an extraordinary experience…
Laurie Klein setting up a shot of the boyz on Bank Street
Elizabeth Parkinson, the sexiest dancer on Broadway and owner of Fine Line Sudio checks out the chakra chairs with Nina Gallant
Hal Tweedy giving Diana Warner and her dog Princess a piece of his mind
Arlene Begelman looking fabulous! Arlene is a creative tour de force - doesn't she look it?
and its not what you think. Remember the Diana Ross song I’m coming out?
Well, I start and end my walk every morning with that song. I’ve loved it ever since I heard her sing it from the first row. A friend who was working back stage spotted me, pulled me on stage and we started dancing to I’m coming out.
I felt like a star - someone special and at the time – at that moment, life seemed to come together in perfect harmony… I was full of joy.
Well, I felt that again when I walked into the Sherman school to read my new children’s book to the first and second graders — total joy as I read to them “Life is a rainbow…”
If you want to feel joyful talk to 6 and 7 year olds about life. That day we talked about how life is a reflection of our thoughts and so they should ask their hearts ‘what should I think today’. We talked about rainbows as one way to picture your life, what color was their rainbow and most important how did their rainbows feel –
happy, fun, fabulous, loving….
Then we painted and I was blown away by how expressive the paintings were – see for yourself.
What color is your rainbow…hmm mine is aqua blue and yellow today and it feels happy…
On our way to High Point, North Carolina for the furniture show, we stopped at Yogaville. I met Swami Satchidinanda many years ago and saw the true power of pure love first hand. It was the beginning of a real meditation practice that has served me well. You can see the lotus temple behind me in the picture.
The lotus flower starts as a small flower down at the bottom of a pond in the mud and muck. It slowly grows up towards the water’s surface continually moving towards the light. Once it comes to the surface, the lotus begins to blossom and turns into a beautiful flower.
The Yogaville Lotus Temple is extraordinary. It reminds me of the silent retreats that I used to go on. People seem to think a silent retreat is still a good idea. Ha Ha!
Within Hinduism and Buddhism the lotus flower has become a symbol for awakening to the spiritual reality of life and this is where I feel that I am awakening to my true self – - watching as my spirit blossoms.
Yes I will show you my tattoo soon . . . in case you haven’t guessed – it’s a lotus flower . . .
Me. Behind me is the Lotus Temple at Yogaville
I first read this very long ago, in what seems like a galaxy far, far, away and copied it into one of my many notebooks. Time passed, children grew, houses changed, dogs came and went, stuff happened…..then last week I was flipping through some old papers and found it again… it is often attributed to Goethe but it seems it is assembled from a few different sources ….Goethe being just one…whatever its provenance it’s magical….
In a beginning…
There is one elementary truth
the ignorance of which kills countless idea and splendid plans
the moment one definitely commits oneself, then
providence moves too
all sorts of things occur to help one that never
otherwise would have occurred
whatever you can do
or dream you can do
begin it
boldness has genius, power and magic in it
Begin it now.
