” God has wrought many things our of oppression. He has endowed his creatures with the capacity to create, and from this capacity has flowed the sweet songs of sorrow and joy that have allowed man to cope with his environment and many different situations.”- Martin Luther King Jr. -1964 Berlin Jazz Festival. Something […]
South African Soul- Soweto Gospel Choir Read More »
So when my back and my leg are better, I venture out to Kip’s and Eva’s classes to see if my initial impressions stick. And they do—mostly. I try the Beginner level at Koresh again, and find most of the floor work too challenging. It’s nice to watch the experienced dancers, but I want
Returning to Ballet (Part 3) Read More »
I start on a Thursday evening with Ballet I at Kip Martin’s Dance Symmetry Wellness. Kip greets me warmly. I tell him that it is my first class in thirty years. “Welcome back,” he responds. Immediately I feel comfortable. Turns out that this old brain has remembered quite a bit of ballet— it was only
Coming Home to Ballet- Part 2 Read More »
A vast universe of dance styles and classes—day and night—welcomed me when I lived in Manhattan from 1999-2008. Flamenco in the morning. Check. Argentine tango in the afternoon. Check. Bellydancing one day. Lyrical Jazz the next. So many classes and endless possibilities. I was in dance heaven. When I came to Philly, everything changed. Way
Returning Home to Ballet- Part 1 Read More »
On a recent trip to DC, I stopped at the National Museum of the American Indian. This place is such a treasure—I always visit it, usually at the end of the trip as it’s closest to Union Station. Immediately, I feel the energy of peace in the space and relax. It’s a perfect last stop.
The Weaving Life- DY Begay: Nature and Creativity Read More »
When I threw myself into an tap class at Steps on Broadway in NYC, I was nervous. I hadn’t danced in a while and the classes are challenging. That afternoon I was meeting with an old friend, and figured this was a good time take the plunge. It had been at least five years since
I’m having a hard time with this loss. Jill Sobule, a singer songwriter who I’ve followed for over 20 years died last week in a house fire at age 66. It’s devastating. When a person dies, their spirit remains and hers was one of the sweetest and most generous ones. She knew how to make
Jill Sobule- Songbird, Gone Too Soon Read More »
Hello, Friends, By the time you are reading this it will soon be May 1st, my book release date! This book has taken six years to finish and I’m feeling good about it. I had to write it and I feel lighter because of it. Now is the time to get the book, read it,
Book Update and New Watercolors!! Read More »
When I moved out of Manhattan in 2008, the Whitney Museum was still uptown and walkable from my Yorkville apartment. I finally got to the “new” version ( opened in 2015) down in the Meatpacking District, with its sleek shiny glass structure and stunning views of the Hudson and a wonderful exhibit, American Sublime, open until
Amy Sherald at the Whitney- Persistence for the Creative Life Read More »
I was lucky to experience Alicia Keyes’ Hell’s Kitchen this week on Broadway while visiting my friend Jane in Brooklyn. Semi-autobiographical, it tells the story of a young girl, Ally, who as a teenager has to deal with a lot of heartache and struggle. “Do something with that anger,” her piano teacher tells her. “Sit.
Art for Healing- Hell’s Kitchen Read More »
