KimmyVille

James Brown: He Can Handle the Heat of Fahrenheit 451!

2012-01-25T16:29:00.000-05:00

When I found out Ryan Case was looking for actors for Balagula Theatre's upcoming production of Fahrenheit 451, I secretly hoped all my friends who are actors would come out and audition. Why? Because Ryan tickles my fancy, Natasha is my hero, and Balagula consistently chooses plays that are thought-provoking. When I go to the theatre, I don't want to think about what's wrong with the play, the set, the acting -- I just want to forget about the cable bill for an hour or so. If I come away with a nagging thought that develops into an interesting conversation (even if it's with myself), then all the better. So imagine my delight when I realized that a handful of them did indeed go try out, and a handful of them indeed have roles in the play that opens this weekend.

One of those acting buddies that will be on stage at Natasha's is James Brown. James is a poet, a writer, a disc jockey, a humorous pal with a gentle take on harsh issues. He doesn't always take a gentle position, but he articulates it in a way that doesn't make me try to raise my fur with goosebumps of ire. Another reason he's a good friend of mine is that he always, always encourages me to play the ukulele, no matter how late the hour or how awful I sound. I do not know how he does it, but I have no fear when I play for James -- he is one friend I can honestly say is a non-snarker, a "true blue" soul. He'll be slightly embarrassed that I'm being so complimentary of him, but that just makes him that much more likable.

A favorite at the much beloved Holler Poets Series, you may also recognize James' voice if you ever tune into the Library Channel to hear Central Kentucky Radio Eye read the Lexington Herald-Leader. He works behind the scenes at the station, and also steps in from time to time to read when needed.

I thought it would be a good idea to find out what role he's playing in Fahrenheit 451, and also to gain some insight to what makes this Ray Bradbury work a hot item for the Balagula stage.

During rehearsal for BCTC's production of
A FEW GOOD MEN (with Carlos Pelayos)

James tells me, "I play a few roles, Kim. I play one of the firemen and a paramedic. But my main role is Aristotle, who is the leader of the book people. Aristotle is an interesting character because he has been away from the world for so long and yet he is the one who welcomes the hero, Montag, into this new community of rebels. I have to quickly school Montag on what he has left behind and what now lies ahead."

Not surprisingly, he is enjoying the process of bringing the play from page to stage with the folks at Balagula. "I really, really, really LOVE working with Ryan and Natasha. I've been a big fan of Balagula's work over the years and to be on stage at Natasha's is a real thrill for me, an honor. Ryan is quite a character so he's always a pleasure to be around and to work with; and he knows what he's looking for, he knows what he wants out of the play, so you know when you're moving in the right direction and when you're not, which is precisely what an actor needs from a director."

James playing my Lanakei soprano ukulele, and wearing
the Fascinator that my friend made for me. (It is a rite
of passage for all those who play uke with me to try it on :)

"The special effects and the visual/aural look and feel of the play are really marvelous. I think you'll like it, I think audiences will take to this play because there is so much to look at while you're there and much to ponder after you leave. I'm really proud of this show, really pleased with how it has come together and I'm ready to get it on!

I'm positive that James' involvement in this production will simply add more believability to the Balagula stage. I hope you'll make time to get thee to Esplanade and make your reservation (or see below for details :)

peace,
Kimmy

=======================

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, a stage adaptation of his 1953 novel, touches on the themes of human alienation in the world dominated by electronic media; dangers of state censorship; and the effect of passive consumption on human intellect.

Fahrenheit 451, an ode to literature and a manifesto of several generations of American intellectuals, is a complex dramatic piece open to wide directorial interpretation. It is full of socially relevant and theatrically inspiring challenges, that Balagula's artistic team is known to tackle.

January 29 at 8:00pm until February 8 at 8:00pm

Play Synopsis: The central character, Guy Montag, is employed as a "fireman" (which, in this future, means "bookburner"). He lives in a lonely, isolated society where books have been outlawed by a government fearing an independent-thinking public. People in this society, including Montag's wife, get their information from wall-size television screens. After Montag falls in love with book-hoarding Clarisse, he begins to read confiscated books. It is through this relationship that he begins to question the government's motives behind book-burning. Montag is soon found out, and he must decide whether to return to his job or run away knowing full well the consequences that he could face if captured.

"We need not to be let alone. We need to be really bothered once in a while. How long is it since you were really bothered? About something important, about something real?"
Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

Honk If You Love MMMB!

2012-01-25T11:04:00.002-05:00

Heather Auman doesn't
like the limelight -- but wow,
the limelight loves her!
What's NOT to love?

MMMB - March Madness Marching Band - is Lexington's own group of concert-givers, an eclectic collection of some of the area's most creative music-raisers and parade participators. In fact, if I go to a parade in downtown, the main reason I'm heading out in the July 4th heat or winter cold is to see MMMB. They are unpredictable. They are dedicated. They're enthusiastic...and there's not one member that doesn't do a lot more for our community than bring a musical smile to your face.

One of the members is a lady I met while writing a story a few years ago about hashers (folks who run and shout and drink beer...not necessarily in that order). Hashers are found worldwide, and Heather is one of their best ambassadors. She'll travel to another part of the Globe to take part in a hash; and what is even more adorable is that she takes her place as the one and only bass drummer in MMMB and sets the pulse for the band, officially led by Lori Houlihan, another quite adorable person herself. [Note: there is another bass drummer, the host of WRFL's Trivial Thursdays, marketing advertising techno-master Mick Jeffries. I just like that line from Seventy-Six Trombones from The Music Man ;]

Gosh, I just remembered, I wrote about Lori, too, once, when she and husband Hap were featured as Ace Weekly's Model Citizens. Actually, the band's members are more or less a Who's Who of the Bluegrass arts and activisim scene, so I think I have written about a majority of them individually, when I start to look at the names associated with MMMB.

So back to the marvelous Ms. Auman -- I want to let you know what she has to say about participating in this all-star musical group, and also share her request for your help in getting the MMMB on their way to another Honk! TX, an event that is sure to represent Lexington well and make another wonderful memory for those involved. Here's what she has to say about the upcoming fundraiser, which is Saturday, February 18th at 8PM at Buster's. (The actual Honk! TX event is 23-25 March 2012. http://honktx.org/ ) The guests at the fundraiser: Big Fresh, The Blueberries, The Payback! Prefab Rehab, FUMA, Pez Hed, Rakadu Gypsy Dance, Ed McClanahan, Gentleman Relish, plus a few surprise accompaniments.

Heather tells me, "We got invited to HONK! TX last year and had an absolute blast! We traveled by bus on a Thursday AM, got there Friday AM and had about three gigs per day. It was physically tiring, especially after a 16 hour bus ride, but we had a fantastic time. It was so hard to fathom that our little Lexington, KY band is performing in AUSTIN! With the musical leadership of Tripp "Big Kahuna" Bratton, we played in two parades, performed a theatrical stage set, and jammed in parking lots, basketball courts, fields, parks, and community art buildings during the weekend. We even invaded downtown Memphis with a flash mob!"

Auman has been with MMMB from the very first practice in October 2008. It was by word of mouth from Chris Sullivan of Big Maracas saying that there was a community band being formed as an entry for the Lexington's Christmas Parade in 2008. "Tripp Bratton took on the incredible task of teaching all levels of musicians the parade songs in four or five weekend practices. That was the first time I met Lori Houlihan, the leader of this 'one time event.' I've been in awe at the commitment and inspiration she's brought to this band since then," she adds.

Finding the MMMB was a natural step in Heather's acclimation to the area. "I moved from Portland, Oregon area to Lexington in 2005 and felt quite a few voids. One was belonging to a musical group. Portland had so many diverse musical groups; you can't help but be inspired at all the creativeness around you! One of these groups I had taken a few years of lessons was a bateria, or percussion group, called Lions of Batucada. It was a feast for the eyes and ears watching the dancers and drummers. You couldn't help yourself from shaking your booty to the samba rhythms!"

"So now it's 2005 and in Lexington and a bit disappointed when seeing 'live music' meant listening to pop cover tunes all night, but that is what people want to hear, I guess. Enter the Big Maracas! Sure they have cover tunes, but they were 'different' in a way and got you up and dancing and participating with Enrique passing around the maracas and getting the crown involved!"

Heather goes on to explain, "Mecca Dance Studio had organized a Mardi Gras parade in 2007 and I got to play quad bell a-go-go with them as part of a percussion group behind the talented Mecca dancers. After that absolutely fun event, I felt a longing to be a part of something more established. I tried to form a percussion group called Samba Gato and even had offered a free lessons, but few people showed and the commitment level was low... and didn't have the power of Facebook yet...but where I failed, Lori Houlihan had succeeded the next year with the gathering of local musicians and the excitement snowballed from there. I'm sure I can speak for many of the MMMB that they've not only found a fun group but also have gained lifelong friendships. It's home here in Lexington now."

Heather Auman's enthusiasm for her beloved MMMB is characteristic of the folks involved in this thoroughly entertaining band. They all love working together, with Lori (a/k/a Lolliloo) and playing their music with their powerfully palatable sound. I hope you will buy tickets and get out to see them -- you can do it easily via paypal, through http://m-m-m-b.com/March Madness Marching Band
http://www.m-m-m-b.com/

March Madness Marching Band is fabulous. Do yourself and them a favor by going out to Buster's on February 18 and have a blast!

CHICAGO auditions - a message from BCTC's Tim X Davis

2012-01-23T11:28:00.000-05:00

Tim X Davis in rehearsal for BCTC's
presentation of A FEW GOOD MEN
"You can't handle the truth!"

Greetings all!

The BCTC Theatre program would like to announce auditions for our next production, CHICAGO.

Auditions will be held Thursday and Friday, January 26th and 27th from 6-9 pm each night. Auditions will be held at the Downtown Arts Center ( 141 East Main Street, ...across from the Downtown Public Library) in the Black Box Theatre. (Some limited street parking is available in the area- there are also two parking garages in very close proximity to the theatre). As this is a musical, auditions will run as such:

I talked with X during rehearsal for
MIDDLE AGED WHITE GUYS

- You must come with a prepared song FROM THE SHOW. "Karaoke" tracks will be provided at auditions. We only ask for a few bars (verse/ chorus will be fine) and not the entire number.

- You will be doing some simple dance steps with our Choreographer, so dress to move!

Chicago skyline ;-)

- We will do some cold reading from the script, but no prepared monologues are necessary.

- Headshots and resumes are accepted, but not required.

- For this audition, you MAY choose to come either one or both nights (your choice) BUT we ask that you please arrive ON TIME at 6 pm and be prepared to stay the entire time.

There are roles for up to 9 men and 10 women available (All ages and ethnicities). Singing and dancing experience is not required, but is a plus. The auditions are open to all BCTC students, faculty and staff AND the general population. The show dates are March 28th-April 1st, with all performances at the Downtown Arts Center. The majority of rehearsals will be held in the evenings (from 6 pm on). We WILL be rehearsing during Spring Break as well (so students, plan accordingly.)

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by email or at the number below. Hope to see you there!

Tim X Davis

Coordinator of Theatre

859-246-6672

Speak, O Lord.

2012-01-22T23:42:00.000-05:00

Another glorious Sunday is slinking over the horizon. I sang this morning with my wonderful choir during the late worship service. We sang one of my "bucket songs," Speak O Lord. I draw a bucket in the corner of the songs I want sung when I leave this Life, and this anthem has not only a bucket, but a dancing bucket, and a Christmas tree, and a smiley face with a Laura Petri flip. I used to wear my brunette hair in a flip like that, so it's a bit of a self-portrait thing. I don't do this alone; my uber-friend Betty Cecil does the same thing. Hers also has the same set of buckets; and a jack-o-lantern versus a Christmas tree. Heh.

So, as you may know, I love my Chancel Choir, a group of 51 sweet souls dedicated to singing praises to the Lord every week in the chancel of Central Christian Church, which is the gorgeous church on the corner of M-L King and Short Street in downtown Lexington.

Our choir is fortunate to have a large and wonderful repertoire of anthems to perform each week - I am sure the number is over 1000 - and we do major works by famous composers every year for Christmas and Easter. Some of my favorites were written by Vivaldi, John Rutter, Allen Pote, this year something very special is happening, as we are learning Mozart's Requiem for a Spring performance! We will have superb soloists and orchestra, it is one of the greatest works of all time. Most of the Mozart Requiem can be heard in the movie, Amadeus, which won Oscars and is a magnificent film, but the theory that Salieri killed Mozart, and that Salieri finished the Requiem for Mozart is probably not true. It is, however, a great storyline for a film about Mozart, who did die young, and poor, while writing the Requiem -- I've heard it was while writing the alto part to the Lacrimosa (another bucket song, btw).

We have performed this work before in conjunction with two other choirs, in 1999, it is delightfully difficult and I'm even learning the alto parts on my ukulele's A string (this is what Mozart does to a soul; he makes you a better singer, a better ukulele player, a better musician. He wrote symphonies when he was just 5 years old!) So needless to say (but I'll say it anyway), I cannot express how happy I am to be singing it again. Yes, it is a Mass for the dead, but it is stunning how the parts are tossed back and forth, how the music repeats itself with different lyrics at the end, and how the orchestra supports the voice parts on tricky passages when needed most. There are tons of other reasons to have a crush on Mozart, but those are the ones that draw me in at the moment.

So why am I yammering on about all that? I want to also talk a little here about my writing assignment for the next year. I will be writing about my choir, about each and every member, a celebratory essay series that will highlight one person per week, and there is absolutely no rhyme or reason as to whom I will choose to feature, there are absolutely no rules other than for me to celebrate one per week. Our director, Michael Rintamaa, is completing his 20th year as our Director of Music, and because Michael is just that humble, he wants the celebration to be about the choir, and not about him. So he asked me to undertake an essay-writing gig, and I happily accepted the offer. There is not one person in my choir that I do not trust implicitly and love unconditionally. There is not one person in my choir to whom I could not make a plea and they would be ready, able and willing to help me at any time. (Sorry about that double negative, but you get what I'm squawking about). This assignment has me busy every week writing about something that I love, about people I love and how music has been a part of their faith formation...and it is opening my eyes in pleasantly unexpected ways that make me glad for good surprises. It is a ministry of sorts, though, and one to which I am thrilled to be called.

For this reason, I enjoy my weekends and weeks more and more. Every Sunday, I consider who I will be covering, I ask questions, I assure them their secrets are safe with me, we talk on the phone, they write their responses...it's a good process. In the past, I have covered a lot of artists here in KimmyVille in same fashion. I always have tried to find the good in a person and write about that versus being a snarker or a critic. I'll confess, it's been a challenge at times, to write good things about people that aren't necessarily the nicest folks in the world...but I've been fortunate to blog about some really cool artists who are generous and from whom I've learned some of life's best lessons. However, again I consider that a ministry as well. To seek out the joy, find and illuminate the better parts of people, that is something that Jesus would like, I think.

Back to today's anthem, and worship, and how meaningful Sunday can be to me. Here are the words to the anthem we sang, arranged by Mary McDonald:

"Speak, O Lord, as we come to You to receive the food of Your Holy Word; Take Your truth, plant it deep in us; shape and fashion us in Your likeness, That the Light of Christ may be seen today in our acts of love and our deeds of faith. Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us all Your purposes for Your glory.

Teach us, Lord, full obedience, Holy reverence, true humility; Test our thoughts and our attitudes in the radiance of Your purity. Cause our faith to rise, cause our eyes to see Your majestic love and authority. Words of pow'r that can never fail, Let their truth prevail over unbelief.

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds; Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us. Truth unchanged from the dawn of time that will echo down through eternity. And by grace we'll stand on Your promises, And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us. Speak, O Lord, 'til Your Church is built and the earth is filled with Your glory!

Speak, O Lord, as we come to You to receive the truth of Your Holy Word."

Lastly, here is the prayer we shared in worship today:

God of light and life,
open us to your presence in this hour of worship.
We would hear your voice in human words,
We would taste your grace in bread broken and wine poured.
We would touch your guiding hand as you lead us forth,
a community called, redeemed, renewed to share the good news
and serve your children in the world.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray,
Amen.

As I said, I love my Choir. I love being a follower of Jesus of Nazareth. I love having a new writing purpose and working with the kind and gentle friends I have in my musical life. I hope you will share my joy and listen to Mozart sometime this week. If you are a musician, you already know the value of his music. If you are not familiar, just know that some say they believe in God because of Mozart's writings. That's how spectacular his compositions are. I also ask you to believe that your life can change for the better if you live like Jesus, forgive easily, love kindness, give from your heart and embrace your gifts that God has given you...and he has given you gifts, lambchop. You just need to give them a hug.
peace,
Kimmy

Samson and Delilah - UK Opera Theatre, Sunday at 3pm

2012-01-20T12:42:00.000-05:00

Camille Saint-Saëns's opera Samson and Delilah takes on one of the Bible's most famous tales of power, treachery, and seduction.

The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre join forces to present the opera in a complete concert performance....

Members of the acclaimed UK Opera Theatre fill out the remaining roles, with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra Chorale portraying both the Hebrews and Philistines.

The opera is sung in its original French and will be accompanied by projected English translations.
Tickets are available through the Singletary Box Office at www.uky.edu/SCFA or by calling 859.257.4929

Tickets are $25 adult, $20 seniors and UK faculty/staff, $15 students and $10 children (plus processing fees).

Cast

Samson - Michael Hendrick

Delilah - Stacy Rishoi

High Priest - Michael Preacely

Abimélech - Nicholas Davis

Philistine Messenger - Jason Brown

First Philistine - Evan Johnson

Second Philistine - Andre Campelo

Old Hebrew - Matt Turner

Stacey Rishoi, last seen in Cincinnati Opera's 2011 Rigoletto and Eugene Onegin, sings the role of Delilah, and tenor Michael Hendrick tackles the role of Samson.

The Bats Ask the Musical Question: "How are those New Year’s Resolutions coming? We thought so."

2012-01-17T12:44:00.000-05:00

From THE BATS' Missy Johnston:

Happy New Year, Batfans!

Here’s some stuff we thought you’d like to know about. Just because we heart you!

Our new “Live at Natasha’s” CD is now available, with lots of great songs and no repeats from our first CD, “Some Settling May Occur.” Here’s a song list from the new CD:

· BATten Down the Hatches (by Melanie)

· Viagra in the Waters (‘nuff said)

· HGTV (by Melanie and Marilyn)

· Insomnia (by Marianne and Melanie)

· Menopause Rag (oh yeah, who says so?!?)

· Rhode Island (with Harold’s very cool arrangement)

· My Kinda Man (the pots and pans song)

· My Little GPS (by Marianne and Melanie)

· Internet Love (by Marianne)

· Cynically Yours (the “you don’t suck” song)

· Western Dream (the Yodeling Song, yahoo!)

· 98.6/Lazy Day (Melanie’s little nostalgia trip)

Buy your copy now at Fred Moore Music, Decoratifs, Joseph Beth, and cdbaby.com. Or from us, at the next gig.

Speaking of which, we’ll be at Natasha’s on Friday, February 24 at 8:00. Reservations available any day now, so make yours soon! We’ll all need some cheering up once those dreary days of February set in, right? Call 859-259-2754 to book your table.

And, dear ones, you’ll probably want to book another Natasha’s date while you’re on the phone. One of our favorite singer/songwriters, CHERYL WHEELER (http://www.cherylwheeler.com/) is making a rare appearance at Natasha’s on Thursday, January 26. You know that song “Estate Sale” that we’ve done for years? Cheryl wrote it! She’s funny, she’s poignant, she’s romantic, she’s smarter than most of us, and we can’t wait to see her show! Hope you will join some of us Bats in the audience for a great evening . Buy your tickets now at the link provided on www.beetnik.com, and then call 859-259-2754 to reserve your table. Here’s a link to another funny Cheryl Wheeler song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uLUVI3Y0q0. Enjoy!

How are those New Year’s Resolutions coming? We thought so.

THE BATS

http://www.thebats.net/

on Facebook: the bats KY

Brian Hampton's CHECKING IN Is Ready For the Big Screen!

2012-01-13T11:17:00.001-05:00

A few years ago, THE JUNGLE FUN ROOM came to Studio Players, much to Lexington's delight. Playwright Brian Hampton had a Lexington connection with his play CHECKING IN, which premiered at Actors Guild of Lexington to much acclaim. In the meantime, CHECKING IN has been made into a movie, was filmed in one week, has been edited and guess what? The movie is ready and waiting to be enjoyed by one and all and will soon open in New York City. With all the excitement in the air, it seems only proper to revisit Hampton's story and update it a bit, find out how CHECKING IN made its way to the big screen.

Allie Darden and Alex Maddox in a hilarious scene from
Brian Hampton's entertaining play,
THE JUNGLE FUN ROOM
presented by Studio Players, 2010

Hampton tells me that he started writing CHECKING IN around 1999. "The inspiration was true life -- my very funny, mixed-matched group of friends from high school. They make me laugh so hard, and we’re always there for each other even when time comes in between us. We went from seeing each other every day in high school to now that we are adults and living our lives, seeing each other just once in while. We all decided to meet for a weekend years ago in Atlantic City without any significant others or children. It was a blast. And then, soon afterwards, one of us went through a very personal struggle in her life. When we tried to rally around her, we found out that we were too late. I merged those two moments for the story of CHECKING IN to address what that all meant for us and our friendship."

http://kimmyville.blogspot.com/2010/09/playwright-brian-hampton-in-town-for.html
to see my prior post about JUNGLE FUN ROOM and
Brian Hampton, just click on the linky link above ;-)

Though he enjoys a successful writing career today, CHECKING IN was Hampton's first play. "I had never written a play. So I just went with my gut. It took me over six years to complete the first draft. It was really trial and error."

The play went from an idea to the stage to the screen after taking its sweet time and finding its own progressive path. Hampton explains he had to be resourceful to jump start the whole process, then a measure of good luck came into play. "After having a couple of readings in New York, I knew I wanted to see it on stage. I didn’t know what I was doing, so I Googled contemporary playwrights and read their bios. I saw that some of them had won awards, had world premieres, stuff like that ... but I had no idea how they got there feet in the door. So I started to Google the awards that they had won, and it led me to a book called The Dramatist Sourcebook. It lists all the theatres in the country and what their submission procedures are. I circled all the theatres that seemed to be looking for new work with small casts. One of the theatres I circled was Actors Guild of Lexington. I must have sent out 100 letters, samples, or scripts. I got a lot of rejection letters as well as some nice complimentary “no’s.” Then one of the letters I got was not a rejection letter but more like a 'to be continued' letter. It was from the artistic director of Actors Guild at the time. He said he liked the script, but he was leaving that year. He said he would leave it on his desk for the new artistic director to read it. That artistic director ended up being my college buddy, Rick St. Peter. He read it and liked it a lot. Then we saw each other later that year for a college friend’s funeral. Seeing our group of college friends, reconnecting years later, that’s when he really connected with the story."

Hampton tells me he realized the play should be made into a movie at the urging of theatre goers who enthusiastically embraced his work. "It’s funny. Audience members have really been responsible for me making it into a film. I have them (and the cast) to thank for putting the bug in my ear." For the first production, Rick had auditions in Lexington. That was a great cast and so much fun -- and that’s when I met Allie Darden who plays Brooke. Then, for the NYC premiere, I asked Allie to come in and play Brooke again because I couldn’t imagine doing it without her. I played Ben again, and then I filled in the cast with New York actors and friends. Natalie Buster (Catherine ) has been my friend since college, Jenn Caryn (Liz) and I have been friends since my days at the zoo (i.e. THE JUNGLE FUN ROOM), Beverly Lauchner (Summer) was my Hillary Parker in the world premiere Fringe production of THE JUNGLE FUN ROOM, and Anna Nugent (Penny) was my golden ticket discovery from the CHECKING IN auditions. They are all wonderful people and actors. All of us reprised our roles for the film."

Since he himself played a lead role, Hampton knew who he needed to direct the movie in his stead. "Because I play the character of Ben and I am also producing it, I knew I needed Rick’s eye. I trust him completely. I feel very comfortable with him directing this story. He just gets it."

When asked if he did all the "legwork" himself, or did he have some assistance, Hampton was quick to credit his friend and soulmate, Roy Chicas. "I did all the producing legwork, yes, with Roy as my checks and balances. He went along for the sight visits, listened to all my ideas, stuff like that, and he was a huge help in making decisions and pushing me forward when I hit road bumps. It was one of the longest, hardest, craziest experiences I’ve ever had putting it all together -- butI had a great support system with Roy and my friends. I’m so glad I did it."

How did the funding for the movie go? "I raised money on Kickstarter.com which is a great way for friends to help you out on a project. Because the plot has to do with high school friends, I also had a Prom fundraiser here in NYC at a bar. Then, I filled in the rest of the money I needed with things like my tax returns and my birthday and Christmas presents for the last two years," he laughs.

The entire movie was actually filmed in just one week? "Absolutely .. It’s been a few months now, and looking back I both can and cannot believe that we did it all in a week. It was like camp. Camp Checking In. It was really fast, emotional, exciting, hard, fun … and we were all crying at the end. There were only 10 of us -- the 6 cast members, Roy, Rick, Michael, and my great friend Marya Spring who was our Unit Production Manager. It was pretty amazing. We were all so proud and happy."

Michael Stever is an actor-turned-filmmaker, who shot the movie and is editing it as well. "Among many things, he worked on the documentary The Golden Age of Broadway, and his own film, Saturday Nightmares: The Ultimate Horror Expo of all Time! I met him a couple of years ago at a panel discussion I did for the Midtown International Theatre Festival where “Checking In” had its NYC Premiere. He gave me his card, and I kept it. Two years later, there he was shooting the movie with us. He’s pretty incredible. He can literally do anything." The CHECKING IN movie will "definitely have a premiere in NYC when it’s done, and then I’ll start submitting it to festivals...and I would love to bring it to Lexington. Then we’ll see what happens!"

Former AGL Artistic Director Rick St. Peter -- here seen
working with one of Lexington's
most talented leading ladies Allie Darden --
directed the Lexington stage premiere of
CHECKING IN at Actors Guild of Lexington and in
its reprisal in New York several years ago. St. Peter,
a longtime friend of playwright Brian Hampton also was
at the helm during the filming of the movie, which
is to be released soon (stay tuned...I'll let you know)!

Hampton is fond of working with both Allie Darden as well as his college buddy, St. Peter. "Allie and Rick are amazing to work with. Plus, at this point, they are like family to me. Allie is a true professional. She is 100% prepared. Her talent is incredible. She just nails everything. It’s so impressive. Plus, she makes me laugh like no other. There was one point of the filming when Natalie (Catherine) was getting ready for her really serious scene and Allie genuinely touched her arm and said something to her to encourage her. To me, though, it looked exactly like Shelly from THE JUNGLE FUN ROOM, and I started to lose it. Allie looked at me, and said, 'What?' And I said 'Don’t even speak. We’ll talk about this later. I won’t be able to take it.' Of course, she couldn’t resist, and she whispered, 'Shelly?' And we both lost it. We were like children in church. We got in trouble and had to go in the other room. We couldn’t even look at each other for about 30 minutes. I adore Allie. She is a great person."

"Rick is amazing to work with for me because I trust him immensely. It’s not easy to act in your own work. And with Rick, I can completely let go of worrying about everyone else and just concentrate on my own performance. I’ve known him for almost 20 years, so there’s that ability to speak in shorthand to him, and he immediately knows what it is that I need. He also has a great understanding of the six characters because he’s known them since 2005. He directed all of us in the NYC production, so a lot of the nuts and bolts of the work had been done."

Brian adds, "It was just all about restaging it for the camera with the help of Michael Stever (who has truly created magic in the filming and editing) and keeping us true and believable for this new form. "

***********

When you meet Brian Hampton, your world changes.

He is so full of enthusiasm and kindness, it just instills the same sort of love for life in those fortunate enough to become his acquaintance. I wish him, Allie and all involved in the making of CHECKING IN all the best...and I'll look for them in the movie theatre soon!

peace, y'all,

Kimmy

Celtic Visionary Artist Exhibit Coming in February!

2012-01-12T11:28:00.000-05:00

Celtic Art Exhibit opens Friday, February 17 in conjunction with Gallery Hop

Internationally known visionary Celtic artist Cynthia Matyi opens at the galleries at Christ Church Cathedral and First Presbyterian Church, Friday, February 17, in conjunction with Gallery Hop. The Gallery Hop program will also include music by the Art Mize family ensemble and dance by the McTeggart Irish Dancers.

The Celtic Style: The show will include over 50 oil paintings. Many of these are large, colorful, intricate creations which draw from the ancient tradition of Celtic illuminations. The artist uses these complex compositions in a way that reflects the questions, concerns and crises of contemporary life. Symbolism and repetition of symbolic shapes form a vocabulary which is essential to this Celtic style. With Cynthia Matyi’s work, ancient motifs, and many newly created ones, take on special relevance for us today. The exhibit closes Sunday, April 8.

More about the artist: Cynthia Matyi is the major organizer of the touring exhibition, “American Celtic” (2000-2011) and her work has appeared in shows throughout the US, Canada and Europe. She has illustrated CD covers, posters and websites and gives workshops on Celtic art to students of all ages. She is the author, illustrator and publisher of the children's book, "Little Town of Spirals" (2008) and has performed with the Irish traditional music ensemble, Silver Arm for over 20 years.

LOCATIONS: This extensive show will exhibit at two sites across Market Street from each other, the galleries at First Presbyterian Church and Christ Church Cathedral in Lexington, KY.

FOR IMAGES, EVENTS AND CONTACT INFORMATION RELATED TO THE EXHIBIT GO TO: http://www.ccclex.org/Art/CelticArtExhibit/tabid/544/language/en-US/Default.aspx

AND: http://www.fpclex.org/inthegallery.html

jmark@ccclex.org 859-559-5943; mhurst@fpclex.org 859-252-1919

Latitude's Making Us Think Again ... (yay :)

2012-01-09T21:42:00.000-05:00

From our Friends at Latitude:

Happy New Year from Latitude Artist Community!We are delighted to be in our new space in the center of Lexington's Distillery Arts District. We are sharing a newly renovated building with our old friends Mecca Live Studio. Our space is still a work in progress as reflected in our first installation "Construction Zone."

News from LifeLab (Latitude's CLS program)

Participants in LifeLab contribute to our community in amazing ways...

January 1st the Lexington Herald-Leader published an Op-Ed piece written by one of our mentor/advocate teams concerning accessible public transportation.

An exhibit by Latitude artist Albert Moser opens at Institute 193 this Thursday

Undressing Normal an (Un) conference on Sexuality for those of us Dislabled

Friday, February 10th

This unconference explores the range of human sexualities and abilities. We welcome all people and acknowledge that whatever your orientation and/or disability labels are, you are well within the range of human normality. Our focus will be on minority sexualities and gender identities within the context of services to persons who are considered by some to have disabilities. The creators of the unconference have a particular interest in the rights of people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, as well as those who work to support them. We seek to create a welcoming community for all lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, assexual, queer, questioning, straight, and other people to discuss issues of concern.

I.D.eaWorks is a new Latitude initiative. In it we commission artists to create new works in whatever way(s) they desire and without oversight as we simultaneously fundraise with the particular artist in mind. Lexington artist Robert Beatty will be the first recipient.

And coming up.... on February 16th and 17th- Latitude's grand re opening gala called "Work In Progress" will include a free workshop and performance by Louisville based performance artist Lauren Argo. Much more on this to follow and thanks to all of you who helped us move.

______________________________

Latitude blog:

http://latitudeart.blogspot.com/

Donate to Latitude:

http://latitudedonations.blogspot.com/

Latitude on facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Latitude-Artist-Community/116232484628

Wine Not Try a Bottle?

2012-01-09T12:12:00.000-05:00

Murder by Merlot

Welcome to the Frudee Family Winery annual wine tasting event. Brother's Doodie & Rudy are anxious for you to try their new wine made from a "chemically" engineered grape.

This new grape is going to save the winery, but unfortunately someone ends up sipping their last glass of wine in this hysterical comedy by Paula Hilton.

Starring Mike Van Zant, Lisa Mendez, Jeff Roberts, Stephanie Peniston, Tim Hull & Dana L. Edison.

Train leaves at 5pm. Tickets are $99.95 for adults, $59.95 for children and includes a 4 course meal, 2.5 hr train ride & show. Call (866)801-3463 to purchase tickets.

Photos by Paul Atkinson/Rockledge

WoodSongs Celebrates The Blues (call 252.8888 and reserve your seat)

2012-01-06T15:47:00.000-05:00

WoodSongs is taking a little winter break, so there will be no WoodSongs taping on Monday, January 9, 2012.

Time to gear up for the January 16th show, a Celebration Of The Blues

General Public $10

Student ID $5

WoodSongs Partners FREE

RUTHIE FOSTER can burn down any stage with her combustible blend of soul, blues, rock, folk - making her one of the most dynamic voices that has ever graced the WoodSongs stage. Foster catapulted to the forefront of the blues/roots world on the strength of her 2009 Grammy-nominated, 'The Truth According To Ruthie Foster.' Foster then won Blues Music Association awards for both Best Traditional and Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist in back-to-back years. Her latest record 'Let It Burn' was recorded in New Orleans and features Blind Boys of Alabama, soul legend William Bell, and songs by Adele, Black Keys, Los Lobos, Johnny Cash, The Band, Pete Seeger, Crosby, Stills & Nash and more. ruthiefoster.com

MARQUISE KNOX asks on his new record "Can a kid play the blues?" This 21 year old St. Louis native hails from a musical family deeply entrenched in the blues. He learned how to play guitar from his grandmother whose family were sharecroppers and whose great, great grandparents were slaves. He spent his early teenage years in St. Louis mentoring under the late great Blues legend Henry James Townsend. Marquise's talents have earned him performing rights with some of America's most notable blues performers such as blues legend B.B. King, Pinetop Perkins and David "Honeyboy" Edwards. He won a Living Blues Award for Best Debut and takes another big step forward with the release of his new CD. marquiseknox.com

________________

WoodSongs tapes Monday's at 6:45 pm (EST) at the Kentucky Theatre, 214 E Main, Lexington, Kentucky.

WoodSongs Partners come to over 30 shows a year FREE plus get discounts on all special events. Sign up with PAYPAL online: www.woodsongs.com

WoodSongs 24hr Reservation Hotline: 859-252-8888

WoodSongs is the Stage . . . You are the Foundation!

NEW WOODSONGS PARTNERS receive a neat Thank You gift. Can't decide what to give that special person that has almost everything? WoodSongs Partner memberships make a great gift for any occasion!

____________________

SPECIAL EVENT: Monday, January 30th

The legendary JUDY COLLINS!!!

Tickets are on sale now to everyone for the Jan 30 special event with JUDY COLLINS ... you must have a ticket in advance for this show, (no reservations) for this broadcast.

Order tickets from the KENTUCKY THEATER, call 231-7924.

Judy Collins has thrilled audiences worldwide with her unique blend of interpretative folksongs and contemporary themes. Her impressive career has spanned more than 40 years. At 13, Judy Collins made her public debut performing Mozart's "Concerto for Two Pianos" but it was the music of such artists as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, as well as the traditional songs of the folk revival, that sparked Judy Collins' love of lyrics. In 1961, Judy Collins released her first album, A Maid of Constant Sorrow, at the age of 22.

Collins' rendition of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" from her 1967 album Wildflowers, quickly gained "classic" status. "Both Sides Now" has since been entered into the Grammy's Hall of Fame. Winning "Song of the Year" at the 1975 Grammy's Awards show was Judy's version of "Send in the Clowns."

http://www.judycollins.com/

********************************

Watch WoodSongs LIVE-AS-IT HAPPENS every Monday at 7PM EDT via woodsongs.com

If you cannot make it to the

Kentucky Theatre for the show,

you can still catch the fun on radio and television:

Hear WoodSongs on WEKU 88.9 FM

Saturday at 8PM

WUKY Sat 10PM

WMMT Sun 12noon

ARTISTS and LABELS!

Time to make your new CD or DVD?

call ADVANCE MEDIA today,

call 800-788-1024

CD Sampler for Radio
Artists and small Record Labels

Send the best song from your new CD to over 1,400 ROOTS radio stations or over 800 Bluegrass Radio Shows worldwide.

Find out more at www.AcousticRainbow.com

*******************************

Folks in the Bluegrass, if you haven't checked out the incredible live shows every Monday night at the Kentucky Theatre in Lexington, well, you're in for a real treat when you do!

WoodSongs is the best thing that ever happened to a Monday night.

see you at the show!

From Balagula, to You: "Imagine an ordinary Tuesday evening...

2011-12-29T21:54:00.001-05:00

this pic has nothing to do with the story,
I just like it :)

Dear Friends,

Imagine:

An ordinary Tuesday evening…. It is too cold (hot, dreary, wet, rainy, windy…) to enjoy a walk outside…. The day at the office (news on TV, concerns of the upcoming Apocalypse) filled you with anxiety (dread, sadness, anger, frustration). You dream (remember, wish) living in New York (San Francisco, Chicago, Paris, London, Moscow)… You wish you could jump in your car (get on the subway, tram, bus, trolley) and get downtown…. A cozy restaurant filled with people…. A glass of wine…. A live stimulating theatre show… Something to think and talk about afterwards, something that would break the routine, something that would combat the monotony that makes years fly by faster… If only you lived somewhere else…

Twelve Tuesdays a year you don’t have to imagine…. Twelve Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays a year the Balagula Theatre turns Lexington into a bit of …. New York (San Francisco, Chicago, Paris, London, Moscow)…

Save on airfare, on a hotel, on a rental car…. Save time getting there…. Save hundreds on tickets and food at the metropolitan prices…

Instead, do your share in supporting a theatre near you…. It is tax deductible, charitable, noble and practical. After all even big cities can hardly accommodate your dream on a rainy Tuesday….

Here is the way to make a difference:

By check: send it to Balagula Theatre, 108 Esplanade, #240, Lexington, KY 40507

By credit card: http://www.balagula.com/ click on “donate” button on the right and follow PayPal prompts

Also, TILL JANUARY, 1ST YOU CAN STILL SUPPORT US THROUGH Goodgiving Challenge at https://www.goodgivingguide.net/npo/balagula-theatre-company/

The Balagula Theatre Company is a non-profit tax exempt organization under section 501(c)3 IRS Code

OK. Maybe you are not convinced…. Maybe you never feel like Tuesday is a great day to see theatre…. Maybe you like a bit of impressive trivia….. Let’s try again:

DO YOU KNOW THAT?

· BALAGULA THEATRE has a French audience member, who schedules her visits to Lexington from France to catch each one of our shows (in the last three years she missed only one!);

· A world famous Kentucky native playwright Naomi Wallace who lives in Britain, but grew up in Louisville, “did not know that Lexington had any theatre of note” until she visited Balagula’s production of her “One Flea Spare” last September;

· That NPR veteran reporter, Frank Browning, regards Balagula “ as one of the most provocative serious theatres in the region”;

· “Receiving the BALAGULA THEATRE production”, the main prize for the winner of Kentucky Women Writers Conference’s Prize for Women Playwrights, attracted 168 submissions from American and Canadian playwrights;

· BALAGULA THEATRE charges the lowest admission price in Lexington;

· BALAGULA THEATRE has worked with 125 actors, directors, designers and visual artists ages 16 to 91;

· BALAGULA THEATRE has performed for more than 15,000 audience members:

· BALAGULA THEATRE has produced 70 plays (28 full length and 44 short);

· “Balagula Theatre” search on GOOGLE produces 37,700 results.

THINK, IT IS A COOL THEATRE TO SUPPORT? HERE IS HOW:

By check: send it to Balagula Theatre, 108 Esplanade, #240, Lexington, KY 40507

By credit card: http://www.balagula.com/ click on “donate” button on the right and follow PayPal prompts

Also, TILL JANUARY, 1^ST YOU CAN STILL SUPPORT US THROUGH Goodgiving Challenge at https://www.goodgivingguide.net/npo/balagula-theatre-company/

The Balagula Theatre Company is a non-profit tax exempt organization under section 501(c)3 IRS Code

Are you still here? You have not clicked on a link and did not pull out the magic check book?

Fine. You are definitely a serious type who wants to know what we do with the money before you consider contributing.

Then, spend some time with our YEAR 2011 IN REVIEW Report. It contains the account of what Balagula has done in 2011, the audience profile, the list of those who helped us build our theatre in 2011 and a colorful diagram of how we spend our funds. http://www.balagula.com/PDF/Review.pdf

Please, take a minute to look it over and THEN:

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE:

By check: send it to Balagula Theatre, 108 Esplanade, #240, Lexington, KY 40507

By credit card: http://www.balagula.com/ click on “donate” button on the right and follow PayPal prompts

Also, TILL JANUARY,1^ST YOU CAN STILL SUPPORT US THROUGH Goodgiving Challenge at https://www.goodgivingguide.net/npo/balagula-theatre-company/

The Balagula Theatre Company is a non-profit tax exempt organization under section 501(c)3 IRS Code

STILL HERE? YOU THINK GLOBALLY! YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT WE MAKE SOME TANGIBLE DIFFERENCE THAT MAKES LEXINGTON A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYONE, EVEN THOSE WHO DON”T LIKE PROVOCATIVE ARTSY LIVE THEATRE.

How about “we help the economy” argument?

Here it is: this is how Americans For the Arts Economic Impact Calculator estimates our impact:

http://www.balagula.com/PDF/EC2011.pdf

How about NOW? Any amount of contribution is highly appreciated. And, please, don’t give us your last dollar!

By check: send it to Balagula Theatre, 108 Esplanade, #240, Lexington, KY 40507

By credit card: http://www.balagula.com/ click on “donate” button on the right and follow PayPal prompts

Also, TILL JANUARY, 1^ST YOU CAN STILL SUPPORT US THROUGH Goodgiving Challenge at https://www.goodgivingguide.net/npo/balagula-theatre-company/

The Balagula Theatre Company is a non-profit tax exempt organization under section 501(c)3 IRS Code

If you made it to the very end of this letter without having an urge to contribute, maybe you just can’t help us this year. Alas, it is a sad reality of a bad economy. We still love you and will cherish your presence at our shows!

TO ALL OF YOU:

HAPPY NEW YEAR! MAY IT BRING THE ABUNDANCE OF WEALTH – TANGIBLE, SPIRITUAL AND INTELLECTUAL!

ON BEHALF OF 58 BALAGULIGANS 2011,

Natasha Williams and Ryan Case,

Artistic/Managing Co-Directors

Balagula Theatre Company

http://www.balagula.com

( 859) 621-8694

e-mail: theatre@balagula.com

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, provides operating support to the Balagula Theatre Company with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Lex Arts has provided funding support for the Balagula Theatre's Season 2011-2012 through its Fund for the Arts"

WoodSongs Celebrates The Blues, Monday, January 16th! (call 252.8888 and reserve your seat :)

2011-12-28T19:45:00.000-05:00

WoodSongs tapes Monday's at 6:45 pm (EST) at the Kentucky Theatre, 214 E Main, Lexington, KY. WS Partners come to over 30 shows a year FREE plus get discounts on all special events. Sign up with PAYPAL online: www.woodsongs.com

WoodSongs 24hr Reservation Hotline:

859-252-8888

WoodSongs is on Winter Break . . .

No WoodSongs Taping Mon. January 2nd, 2012

WoodSongs Jan. 16th -

Celebration Of The Blues

General Public $10 Student ID $5 WoodSongs Partners FREE

RUTHIE FOSTER can burn down any stage with

her combustible blend of soul, blues, rock, folk

- making her one of the most dynamic voices

that has ever graced the WoodSongs stage.

Foster catapulted to the forefront of the blues/roots

world on the strength of her 2009 Grammy-nominated,

'The Truth According To Ruthie Foster'.

Foster then won Blues Music Association awards

for both Best Traditional and Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist in

back-to-back years. Her latest record 'Let It Burn' was recorded in

New Orleans and features Blind Boys of Alabama,

soul legend William Bell,

and songs by Adele, Black Keys, Los Lobos,

Johnny Cash, The Band, Pete Seeger,

Crosby, Stills & Nash and more.

ruthiefoster.com

MARQUISE KNOX asks on his new record

"Can a kid play the blues?" This 21 year

old St. Louis native hails from a musical

family deeply entrenched in the blues. He learned

how to play guitar from his grandmother whose

family were sharecroppers and whose great,

great grandparents were slaves. He spent his early

teenage years in St. Louis mentoring under the late

great Blues legend Henry James Townsend.

Marquise's talents have earned him performing

rights with some of America's most notable

blues performers such as blues legend B.B. King,

Pinetop Perkins and David "Honeyboy" Edwards.

He won a Living Blues Award for Best Debut and

takes another big step forward with the release

of his new CD.marquiseknox.com

_________________

WoodSongs is the Stage . . .

You are the Foundation!

NEW WOODSONGS PARTNERS

receive a neat Thank You gift.

Can't decide what to give that special

person that has almost everything?

WoodSongs Partner memberships

make a great gift for any occasion!

_____________________

SPECIAL EVENT:

Monday, January 30th

The legendary JUDY COLLINS!!!

Tickets are on sale

now to everyone for the Jan 30

special event with JUDY COLLINS ...

you must have a ticket in advance

for this show, (no reservations) for this broadcast.

Order tickets from the

KENTUCKY THEATER, call 231-7924.

Judy Collins has thrilled audiences worldwide with her

unique blend of interpretative folksongs and

contemporary themes. Her impressive career has

spanned more than 40 years. At 13, Judy Collins made her

public debut performing Mozart's "Concerto for Two Pianos"

but it was the music of such artists as Woody Guthrie and

Pete Seeger, as well as the traditional songs of the folk

revival, that sparked Judy Collins' love of lyrics.

In 1961, Judy Collins released her first album,

A Maid of Constant Sorrow, at the age of 22.

Collins' rendition of Joni Mitchell's

"Both Sides Now" from her 1967

album Wildflowers, quickly gained "classic" status.

"Both Sides Now" has since been entered into

the Grammy's Hall of Fame. Winning "Song of the Year"

at the 1975 Grammy's Awards show was

Judy's version of "Send in the Clowns."

www.JudyCollins.com

Never Mind Me, I'm Just Trying to Be Merry

2011-12-26T11:15:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I experienced another glorious Sunday in worship, in music, in fellowship, eating and making merry.

Oh, what did I just say? Merry? Oh yeah, it was Christmas Sunday, of all things. We're supposed to be merry during Christmas. Why do we never use the word merry any other time of the year, I wonder...and how can we score some of this elusive Merry that only seems, like mistletoe, to be visible when all else around it is bare and cold?

Well now, lambchops, I of course don't know the secret to merriness, but I do have a secret weapon against hum-buggery, and that is putting the positive spin into words and action, like singing...and playing. I confess I'm annoying about it, rather a Spongebob-like optimism, but sometimes I just have to throw my head back and keep playing. I pour all my free time into the arts that thrive so well this time of year. I enjoy the relentless attack of joy and love on spite and angst. Most of all, though, I love hearing the Christmas music on the radio and in the stores, and in all the local productions. [There are only two I really don't like all that much, the one about the little boy buying shoes for his mama who's ready to meet Jesus tonight; and the other one is about grandma gettin run over by a reindeer. Both times, the chicks are the ones dying. I don't like 'em. I like merry songs, not heart plucking with a hunting knife kinda Christmas songs. Oy veh, Maria.]

Back to finding Christmas cheer and all that, the older I get, the more I make myself merry by pouring my time into the music that is so freely sprinkled like peppermint flakes on the fudge brownies of life during this time of year. I eat the brownies, I drink the nog, and I seek out the merry with more gusto during the last few months of the year, as the liturgical calendar winds its way to Christmas because something transforming happens in the time between August and December in my faith and in my choral life. My Chancel Choir begins preparing the flame in our liturgical candle that culminates in an observance of the birth of Jesus. We sing songs that Mary sang, we come to know the Latin translation for the story of the Mary and Joseph and their journey that led them to Bethlehem. We learn how to sing the Latin words for Light and Eternal and Poor and Needy and Blessing. It is the discovery made in rehearsal, the "getting-ready," the preparation and fellowship that process highlights that has had me held spellbound, the discipline of learning difficult passages, the joy when we get it right the first time. From there until performance, our progress grows exponentially until we are amazed with our own bad selves. It's very cool to imagine what the composers may have been thinking as they wrote the various parts. So we sing, we eat, we drink, and we sing some more. Christmas is good! We are merry.

Like a roast beast feast, I loaded up my musical plate this year, indulging in solo ukulele gigs, heading out to hear some hillbilly jazz whenever possible, obliging to a song with my dream duet partner and getting a rave review, and of course, rehearsing with my beloved choir. My choir is made of some of God's purest souls. These are people in whom I place my complete and utter trust. They are a family to me, and they consider me their sister, daughter, mother, grandmother, too, and that's perfectly fine with me. We wait every year to hear what songs MichaelR gives us to sing -- well, we wait every week, actually, that's his not-so-secret delight, to make us anticipate what we'll be singing next -- and when the Christmas work or Easter work is announced, we are put through the paces by some very fine musical clinicians and by MR himself.

Accordingly, first and foremost, I've been captive of late of my Messiah, i.e., learning the score on the piano, rehearsal cd and singing with my choir selected pieces from Handel's classic. [There a goodly 50 pieces and more written for this work of completely incomprehensible genius from which choral conductors choose to present, depending on the time of the church year that this work is presented. For example, Hallelujia Chorus oftentimes is usually sung for Christmas presentations.] So we sang selected pieces, and the alto parts are tricky -- we actually have the lead melody for a few measures, almost a whole page sometimes (lol) -- there are articulations known as melismas [the singing of a single syllable of text while moving between several different notes in succession] that are mind boggling runs that seem impossible to sing until we practice with MR and sectionals are held - the women's parts are honed by (fellow alto) Dr. Kate Covington, and she brings us altos together with the sopranos so that we finally are, like Handel's score, meticulously yet orderly chaotic in a musically wonderful way. Sigh.

Singing in choir is fascinating in so many ways, it's impossible to describe, but it sure is fun trying :) Since Music is my merry-maker during the Season, though, I also love to hear UK's choral presentations, the kid busking on his guitar before WoodSongs, my friend Tom Bragg singing O Holy Night, or performing for as guest vocalist/ukulelist at a theatre or different church than Central. I love the uke even more than ever (am trying to learn the 9th chords as a gift to my friend -- yipes) and find great joy teaching ukulele songs to my willing student and hairdresser Julie, or any friend who might dare pick up another and try to learn a song.

I guess I'm yammering on about all of that to say that, in the midst of all worrying about Christmas, I finally realized when I became rather poor a few years ago that it truly is better to buy what I can as far as gifts, but it's far more important to do what I must to make my friends and family know I love them. I'm not perfect, but the reminder that I am a redeemed and forgiven child of God renews my spirit during Advent and Christmas. I've learned to love the celebration of God coming to us as a child, a baby in which there was and is hope, a child to redeem us of our dust and sin.

When I think about my dust and sin, it makes me sad...and that is also part of the journey I take every year when Advent approaches. I begin to think of how I am not worthy of that sort of Love, for an innocent Christchild to enter in. My shame wants to overcome me, but the songs we sing, especially with messages in the folk hymn Who At My Door Is Standing? remind me -- in a wonderfully musical way -- that I simply need to let Him in. Such an easy thing to do, it seems, but the doubts are there, disappointments happen, illnesses rear their ugly head, and it is then when I am at my weakest. It is when I am knocked down, though, that God lifts me up. He lifts me up with every chorus of every carol and every viewing of White Christmas or prayer said in the name of Christ the Savior...and so it is that my faith is bolstered during the Holidays because of the gracious highway where text meets tone ... and equals Music. Music is something upon which I can always find joy. Music never lets me down. Music always answers when I call. Music knows exactly what sort of mood I am in. Music is the one constant that can help me hold on when memories hurt instead of heal. Music makes me remember what is good in life. It also makes me stretch my parameters and squeeze my type so I can fit the rhythm into the words and paint the text as it should be shaped, shouted or whispered. So I tell myself when things are going very Grinch-y, Scrooge-y, a/k/a "when the bee stings," to hold on, keep listening, and keep trying to sing and make my own Holiday music, because eventually, I'll be merry, too.

:) :):) :):) :):) :):) :):) :):) :):) :):) :):) :):) :):) :):) :):) :):) :):) :):) :):) :):) :)

Here is a prayer we said today in worship.
It was written by Robert Louis Stephenson:

"Loving God, help us remember the birth of Jesus,

that we may share in the song of the angels,

and the gladness of the shepherds.

Close the door of hate

and open the door of love all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be your children,

and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen."

I wish all my Lambchops a very, merry Christmas!

peace on earth,

Kimmy

Holler Poets Series - Episode 43 - Tonight at Al's Bar! (8pm, 7pm signup for open mic :)

2011-12-21T11:56:00.000-05:00

ANOTHER FABULOUS
HOLLER POSTER
ART BY JOHN LACKEY!

HollerDaddy Eric Sutherland and all the Holler Poets invite you to tonight's 43rd presentation of words of wisdom from some of the best of Lexington's literary artists!

The fun starts at 7pm, when you can sign up to read your stories and poems and laments and praises - it's like church, but with no commitment or pressure (and with alcohol :)

Come join in the outlandish curtain speeches given by all at Al's, where the beers are cheap but the artistry is rich!

TONIGHT, WED. DEC 21ST, AL'S BAR

holler 43 features the debut of open mic regular favorites Jay McCoy and K. Nicole Wilson.

Music will be provided by 2/3 Goat, a New York group featuring Kentuckian Annalyse McCoy, who are getting noticed for their anti-Mountaintop removal song, "Stream of Conscience."

Sure to be a bunch of McCoys in the house!

Open Mic kicks the show off at 8pm, with signups available at 7pm...one poem/3 minute limit. See ya'll there!

*************************

Click below to read all my past posts about Holler Poets Series:

http://kimmyville.blogspot.com/search?q=holler+poets

peace,
Kimmy

Christmas Is Coming!

2011-12-21T10:07:00.000-05:00

On Christmas Eve when you've done all you can do until it's time to open gifts, some of you will want to rest and wait for Baby Jesus to get here.

Some may want to have their own quiet observances at home or get out to a nice dinner, see the Southern Lights or go hear some fantastic music (since it falls on a Saturday night, why not?), gather with friends and family and open one gift (a phenomenon that I hear actually does happen), have eggnog or whatever it takes to eat, drink and be merry!

For me, I like to do all the above, but in addition, on Christmas Eve, I always go to my church's candlelight services at 6 and 11, where I receive communion, sing hymns, hear the story of the birth of Christ, and last but not least in any way, I listen to my friend Tom Bragg sing O Holy Night! It's a magic moment at Central Christian and the high point of the year for much of the congregation.

Here's the schedule - no reservations needed, just show up and enjoy any or all of the following moments of Christmas joy at Central, corner of M-L King & Short Streets:

4:00 p.m. in the Commons Room --- Wellspring Service (the crossroads of traditional and contemporary music and worship)

6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary --- Family Service (drama, communion, candlelight)

11:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary --- Midnight Service (message, communion, candlelight)

On Christmas Sunday, only one service --- the 11:00 a.m. service

I hope your Season has been filled with love and hope and music, music, music!

Wake and Bake with the Bats!

2011-12-20T23:59:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays, Batfans!

Wouldn’t it be nice if our holiday preparations were more like those Hallmark commercials where everyone is relaxed, happy to see each other, and feeling all warm and gooey inside? The cookies are baked, the cards and packages are in the mail, you’ve had your mani-pedi, massage and acupuncture, and the children are nestled all snug in their beds? Yeah, well, good luck with all that, chickens. Here in the Bat Cave, we like to call those commercials bullsh*t. Because we are, as usual, behind in our shopping, ahead in our drinking, full of cookie dough, and just generally stressed out. Never mind that we can’t dispense the packing tape without getting it all wrapped up in itself! Who gives a flying Rudolph if we’ve mangled the bows on Grandma’s gift box of Depends?! And don’t talk to us about sausage balls! We’ve had all the balls we can stomach for now, thank you very much. Plus, Fido just swallowed an entire box of tinsel and we have to go to the vet, STAT.

So we’ll make this quick, humbugs. There are at least 5 good reasons whyyou must not miss our upcoming gig at Natasha’s on December 30. They are:

1. Susan Thomas will be there to sing with us!!

2. It’s the CD Release Party for our new “Live at Natasha’s” recording!!

3. You can bring a wrapped white elephant gift and exchange it for something someone else didn’t want!! Reuse, recycle, regift!

4. We’ve got a bunch of new songs!!

5. It’s almost New Year’s Eve, but without all those crazy drunks on the road!! (And you don’t have to dress up.)

6. Reservations are easy to make at 859-259-2754.

Meanwhile, enjoy your designated holiday. If that’s possible. And get out from under that mistletoe, you old floozy.

THE BATS

www.thebats.net

on Facebook: The Bats KY

PS: If you need our new CD for gift-giving before December 30, you can purchase it at Fred Moore Music, Joseph-Beth Booksellers,Decoratifs, and CDbaby.com.

Mary, Did You Know? A Sunday Prayer and Aloha to My Pal, Mary Smith

2011-12-18T14:41:00.000-05:00

Ever faithful God,
you promise us a child
who will establish a household of love and justice.

May our hearts receive the Christ child
and leap for joy;
may our mouths be filled with songs of praise
and announce glad tidings of peace;
and may our lives reflect our hope for this new, peaceful household.

*****************************************************************************

Dear Lambchops,
This has been an extraordinary week. I lost my friend, Mary, to cancer; and my brother, Marshall is thankfully home from a week at the hospital after treatment. He entered the hospital at death's door, the doctors determined he was in the process of dying, his children were called in to say their last goodbyes, and we all began to grieve our oldest brother, even though he still had breath and life in him. Accordingly, as Fate goes, Marshall began to improve each day until my brother Addison arrived, and then ... well, not long thereafter, he was discharged and is now resting at home! Our family is grateful for what could possibly be another year with him, if all goes well. We are hopeful, yes, we are.

I am also grateful for knowing Mary Smith. I met her about ten years ago, through a mutual friend. Mary introduced me to good friend Tom Phillips, who has always been there for me when I needed someone to support me emotionally and artistically or when I needed someone with whom to argue politics...and like Mary, from whom I took political advice every now and again.

Mary also introduced me to Rhonda Reeves from Ace Weekly, with whom I had a thriving writing association and to whom I owe a debt of gratitude for the opportunity to cover the arts and activism here in the Bluegrass and for the chance to develop my writing skills for public consumption.

Mary brought me other blessings, too. She gave me her Christmas cactus before she left to move out west, and it thrived and bloomed and grew -- so much so that I broke off a piece, at Mary's request, and mailed it to her so she could enjoy it as well. Another aspect of my relationship with Mary was that she appreciated all religions, she adored the music of Christmas, the meditative value of Buddhism, and was truly someone with a heart that would make God happy. She taught me the theory of feng shui, that is, to rid myself of 'stuff' in my life in order to allow good things to come in, to happen. I sort of bickered with her about that theory (I really don't like to throw anything away, and will hold on to bitter memories and resentments forever due to my refusal to discard bad reminders of bad times), until one day, I cleared ten garbage bags full of papers and clothes and not-so-sweet memories out of my closet...disposed of them all properly, gave the goods away to those who needed or wanted them, and then I had more room in my closet. My closet was happier, and I was happier. Soon thereafter, things began to turn from grim to giddy in my life. I met new people who brought laughter and romance and music into my life. I got a new job, one that actually pays enough for me to pay my bills. I also was given the opportunity to write, sing, play -- all the things I love -- for a little bit of money and a whole lot of smiles. Every time I'd confess such purging to Mary, she would just encourage me more; she was not smug about her knowledge. I like that in a person...I treasured it in her.

Mary also shared my love for my choir, she would show up at rehearsals to listen (especially dress rehearsals with orchestras) and sit up in the balcony, right in the 'sweet spot' and enjoy the loveliness of our Glorias and Requiems and Hallelujias. She would remark about each performance, enough so I knew she was paying attention and also was cherishing every moment.

Mary also appreciated my role as a Stephen Minister and when a dear friend passed away suddenly, Murty (that was my nickname for her) called from her home out west at midnight to break the news, and asked me to help with the arrangements because our friend's family was devastated and needed some assistance.

We had great lobster-fests, Mary and I did - and her dogs
were ever so happy when we did. They waited until we were
done before they got the leftovers, which they took to like
mother's milk.

She was a huge UK sports fan but had adopted the Oregon Ducks in her stay there. However, once (while she was living in Eugene), UK had a football game going on and she could not view it on television, so she asked me to text her updates. Knowing her mischievous nature, I proceeded to text every down, every call, everything detail of the game to her, totally overloading her with information. She finally said, "Jeez, Kim, you lost your calling; you totally are a better sports commentator than anyone on television!" My texting fingers finally gave out and I started to slow down the messages, and Mary, being Mary, just finally wrote back: it's okay, honey, take a time out and just give me the points as they're scored!" That was Mary. She appreciated life, and she lived her life like a candle in the windmill. (She would've liked that lil saying, me thinks :)

I just can't pass up posting this pic for any reason at all,
but today, am posting it because it was one of Mary's
favorite ridiculous photos...and she loved her doggies so...

I could say a whole lot more about Mary, but my tears are staining my Holiday blouse, and so I shall leave you with her essence of aloha, namaste, love, contentment, forgiveness, peace, balance, and most of all Hope.

I hope you all come to know someone as brash, hilarious, loyal and honest as Mary Smith. I hope you have the opportunity to stretch out of your comfort zone and find the music, the song, the wonder of all that is glorious.

peace and hope,
kimmy

After Christmas, Come Singalong! (Wednesday, December 28 at 7pm :)

2011-12-17T18:12:00.001-05:00

Tom Bragg and I will be there - come sing along with us!

LAL Bares It All With This Year's Presentation of THE NUDE ;-)

2011-12-15T13:27:00.000-05:00

The Nude

Adds the

Body

and

Figure

for

Deeper

Meaning

For the past 25 years, LAL’s Nude has grown to be the most anticipated exhibition presented at the Loudoun House. This coming season, however, LAL has shifted the focus from the nude as object to including more metaphorical representations.

Body | Figure | Nude, on display at the Loudoun House gallery January 14 through March 11, 2012, is a group show of 40 national artists, juried by Anna Brzyski (Chellgren Endowed Associate Professor of Art History and Visual Studies at University of Kentucky) and Becky Alley (LAL Exhibitions & Programs Director).

Back in 2010, Professor Brzyski answered a few questions for

LAL’s blog, arbeatlexington.com.

When asked what time periods throughout art history were

significant or transformative in regard to the nude,

she stated,

“In terms of the most dynamic and controversial periods,

I would have to choose either the turn of the century

or the present. In both instances, the nude was/is used

by artists to tackle socially sensitive areas,

in particular those pertaining to sexuality.”

From Egon Schiele to

Robert Mapplethorpe, the body has been

used not only for artistic study,

but also to convey concepts ranging

from eroticism to what it means to be human.

The works in Body | Figure | Nude concentrate on the latter.

The artists move beyond an art practice and into allegorical territory.

Themes and media vary from femininity

(like that found in the mixed-media installation

Cosmic Egg by Sondra Schwetman)

to privacy and identity,

(evidenced in the digital life-sized Body Scans by Nick Reszetar),

and to burden and psychology (taken from Evolution I,

the graphite drawing by Kirsti Anderssen).

All works, no matter the media used, employ the body,

figure or nude as a vehicle for expressing today’s culture

and the “socially sensitive areas”, as Professor Brzyski stated.

Guests have the opportunity to view the exhibition

a day before it officially opens at the QX.net

Opening Preview Party on January 13 from

6p to 10p, supported by MD Update.

The evening is a cocktail attire event

including live jazz with Detour Ahead,

heavy hors d’oeuvres by Executive Chef Sam Sears,

CEC AAC of South-Van Events,

a cash bar with fine spirits and

beverages and flowers

by Greg Jordan of Fine Flowers and Events.

Tickets are $30 for LAL Members and $40 for potential members.

Other scheduled social events are

Fifth Third Bank 4^th Fridays from 6p – 9p on

January 27 and February 24, with appetizers

and cash bar by DaRae & Friends Catering

and live music with DJ Warren Peace (January)

and Tommy & the Oh’s (February).

Admission is free for LAL Members and $7 for potential members.

Lastly, as part of the exhibition, LAL

will offer opportunities to learn and engage

with the works. A gallery tour with the jurors

is scheduled for January 24 at 7p,

and a discussion with exhibition artists

(including Don Ament, Kevin Gardner,

Jack Girard, Sharon Lee Hart,

Hui Chi Lee, and Mary Rezny)

is scheduled for February 11 at 1p.

Both are free and open to the public.

Also, workshops in life painting (led by Dongfeng Li)

and life drawing (led by Hui Chi Lee)

are open for registration until January 10, 2012

and are $70 for LAL Members and $85 for potential members.

More information and tickets for the events

and lectures as well as workshop

registration and instructor biographies

can be found on LAL’s website

www.lexingtonartleague.org

ABOUT THE JURORS:
Anna Brzyski is Chellgren Endowed Associate Professor of Art History

and Visual Studies at University of Kentucky.

She teaches courses in the 18th and 19th century art,

contemporary art theory, and visual studies.

She has published broadly on a wide range of

subjects from Polish 19th century art to

contemporary art and new media.

Her work has been supported by grants

from the Whiting, Luce, and IREX foundations

and she is a recipient of the Fulbright and

Fulbright-Hays Fellowships.

She is the editor of Partisan Canons

(Duke University Press 2007) and

of three special issues of the journal Centropa.

Her work has appeared in Art Criticism, Centropa,

19th Century Art Worldwide, RES, n-Media,

and a number of anthologies.

Becky Alley, LAL’s Exhibitions & Programs Director,

earned a BFA in studio art from Washington University,

and an MFA in studio art from the University of Kansas.

Before joining the LAL staff in January 2010,

Alley was the Director of University Galleries

at Murray State University.

She has organized over 100 shows

and has curated several major projects

including Think Tank, an international

show of political art, and Creatures

Great and Small, a touring exhibition of

contemporary art featuring animals,

and most recently an LAL project

titled Love and Things Like Love.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=

here's a linky link to my past post about LAL's NUDE exhibit from a few years ago:

http://kimmyville.blogspot.com/2011/01/lexington-art-league-teams-up-with.html

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ABOUT LAL:The Lexington Art League is Lexington's

oldest and largest visual arts organization.

LAL envisions visual art as the lens through

which central Kentucky will distinguish

itself as a progressive, inclusive and

vibrant region. LAL presents original

and creative programs, with a reputation

for thought-provoking content, that illuminate

the role of visual art in contemporary life.

LAL @ Loudoun House is located at

209 Castlewood Drive, Lexington, KY 40505.

To learn more about LAL and

how LAL presents art that is for everyone,

please visit www.lexingtonartleague.org.

Gallery Hours: Tues – Fri 10a – 4p and

Sat – Sun 1p-4p.

For more information, visit www.lexingtonartleague.org or call 859.254.7024

#####

LAL: ART THAT IS FOR EVERYONEThe Lexington Art League’s programs are made possible through the generous support of LexArts. The annual Campaign for the Arts has raised millions of dollars in support of the visual, literary and performing arts in Lexington. Through the success of the Campaign, LexArts supports The Lexington Art League with an allocation of $62,000 for general operating support. We thank the many individuals whose passion for the arts compelled them to give generously of their time and money. Together these donations helped LexArts raise more than $1 million for the arts community. Special thanks to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and the Kentucky Arts Council for their continued partnership in ensuring a flourishing future for the arts in Lexington and central Kentucky. The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, supports the Lexington Art League with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

ELandF Small Project's Annual Winter Solstice Conversation: Where did you come from?

2011-12-14T12:18:00.000-05:00

From my favorite doers of good and thinkers of cool projects, ELandF Small Projects Gallery, here's a very swell thing to do on the night of the Winter Solstice:

From ELandF small projects… you are invited to...

WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?

ELandF’s 4th Annual Midnight Winter Solstice Conversation

Midnight, December 21st, Denny's Restaurant 1949 Nicholasville Rd. Lexington, Kentucky

(for those of us who are annually confused as to which day midnight the 21stfalls on this year- think of it as really, really late night Wednesday night if you must)

..........

ELandF’s 4th Annual Midnight Winter Solstice Conversation is just that, a few storytellers who gather at one of America’s great restaurants to usher in the Winter Solstice and share a story or two based on the preference of the year’s Solstice Host/ess/Curator.

..........

This year’s Solstice Host/ess/Curator is Lexington’s Kremena Todorova who is an artist, an Associate Professor of English at Transylvania University, a native of Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, and a hostess extraordinaire (you can call her Clarissa). She asks us to contemplate this question: “Where did you come from?”

Kremena recommends that as we consider this,

we emphasize not so much where we are from,

but where we come from.

..........

Once you have mulled this over,

it is essential that you share your story with

others at Denny’s on Solstice… props are welcome.

Here's one of several past posts here on KimmyVille about ELandF and one of their previous projects: http://kimmyville.blogspot.com/2011/04/discomfort.html

(just clicky click on the linky link :)
---------------------------------------

Our Book: ELandF small projects 2006-2011 http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2031749

ELandF small projects on facebook: http://www.facebook.com

ELandF blog: http://elandfgallery.blogspot.com

ELandF small projects is a program of Latitude Artist Community

Holler Poet Kate Hadfield's Very Cool Idea for Warm Hearts!

2011-12-07T14:56:00.000-05:00

This is such a thoughtful and kind gesture - I hope you'll listen to the words of Kate Hadfield, who is, among many other wonderful things, a favorite at Holler Poets Series and one of the sassy Sisters Provacateur. Here's her idea - perfect for this Season of Giving --something you can do that does not require wrapping paper and a bow.

If you do this, you'll have the merriest of Christmases, I guarantee it! Listen...and glisten :)

"So, I've been doing a lot of thinking about the word community. I'm consistently referring to "my community" in coversations, and what I've thought is my community should not only be my artistic family, but strive to include everyone. In order to include everyone in a c...ommunity, we have to make them feel smaller even when they include hundreds and hundreds of people. It seems insurmountable, but I believe all we have to do is reach out."

"It's already getting too cold at night to want to be outside for any length of time, and as I've been driving around looking at Christmas lights and taking pictures, I've become hypersensitive to all the people I see walking the streets, all the people standing with signs asking for money or work. It takes a lot of energy to consciously avoid someone's gaze and pretend like you don't have money or don't have the time to talk or just flat out ignore them. It is so much easier to give."

"What I'm going to do, and what I'm asking you to do with me is this: create small care packages. Include things like sock toboggans, gloves, warm socks, granola bars, ponchos, hand warmers, fleece blankets, and travel pillows. You can purchase all of these things at the dollar store. Put five things in a bag, put only one thing in a bag, it doesn't matter. Just give. Fill your car up, or stuff one down in your purse or in your bike basket and the next time you see someone that is cold or asking for money, toss them one. You don't have to say anything. Just give someone the comfort of warmth. Having warm hands and warm feet is something we all take for granted, especially when we're going home to heated houses and cozy beds every night."

"Our whole country is eaten up with apathy and complacency. Take a step. It breaks my heart that we've turned into a nation that actively avoids other people's eyes on the street. Every single pair of gloves or socks you give out is going to help someone. Every granola bar you give is going to take the edge off a hunger pain. Even if you only give ONE pair of gloves, that's helping. That's effectively creating change."

"If you want to donate goods to making the care packages, but don't have the time to put them together, you can drop them off at my apartment and I will put the packages together and distribute them. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please e-mail me at krhadfield@gmail.com, or you can always called me at 270.366.6352."

"Thanks, y'all :) Let's get busy!"

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oh, and to inspire you, here's a youtube clip of my co-worker

Carlie Taylor singing "Faith" -- oh my, it's incredible!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSeiWEWOkp8

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thank you, Lord, for people like Kate Hadfield.

it's good to be Kimmy ;-)

pray

for

peace

earth

Pearl Harbor - 70 year old photos just recently discovered in an old Brownie camera...

2011-12-07T11:06:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, December 7th, 1941 the Japanese launched a surprise attack against the U.S. Forces stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii By planning his attack on a Sunday, the Japanese commander Admiral Nagumo, hoped to catch the entire fleet in port. As luck would have it, the Aircraft Carriers and one of the Battleships were not in port.. (The USS Enterprise was returning from Wake Island , where it had just delivered some aircraft. The USS Lexington was ferrying aircraft to Midway, and the USS Saratoga and USS Colorado were undergoing repairs in the United States .)

In spite of the latest intelligence reports about the missing aircraft carriers (his most important targets), Admiral Nagumo decided to continue the attack with his force of six carriers and 423 aircraft. At a range of 230 miles north of Oahu , he launched the first wave of a two-wave attack.

Beginning at 0600 hours his first wave consisted of 183 fighters and torpedo bombers which st ruck at the fleet in Pearl Harbor and the airfields in Hickam, Kaneohe and Ewa. The second strike, launched at 0715 hours, consisted of 167 aircraft, which again struck at the same targets.

At 075 3 hours the first wave consisting of 40 Nakajima B5N2 'Kate' torpedo bombers, 51 Aichi D3A1 'Val' dive bombers, 50 high altitude bombers and 43 Zeros struck airfields and Pearl Harbor Within the next hour, the second wave arrived and continued the attack.

When it was over, the U.S. Losses were:

Casualties

US Army: 218 KIA, 364 WIA.

US Navy: 2,008 KIA, 710 WIA.

US MarineCorp: 109 KIA, 69 WIA.

Civilians: 68 KIA, 35 WIA.

TOTAL: 2,403 KIA, 1,178 WIA.

-------------------------------------------------

Battleships:

USS Arizona (BB-39) - total loss when a bomb hit her magazine.

USS Oklahoma (BB-37) - Total loss when she capsized and sunk in the harbor.

USS California (BB-4 4) - Sunk at her berth. Later raised and repaired.

USS West Virginia (BB-48) - Sunk at her berth. Later raised and repaired.

USS Nevada - (BB-36) Beached to prevent sinking. Later repaired.

USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) - Light damage.

USS Maryland (BB-46) - Light damage.

USS Tennessee (BB-43) Light damage.

USS Utah (AG-16) - (former battleship used as a target) - Sunk.

----------------------------------------------------
Cruisers

USS New Orleans (CA-32) - Light Damage..

USS San Francisco (CA-38) - Light Damage.

USS Detroit (CL-8) - Light Damage.

USS Raleigh (CL-7) - Heavily damaged but repaired.

USS Helena (CL-50) - Light Damage.

USS Honolulu (CL-48) - Light Damage..

-------------------------- -- ---------------------------- Destroyers

USS Downes (DD-375) - Destroyed. Parts salvaged.

USS Cassin - (DD -3 7 2) Destroyed.. Parts salvaged.

USS Shaw (DD-373) - Very heavy damage.

USS Helm (DD-388) - Light Damage.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minelayer

USS Ogala (CM-4) - Sunk but later raised and repaired.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seaplane Tender

USS Curtiss (AV-4) - Severely damaged but later repaired.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Repair Ship

USS Vestal (AR-4) - Severely damaged but later repaired.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harbor Tug

USS Sotoyomo (YT-9) - Sunk but later raised and repaired.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aircraft

188 Aircraft destroyed (92 USN and 92 U.S. Army Air Corps.)

====================================================================

There are more of these photos that came from a recently discovered Brownie camera. I'll post as many as I can. They're incredible! Please pray for our servicemen and servicewomen - and thank a veteran for all they've done for our freedom. If you know a living World War II veteran, well, you're pretty darn lucky. Give 'em a hug and tell them you love them!

pray for peace on earth,

Kimmy

WoodSongs Hosts Billy Burnette & Lydia Loveless (call 252.8888 for reservations)

2011-12-07T08:06:00.002-05:00

WoodSongs tapes Monday's at 6:45 pm (EST) at the

Kentucky Theatre, 214 E Main,

Lexington, KY.

WoodSongs Partners come to over

30 shows a year FREE

plus get discounts

on all special events.

WoodSongs 24hr Reservation Hotline:

859-252-8888

WoodSongs

Monday, Dec 12th

General Public: $10

Student ID: $5

WoodSongs Partners: FREE

BILLY BURNETTE is a songwriter for superstars,

acclaimed sideman, member of Fleetwood Mac

and enjoying a resurgence of success for

his own solo career. Memphis born

Billy Burnette was recently inducted into the

Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He has penned

hit songs for everyone from Ray Charles,

Cher, Roy Orbison to Alan Jackson and Faith Hill.

He's also known as an acclaimed guitarist touring

with Bob Dylan John Fogerty among others,

as well a member of Fleetwood Mac. His recent

release of 'Rock & Roll With It' is his 1st studio

album in a decade. billyburnette.net/

21 year old LYDIA LOVELESS is blessed with a strong voice. She was raised on a family farm in the small rural

town of Coshocton, Ohio.

Her dad owned a country music bar

and she often woke up with a

house full of touring musicians

scattered on couches and floors.

In the time-honored traditions

of teenage rebellion, she moved to the big city

(Columbus, OH) and immersed herself in the

punk scene. These two worlds now collide on

her debut CD on Bloodshot Records

'Indestructible Machine.' The album combines

Lydia's country roots with punk rock candor

-- sometimes within the same song.

lydialoveless.com/

SPECIAL EVENT ALERT:

Monday January 30

the legendary JUDY COLLINS!

You must have an advance ticket

(no reservations) for this broadcast show.

Tickets are available

from the Kentucky Theater, 859-231-7924

Watch WoodSongs LIVE-AS-IT HAPPENS every Monday at 7PM EDT viawoodsongs.com

Support by

Hear WoodSongs onWEKU 88.9 FM
Sat at 8PM

WUKY Sat 10PM

WMMT Sun 12noon

ARTISTS and LABELS!

Time to make your new CD or DVD? call ADVANCE MEDIAtoday, call 800-788-1024

CD Sampler for Radio

Artists and small Record Labels

Send the best song from your new CD to over 1,400 ROOTS radio stations or over 800 Bluegrass Radio Shows worldwide.

Find out more atwww.AcousticRainbow.com

Troubadour Concert Series: www.TroubaShow.com

KEB MO Full Band Concert

The volunteers of the Troubadour Concert Series are proud to present the return of blues legend and master songwriter KEB MO performing in Lexington for the first time with his full band.

EMMYLOU HARRIS in Concert

SUNDAY Jan 29, 2012

Lexington Opera House, Lexington, KY 7:00pm

Tickets on sale now and going fast

Call 859-233-3535 or www.TicketMaster.com

The volunteers of the Troubadour Concert

Series are proud to present

the legendary Emmylou Harris

in concert at the historic

Lexington Opera House

on Sunday January 29.

Emmylou Harris' multi-Grammy award

career stretches back more than 40 years,

to her legendary early collaborations

with the late country-folk legend

Gram Parsons, Dolly Parton, Linda Rondstadt and more.

Lexington's Walter May's Play "Broken" To Be Presented in New York at Times Square International Theatre in January!

2011-12-06T12:07:00.000-05:00

From Lexington playwright Walter May, this exciting news!

"I have been informed that my play, "Broken," has been scheduled to be performed in New York in January at the Times Square International Theater Festival."

Dates are:
Tuesday (Jan 17th) 9:00pm
Thursday (Jan 19th) 8:30pm
Saturday (Jan 21st) 7:30pm

Walter May and fellow playwright Charles Pogue
Moonlight and Magnolias at AGL.

May is standing at the desk as David O Selznick,
Pogue was playing Ben Hecht.

The location is the Roy Arias Studios & Theaters, 300 West 43rd Street (at Eighth Avenue ). This will be a showcase production in a small theater (99 seats). It is the same production seen at Kentucky Repertory in August and September with the same cast (Kelly Tuohy and Brett Hunter Levenson) and director (Christopher Carter Sanderson).

Festival selections or schedule have been posted yet, but pertinent information can be found at some point at http://www.tsitf.com/index.html and http://royariasstudios.com

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

* You can read my past blogs about Walter May's Broken, presented by AGL earlier this year -- just clicky click on the links below:

http://kimmyville.blogspot.com/2011/03/mays-broken-is-ready-for-cast-in-agls.html

http://kimmyville.blogspot.com/2011/04/that-was-week-that-twas.html

peace on earth,
Kimmy

Central Music Academy Making a Difference In Kids' Lives

2011-12-05T16:43:00.000-05:00

Do you have someone on your List who already has everything they need?

Do you want to give a gift that will make a difference someone's life, in a meaningful way?

Then I ask you to consider giving a gift to Central Music Academy on behalf of your friend or family -- or for yourself!

CMA provides music lessons for children who cannot afford to take private lessons.

Central Music Academy

EMAIL: centralmusicacademy@gmail.com

WEBSITE: http://www.centralmusicacademy.org

PHONE: (859) 221-4666

LOCATION/ADDRESS:

Location: 240 Clark Street Lexington, KY 40507

Mailing address 219 E. Short St. Lexington, KY 40507

The mission of the Central Music Academy is to provide free music education for financially disadvantaged children in downtown Lexington.

FIVE THINGS YOU CAN GIVE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON TO THIS WORTHY CAUSE:

1. Instruments (violins, keyboards, etc.)

2. Paper towels

3. Children's books

4. Music related DVDs, VCRs tapes, and posters

5. Copy paper

Central Music Academy • 240 Clark Street • Lexington, KY 40507-1904

Mailing Address • 219 E. Short Street • Lexington, KY 40507-1904

859.221.4666 • 859.221.2190

www.centralmusicacademy.org

"Giving the Gift of Music in the Heart of Lexington"

There are numerous amazing stories of how lives of children are being changed by the music that the CMA provides. There are some 110 children that take lessons at the CMA. From one of the founders comes this information: "We have had some incredible stories lately, of that moment when making music clicks for them. One of my favorites lately: a young man who has been taking cello lessons. A sister of his died tragically, and to deal with his emotions, etc, we heard that he spent the whole next day playing his cello. Pouring his heart into his instrument and his music. It clicked for him. Then on, he had a totally new approach to his music studies, and subsequently made the CKYO! The CMA makes a difference in kids lives; kids that don't have very much."

Also, CMA will have a booth at the Alternative Giving Fair this coming Sunday (Dec 11) at Central Christian Church. The fair is full of items and opportunities to give to humanitarian and philanthropic efforts -- if you should be downtown Sunday morning, I encourage you to stop in the Fellowship Hall at Central and see what there is to buy. Every gift that you purchase will benefit someone less fortunate...and in my view, that's what Christmas is all about!

A Prayer

2011-12-05T08:17:00.000-05:00

This is a prayer we shared in worship yesterday.

I hope you find it meaningful:

God of all wisdom,

our hearts yearn

for the warmth of your love,

and our minds search

for the light of your Word.

Increase our longing

for Christ our Savior,

and strengthen us

to grow in love,

that at the dawn of his coming

we may rejoice in his presence

and welcome the light of his truth.

This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

"Hide it under a bushel"

No!

I'm gonna let it shine. :)

pray for peace,

Kimmy