touching base & catching up
Current mood: awake
Category: Life

Hi friends, Writing to you from upstate NY at my mother's farm. She's recovering from shoulder surgery. What a champ she is! The hardest part of tending her is getting her to rest without guilt.
I am really enjoying taking care of her menagerie... two horses, three dogs and I'm told six cats but I've only met five...

Honestly I am itching to be back at work. We have a summer of travel planned with a couple of gigs in mid July in NH.... til then its helping my mother, then helping John's folks in PA.

Feeling particularly blessed these days that we love our work. Your friendships here really make it meaningful! Thanks a million for being a part of our network.

Viv

4:48 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Social Justice and Environmental Sustainablity...What's Art of the Song doing about it?
Current mood: creative
Category: News and Politics

The Art of the Song Darfur Special has been well-received and has aired on 118 broadcast outlets in addition to our 114 affiliates. To purchase the "We Are All Connected CD" click here.

We attended the Lifestyles of Health & Sustainability, LOHAS 11 Conference again this year and came home filled with inspiration and confidence. LOHAS is a gathering place for socially & environmentally conscious businesses leaders to exchange ideas and generate awareness about the solutions available to us in the coming years as we move toward sustainable energy sources and better management of our resources. We are researching through Native Energy how to purchase "carbon offset credits" and other means of ensuring that we are part of the solution. We look forward to partnering with and continuing to engage these great minds through Art of the Song.

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Art of the Song is excited to introduce the Creativity Catcher!
Current mood: happy

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What is your definition of Creativity?
Current mood: contemplative

In our on-going search and research into the creative process we come across a diverse cross section of definitions for creativity. We would love to hear yours. Send it our way!

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CREATIVITY AND THE SNOW
Current mood: peaceful
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes

So I was able to go out over the weekend and rake up all the things I had raked before that the spring winds had blown wily nilly over the garden again... now my neat piles are covered with 4 inches of spring snow - so beautiful, so not what I expected today. And there you have it. It's never what I expect. Each day seems to unfold, unfurl and sometimes completely unravel in ways I never could have planned.

We received an email last week from a HERO. Unsolicited and completely out of the clear blue. It was from Noel Paul Stookey, who identified himself as "the tall middle one in Peter, Paul & Mary" ... you can bet that we knew that already. For someone like me who started listening to folk music because of them, who hung on every word of their records in the '60's it was a mind blowing experience to see his name there, every so mildly in our inbox. It never gets old, it never ceases to amaze me that when someone's creative voice resonates with me in a deep way, as Noel Paul Stookey's did 45 years ago, we have made a connection, whether its ever tangibly known or not. These threads of creative expression that connect us are golden. They are powerful and if we choose wisely, respectfully and with kindness, we can help build a truly magnificent community of peace. Thanks for reading and thanks for your creative voice. Use it wisely, use it well and use it loud for peace here at home, and all the world over.

Currently listening : Guiding Star By Vusi Mahlasela Release date: 06 March, 2007

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CREATIVITY AND THE WIND
Current mood: grateful

We've entered the windy season for sure here in northern New Mexico. Even the dogs want to stay inside. Our yard is now littered with all the bits and pieces I raked up last weekend. At least I will have plenty to do tomorrow in the garden. Seems to me that the creative process is made up of many of these days. Inspired thoughts gather into small groups of ideas waiting to be processed only to be scattered by the winds of daily life, like travel, dishes, emails (lots of those!) and the constant supply of inspiration provided by these amazing artists on My Space. Ain't it grand! I think that collecting all the bits and pieces of thoughts that have been tossed about the garden of my mind on the winds of my whimsical nature will be better the second time around!
happy days to you all -
Viv

Currently reading : A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future By Daniel Pink Release date: 07 March, 2006

12:15 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Hi there from Viv
Current mood: creative
Category: Music

we are really enjoying this amazing digital place ... thanks to all the folks who are visiting us here! Almost all of the friends that are so kindly lending their photos have also loaned their incredible voices to Art of the Song over the past few years. Its wonderful to see them all here... it's the party I'd love to host!

Claire is the brains and the brawn behind the virtual heavy lifting it took to build this site... be sure to check out her site... she's a visionary...

more anon!

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COLLEGE CD PROJECT ON DARFUR INSPIRES PUBLIC RADIO DOCUMENTARY

Art of the Song, a nationally syndicated public radio program will present a special documentary the week of April 23rd, recounting the uplifting true story about the creation of "We Are All Connected", a CD of original music, inspired by the crisis in Darfur.

The special program begins with the journey of three American women to Darfur, and illustrates the power of artistic expression as a communications tool in the global community.

The Art of the Song Darfur Special is based on an interview with Linda Mason, chairman of Bright Horizons Family Solutions and wife of Berklee College of Music president Roger Brown. Mason traveled to Darfur with Liz Walker, news anchor for WBZ-TV; and activist Rev. Dr. Gloria White Hammond on a research trip. As a customary gift to her hosts, she brought two songs written by Berklee students for the women and children in the refugee camps. When the music was played for the refugees, they joyously explained that the gift of song makes them know we understand. The refugees returned the gift with their own song and dance. Their recorded voices were taken back to Berklee, and a song competition launched within the entire Berklee community. The result was "We Are All Connected," a CD of music written and performed by students, faculty and alumni of the renowned college, creatively intertwining the voices of the Sudanese women into the songs. Proceeds from the sale of the CD will benefit the Mercy Corps Darfur Fund.

The Art of the Song Darfur Special will feature music from the CD as well as interviews with Linda Mason and others involved in the project.

Art of the Song, hosted by the performing/songwriting duo, John and Viv, is a one-hour weekly program with music and interviews exploring inspiration and creativity through songwriting and other art forms. The program is heard on over 100 public radio broadcast outlets across the country, and the special will air on many additional stations. Listeners should check with their local public radio stations for day and time.

Funding for the Art of the Song Darfur Special is provided in part by Jim and Jane Levitt and MercyCorps.

For additional information on Art of the Song, visit www.artofthesong.org. For the "We Are All Connected" project, visit www.berklee.edu/darfur/ or contact Creative PR: 888-233-5650.

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