Collaboration

Building a Container

Posted on

My dear friend Angie is a master at crafting celebrations, rituals, and events. She calls it “building a container.” I love that expression—the idea that we create a time and space to be filled with intention: be it with art, performance, remembrance, initiation, and so on.

Presented with an opportunity to host a photography workshop with Kyle Cassidy, I saw a chance to “build a container”: to create an opportunity for friends and artists to get together, learn from a talented teacher, and commit to making their art.

On Friday evening, Molly Robison, Lindsay, Madeline, and I picked up Kyle from the airport and drove to Kate’s lovely home, where we enjoyed bottles of Spanish wine and tapas. We met Kate’s dogs, admired her yard and amazing playhouse, listened to the fabulous Molly play, and sat on the deck enjoying the cool Chicago evening in the company of good friends (thanks Kate and Sam).

Saturday morning began with coffee, tea, and snacks as folks trickled in. After breakfast, participants discussed their experience and expectations. I wasn’t participating in the workshop, so I stayed in the kitchen chopping vegetables for the black bean soup and salad I planned to serve for lunch. (I was also eavesdropping and would occasionally peek through the doorway.)


(Fuzzy photo by my phone)

My parents were watching the kids for the weekend—affording Mark the time to work in the yard and giving me the time and space to be fully present.


(photo by Ellen of 8 Eyes Photography)

The weekend was filled with so many great moments as I watched people wander through Casa del Lobos and around the neighborhood—searching for perfect sunlight or appropriate background for this or that shot. I was able to spend time with some of my favorite people, and I made new friends I can’t wait to see again. I also had the opportunity to spend more time with Kyle, whom I genuinely like and respect; and I love that he’s a creative catalyst inspiring people to make art.


(photo by Ellen of 8 Eyes Photography)

It was creative bliss: meandering through cameras, light stands, portfolios, and notebooks; watching people view the world through their own particular lenses.

The weekend culminated in a wine & cheese gallery night on Sunday, where fantastic photographs from the weekend were displayed around our backyard, waiting to be discovered by friends and family while we savored wines and cheeses.


(photo of lovely assistant/model Angela Enos by Carl Hertz)

At one point, my parents brought over the kids to see the photos. It’s important to me that they grow up watching people pursue their passions, knowing that they too can create art and dream big. The kids left with my folks; and amidst tiki torches and candles, we gathered around Molly Robison to hear her play. It was the perfect close to the night and weekend.

On Monday, after a few photo shoots (Kyle was able to take a few portraits of Chicago area veterans for his newest book, War Paint), we stopped by the home of novelist Ysabeau Wilce, author of Flora Segunda (read it: fantastic world-building and compelling characters). I was introduced to Ysabeau and her husband, and we met Molly for lunch. After a delicious meal at Reza’s and lively conversation about Clarion, writing, giving birth, motherhood, schedules, and secret projects, it was suddenly time to get Kyle to the airport. The fabulous weekend was over.

The Sufi poet Rumi wrote: “Start a huge, foolish project, like Noah…it makes absolutely no difference what people think of you.” (Mawlana Jalal-al-Din Rumi)
I hope that everyone who came into contact with Kyle that weekend starts a “huge, foolish project.” I look forward to watching what happens next. I have no doubt it will be wonder-filled.

Love Will Tear Us Apart (Musical Impressions Part II)

Posted on

The week after I attended Marian Call’s house concert, I went to see another ensemble of talented, independent artists–this time a nontraditional performance in the traditional venue of the Park West.

Just as house concerts are bringing live music directly into people’s homes, so too is the internet; and Amanda Palmer is at the forefront, using twitter, blogging, and Ustream to break down some of the barriers between artists and their audiences.

Joined by Maryannerooney, Tabor330, Onesockshort, I had a fabulous view from a central table just off the main floor (thanks to the magic of Tabor), and we met up with Mcmatz who was in town for the Evelyn Evelyn show.

My husband had seen Evelyn Evelyn in Köln, Germany. Jetlagged on his first night back in Europe, he went straight from work and was able to catch the performance (thanks Neil) before hopping on a late train to return to his hotel in Frankfurt. He really enjoyed the show, especially Sxip Shirey’s performance.

When Evelyn Evelyn came to Chicago a month later, it was my turn.

In the first half of this theatrical music performance, Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley perform as a fictional set of conjoined twin sisters under the watchful eye of their handler (played by Sxip Shirey).

I’d heard the songs before (my kids LOVE Elephant Elephant): an album of show tunes, narration, a power ballad, and even a cover of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart.” However, more than just a collection of songs, Evelyn Evelyn is musical theater (complete with puppets), and it’s the personalities of the three artists involved that make the show successful and fun to watch.

The second half of the show featured solo sets by each artist, starting with Sxip Shirey who blew me away with his musical prowess. Innovative and sexy music from unexpected instruments: Sxip uses marbles in glass bowls, recycled bells and music boxes, horns and pennywhistles to make beautiful compositions. I was entranced, impressed, and instantly a fan.

Next Jason Webley took the stage with a voice that came booming out from somewhere deep inside what appears to be an ordinarily calm and unassuming exterior. I was unprepared for his music and utterly enchanted. Amanda Palmer joined him on the stage and after a few shared tunes, she turned to her own repertoire of playful and provocative songs that had many in the crowd singing along.


Photo by Christina Jones (@redbug138)

Amanda Palmer is an entertainer. She connects with the crowd, taps into their energy, and delivers her music in a way that makes it feel honest and personal. Her music is excellent, but it’s the personality and performance that set Amanda apart and endear her to her audience.

All three performers made their own particular brand of provocative music in the second set, and it was easy to see how these three could have been attracted to one another. Each artist has a quality of raw intensity and fearlessness in their music. The theatrics of the show were entertaining, but the authenticity of their work is what most impressed me. That’s what will keep me listening.

After the concert, Chicago singer-songwriter Molly Robison invited us over to her apartment, where they were having a little soiree because Sxip and Jason were crashing there for the night. There were tasty treats concocted by her roommate and much hospitality by her sister and friends.

Much of the time, I enjoy being in the thick of conversation. That night I had a comfy chair in the corner, a cup of tea, and was content to be the writer/mom-of-three-in-the-corner-who-didn’t-quite-fit-in-but-enjoyed-the-music-and-conversation-aflutter-around-me.

My favorite part of the night was when Molly Robison had the chance to play “Fake Plastic Trees” with Amanda, Jason, Sxip, and others. I know how much it meant to her, and she positively glowed. With that, I’ll share the video of the song and bid you good night.

Molly Robison and the Gang

Paris on the Prairie

Posted on

My head is still spinning from last weekend’s events. I loved mulling about in such diverse creative pools of people, but that’s Chicago’s literary and art scenes—such a variety of styles and voices.


Valya Dudycz Lupescu & Scott Markwell, photo by 8 Eyes Photography

Friday’s release party for Conclave: A Journal of Character was a success! An enthusiastic and attentive crowd came out to support the magazine, have wine and cheese, share cake and coffee, and listen to local writers and performers read from the latest issue.


Don Evans, photo by 8 Eyes Photography

I feel protective and proud of each piece we select for publication in Conclave, so meeting their makers is always a thrill. I’m delighted when contributors travel to attend the party, and this year, Darci Schummer came in from Minneapolis to read and party with us.


Darci Schummer, photo by Rob Lambert

It was fun meeting Darci, and I hope to see her the next time we make it up to Minneapolis.


Deb Miller & Steve Simoncic, photo by Rob Lambert

After the last dramatic performance, sweetheart Molly Robison performed for an hour: some covers, some originals (including my favorite Patience Worth…there’s a good character!).


Molly Robison, photo by 8 Eyes Photography

Perhaps the most novel aspect of this year’s release party was a last-minute decision to broadcast the readings and performances live via Ustream.


Meg Fergus & Valya reading chat comments during broadcast, photo by Rob Lambert

Thanks to the assistance of dizzydarkhorse , an international audience popped in to see what was happening at the Book Cellar online. I hope that we can continue to find new ways to use technology to expand our audience and promote the work in Conclave.


Sanfilippo Estate, photo by Roberta Richardson

If Friday was about celebrating new voices and new media, Saturday was on the opposite end of the literary spectrum—honoring writers whose lifetime contributions and legacies have shaped the literary landscape of Chicago. Patrons and writers attended the benefit for the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame at the Sanfilippo Estate in Barrington Hills.


Music chamber in Sanfilippo, photo by Roberta Richardson

Hosted by the Chicago Writers Association, the event included a tour of the remarkable estate and a concert on the world’s largest Wurlitzer (8,000 pipes, percussions and sound effects), as well as appearances by local authors Elizabeth Berg, Joe Meno,  Sara Paretsky, Rosellen Brown, Bayo Ojikutu, Achy Obejas, Rob Duffer, and so many other great Chicago writers.


Marc Kelly Smith, photo by Roberta Richarson

Marc Kelly Smith, founder of the poetry slam movement, emceed with colorful enthusiasm and announced the six writers to be inducted into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame: Gwendolyn Brooks, Studs Terkel, Nelson Algren, Lorraine Hansberry, Saul Bellow and Richard Wright. Information about the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be announced soon!

A second night surrounded by creative people in this one-of-a-kind location was inspiring, and I came home eager to write, to add my voice to the others who have come before and continue to write in my beloved city by the lake, our so-called third coast, this fantastic city of big shoulders.