Feb 5, 2014 | For Crying Out Loud, Honoring Others, Relationship Overdrive |
Buddy Tabor – Castle Valley, Moab, Utah – 2006 – I imagine that if he saw this particular photo, he may have used it for an album cover
I don’t think Buddy saw any of these photos I took of him. I think this series of photos in this blog entry he would have enjoyed seeing. It’s been two years since his passing on February 5, 2012. This blog entry is in honorable memory of him.
Buddy with friends Connie and Phil – 2006
Every year in the Falltime he would make his annual visit. He always encouraged us to take a weekend trip somewhere in the Southwest. One year he rented a real jeep and we went into Canyonlands National Park just south of Moab, Utah. Gawd, what an adventure! Something I had never done before or since! The photos here in the Southwest were taken in Castle Valley, near Moab, Utah.
Buddy Tabor Running Rocks – Utah – 2006 – this could have been an album cover too
There are many of us across this continent who miss Buddy. An unforgettable singer-songwriter gone with a blinding flash of light!
Buddy Tabor – 2006
Buddy Tabor with my lovebird, Kiwi – 2005 – though I’d like to think that this photo and the next could have been album covers too!
Buddy Tabor Bear – 2005 – this could have been an album cover for his 2nd children’s album!
Jan 8, 2013 | Acting Out and Musical Chairs, Health and Wellness, Showing Off |
After my mother and brother passed away in 2011 (along with other major “losses” in my life between 2009 and 2011), I felt I needed a “happy fix” or mend or healing; something that would help me let go of the trauma and drama. For a long time, I felt a ukelele was coming to me, lingering around the eaves…then one fine Fall day in 2011, I bought myself the ukelele…and except for a 6 month period last year, I’ve been learning all kinds of songs and strums…it is truly the instrument of happiness and peace! – If everyone played the ukelele, there would be world peace!
At the beginning of 2012, I made a goal to learn one new song per week on the uke; i was going good until the first week of May (when the Ex presented another curve ball in my life). Since May, I hadn’t played much less learn a new song every week – not until Christmas Day 2012; I spent the day playing. My granddaughter was looking through these two song books (below) and I had forgotten we had these two gems for many years on the kids’ bookshelves. Such a delight to find “Ghost Riders In the Sky”, “Tingo-Lay-O” and “This Little Light of Mine” (amongst other old timey favorites like “Michael Row the Boat Ashore” and “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”). I play some of these songs with a combination of Native American chant, spaghetti western and Hispanic rhythm – if you can imagine that.
I learned three Christmas tunes including my all-time favorite “The Christmas Song” (starts out with “chestunuts roasting on an open fire…”) and I learned all of the above tunes as well. I also learned the traditional Andean tune “El Condor Paza” made famous by Simon and Garfunkle. I almost made up for lost time last year learning about 10 songs the past three weeks to the already 25 songs I know (4 of them Bob Dylan tunes).
For those of you who are interested in playing the ukelele, buy the next size up from the standard size uke, the “concert” size, from the Hawaiian Music Company. Buy one with a plug-in so you can have the option of using an amp. The uke is fairly easy to play. To learn a few traditional and pop songs, plug into youtube and search for Ukelele Mike’s ukelele lessons. He’s pretty simple, clear and ….well, different.
I appreciate the addition of this dear friend in my life. Once I master this little guy, maybe in the next year or two, I am going to get myself the cello!
We’ve had these two kid’s song books in our family for over 25 years. They came with cassette tapes but those are long gone with all the moves we’ve made in that time period. Once you learn your chords, take up these books; they are packed with old-timey, simple songs that even your grandchildren will love to boogie!
I have no intentions of getting pulled off track this year if I can help it any. I intend to learn one new song a week during this year. Thank goodness I still have my aging wits about me that I can even REMEMBER the words to the songs! heehee!
Playing ukelele during late Spring in the Colorado mountains at 10,000 feet amongst a grove of evergreens, aspens and wildflower meadow – the great thing about the ukelele is that it can go with you just about anywhere; it is lightweight and portable and when you put it in the overhead of the plane, people think you’re a violin maestro instead!
My friend Shar Fox just emailed me the group of folks playing ukelele, the Juneau JamBusters in Juneau, Alaska — check them out on their website at: http://www.juneaujambusters.com/
I know where I’ll be when I return to Juneau!
Apr 26, 2011 | Acting Out and Musical Chairs, Honoring Others |
Violin Virtuoso Gilles Apap
“Hailed as a true violinist of the 21st Century by Yehudi Menuhin, Gilles Apap is a classical violinist who is in great demand as a soloist with orchestras around the world. Among many are the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic, Boston Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony. He has also become widely known for his extraordinary ability to integrate a variety of musical genres. Gilles not only crosses boundaries, he unites music with his distinct talent for incorporating styles of music as diverse as American oldtime, Irish, and Gypsy fiddling, with the standards of the classical repertoire.
Born in Algeria, Gilles Apap was raised in Nice, France, where his violin studies commenced with Andre Robert. He continued his education at the Conservatoire de Musique de Nice with Gustave Gaglio, and then at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Lyon with Veda Reynolds. He traveled to the United States to attend the Curtis Institute of Music, and chose in 1986 to live in California, where he still resides. He was later appointed Concertmaster of the Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra and served in that position for over a decade.” (to read more on Gilles, please visit Gilles’ website at: www.gillesapap.com)
So what’s guy like this doing in a little ho-dunk capital city of the most beautiful state in the Nation?
Well, it started out when local musician Lis Saya met Gilles back in the early 90’s…and that was that! With the hard organization work of Lis to benefit the Alaska Folk Festival, he has performed here in Juneau several times. Finally, due to my return to Juneau and my schedule working out, I got to see Gilles perform last Friday the 22nd at the Northern Lights Church; what a treat, that guy is pretty dang goooooood!
Opening (comedy) act and M.C., Collette Costa
I don’t know much about Collette except that she (next to my sister, Dee), can make people laugh. I have no idea if she gets up on stage with an idea of what she is about to say or she just shoots from the hip with spontaneous combustion of the practical sorts – (I’ll never look at another Bible the same way again!) Collette was the opening act M.C. for Gilles – I know you might ask the question of “how does her comedy act coincide with a violin virtuoso?”… – it doesn’t! And that’s just the fun of it! In my opinion, her act was perfect because it’s just what Gilles would want in the first place anyway for his opening act cuz he’s IS that: fun!
A "normal" image of Gilles
Gille Apap Trio (L to R: Gilles Apap, Chris Judge & Brendon Statom
Guitarist Chris Judge
A wonderfully, lively, uplifting concert! - Next time they come to town (next Spring?), you must attend!
Note: You may ask yourself: why does Clarissa post things like concerts, plays, funerals, other artists’ presentations, art shows, etc. on her blog when they seem to have no direct correlation to the work she is doing as an artist? Hmm….that’s what most people may think. However, the things I post on my blog DO HAVE A DIRECT CORRELATION TO MY LIFE AS AN ARTIST! How? These things affect my spirit, and can have direct affect on my life, which of course, can inspire me, depress me, anger me, or make me feel great love, and in turn, affects the work that I create and produce!
Apr 13, 2011 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Latest Art Projects, North Tide, Showing Off |
"Icebergs"
Lis and I have been friends for about as long as our eldest sons’ age (who are also friends): 35 years. Wow, 35 years seems like a long time, but it really isn’t. So what does Lis have to do with the Folk Festival poster? Lis lead me into designing the 37th Annual Alaska Folk Festival poster.
Last Fall, Lis and I were thinking about the Alaska Folk Festival’s request for their annual folk festival which always happens in the early Spring. 2011 would be the 37th year. Being recently divorced, with a large divorce debt, she encouraged me to make a few dollars creating this year’s Folk Festival poster. We threw around a few ideas. Lis insisted on having something that reflected the unique environment of Alaska – like glaciers, bald eagles, spectacular mountains, big rivers, etc. She mentioned icebergs that have musical instruments sticking out of them…and as soon as she said that, I exclaimed “hey, what about icebergs that ARE the musical instruments!? That’s IT!” For a moment, we stared at one another, then laughed…I give her the credit.
The 37th Annual Alaska Folks Festival poster design by Clarissa Rizal - April 2011
In the 1980s to early 1990’s, my ex-husband and I used to hand-silkscreen the Folk Festival posters, a limited edition of 200. He was the designer, I was the assistant printer and would occasionally consult with him on the designs. The last poster he designed was for the 25th Folk Festival (12 years ago), a design influenced by the Russian-orthodox icons, a Raven playing a balalaika – the painting was done in gold leaf. You can check out all his old posters on the Alaska Folk Festival website.
Clarissa painting the folk festival poster
The acrylic painting was painted on 300-lb. watercolor paper. I do not consider myself a painter of this kind. Yet, I’ll try my hand at whatever, even if I think I will fail. My daughter Ursala, pointed out that my design perspective was off and I had to tweak it a bit (you can see that in the rough draft below). Painting the musical instruments to look like musical instruments was a challenge; painting a glacier was even MORE of a challenge. This glacier turned out okay, but it just was not up to my sense of par. I think I’ll stay away from painting glaciers…
The rough outline of the sketch presented to the AFF board members to see if they would be interested in seeing the finished product
Opening night of the festival was this past Monday, April 10th; the festival is free and runs the entire week through Sunday, April 17th. There are the usual items on sale sporting the design; all except the mugs and hats. They could not figure out what aspect of the poster to place on these two items so they drafted up nice-looking wording with an image of fireweed. It looks good. The stock of T-shirts, sweatshirts, and even babies’ “one-zies” are going fast. Do not wait until the weekend to buy this year’s souvenir; get down to Centennial Hall as their stock is limited.
If you are like me who likes to dance, their are all kinds of dance bands playing Thursday, Friday and Saturday night’s dances at the Old Armory’s Juneau Arts and Culture Center. Check out the folk festival’s website for the program guide. If you are from out of town, and you want to tune into the music, there is a link from the Alaska Folk Festival website to the local radio station KTOO, otherwise, we’ll see you at the festival!
