August 26 at Micro Theatre in Pittsfield

gregory crewdson photo looking up north street

I'll be in the second annual WordxWord Festival on Thursday, August 26 at the Micro Theatre on North Street in Pittsfield, MA.
Also on the bill: Sanjiban Sellew and Philip Levine

Micro Theatre
311 North Street
Pittsfield, MA
(413) 442-2223

8:00pm

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I'm performing at a terrific FODfest fundraiser in Litchfield Hills, CT. Hope you can come!

August 28
FODfest fodfest.org

watershed people

by j. spies


Have you read "Understanding Comics"?
Written by Scott McCloud, this page-turner is written in comic book style and re-frames the way you view comics, art, words and pictures.


http://scottmccloud.com/

Grey Fox Blugrass Festival is a gem of a festival and it was a beautiful crescent moon night to dance under the stars on the hill.


Jimmie Dale Gilmore teaches songwriting for a week each year at Omega in Rhinebeck, NY
and it's been a treat to sit in the song circle on their last night where all are welcome. Heard some great tunes and enjoyed the camaraderie.

As I Sit Down to Eat
chorus:
Pranayama, kapalabhati, dirgha,
Dear God, let me be a mindful eater
Goddess, let me flow like tumbling water
Fire, burn away what is not needed
As I sit down to eat
May all beings have enough
As we sit down to eat

Through winter into spring I was part of a pilot program at Kripalu about mindful eating that had a focus on pranayama, mindfulness, yoga and Ayurvedic principals. I wrote a song to integrate some of the teachings and to share at our last session.

Thank you to our extraordinary teachers Larissa, Janna and Tosca for their skill and compassion and to all the participants in Yoga and Mindful Eating.

Words and Music by JoAnne Spies
5/06/10
The rest of the song soon to be recorded... stay tuned!
contact: spiesart@aol.com for more info

photo by Jennifer Reis

Mohican friends Shawn Stevens, Molly and Shannon performed at the new Club Helsinki in Hudson, NY as part of FODfest (Friends of Danny Pearl) fodfest.org

Vicki Richards (vickirichards.net) /JoAnne Spies at Spies' original "Me & Melville" performance atop Mt. Greylock/Bascom Lodge

It was a thrill to perform "Me & Melville" on the highest point in MA where Thoreau, Hawthorne and others have gone before us. I passed out quotes from "Moby Dick" as well as Hawthorne and Thoreau quotes for the audience to read.
A good time was had by all and dinner was delicious too.

Vicki Richards and I will be doing an hour-long cable TV performance for PCTV's "Acoustic Voices" of my original songs and some of her loop-swoopingly beautiful flights on violin March 30.

Looking forward to the debut of my new song "Celebrate," at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, MA May 1 and 2 at CATA's "Stick & Stones" annual fundraiser:
www.communityaccesstothearts.org

The song was written from thoughts shared with me by elders I visit in CATA workshops in Alzheimer's units, assisted living and elder care facilities.

View the "Red, Red Robin" video I directed for CATA's show last year:
http: //www.vimeo.com/cata

David Darling wins Grammy

Music for People
photo credit: Julie Weber

Congratulations to master cellist, inspiring teacher and humanitarian David Darling.
As a graduate of his four-year Musicianship and Leadership program at Music for People, I join the family of folks who say thank you, David, for your healing music and leadership. His award-winning CD is called "Prayer for Compassion."