Celebrating the Equinox with Latin Jazz: Bring on the (Solar) Heat!

We have been putting a musical project dear to our hearts on the backburner for a few years now, given the laborious process of grounding our new life in the New York area. Eldad and I are quite fond of this very substantial form of jazz. Not to mention that E. has a Master’s degree in Afro-Latin music. Finally, this year he started a latin jazz project here, in the New York metropolitan area: Flying South Latin Jazz Trio, which will make its debut tonight, at the Culinary Conference Center, in Journal Square, Jersey City, at 6 PM, within the Green Drinks + ART networking series of Sustainable Jersey City. Playing with Eldad Tarmu on vibes, there will be Keenan Zach on bass and Doug Hinrichs on congas, replacing James Beauton. There is a suggested donation of $10, ($5 discount for students and seniors). Along with the exhilarating latin jazz grooves, you can enjoy the usual SJC exciting green project showcases, activities and discussions. Something for everyone. Come join like-minded individuals to celebrate together the beginning of spring!

The S.T. (Almost) Monthly

It's funny how I am still in awe at the manners here: people don't greet when entering a room where other people are, nor when leaving. But they hold doors open for others and are very apologetic when trespassing your private space (it took some time to make sense of those "excuse me" told without any apparent harm done!)
2013 has brought a few notable changes for me. But first: somehow I overlooked blogging about a few important events at the end of last year. (God, I must hate writing for quite a while now! :D ). I curated an art show at Cafe Sole, here in Chilltown. Their website didn't exist back then, it is still under construction now. I met a few new fab friends at an art opening in Manhattan, Kay Erickson's Calcutta Rescue benefit at Centerpoint Gallery.

In January, the Green Drinks + ART events series resumed, with its mix of sustainability projects showcase, eco-jeopardy, jazz and art. I sold a few prints of my Wasteland Alchemy collection, with 50% going to SJC. The January edition jazz concert featured guitarist Adam Lomeo. Which brings me to the discovery of this month's edition: the SJC event in February will feature saxophonist Tom Tallitsch!
Take a listen here, on his Youtube channel. Enjoy! And don't miss this, if in the area!

The Clock

It looks like any concept of time attracts me no ends. So much that I decided to spend my New Year's Eve at MoMA, because of their show The Clock.
The idea of long lasting multimedia art installations and performances seduced me ever since I discovered the incredible Marina Abramovic. I have seen her on PBS, and her discourse enthralled me like no other. I didn't get to see her show at MoMA, but this decision is largely an homage to her.
A Happy New Year full of harmony, truth and wise decisions to you all, my friends!
"On December 31, MoMA presents a special New Year’s Eve showing of "The Clock" in its entirety, which is the first opportunity for the public to view all 24 hours of the piece at MoMA. The Clock will go on view at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 31, and will run continuously until 5:30 p.m. on January 1.

In conjunction with this showing, the Museum’s Cafe 2 restaurant offers a special menu of wines, cheeses, salami, and desserts on New Year's Eve from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., along with an all-night espresso bar.

Admission on December 31 after regular Museum hours is: Adults $12; Seniors (65 and over) $10; Students full-time with current ID $8; Children (16 and under) under free. Members free."

More information about "The Clock" can be found here: http://bit.ly/TjCbAT"

Sustainable Jersey City

What took me so long to write about this? I've been ignoring blogging not by design, but by one of those "going through a phase" things. All part of the integration process, I suppose.
I've been looking for a collaboration with local environmental organizations, since I am an Ecologist not only by trade, but also by strong belief. So I came across Green Map System, through an online service which was matching students to internships (I got accepted into University of Montclair's Ecology Masters Program).
So I get in touch with Wendy Brawer, the innovative initiator of Green Map System, send her my resume for an internship at the Green Map headquarters, located in the Lower East Side. She sees that I reside in Jersey City and asks me, well, did you know about this grassroots group in your side of town? No. They've been meeting for a few months now. I would definitely want to check them out. Especially that I would not have to cross the Hudson. Sorry, NYC, but, at least for now, I would rather not take Manhattan.
Said and done. I show up at their meetings and ...THE ENERGY! The enthusiasm! All for making my town a more sustainable place to live and work. Long story short, I get involved, body and soul. As part of their team, directed by chair Debra Italiano, I applied to the Cloud Institute for Sustainability and got a Geraldine R. Dodge scholarship for becoming a Sustainability Educator through the NJ Learns Keystone Program, under the guidance of Jaimie Cloud.
If you live in the area and want to get involved, or if you want to support us in any way, here we are. Be with us. Seize the momentum. We would be thrilled to welcome you.

Natural vs. Civilized

The past few months have been a roller-coaster of unexpected events and revelations about people in our lives. A concert tour that was supposed to last ten days in August has been extended to a whole month. We reinforced existing friendships and reconsidered new collaborations. By not making profit our ultimate goal, only a desirable collateral perk and a means to a higher purpose, we have attracted not only highly auspicious friends, but also our share of people of a questionable integrity, or simple collaborators who, maybe unwillingly, mistook our not-necessarily-going-for-profit with affording-to-lose. In our constant effort of keeping our connection to persons whom we considered loyal friends and collaborators on the old continent, we were stunned at the extent some people whom we considered above any doubt can change when fleeting fame or power is bestowed upon them. Which made me think about what is considered natural in human behavior. In view of my sustainability studies.
It is only natural for a student to challenge their master. Natural, but not necessarily civilized. And by challenge I mean also shunning, ignoring, brushing off, being rude, double-crossing, abusing trust - the whole shebang that a lack of gratitude can bring. There's no master ego threatening progress here. There is no need for such an obtuse attitude and behavior. Dear former and eternal student, you will find out that gratitude is not natural. Gratitude is not even mere common sense. Gratitude is a higher level of conscience, of which your archaic brain that is pushing you to challenge your good old master is not capable. And the sad thing is that your archaic brain, fed and dazed by your current success and inflated ego, is tricking you to think that your good old master didn't teach you anything you couldn't learn on your own or from other sources. It makes you foolish enough not to see that your master is forever part of who you are as an artist. We wish you good luck and everything you need in your life and career.
It is only natural for a (formerly?) bohemian writer to want to collaborate only with people that hold higher values than money as their goals, to expect the trust of everyone around them, to want them acting on a mere handshake, to cut off everyone they consider too petty or greedy, to give in to rage fits or act on mood swings. All that is natural, but not necessarily civilized. Not by rashly gauging everybody through the same reductionist set of criteria. Dear former friend and eternal boho, you will find out that acting professionally does not come naturally. Expecting their not-for-profit collaborators to stoop below dignity, refusing to apologize when in error, threatening, taking back their own word after claiming that a handshake is enough, is not only uncivilized, but also insulting. We wish you wisdom and best of luck in your future cultural endeavors.

In the meantime, as far as sustainability is concerned - now THAT IS BOTH natural and civilized. Related post to follow.
Here's to nature, gratitude, civilization, professionalism and sustainable friendships!

 

Jazz Singer Laura Brunner Performing at the Newest Jazz Hub in my Neighborhood

I am very excited to hear Laura Brunner performing live this Thursday, July 5, at Port-O Lounge, in my town, accompanied by Eldad Tarmu, John Lenis and Michael Winncki. A genuine jazz singer, she is also a composer and lyricist. Here is her official bio.
Jazz vocalist and composer Laura Brunner originally hails from Columbus, Ohio. A songstress of incredible emotional depth, Laura continues to dazzle audiences with her incredible vocal range, rich colorful timbres, and deeply personal original compositions. Her unique heartfelt performances have led her to share the stage with an extraordinary array of musicians such as Kurt Elling, Ellis Marsalis, Meredith Monk, Sheila E., Esperanza Spalding, Riannon, Bryan Baker, and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Such past performances include The Montreux Jazz Festival, where Laura was awarded second place in the 2007 vocal competition, The Beantown Jazz Festival, The Boston Pops Jazz Festival, and The International Association of Jazz Educators Convention. In addition to live performances, Laura has been interviewed as a featured artist on Boston’s 89.7 WGBH National Public Radio. Laura was chosen for the 2011 Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Arts in Residency Program at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Currently, Laura is working on her debut album of original compositions and can be seen performing in the Midwest, New England, and New York City areas.

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Seven clicks. Or seventy-seven.

Sorana Tarmu: Click "Collect Me" to help me win $10,000 and a show in the most immense exhibition of art in New York City : Art Takes Times Square.

The Weaving Shuttle …in a Space Shuttle!

Alina Zară and her heritage project.

We are trying to send the globe-trotting weaving shuttle in a trip in the outer space!  Anyone who could help us in this endeavor is welcome to contact Alina through her website.

The Timeless Transylvania of my Heart and Soul

A Wandering Weaving Shuttle

An antique shuttle from Țara Făgărașului (the name of the land near the Carpathians that covers part of the area of Brașov County in Romania), has been traveling for some time over meridians, connecting them by an invisible thread. It is the weaving shuttle of “mama Ruța” from Mândra, and you can find its story by clicking  here. (Use Google Chrome for an almost instant translation).

The citadel of Făgăraș, Brașov County, Romania

I have been honored to be the shuttle’s host for a while, proud that it comes  from my mother’s birth place, especially since my own maternal grandmother, “mama Maria” from Vad, Șercaia Parish, used to weave yards and yards of rugs, blankets and all kind of wondrous cloths. I don’t remember her shuttles, just her loom, which used to fascinate me. Holding mama Ruța’s shuttle, I felt the same thread connecting me to the amazing guild of the weavers from Țara Făgărașului, and I realized that this guiding  thread was always there, weaving a fabulous tapestry in my spirit; the details of this tapestry were just beginning to reveal themselves…

First, I took the shuttle to the Wesselényi castle in Jibou, my native town, where I happened to be for a few days in August. The former park of one of the most beautiful Renaissance castles in Transylvania has been functioning since 1968 as a Botanic Garden and it harbors the Biological Research Centre.

Then, with the loom shuttle in my purse, like an unmistakable identity sign, I returned to the metropolis that I call home since 2008: New York!

And here is the antique shuttle enjoying views of the East Coast megalopolis:

watching Manhattan’s skyline from across the Hudson and from Liberty Park, towards Lady Liberty,

and taking a stroll through Central Park.

I must admit I cheated on this one – I took this picture at an art opening that featured photography from New York.

The shuttle’s next destination? Not just one, but a whole bunch of them, in an extended world tour, beginning  October 14! You too can request the shuttle by writing to the email address provided on its blog. It is a magic traveling shuttle, carrying a spark from the sprit of mama Ruța  from Mândra, Romania, the relentless weaver who wanted so much to see the world. Host it for a while, and you will realize that by doing so, you are strengthening the warp of one of the world’s oldest and most mysterious tapestries…

Old Loves, Eternal Loves

Follow me on Grooveshark.com for more melodic beauty.

Tourism Cares Invites Letters of Inquiry for Worldwide Grants Program | PND | Foundation Center

Tourism Cares Invites Letters of Inquiry for Worldwide Grants Program | PND | Foundation Center

May 22, The International Day of Biodiversity

Video message by Edward Norton, United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for biodiversity on the occasion of the global launch of the International Year of Forests 2011.
The global launch of the International Year of Forests 2011 has been held in conjunction with the High-Level Segment of the ninth session of the United Nations Forum on Forests.

International Year of Forests 2011 website.

World Day for Cultural Diversity

 

A subject that always stirs my interest and activism. Accused during my teenage years in communist Romania of being “too cosmopolitan” and interrogated by the overly nationalistic authorities, as a consequence, at the age of seventeen, I can say I have been keeping a very keen interest in other cultures than mine for all of my adult life.

I was looking with a pleased smile over the suggestions of the UNESCO Facebook campaign “Do One Thing For Diversity and Inclusion” for this day – pleased because I have checked almost all those thought starters for individuals.

It’s no wonder to me that destiny has led me live in one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods that I have ever encountered. Jersey City, at least its downtown, where my home is, not only has that refreshing urban variety that I have always favored, but it is also amazingly tolerant and peaceful. (Maybe I shouldn’t say amazingly, but unfortunately tolerance seems not to be yet the working norm in the world). I have no doubt that this harmonious patchwork of cultures has a lot to do with the fact that the place has become a thriving hub for a lot of free-spirited, creative people attracted by the affordability of living in a place so close to Manhattan.

I can only hope that more and more neighborhoods in the US and the world will become just as welcoming and peaceful.