A Peek Under the Covers

 Surprisingly, it's almost a year since I started work on the new project that I've been hinting at...and I just cannot believe how fast that year has gone!  There hasn't been a day gone by that I've not worked on it - alone or with others;  

• 
   Singers (@ 30+) that are helping with 2 of the pieces - one is a rhapsody, a choral work, the other is a 4-piece female acapella harmony song; 
•  studio engineers - huge thanks to Zac Limon and the inestimable Robbie Long;  [and rotten tomatoes to a U.S. studio that I'll happily share a name with anyone who is interested!] 
• Musicians - the kind and honourable Steve Cowley, well known and loved folk musician Julie Castles, and Sydney composer/guitarist David Spira who has generously allowed me to use one of his tunes for a set of lyrics....    not to mention the Limon father and son outfit! who helped with bass, drums, and guitar on a couple of pieces.
• so much gratitude for all of these people .....in addition, to Rod Barnes [our local jazz icon!],  to videographers David Jarrett and Ed Reddin, and Merewether Uniting Church who reduced our hall-hire fee in order to have a space big enough for the choristers to work together.

 Over many years I've worked on numerous Arts and Music events including many festivals which are major projects.  But this is the first time I've experienced such a community collaboration - it demonstrates just what a committed tribe we have here in the Newcastle and Hunter arts community.

The original 6 pieces composed initially for the project has now grown to 10 ...and by anyone's accounting - that's an album!!    Possibly releasing in December, a month before the project itself is released.   

Full details of the project
will be made public in either November or December - subject to the curators agreement.  [although I may be tempted to reveal early to my own followers ...so keep your eyes and ears pealed!  are you on my mailing list?].  Additionally, once the covers are off, there is likely to be a couple of live appearances to share some of the new material.

Greeting of the Season

 Well!  Here we are, we've made it to the end of another horrid year!  Together.

Congratulations!  Just surviving has been a significant achievement.

Tallying up the year's results hasn't been as awful as it might have been with the on-again-off-again covid restrictions, lockdowns, and cancellations;

I managed to complete this list:

• Wrote and delivered a cabaret show at the ReX in February - the "Uh Oh Review"  with Stevi Cannon, Marise Wilson, and Kathleen Newman, 
  
• A fundraiser in the first half of the year to support a young woman and her studies in Kenya via Robins Nest Children's Homes
• A book launch soiree for Table Manners mid year [that's a great gift to give yourself if you haven't read it!  Published by Pegasus publishing {UK} , you can pick up a copy at most online bookstores or  order it in at your local library 
  
• Wrote and released a new album of songs - with no money but the help of a great friend.  If you haven't got a copy of Whimsical yet, why not treat yourself in the New Year?
• Wrote and recorded another single  "Cancellation Blues" and released on the music channel
• Completed 7 new videos for the YouTube music channel  and 10 new videos for the Sidestep Comedy Channel.   If you haven't caught up on them, the holiday break is a great time to settle in for a watch:   music channel:  maureen's music channel    comedy channel: sidestep comedy
• ...and by the end of the year will have set up another YouTube channel to tell the stories of some of the local creatives involved in the local Newcastle Arts community - in music, art, and theatre.  The story of John Rolf is ready to load up [and join a couple that were done last year. ]
• There's also a schedule of comedy videos in progress and waiting to be filmed in the new year...

All in all, not bad for a non-performing, covid-restricted, creative waiting for life to return to normal!

 Normal?!?! what the heck's that?!?!

Merry Christmas everyone and have a healthy, safe, and Arts-filled 2022   

Gone Skiing!

Well, that's rather a productive half year I've waved goodbye to as we begin the downhill run for 2018.  It's a right-handed wave tho - the left hand is nursing a broken arm! What a way to close off the financial year.....completing all of June's shows with a handicap!  it can only be uphill now for the downhill run [snigger]

If you've been keeping up to date with the Wireless Chronicles, I'll bet you're wondering where the heck I'm going to take Squiffy Naylor and his scrumpy gang next!!  But my lips are sealed - except to say that Series 3 is set in the late 40's and is title Armed and Languorous.   A whole lot more fun to come.  [Check the webpage on this blog to catch episode 1 of April's show]

The new album is almost finished in the studio and we're about to begin on the artwork - under the expertise of the very talented and artistic Gary Roberts .  As yet I don't have a title for the 10-track CD and if you've got a creative suggestion, I'd love to hear it.  This one has 6 Original tracks,  3 old classic blues numbers [a tribute to 3 of my favourite Black Female Blues artists],  and a traditional Irish hymn.  Join the mailing list if you'd like an invitation to the launch.

There's a swag of new music video's on my YouTube channel if you haven't dropped in there lately, why not check it out soon ... https://www.youtube.com/user/mozluminous  ....There's a whole lot more planned - just need a few more hours in the day.

Oh,  and if you missed the Drench and Launders show in June/July - there's a couple of the fun videos on the page [this blog] for a few laughs.  Will add some more during the downhill run.

For now, I'm off to find my ski's!
happy daze