| Newsletter #01 May 1, 2008 |
Hello friends and welcome to Great Songs of the Sky's first newsletter. Okay, well, it's a little late - about 10 months late! Yes,
we opened as a nonprofit - dedicated to healing through the arts - on July 7, 2007, (07-07-07), but "life" has ensued with a few
obstacles in the meantime. Nonetheless, here we go - finally!
It has occurred to me that you may be wondering, "What is healing through the arts and how does our mission make us different
from other arts organizations?" Well in truth - all art is healing. Who hasn't at some point in life, in a moment of sorrow, of
sickness, or of just plain old having a bad day - been made to smile by a favorite song, story or movie - felt better when they
sang, danced, wrote a poem, painted a picture, laughed at a joke? We've all experienced a moment or two when our physical
well being has improved due to our spirit being lifted through the arts. Today is an era when conventional medicine and major
hospitals are embracing the arts in healing with music & sound therapy, and implementing art and writing programs for those
who have experienced sickness and loss. Great Songs of the Sky simply has this mission as a conscious intent.
Our mission statement of "healing through the arts" is taking shape this summer with the remounting of the Donovan Tribute Concert, benefiting local
charities and nonprofits this coming September. I'm arranging new music, and adding new singers to the ensemble, hopefully a larger cross section of
the community. This concert will always be at the core of Great Songs of the Sky nonprofit. I envision it as my "life's work."
Other activities, such as dance, art shows and house concerts have been implemented, and will continue to morph and grow in the coming months
and years. Our goal of presenting affordable house concerts in intimate settings have already been realized with the presentation of national touring
acoustic musicians such as Wil Maring, Robert Bowlin, Geoffrey Rutledge, Roy Zimmerman & Bob Malone, as well as local talents Greg Williams and
Sarah Gautschi. We participate in our town's monthly artwalk and hope to have some specialized shows in the near future. We have formed a new
Middle Eastern Dance Troupe that encourages women of all ages to participate. The pace of our growth is clearly out of my control. It seems to happen
on its own schedule, and while impatience has always been one of my non-virtues, I have only to look back over the year to see that in fact, progress
has been made.
Our home office is at Brick Hill Studio, 652 Main Street, Placerville CA. We - along with owner Lee Ann Hamblen - are enjoying being one of the less
conventional studio/galleries in town. My personal thanks to our very many friends and supporters. I'm looking forward to hearing from and/or seeing
you all at upcoming events. Drop me a line at about anything, anytime at: lucy@greatsongsofthesky.com
Best to all,
Lucy D'Mot
| In This Issue: Greeting from Lucy Upcoming Benefit Concerts Auditions for Singers Donovan Ladies of the Stars |
| Upcoming Benefit Concerts Andy Hoover Trust Fund & Snowline Hospice BENEFIT CONCERT FOR THE ANDY HOOVER TRUST FUND - SEPTEMBER 19TH The Donovan Tribute Concert Great Songs of the Sky was originally a co-production with Fair Oaks Theatre Festival and American River College (ARC) in 2005. This past February, ARC lost two of its brightest stars - Jenna Faeth and Andy Hoover in a tragic car accident. Many of us have known Andy Hoover since he was a little boy participating in childhood roles in ARC Theatre Productions. Andy sustained severe brain injuries and passed on five days after the accident. September 19 @ 8:00pm, Great Songs of the Sky will perform a benefit concert for the Andy Hoover Trust Fund at Fair Oaks Theatre Festival, with a suggested donation of $15.00. 100% of the proceeds will go to the trust fund. While Andy was not part of the Donovan Tribute Concert, he was part of our larger theatre family - and in fact joined members of the Great Songs cast at Cafe du Nord, San Francisco, in 2004 when Donovan premiered his Beat Cafe CD ( as pictured below with friend and Great Songs singer Liesel Hanson.) Prayers of comfort and support for the friends and family of Jenna and Andy are ongoing. ----------------------------------------------------------- BENEFIT CONCERTS FOR SNOWLINE HOSPICE September 25, 26 & 27 Great Songs of the Sky Donovan Tribute Concert will perform three benefit concerts in September for El Dorado County's Snowline Hospice. The funds raised will be specifically earmarked for Snowline Hospice' new residential facility, breaking ground this fall. The concerts will be performed at the new Carl Borelli Amphitheatre at El Dorado High School, Placerville, CA., on September 25, 26 & 27, @ 8:00pm. Ticket prices are $12 Adults, $10 Senior, and $5 for 17 & under. Bring low back chairs, or rent one for $3.00 at the amphitheatre. Great Songs of the Sky has chosen Snowline Hospice as the recipient of their first benefit concert series. The Donovan Tribute Concert will continue in the similar vein of the past three years, presenting custom arrangements of Donovan's song with a large ensemble of singers and musicians, singing songs of the four seasons, as they parallel the cycle of life. The philosophy of hospice honors and dignifies the completion of the life cycle. Many members of the El Dorado County community have been graced by the services provided by Snowline Hospice as they have cared for loved ones in their final days on planet earth. Tickets will be available beginning July 1 at all Snowline Hospice Thrift Stores, (Camino, Placerville, Cameron Park & Folsom), and also online at www.greatsongsofthesky.com |
AUDITIONS FOR SINGERS
THE DONOVAN TRIBUTE CONCERT
Great Songs of the Sky will hold auditions for singers on
May 30 @ 7:00pm, and May 31 & June 1 @ 1:00pm. The
location will be Brick Hill Studio, 652 Main Street, Placerville
CA.
While many of the singers from the original cast are
returning for the September performances, director D'Mot is
now seeking to increase the size of the vocal ensemble.
Singers between the ages of 9 through 109 are encouraged
to audition. There is no need to prepare an audition piece.
Rather, songs from the show will be taught at auditions.
Singers should have the ability to sing harmony - as up to 8
part harmony is used in several songs. Singers should
also have a confident, comfortable stage presence.
All singers will perform eight full ensemble pieces.
Additionally, some singers will have opportunities to sing
solo and/or in small ensembles.
Rehearsals will be once a week in July and August, then 3
times a week in September.
Anyone cast for the September concerts will be invited to
continue in future performances. After September, it is
planned that both the large ensemble, and smaller
ensembles extracted from this group, will continue with
performances throughout Northern California, (Sacramento,
Stockton & Nevada City are in the works), as well as
potential touring opportunities in the long range future.
Smaller ensembles will continue to perform in local venues,
house concerts, churches, Senior Citizen residencies, etc.
It is planned that the Donovan Tribute Concert will be
available as an ongoing concert to benefit local charities
and/or local hardship situations as the need arises.
For more info on auditions/rehearsals, contact Lucy D'Mot
@ lucy@greatsongsofthesky.com
THE DONOVAN TRIBUTE CONCERT
Great Songs of the Sky will hold auditions for singers on
May 30 @ 7:00pm, and May 31 & June 1 @ 1:00pm. The
location will be Brick Hill Studio, 652 Main Street, Placerville
CA.
While many of the singers from the original cast are
returning for the September performances, director D'Mot is
now seeking to increase the size of the vocal ensemble.
Singers between the ages of 9 through 109 are encouraged
to audition. There is no need to prepare an audition piece.
Rather, songs from the show will be taught at auditions.
Singers should have the ability to sing harmony - as up to 8
part harmony is used in several songs. Singers should
also have a confident, comfortable stage presence.
All singers will perform eight full ensemble pieces.
Additionally, some singers will have opportunities to sing
solo and/or in small ensembles.
Rehearsals will be once a week in July and August, then 3
times a week in September.
Anyone cast for the September concerts will be invited to
continue in future performances. After September, it is
planned that both the large ensemble, and smaller
ensembles extracted from this group, will continue with
performances throughout Northern California, (Sacramento,
Stockton & Nevada City are in the works), as well as
potential touring opportunities in the long range future.
Smaller ensembles will continue to perform in local venues,
house concerts, churches, Senior Citizen residencies, etc.
It is planned that the Donovan Tribute Concert will be
available as an ongoing concert to benefit local charities
and/or local hardship situations as the need arises.
For more info on auditions/rehearsals, contact Lucy D'Mot
@ lucy@greatsongsofthesky.com
| Ladies of the Stars Middle Eastern Dance Troupe Introducing Ladies of the Stars - Great Songs of the Sky's new middle Eastern dance troupe, dancing to the music of Donovan, and encouraging ladies of all ages, shapes and sizes to dance! Ladies of the Stars was a rather sudden and unexpected development. Lucy D'Mot danced in the Bay Area in various Middle Eastern clubs in the 1970s, but stopped when she moved to the Sierra Foothills in the 80's. A desire to return to the art formed was fueled on New Years Day, 2008, while spending the day with friend Colleen Beilby - also a former dancer. While balancing swords on their heads in Colleen's Starfish Dance Studio, the idea emerged to form a new troupe. D'Mot, wary of her time commitments, felt she could only add the project if it were incorporated into the larger Great Songs of the Sky picture - healing through the arts and a focus on Donovan's music. And so Ladies of the Stars was born. Brick Hill Studio Yoga & Dance instructor Lee Ann Hamblen joined the ensemble, thus forming the core troupe. A smashing debut at a downtown event on February 29th, "Ladies Night Out" had dozens of women ranging in ages 8 - 80, shaking their hips and slithering about like slinky serpents, many for the first time ever! Since then Ladies of the Stars have joined a larger community of about 40 local dancers who perform bi-monthly to benefit local charities - all while encouraging women to embrace their particular beautiful selves - casting aside the magazine images that try to tell us how we should look. Ladies of the Stars recently entertained at the weekend long outdoor music festival "Two Day Town" at Lake Del Valle, and will return next year as a Main Stage Event. They will also perform on the Main Stage at the El Dorado County Fair on June 13 at noon and will present some brand new dancers, including Beltana, our new nine year old star. Oh - and as it turns out - Donovan's got some great music for belly dancing - especially from the Beat Cafe CD! Eventually D'Mot hopes to re-arrange a few of Donovan's songs into semi-traditional sounding middle eastern tunes. All ladies welcome to join us! Classes ongoing Monday nights. Next appearances: June 7, 7:00 - $5.00 Vahana's Casbah Lounge in El Dorado @ Annabelle's Chocolate & Wine Bar - benefiting The Melanoma Foundation June 13, 12:30pm & 1:30pm El Dorado County Fair Main Stage |
ABOUT DONOVAN LEITCH
As the composer of all of the music that
is at the core of Great Songs of the Sky,
it seems only right that Donovan Leitch
has his own article in this, our first
newsletter.
Donovan is perhaps best known for his thirteen Top 40 Hits
between 1965 and 1970 (Sunshine Superman, Mellow
Yellow, etc), and continues to be very active in the world of
music and charity. One can hardly turn on the TV or go to
the movies these days without hearing his music in a
commercial or soundtrack. In addition, Donovan has
recently had his own PBS special - a concert at the Kodak
Theatre in LA - of which there is now a DVD available.
Presently, Donovan continues his work with film
director-producer David Lynch's Foundation to promote
Transcendental Meditation, and is developing his own
University in Scotland with TM at its core. Donovan's other
official charity is The Drukpa Trust/Druk White Lotus School
to advance education in the universal philosophy and
non-sectarian practice of Tibetan Buddhism for up to 750
children in Ladakh, Northern India. The school is intended
to provide local children with a practical modern education,
based in their unique cultural and spiritual traditions
Recently in a letter to Lucy D'Mot, Donovan said about Great
Songs of the Sky, "I do thank you for making the stage show
which used my songs. You told me how successful this
was and I am pleased."
Best wishes to Donovan and his wife Linda in their ongoing
endeavors.
As the composer of all of the music that
is at the core of Great Songs of the Sky,
it seems only right that Donovan Leitch
has his own article in this, our first
newsletter.
Donovan is perhaps best known for his thirteen Top 40 Hits
between 1965 and 1970 (Sunshine Superman, Mellow
Yellow, etc), and continues to be very active in the world of
music and charity. One can hardly turn on the TV or go to
the movies these days without hearing his music in a
commercial or soundtrack. In addition, Donovan has
recently had his own PBS special - a concert at the Kodak
Theatre in LA - of which there is now a DVD available.
Presently, Donovan continues his work with film
director-producer David Lynch's Foundation to promote
Transcendental Meditation, and is developing his own
University in Scotland with TM at its core. Donovan's other
official charity is The Drukpa Trust/Druk White Lotus School
to advance education in the universal philosophy and
non-sectarian practice of Tibetan Buddhism for up to 750
children in Ladakh, Northern India. The school is intended
to provide local children with a practical modern education,
based in their unique cultural and spiritual traditions
Recently in a letter to Lucy D'Mot, Donovan said about Great
Songs of the Sky, "I do thank you for making the stage show
which used my songs. You told me how successful this
was and I am pleased."
Best wishes to Donovan and his wife Linda in their ongoing
endeavors.
| OUR MISSION STATEMENT Great Songs of the Sky is dedicated to healing through the arts, in both scientific and metaphysical realms, especially as they relate to color, sound, movement and humor, offering the community opportunities to participate in, observe and/or be audience to various art forms, and to combine our artistic endeavors with other charitable and healing institutions. |
Lucy D'Mot, President & Artistic Director GREAT SONGS OF THE SKY
Betsy Berryhill Vice President/Secretary PO BOX 945, 652 MAIN STREET
Gregory Hodgkins Treasurer PLACERVILLE CA 95667
Patricia McKinney Fine Arts Coordinator (530) 391-4196
Cindy Hayden Snowline Hospice Liaison email info@greatsongsofthesky.com
Cheri Jacobs Fund Raising www.greatsongsofthesky.com
JP King Webmaster www.myspace.com/greatsongsofthesky
"One Day with a Smile a Wound Will Heal" - Donovan Leitch, Universe Am I
Betsy Berryhill Vice President/Secretary PO BOX 945, 652 MAIN STREET
Gregory Hodgkins Treasurer PLACERVILLE CA 95667
Patricia McKinney Fine Arts Coordinator (530) 391-4196
Cindy Hayden Snowline Hospice Liaison email info@greatsongsofthesky.com
Cheri Jacobs Fund Raising www.greatsongsofthesky.com
JP King Webmaster www.myspace.com/greatsongsofthesky
"One Day with a Smile a Wound Will Heal" - Donovan Leitch, Universe Am I
| Summer Belly Dance Classes Monday Nights @ 7:00pm, June 16 - August 18 Single Class drop-in Fee $10.00 Buy a Card with 6 Classes for $48.00 8 Classes for $56.00, All 10 Classes $60.00 (530) 391-4196 greatsongsofthesky.com/ladiesofthestars |