THE RICHEST GIRL IN THE WORLD

Friends, on Christmas Day 2020, I released my children's book as a videobook, about the indwelling nature of friendship. When a sage old man arrives in an enchanting village, he changes the life of a little girl forever, who changes his right back. Featuring over a hundred color illustrations, and underscored with music by composer Chris Hardin, THE RICHEST GIRL IN THE WORLD sets the stage for an idyllic and timeless story, where gratitude, compassion, and being present are everyday virtues.  It's KidLit for a risen consciousness.  And with references to Van Gogh, Banksy, and Edvard Munch, THE RICHEST GIRL IN THE WORLD is for kids ages 8 to 108!   WATCH HERE 

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DIGI-FEST TEMECULA,  BUDDHA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, INDO GLOBAL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

And speaking of THE RICHEST GIRL IN THE WORLD, both she and my documentary short SIX MURALS, about the 2020 Black Lives Matter multi-street mural installation event across Kansas City, were Official Selections at DigiFest Temecula 2021. Additionally, THE RICHEST GIRL took home two awards: The People's Choice in the category of Multimedia, and an Honorary Mention. She also received the 2021 Best Multimedia Film Award from the Buddha International Film Festival, and 2022 Best Multimedia Film Award from the Indo-Global International Film Festival.

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THE FABULOUS MISS THING'S FAREWELL CONCERT WITH THE ORCHESTRE SURREAL

On June 27, 2024, Elvis Schoenberg's Orchestre Surreal will play a concert at the esteemed Muckenthaler Amphitheater & Cultural Center in Fullerton, California...AND, after 28 years with this wild & unique explosion of an orchestra, it will be my (and my musical alter-ego, the Fabulous Miss Thing's) FAREWELL CONCERT. It's been the most fun I've ever had making music.  If you're in the area, please come join the celebration.  BUY TICKETS HERE   &   WATCH A SHORT FEATURE ON MISS THING HERE

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2023 AUTUMN "POETRY IN A SNAPSHOT" CONTEST FROM FLAPPER PRESS 

I'm so thrilled to have been selected as one of Flapper Press' 5 contest winners for their autumn poetry/photo contest. Published 11/30/23. READ HERE

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GREATER KANSAS CITY JAPAN FESTIVAL 

I'm so thrilled to be one of 10 poets whose haiku were selected to be featured at the 2023 Japan Festival in Kansas City, on Saturday, 10/7/23.

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"FROM THE EARTH" AT THE BUTTONWOOD ART SPACE

From 4/3 through 6/23, 2023 two of my alcohol ink paintings were part of a group exhibit at the esteemed Buttonwood Art Space in Kansas City. "From the Earth," is the art benefit for Kansas City Community Gardens.

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MacQUEEN'S QUINTERLY 

Check out 3 of my 100-word stories, and 5 of my art pieces in MacQueen's Quinterly #15. Published 9/18/22  READ & VIEW HERE

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FLAPPER PRESS' POETRY CAFÉ 

Read 4 of my poems + an interview with Annie Newcomer in Flapper Press Poetry Café. It's a really lovely profile, and Annie was so gracious to me. Published 9/14/22  READ HERE

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MacQUEEN'S QUINTERLY 

Read my poem WITHHELD in MacQueen's Quinterly #14: Knock-Your-Socks-Off-Arts-&-Literature. Published 8/2/22  READ HERE 

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SOULSATIONS INTERVIEW

Listen to my interview on KMUW's Soulsations with (my cousin!) host Carla Eckels about being a musician and starting my new life in Kansas City. Original airing was 4/2/22  LISTEN HERE

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"RHYTHM & REVEAL" AT THE BUTTONWOOD ART SPACE

From July 1 through September 22, 2022, my FIRST participation in a group exhibit, had two of my alcohol ink paintings juried into the gallery exhibit at Buttonwood Art Space. "Rhythm and Reveal," was, in this case, the art benefit for Reconciliation Services. For 30 years, RS has worked to level the playing field for neighbors who have faced social, racial, and economic discrimination and disinvestment. RS addresses community needs for affordable food access; a safe place to gather to combat social isolation and increase community engagement; and increased access to social and mental health services that lead to improved health and self-sufficiency. 50% of each artwork sold went to RS with the remaining 50% going directly to the artists. I feel so blessed that both of my paintings sold.

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"SHORT STORIES" FROM THE METROPOLITAN MASTER CHORALE

On June 30, 2021, a virtual concert from the breathtaking, Los Angeles-based, 60-voiced, Metropolitan Master Chorale entitled "Short Stories" premiered on Facebook Live. The entire concert was designed around several of my 100-word stories from my collection ALEATORY ON THE RADIO, conceived, developed, and produced by the Chorale's director, Glenn Carlos, IN the midst of the pandemic, with everyone involved delivering their performance from their quarantined homes. It's been archived and can still be watched.  TUNE IN HERE

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BRILLIANT CORNERS: A JOURNAL OF JAZZ & LITERATURE

For the Summer 2021 issue of this esteemed print journal out of Pennsylvania, I had the honor to be interviewed by Brilliant Corners editor Sascha Feinstein about life as an artist.  He also included excerpts from my award-winning novel TRADING FOURS, and a couple of my 100-word stories. We had an absolute blast doing the interview over Zoom, laughing a lot and getting to the heart of the matter. The cherry on the cake is that one of my alcohol ink art pieces landed that issue's cover.  To get your copy of the Summer 2021 issue, ORDER HERE

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CREATING FROM THE ASHES

In February of 2021, I was privileged to be one of eight writers asked to contribute an essay + interview to the new vMuseum project from Echoes Media, called "Creating from the Ashes," on the challenges of being a creative during the great upheaval of 2020.  The vMuseum is the brainchild of recent Harvard grad and mover/shaker Janelle Gray.  READ & WATCH HERE

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THE BLUE ROOM AT THE AMERICAN JAZZ MUSEUM +

And on June 5, 2021, one year later TO THE DATE of my arrival in Kansas City, making the move from Los Angeles only three months into global lock down, I made my KC debut at the legendary Blue Room in the 18th & Vine Jazz District, singing with the Charles Williams Quintet. 

 

Since then, I've returned to the Blue Room, have performed with the Ray Keller West Coast Swing Octet several times at the Warwick Theatre, as well as at the 2022 Prairie Village Jazz Festival, and am a regular vocalist at Unity Southeast. Blessed every day!

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