Hi Y'All

 

For those not on my mailing list, here's a copy of my Dec 2011 Newzletter.

If you'd like to be on my occasional mailing, you can go to www.anniewenz.com and click on the left where it ways "join Annie's mailing list"  THANKS!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello Shimmery Shiny Beautiful Peeps!

 

Wishing You All Joy & Peace & Happiness & Love & Chocolate & Contentment during this Holiday Season!

 

I am Blessed to have friends & family from all over the world from different cultures, races, ethnic, & religious backgrounds who celebrate the Holidays in different ways… What Joys me the most is the realization that it’s the Same Heart & Spirit & Message that Rings through.

We are all more alike than different and the huge majority of us want the same things. I hope we can find some peace & comfort in that realization!

I’m also aware at this time of year of those who are without. Without food or jobs, without friends, family or support.  May I humbly suggest that we consider ways to help each other…

If you give gifts, please think of giving gifts of services from your local businesses. Gift certificates for car detailing, a lunch, lawn mowing, dance lessons or something from a local artisan-a painting, CD, basket or handmade whatever.

If we all buy even just a few of our gifts “Made in the USA” it will help our economy immeasurably! That’s a fact! 

Last of all, you can give of yourself… time with someone who may not have anyone. An outing… even a phone call.  Show you care by making time be your gift! 

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

1~ Concerts

2~ Where to buy CD’s

3~ Giving Links

4~ Other Newz

5~ Thanks & TATA

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

1~ Concerts

 

As of this moment, here's the schedule, but sometimes "life happens"

& things change, so you may want to call to confirm!

 

 

THIS Saturday, December 10th  1-4pm

Bert's - 4271 Pine Island Road Matlacha Florida 33993

http://www.bertsbar.us/

 

Lunch with Annie- Creative Coast Weekend

(239) 282-3232     Price: Free- hope you buy a NEW CD!

 2nd Saturdays of the month Nov/Dec/Jan/Feb

Bert’s is SUCH a FUN FUNKY ROADHOUSE STYLE VENUE!

 I'll be performing, but I'm also encouraging other songwriters & musicians to come down & sing a song or sit in with me.  So if you're a musician, come on down & share a song!

Just trying to make it a community event!

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

December 17th- Saturday

Koucky (Koo-sky) Gallery & Gardens

An Enchanted Holiday Weekend - 10am- 4pm

5971 Baypoint Road  Bokeelia Florida 33922     239.233 3003

Price: Free

 "Koucky Gallery" Nancy & Chuck Koucky

& their friends Dianne & Scott of "Earth & Spirit Gallery"

Will be offering this Holiday Event Featuring gifts under $35

Created by Pine Island Area Artists, Musicians & Authors

 

 I'll be playing flutes & some unplugged guitar & dulcimer music

at Koucky's from 10-4.

 

Earth & Spirit

 will have events from 10-7

 (5425 Maria Drive St. James City, FL 33956   282 1025)

Please support area artists! HUGE THANKS!

 ~~~~~~~~~

 

January 10th, 2012- Tuesday, 7pm

Skipper's Smokehouse

http://www.skipperssmokehouse.com/

910 Skipper Rd  Tampa Florida 33602    (813) 971-0666

 

"Annie & Grant Peeples & Ronny Elliot Do Skippers!!"

Price: $7

 Im SO EXCITED about returning to one of the

 ABSOLUTELY COOLEST VENUES IN THE COUNTRY!!!!

 AND to be sharing the stage (in the round)

 with 2 of the BEST ARTISTS in the national scene today...

 I'm kissing the sky!

THIS WILL BE A KILLER SHOW

Please Share the Word!!!

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

January 13th, 2012 Friday     5-8pm

Pine Bay Gallery    http://www.pinebaygallery.com/

4332 Pine Island Rd NW.   Matlacha Florida 33993-9726   (239) 283-1335

Price: Free- hope you buy a NEW CD!

 

“Creative Coast Weekend” is a weekend of

Art & Music & Gallery Grazing FUNFUNFUN!

 

I'll be twirling about the gallery playing flutes

& some songs on guitar

 YAAAAY

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Saturday, January 14th, 2012  1-4pm

Bert's - 4271 Pine Island Road Matlacha Florida 33993

http://www.bertsbar.us/

 

Lunch with Annie- Creative Coast Weekend

(239) 282-3232     Price: Free- hope you buy a NEW CD!

 2nd Saturdays of the month Nov/Dec/Jan/Feb

 

Bert’s is SUCH a FUN FUNKY ROADHOUSE STYLE VENUE!

 I'll be performing, but I'm also encouraging other songwriters & musicians to come down & sing a song or sit in with me.  So if you're a musician, come on down & share a song!

Just trying to make it a community event!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Friday, January 27/28/29, 2012

Somewhere  Workin on it! - TBA

Fernie British Columbia Canada

 

Hoping to pull some dates together while snowboarding in the land of fluff so stay tuned!!!

 

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

February 10th, 2012 -  Friday

Virginia Key Grassroots Festival    http://virginiakeygrassroots.com/

Performance Time TBA- check website

4020 Virginia Beach Drive  Key Biscayne Florida 33149

 

!AMAZING FESTIVAL/AMAZING LINEUP!

I'm Honored to be playing with my Musical Sistas

The Habinero Honeys

 

Beth Judy/Cathy Lee/Marie Nofsinger/Me

 at the very 1st Virginia Key Grassroots Festival

 It's going to be a BLAST~ Hope some of yall can come!

 

THE FEST RUNS ALL WEEKEND- HONEYS PLAY FRIDAY

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 February 11th, 2012- Saturday

Bert's - 4271 Pine Island Road Matlacha Florida 33993

http://www.bertsbar.us/

 

Lunch with Annie- Creative Coast Weekend

(239) 282-3232     Price: Free- hope you buy a NEW CD!

 2nd Saturdays of the month Nov/Dec/Jan/Feb

 

Bert’s is SUCH a FUN FUNKY ROADHOUSE STYLE VENUE!

 I'll be performing, but I'm also encouraging other songwriters & musicians to come down & sing a song or sit in with me.  So if you're a musician, come on down & share a song!

Just trying to make it a community event!

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

February 14th, 2012- Tuesday

Kojak's Palmetto Ribhouse   

http://www.kojakspalmetto.com/

1631 8th Avenue  West Palmetto Florida 34221     (941) 729-8986

Price: Free- hope you buy a NEW CD!

Florida Folk Night

Hosted by Florida's Coolest WMNF DJ Pete Gallagher

             ALWAYS SO MUCH FUN!!!          Please Cmon Down

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

February 16th, 2012 / Thursday

Sloppy Pelican        

http://www.sloppypelican.com/

677 75th Avenue  St. Pete Beach Florida 33706      (727) 360-7100

 

This Funky Right on the Water with Killer View Venue is known for hosting nationally touring artists      & I'm pumped to be there!

 

So Please tell ur peeps & cmon down!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

 

February 18th, 2012- Saturday

Polk Theatre http://www.polktheatre.org/

Remembering Phil Ochs

Time TBA

127 S. Florida Avenue      Lakeland Florida 33801

Price: $15

 

Sonny Ochs, Annie Wenz, Rod MacDonald,

Amy Carol Webb & Ellen Bukstel

 

It is a HUGE HONOR To be reunited with this Troupe

 Of the World's Best Activist Artists

 Sharing the Legacy & Music of the Legendary PHIL OCHS

 

Hosted by Phil's sister

 Nationally known radio host SONNY OCHS

 

As always "Phil Nights" are a blend of Phil's best songs

 Interpreted by contemporary artists

 & some of our own political songs

       ALWAYS Concerts to Treasure... Please Spread the Word!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

February 24th, 2012- Friday

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami    

http://uumia.org/

 

Another great “REMEMBERING PHIL OCHS” show!!!

7701 SW 76th Avenue  Miami Florida 33143    305-667-3697

Price: $20

 

It is a HUGE HONOR To be reunited with this Troupe Of the World's Best Activist ArtistS Sharing the Legacy & Music of the Legendary PHIL OCHS

(& our own songs too!)

 

 Hosted by Phil's sister Nationally known radio host SONNY OCHS

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

February 26th, 2012- Sunday     2pm

Labyrinth Café   UU Church of Oakland Park http://www.labyrinthcafe.com/

 

Remembering Phil Ochs

Oakland Park Florida 33309  (954) 779-2240

Price: TBA

 

Sonny Ochs, Annie Wenz, Rod MacDonald,

Amy Carol Webb & Ellen Bukstel

 

ALWAYS Concerts to Treasure... Please Spread the Word!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

March 22nd, 2012- Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun

Suwannee Springfest  

http://magmusic.com/

US 129   Live Oak Florida 32060

Price: Check Website for Earlybird Spec

 

My HEART DANCES HERE...

With my Habinero Honey Sisters!!!

Please come as we sing together

 

& I'll be teaching flute & percussion workshops

& doing my own set as well

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

2~ Where to buy MY CD’s

 

***10% HOLIDAY Discount at CDBaby if you buy more than 1!

CD Baby is a safe, secure, easy link to purchase all of my CD’s.

You can buy the actual recording in artsy CD packaging,

 

Or you can digitally download the CD for 9.99

 

 

“RIDE THE SKY” 

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/anniewenz4

 

My newest CD which has been receiving great play on

SIRIUS/XM Radio!!!

It’s an “Americana” mix of story songs about life & love & the road, wandering gypsys & lone coyote spirits…

 

It includes the song “Play Ball” which the NY Mets have been playing at the stadium!

I’m joined on the song by my friend baseball legend Bill “Spaceman” Lee

 

FYI- Here’s a fun link to a YouTube video of snippets of the CD in the making:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0RZn538i_0

 

 

 

“WINDS OF THE WORLD”

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/anniewenz3

 

My hour long ALL INSTRUMENTAL CD

Recommended by RN Magazine

Used by Yoga, Massage & Health care practitioners around the world. With Native American & Indigenous flutes on each track.

 

 

 

“POETS DANCE”  

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/anniewenz2

 

Story songs with multi-cultural instrumentation~ inspired by my backpacking journey around the world.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

IF YOU LIVE IN FT MYERS AREA, MY CD’S ARE AVAILABLE AT:

 

Koucky Gallery - 5971 Baypoint Road  Bokeelia Florida 33922     239.233 3003

http://www.kouckygallery.com/

~~~~

Earth & Spirit Gallery- 5425 Maria Drive  St. James City, FL 33956    282 1025

http://www.earthandspiritgardengallery.com/page008.aspx

 ~~~~

Pine Bay Gallery 4332 Pine Island Rd NW

Matlacha Florida 33993-9726  (239) 283-1335

http://www.pinebaygallery.com/

 ~~~~

WildChild Art Gallery

4625 Pine Island Road,   Matlacha, FL  33993   239-283-6006

http://www.wildchildartgallery.com/

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

 

3~ Giving Links

 

 

I’ve asked friends to refrain from buying me that xtra doodad I really don’t need (but huge thanks for the thought!)

& instead to give to someone who REALLY needs it…

 

May I suggest Harry Chapin Food Bank. They match every dollar you give with $6! You can donate online.

 

http://www.harrychapinfoodbank.org/

 

And consider sharing the gift of music…

I often give my friend’s CD’s as gifts (no I don’t burn copies, it costs artists thousands to make a CD, so please help to keep artists creating art by purchasing their music)

 

CDBaby has a HUGE selection. You can put in your favorite artists name & follow the shine from there…

 

http://www.cdbaby.com/

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

4~ Other Newz

 

I am on facebook & as a writer, I often post snippets about life, art & what I'm working on, so if you're interested in "chiming in" you can find me at

http://www.facebook.com/annie.wenz?ref=name

 

~~~~

 

The Indie Film "Gateways to Faerie"(an Andy Corwin film, Soundtrack by ME!!! Includes cuts from my CD “Winds of the World” & some other pieces I wrote for the film)...

Is now being offered by iTunes AND Netflix! (how cool is that!!!)

It’s about nature & mysticism, Celtic Lore & freeing your mind to explore the possibility that everything is alive. The photography & cinematography are stunning (& of course I'm particular to the music;) Im honored & delighted! Check it out & if you like it, please write a Netflix review.

 

~~~~

 

I was recently introduced to Mixed Marshal Arts Champion Frank Shamrock through my dear sista/friend Batool Kazim (Batool is the psychiatrist I went to Pakistan with to do post traumatic stress work)  Frank has been doing all sorts of cool work/dedicating time & resources to promote his anti-bullying campaign. He is seeking funding to help re-record & promote my kids anti bullying song “The Bully Rap"! Part of the project will be a contest where kids can learn about what bullying is & then create their own song/video, so stay tuned for more info!

My musical buds,  multi-grammy award winning artist Futureman (Roy Wooten) of Bela Fleck & The Flecktones & the amazingly talented Tom Prasada Rao will be co-producing with me.  Frank said he’d do a verse (or I’ll kick his butt;)

 

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5~ Thanks & TATA

 

 

Well… I don’t know about Y’All, but I’m getting blurry...

Which is why I don’t send these out too often!

 

So on that note…  time to go...

 

As Always… I just can’t believe how grateful I am to have so many kind & amazingly generous people in my world… folks who hold me up & stand beside me, who encourage me & my art & who make my world so beautiful… To Each & Every One of You

 

...I'll leave you with these beautiful words...

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." Albert Schweitzer

 

Heartfelt THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU

for the dancing fires

 

Annie

Greetings & Happy Summer All You Shine Muffins!

Here's my occasional newsletter, sent out to those on my mailing list.

If you'd like to receive it automatically, there's a link on the left bottom of

Http://www.anniewenz.com

I Hope this note finds you all with cups more full than not, giving more than receiving & making differences in your own special ways.

I recently read the line "May we all lift as we climb".

So beautiful. Hope we can all do that!

Fall & 2011 bookings are still underway, so I'll just send summer dates & musings.

1- BIG MUSIC NEWZ

2- THE NEW CD…  "RIDE THE SKY"  !!!

3- WHERE TO BUY MY CD'S

4- CONCERTS

5- GIVING

6- TATA

 

1- BIG MUSIC NEWZ

THE  NY METS are playing "Play Ball" at their shiny new stadium, Citi Park!

I just found out that the first times they played it was at the "Subway Series" (Mets vs Yankees)

The producer said "It's really a Great Song! It's so catchy people were rockin' out to it!" Woohooo. In my dreams it's heard & picked up for a baseball movie.

 

To listen for FREE- Here's the link to the video of the song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AE6DZ2LMrM

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

2- THE NEW CD…  "RIDE THE SKY"  !!!

!SPECIAL DISCOUNT THIS WEEKEND!

Since the CD's been making folks happy, I'm celebrating by dropping the price to $12.97 this weekend.(& 10% more off if you buy more than 1 of my cd's!) 

FYI- When folks purchase an indie artist's music, that makes it sooner that we may afford to release another...I'd like to do another recording next year. (I REALLY WISH I WERE INDEPENDENTLY WEALTHY & COULD JUST GIVE THEM AWAY. Maybe someday;)

 

"Ride The Sky" has been getting play around the US & abroad & I'm honored & proud to say it's been in XM The Village top spins several times.

If you don't yet have a copy/For your very own copy:

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/anniewenz4

To listen to snippets & see clips of the making of the CD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0RZn538i_0

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

3- WHERE TO BUY Any of my CD'S

***10% Discount if you buy more than 1!

CDBABY is just GREAT! Secure. Easy.

They've sold millions of CDs for artists like me.

http://www.anniewenz.com/products.html


You can buy the actual recording in artsy CD packaging

Or you can digitally download a CD for 9.99

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4- CONCERTS

August 19th- 21 (Fri- Sun)

Folks Festival

http://www.bluegrass.com/

I LOVE THIS FESTIVAL

Particulars of my performance at Wildflower Stage yet TBA

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

I may be in Northern CA in early Oct,

so if any of Y'All would like to host me in a house concert, please email me: annie@anniewenz.com

THANKS!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5- GIVING

Songwriter Anne Feeney whom many of us know & love is keeping her spirits high marching on in her battle with lung cancer. Since she's been out of work for months, here's where you may donate or attend a concert to help. Her entire life as a lawyer & songwriter has been helping others.

http://www.annefeeney.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Since so many are still out of work, please continue to support your local food banks & homeless shelters.

It's sure needed!

In my dreams the mega rich, many of whom are holding so tightly to their billions... building empires of shallow shineys...  will see the light & realize they have more than plenty. (In the US, they are NOT paying their fair share & many are NOT providing jobs for Americans.)  May we focus more on changing legislation so that THEY contribute fairly instead of focusing on taking funding from those who's programs are getting cut. We're talking billions vs millions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6- Other wee bits & TATA

*After posting the following to my Facebook wall... 

"wenzdays wisdom: DONT bury your mango peels in the garden under the bedroom window where the skunks will find them at 3am!"

It was suggested by my sister Mary I change the name to Wizzdom & by many others, that I start writing a weekly "Wenzday's Wizzdoms" blog of sorts.

If I do that, I'll post it at the News/Blog link at my website

http://www.anniewenz.com/news.html

& on my facebook. To be honest, I probably wont post it at myspace because sheeze, I'm trying to have a life!

 

*I've been at this for 3 hours & my eyes are blurry... sooooooo

 TATA...

Your Kindness and Uplifting Words are often what keeps an artist like me able to survive & write & have hope & find inspiration.

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU

One & All for Your Love & Cheers

Please Be Kind & Lift As You Climb

Annie

 

www.anniewenz.com

Performing Artist/ Songwriter/ Biker/Wildwoman/ RN
Player of Percussionist, Guitar, Piano, Flutes, Hubcaps from Queens... & Life!

Elixir Guitar Strings  http://www.elixirstrings.com/
Rocky Mountain Slides http://www.rockymountainslides.com/
Sponsored by Island Flutes  http://www.islandflutes.com/

Hi Friends,

I'm delighted & honored to share this new review of "RIDE THE SKY" by Music Aficionado Dr Robert Ben Mitchell.

ITS DONE ITS DONE!

and i am SO PROUD!

here's the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AE6DZ2LMrM

pLEASE PASS/SHARE IT ABOUT

& you can leave your comments at the youtube site

As to what photos & clips made the final cut, I sent all materials to the editor who chose what fit best in with what parts of the song. I wish everyone could've been included, but we weren't able to.

 

Again, many thanks to all who shared their talents & faces

& SPECIAL THANKS to Neale Eckstein for editing, Bill & Diana Lee, Pat Wictor/Jagoda/Adam Frederick for playing & to Larry French for patiently taking videos of me as I whined;)

 

PLAY BALL!!! ~ ANNIE

Hola Friends!

I just wanted to let those of you who've been kind enough to yukk it up & sing along & cheer for me at ballgames & gigs that I'm currently in the process of sending footage to the editor & he's putting it all together. Whether a clip gets used or not will depend on how clear it is & how still & how many seconds of decent footage I was able to get. Unfortunately there are many variables that come into play.

Sheeze it was difficult to nail it while on the move through the stadium & with people walking by & trying to set up the camera & tripod & lighting & yadayada.

Once again, HUGE THANKS to all who helped!

After it's done, I'll post the youtube link.

YALL ROCK! PLAY BALL!

Annie

Hello Lovelies!

 

 

 

 I hope Y'All are having a Peaceful Mellow Holiday Season filled with Joy & Friends & Sweetness…  Mine has been filled with much Gratitude & & Hope. Yes, there have been trying times, but my many years as a Psych Nurse have me thinking “on a life crisis scale, where does this rate?” It sure puts life in perspective.

 

And then, with all of the decisions we have to make in life, I feel the want to share a dear friend’s words of wisdom, “when you have a choice to make, ask ‘what is the most loving thing I can do”…  Definitely words to live by IMHO!

 

So for what it’s worth, those are the small torches passed on to me that like to leave you with…

 

& now, since it seems to be a hectic time for many, I’ll try to make it brief & just pass on some concert & CD info snippets…

 

 

 

 

1- THE NEW CD…    "RIDE THE SKY"  !!!

2- CONCERTS

3- GIVING

4- WHERE TO BUY MY CD'S

5- Wee News Snippets & TATA

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

1- NEWZ ABOUT THE NEW CD…  "RIDE THE SKY"  !!!

(to purchase -  http://www.anniewenz.com/products.html    )

 

I am absolutely jumping for joy! “Ride the Sky” has been incredibly well received & was just announced as being #9 in Nov. on the FolkDJ list! (which is where many Folk/Roots/Americana DJ’s report their playlists)

 

It’s getting played across the US & Canada & in England, Germany, Australia, New Zealand & Israel!   And EVERY song is getting play which is a wonderful thing.

 

I also sent “Play Ball” (featuring former Red Sox legendary pitcher Bill “Spaceman” Lee) to the Pubahs  at Tropicana Field/The Tampa Rays, & was asked to make a video to accompany the song so they can put it in rotation on the big screen in center field so folks can watch it during pre-game activities! WELL YAAAAY!  Bill will be down here in Florida for Feb. Baseball Fantasy Camp, so we plan to do some taping then, plus we’ll use other footage & make a video!!! So stay Tuned!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

2- CONCERTS

 

Here’s the actual link to all of the shows:

http://www.anniewenz.com/calendar.html

Please check in advance to make sure there haven’t been any last minute out of our hands changes…

 

Fri, Dec. 10th, 4PM   PINE BAY GALLERY 

4332 Pine Island Rd NW. Matlacha Fl.

 (239) 283-1335 Price: Free- Hope You Buy one of my NEW CDs

Art Night on Matlacha Island- WOOHOO! -

The GALLERY GODDESSES are dressed in full regalia

The Art-ies Circle Round. Music Swirls with Wine & Assorted Foodly Nuggets (occasionally hoovered up by folks with large shopping bags

while they think we're not looking;)

 

 

-------------------------

 

Fri, Dec. 31st BROMELIAS Amphetheater

Santa Elena, Costa Rica

New Years Concert BASH!!! - Time & Price Details TBA

 

WE'RE BACK ROCKING COSTA RICA 60s Style!!!

With THE BEST BAND IN THE COUNTRY

Featuring ROBERT DEAN (FORMERLY OF "JAPAN")

ALSO CHANCHOS DE MONTE & OTHER SPECIAL GUESTS

 

 

JANUARY 1-7  (Still putting dates together, so check back)

Santa Elena/Monteverde Costa Rica Venues

 

CD RELEASE BASH!!!

I'LL BE JOINED BY MY LONGTIME MUSICAL COHORT ROBERT DEAN (& i'm sure some guest appearances by "Chanchos de Monte")

 

STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS

 

 

Fri, Jan. 14th WILDCHILD Art Gallery  4pm

4625 Pine Island Road Matlacha, FL 239-283-6006

 

Free- Hope You Buy one of my NEW Cds

Art Night on Matlacha Island- WOOHOO!

The Islands Celebrate the Arts with Music & Wine & Festivities...

Come graze the funky colorful galleries!!!

 

 

Thur, Jan. 20th Tarpon Lodge & Restaurant 6PM

13771 Waterfront Drive Pineland Fl

239 283 3999

 

Luscious Food, Gorgeous Historical Lodge, Always HUGE FUN!

MAKE SURE YOU CALL IN ADVANCE FOR A RESERVATION

& ASK TO BE IN THE MUSIC SPACE WHERE YOU CAN WATCH THE SUNSET!!!

 

Sun, Feb. 6th  Sanibel Captiva Community House   7pm

Sanibel Island,  Florida

Price: $15

 

!!!CD RELEASE HOOPLA!!! on lovely Sanibel Island

This is SUCH a WONDERFUL Venue to hear music & share a night with friends...   Please join me & help spread the word!

 

Sat, Feb. 12th  WildChild Art Gallery

4625 Pine Island Road Matlacha FL

239-283-6006

 

Price: It's a CD signing- Hope You Buy a CD!

 ART IN THE HEART OF MATLACHA

COME CELEBRATE LOVE ISLAND STYLE

Artists will be demonstrating their art, I'll be performing & signing CD's

 

 

Sat, Feb. 26th Koucky (Koo-sky) Gallery & Gardens

5971 Baypoint Road Bokeelia FL

 

Songwriting Workshop! 5-6:30pm

239.283.4414 or 866.227.7163

Price: $25 (Students $15)

 

Kip Lawrence & I are SO EXCITED about presenting this workshop together! I LOVE KIP & HIS WRITING so it'll be a huge honor to share creative space with him. We ALWAYS have an amazing time & Folks are ALWAYS sparked into writing & laughing & creating...

 

So Cmon Down & please help spread the word!

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sat, Feb 26th Koucky (Koo-sky) Gallery & Gardens    7-9PM

5971 Baypoint Road Bokeelia FL

 

239.283.4414 or 866.227.7163

Annie & Kip Lawrence Do Kouckys –

Price: Suggested Donation $5 (workshop attendees FREE)

 

This FUN Concert will be a BLAST!

Since Kip & I will be teaching a songwriting workshop from 5-6:30pm we thought it would be perfect to keep the creative energy flowing

& present an evening concert. Plus folks who attended my CD release bash have been asking “When can we party again at Koucky’s???”

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

3- GIVING:

Please consider giving to those in need!  I’ve asked friends to refrain from buying me that xtra doodad I really don’t need & instead to give to someone who REALLY needs it…

May I suggest Harry Chapin Food Bank. They match every dollar you give with $6! You can donate online.

http://www.harrychapinfoodbank.org/

 

And consider sharing the gift of music… I often give my friend’s CD’s as gifts (no I don’t burn copies, it costs artists thousands to make a CD, so please help to keep artists creating art by purchasing their music)

CDBaby has a HUGE selection. You can put in your favorite artists name & follow the shine from there…

http://www.cdbaby.com/

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

4- WHERE TO BUY MY CD'S: 

***10% Discount if you buy more than 1!

http://www.anniewenz.com/products.html

It’s a safe, secure, easy link to purchase all of my CD’s.

You can buy the actual recording in artsy CD packaging

Or you can digitally download the CD for 9.99

 

 

 

 I just restocked “RIDE THE SKY” so you should be able to order in time for the Holiday if that’s your desire.

 

***There’s a 10% discount if you order more than one)

 

You can listen to sample/snippets of the songs there as well.

OR if you want to check out a video of the making of “RIDE THE SKY”

Here’s a very cool video done by co-producer Neale Eckstein:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0RZn538i_0

 

& the video of the song “Still Circling”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjF-pNmvK0o

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

5- LAST NEWS BITS & TATA

 

My friend, sista & colleague, Psychiatrist Batool Kazim MD has asked me to join her at Health Asia Forum in March in Karachi Pakistan to speak & show & tell about Wellness & Music… We’re still not positive, but it’s a definite maybe, so stay tuned…

 

 

My friends Captain Chuck & Nancy Koucky are now starting to take reservations for excursions on their gorgeous 47 foot Herreshoff Sailing Vessell! http://www.pineislandsailing.com/

It’s incredibly reasonable… & what a way to treat yourself or your friends or honey to a sunset!!! If you’re interested in music onboard, that can be arranged;)

 

FYI- Nancy is the amazing artist who did my stunning CD design/artwork & hint hint is available for other similar projects! http://www.nrkdesigns.com/

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AND on that note…

THAT’S ALL FOLKS

 

WISHING YOU LOVE & JOY & PEACE

Felicidades, Assaalam O Alaikum, Namaste, Nasdorovia, Shalom, Falalalalalalala...

With MUCH Gratitude...

Annie

 

Hello Friends & Family



“Ride The Sky” is DONE!

It is with backhoes blissfully bursting with glee that I am FINALLY able to announce the release of my first lyrical CD in years! It’s been a true labor of love & I owe the largest boulder of gratitude to my dear friends Neale Eckstein & Laurie Laba for opening up their studio & hearts & home to make it possible! Additional Bodacious THANKYOU’S to all of you who’ve really listened to & supported my music over the years & who’ve been a gentle wind urging me on through this project…

On to the scoop…



1- About “Ride The Sky”

2- Where to purchase the CD

3- Links to Youtube video w/ song clips & wacky photos of the making of the CD

4- CD release concerts

5- More about artists & songs on “Ride the Sky”

6- THANKS & HOPE TO CYA

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



1- About “Ride The Sky”… Here’s the official Press Release info to fill you in a bit.



"Ride the Sky" is a bigger than life vagabond writer's magnifying glass-ified kaleidoscopic vision of back road Americana! From stop sign wielding hitchhikers thumbing rides on Harleys in Chattanooga to coal mining & snake handling in Appalachia, sticky floors in skanky bars, five & dimes & neon signs, & dirty blues swirling circles around bottles of Jim Beam. It's about lone coyote lovers... like grains of sand slipping through fingers where palms meet lips on train windows... Where wandering gypsies meet lonely road dogs spilling guts on the head of a pin...while ghosts still circle around dusty boots leaving footprints in the sky.



And baseball... yeah! Popcorn kisses pink cotton candy while old leather gloves slap in hands... to the voices of Annie AND former Red Sox pitcher & wild man Bill "Spaceman" Lee. (Bill's bona-fide musical debut!) Annie songs run the gamut from picky acoustic guitar & delicate piano with string accompaniment, to natty rockin blues with nasty slide guitar, to the closing chorus of angelic voices questioning "are we poets or drunkards or incarnate souls" waiting, waiting, waiting for manna to fall from the sky...Talk about a Ride!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~



2-Where to purchase the CD:



HUGE thanks to all who’ve already said they plan to purchase a CD… & even maybe some to share as gifts. That makes it all the sooner I can do it again. (Since the making & outcome of this CD has been so wonderful for all involved, we’ve vowed to do it again sooner than later! YAY!)



ONLINE:



Digstation: The CD is now available for immediate digital download. Safe & Easy. Only $10

<http://www.digstation.com/ArtistAlbums.aspx?artistname=AnnieWenz>http://www.digstation.com/ArtistAlbums.aspx?artistname=AnnieWenz


CDBaby: Link to Purchase Actual CDs OR Download MP3s: <http://cdbaby.com/cd/anniewenz4>http://cdbaby.com/cd/anniewenz4


CD’s beautifully packaged (in environmentally happy green packaging) with all lyrics & gorgeous artwork/design by Nancy Koucky (of NRK Designs & Koucky Gallery) w/ photos by Neale Eckstein.

Secure/Safe & they send the CD’s right out!







Koucky Gallery: For those on Pine Island, FL , for instant gratification, Nancy will be carrying the CD until I return home from my current tour & can get them to additional island destinations kind enough to carry them.

My other CD’s are available at WildChild Gallery & Pine Bay Gallery in Matlacha, FL!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



3- Links to Youtube video w/ song clips & wacky photos of the making of the CD:


<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0RZn538i_0>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0RZn538i_0


Neale put this fun video together with snippets of 5 of the tunes on the CD & some photos/video clips.

FYI feel the need to explain… I’m wearing the cheeseball faerie wings while riding my Harley because Neale also needed footage for the eventual video to accompany his song “Angel on a Harley” (as if explaining THAT doesn’t make it cheezeball;)



& here’s a really brief youtube snippet of me coaching Bill “Spaceman” Lee on his part (it was a total hoot!)

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjwkhHLvNzM>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjwkhHLvNzM


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



4- CD Release Concerts:



HERE’S A LINK TO ALL OF MY UPCOMING CONCERTS:

<http://www.anniewenz.com/hostbaby2/preview/calendar/player=off:style=787>http://www.anniewenz.com/hostbaby2/preview/calendar/player=off:style=787




& here they are at a Quick Glance:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~



SUNDAY OCT. 31- CONCERTS IN YOUR HOME- Ft. Myers, FL

My First Concert after returning HOME! & the first show featuring “Ride The Sky”

<http://concertsinyourhome.com/event-aschaefer20101030.html>http://concertsinyourhome.com/event-aschaefer20101030.html
7:00 p.m.

Please RSVP to: schaefer810@aol.com or call 239-691-4069

Suggested Donation: $10-20.00

Since it’s Halloween, we’re making it Costume Optional!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FRIDAY NOV. 5th 7-9pm

Koucky (Koo-sky) Gallery & Gardens- CD RELEASE BASH!!! -

5971 Baypoint Road Bokeelia Florida 33922



FOR MORE INFO: 239.283.4414 or 866.227.7163 or email annie@anniewenz.com

$20 per person or $25 per couple *comes with a FREE CD!



*** with special guest Former Red Sox Pitcher Bill Spaceman Lee doing his part on the "Play Ball" song!



Celebrating the Pine Island Birth of “Ride the Sky”. Hope Y'All can join in the HOOPLA!



Bring a Snazzy Finger Food to share if you'd like. We’ll also have non alcoholic beverages available.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010

KRUU Radio

Lyrical Venus Hour- Radio Live - 9am CST (10AM EST & yadayada)

Fairfield Iowa



This will be a LIVE RADIO interview with DJ Heather Mills Rodriguez.



If you go to the link & click on "Listen Live", you'll be there too!

<http://kruufm.com/lyrical-venus>http://kruufm.com/lyrical-venus


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Thursday, November 11th, - Sunday Nov. 14th

NERFA

Northeast Regional Folk Alliance

Hudson Valley Resort & Spa

Kerhonkson New York



I’ll be returning to share music & HUGE FUN with friends & my musical family at this wonderful



"musical trade show" where indie acoustic artists meet with presenters & dj's & fellow artists & press & listeners



IT'S ALWAYS A BLAST I'll post my exact showcases & activities as it gets closer, so stay tuned!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SAT. NOV. 20th

Luna Star Café - 8pm $10

775 NE 125th St. North Miami Florida 33161

305-892-8522



I'm SO VERY HAPPY To be celebrating a CD Release & returning to this sweet venue considered to be 1 of



America's Best Acoustic Listening Venues. PLEASE JOIN ME & HELP SPREAD THE WORD!!!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



THURS DEC. 2nd, 2010

Tarpon Lodge & Restaurant Back to the TARPON!!! - 6PM

13771 Waterfront Drive Pineland Florida 33945

US 239 283 3999 Price: Free- Hope You Buy one of my NEW CDS



This is SUCH a WONDERFUL Historical Lodge with breathtaking views & luscious menu.

Hope some of you can come down & hear tunes off of my new CD & CELEBRATE ISLAND LIFE with me! Think about making a night of it... treat your sweetie or yourself to a room & dinner.

Make sure you call for reservations! 239 283 3999



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday, December 3rd

Back Alley

CD Release & Signing Bash! - 5-8pm

(check back in case we change it to later!)

121 Bridge Street Bradenton Beach Florida 34217

941-778-1800

Price: Free- Hope You Buy one of my NEW CD’s



This will be my 1st time in this sweet & very funky space...

So PLEASE ROCK MY WORLD & Join Me & Help Spread the Word!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Friday, December 10th

Pine Bay Gallery- Art Night on Matlacha Island- WOOHOO! - 4PM?

4332 Pine Island Rd NW Matlacha Florida 33993-9726

US (239) 283-1335 Price: Free- Hope You Buy one of my NEW



The GALLERY GODDESSES are dressed in full regalia. The Art-ies Circle Round

Music Swirls with Wine & Assorted Foodly Nuggets

(occasionally hoovered up by folks with large shopping bags while they think we're not looking;)

ALWAYS A BLAST! CMON DOWN & JOIN IN THE BLISS!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday, December 31st

Bromelias- New Years Concert BASH!!! - Time & Price Details TBA

Santa Elena Costa Rica



WE'RE BACK! I'll be ROCKING COSTA RICA With THE BEST BAND IN THE COUNTRY



Featuring ROBERT DEAN (FORMERLY OF "JAPAN")

ALSO CHANCHOS DE MONTE & OTHER SPECIAL GUESTS

Stay Tuned for More



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5- More about the CD



Ride the Sky"- Produced by Neale Eckstein/Jagoda; & Recorded by  Neale at Fox Run Studio-Sudbury, MA.

Artwork & Design- Nancy Koucky- NRK Design; Photos- Neale

Mastered by Toby Mountain



Accompanists: Jagoda, Tom Prasada Rao, Pat Wictor, Adam Rothberg, Adam Frederick, John Ingman.

Vocalists: Bill "Spaceman" Lee (yes, former Red Sox wildman;), Jimmy Lafave, Barbara Kessler, Neale



& Special THANKS go out to Robert Dean who’s been a huge part of my musical journey & continued to be through every part of this CD contributing his thoughts & wisdom from Costa Rica.



Unlike my previous multicultural flavored CD's, this one is American Roots- with many songs written in my head while riding my motorcycle (Sally Libelula) across natty dusty back roads of the US. (thus the title)



Songs:

1- "Hallelujah Rose" -Stop sign wielding hitchhiker thumbs a ride on a Harley in Chattanooga.

2- "Life in Harlan" -Coal mining, snake handling & my life as an RN in Harlan. (w/ Jimmy LaFave!)

3- "Tick Tock Lounge"- Sticky floors in skanky bars, five & dimes & neon signs.

4- "Melting" - Where palms meet lips on train windows.

5- "Roses & Candy Heart Parades"- Dirty blues swirling circles around bottles of Jim Beam.

6- "Coyote Calls" - Native flute intro to Lone Coyote

7- "Lone Coyote"- That would be me... grains of sand sifting through your fingers;)

8- "Play Ball"- Popcorn kisses pink cotton candy while old leather gloves slap in hands... (former Red Sox pitcher Bill "Spaceman" Lee's bona-fide musical debut!)

9- "Lonely Road Dog Meets Wandering Gypsy"- When a guy spills his guts on the head of a pin...

10- "Promised Land" - For Nurses & Hospice workers & those who dance between footprints in the sky.

11- "Still Circling"- Inspired by Dave Carter dream visits & Rachel Bissex (it was the last song I sang to her)

12- "And We Wait"- About what we do! "are we poets or drunkards or incarnate souls" "waiting, waiting, waiting for manna to fall from the sky..." (written on the way home from performing at Kerrville Folk Festival)



~~~~~~~~~~~~

6- THANKS & HOPE TO CYA



As always, I’ll be sharing photos & musings n scoopings on my facebook page, so if you’re not already a ‘friend’, I’d love for you to join me there… <http://www.facebook.com/annie.wenz?ref=name>http://www.facebook.com/annie.wenz?ref=name


Gratitude is my mantra these days… It’s been one amazing journey. I hope I have the opportunity to thank some of you in person… So if you come to a show, do say hello!



THANKYOU from the bottom of my overflowing heart for spreading the word about my concerts & about this CD of which I am incredibly proud. It’s truly an artist’s dream come true!





Annie

Hey Y'All

My tour as percussionist/vocalist with the Killer Flamenco Fusion band "Sam Lardner & Barcelona" kicks off at the "LIVING ROOM" in NYC

FRIDAY OCT 1. 6:30PM!

Sam's arranged a special weekend getaway deal... here's the scoop!

Hi everybody,

If you were looking for an excuse to escape to the bright lights and big city
this fall, here's the best I can do for you!

15% Off Best Available Rate at The Roger Smith Hotel

Package Includes:

- 2 Complimentary Tickets to hear Sam Lardner & Barcelona play at The Living Room.
(click here<<http://www.samlardner.com/calendar.html>http://www.samlardner.com/calendar.html> for concert details).
- Complimentary Full American Breakfast for 2.
- Complementary bottle of wine at Check-in.
- Signed Sam Lardner CD.
- 10% discount off your dinner bill at White Slab Restaurant on the corner of Orchard
and Allen after the show.

Package requires:
-
2 night minimum stay
- Deluxe Suite Reservation
- Offer good for weekend of October 2nd only

Looking forward to seeing you!

Sam

Hello Friends

 

 

As always, I hope Y'All are well & finding joy in the little things, hanging in there through rough times & passing torches of wonderfullness that land & shine & make a difference!

 

 

This update is more to pass on some very exciting news... no shows for the next few weeks… I've got a wee block of much needed work time before I need to be in "Land on your feet EverReadyBunny mode"

 

So on to the…

 

NEWZ:

 

 

1- THE NEW CD…    "RIDE THE SKY"  !!!

 

 

2- ME ON TOUR WITH "SAM LARDNER & BARCELONA” !!!

 

 

3- GATEWAY TO FAERIES MOVIE !!!

 

 

4- ANNE FEENEY- Musician/Activist/Giver/Friend

 

 

5- KATAHDIN 100- K100

 

 

6- PAKISTAN

 

 

7- WHERE TO BUY MY EXISTING CD'S

 

 

8- TATA

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1- First of all- THE NEW CD

 

"RIDE THE SKY"

 

is almost done! & I just can NOT tell you how excited I am.

I am pinching myself. I am absolutely overjoyed!

I am proud & I have to admit I get chills when I hear how shiny glimmers which started as wee seeds in my head have blossomed to the pieces of art I believed in… thanks to all who participated in this project, from those who directly had a part, to those who gave me their hands & hearts, encouraging & cheering me on…

 

 

Recorded by Neale Eckstein of Fox Run Studios

 

CoProduced by Jagoda & Neale

 

Featuring: Jagoda/drums; Tom Prasada Rao/violin & viola;

Jimmy Lafave/vocals; John Inman/guitar; Pat Wictor/slide guitar;  Adam M Rothberg/Mandolin/guitars; Barbara Kesser/vocals;

Neale Eckstein/vocals; Adam Frederick/Bass;

& me on vocals/guitars/piano/flute

 

 

I hope to have it in my hands in Oct!

 

 

I just can not describe how grateful I am to Neale who never ceases to amaze me! He is not only a brilliant engineer, but he has blown me away with his all around musical expertise... he is a total pro & wizz at what he does!  I also asked Jagoda to co-produce because I've always loved his drumming & knew how varied & full his body of musical knowledge is. He & Neale have done a stunning job of helping create every bit of magic I've envisioned for these songs.  The 3 of us truly worked our parts off (imagine that;) to bring the music alive with each song standing as a unique gem of which I am just so delighted & hope you will love as much as I do!

 

 

Each of the contributing/accompanying artists was also chosen because I've always adored & respected their work. I knew they'd bring the best to each song & they did. Above & beyond!

So YAY YAY YAY!

 

Last of all, huge thanx to my dear friend & musical cohort Robert Dean, formerly of "Japan" who wasn't able to be here, but has had a large hand in supporting me thru this project in so many ways over the many years we’ve performed & shared musical visions... (Stay tuned for the Costa Rica CD release in Dec/Jan.)

 

 

The songs move from the sparse "Still Circling" which I wrote about & for my late friends Dave Carter & Rachel Bissex; 

to the very large & rippin baseball song "Play Ball" which I plan to do all I can to market to major league ball (featuring Pat Wictor on filthy slide)  & there are story songs & road songs & bluesy songs & love songs… & as a bonus, I’m adding my biker song “Ride” produced by Ben Wisch (who won the grammy w/ Mark Cohn for “Walking in Memphis”

 

 

To hear a preview, click here & let me know what you think of

“Still Circling”

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjF-pNmvK0o

 

 

So... as soon as the CD's available, I'll be shouting & jumping on the Sky & hoping Y'All will consider buying a copy (& maybe another as a gift?)

 

& maybe Y’All can help spread the word...

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

2- ME ON TOUR

WITH "SAM LARDNER & BARCELONA!"  

(“Flamenco Fusion Band Extraordinaire ” from Spain) YAAAAY!

 

 

Well... what do you say when one of your absolute favorites... someone you consider to be 1 of the best, most talented all around musicians with one of the funkiest sounds out there calls & asks you to go on tour with his world class band as percussionist & vocalist???!

 

Yea- I cried! Really!

 

I met Sam Lardner & Barcelona when we were put together on a "Multicultural Music" workshop stage at Falcon Ridge Festival 2 yrs ago. We hit it off bigtime, & I ended up hooking up with them & opening for a show for them in Spain. I then watched them blow everyone's shoes off (cause folks were dancing so hard!) at Kerrville (Noel Paul Stookey of "Peter Paul & Mary had urged Dalis to bring them there).  I was overjoyed for them when Sam told me he was not only touring here this fall with the band, but was doing this brilliant grant project called "Oceans Are Talking"...

 

 

Sponsored by the "Oceans Foundation" & philanthropist Ann Leskey & endorsed by organizations like National Geographic... the band will be performing for arts centers & schools spreading the word about taking care of our fragile oceans. It's music, it’s art, it’s a mission & a message & I’m honored to be a part of this project as well as being part the “Sam Lardner & Barcelona” Band shows. Here are some of the dates (we’ll be performing almost every day, some dates aren’t entered yet, so check back! http://www.samlardner.com/calendar.html

 

As I said, I’ll be the band percussionist (love that flamenco groove!) & I’ll also be doing some vocals! Picture the Flamenco version of “The Gypsy Kings” ! (& then some!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3- “GATEWAYS TO FAERIE” MOVIE

 

It’s FINALLY AVAILABLE!

The stunningly beautiful feature length "fantasy/documentary" (featuring my music!!!) is about faeries (obviously), but it’s also about imagination, creativity, spirituality and healing the planet. Andy Corwin (of the Limeliters) directed and edited the film and co-produced it along with artist John Curtis Crawford & storyteller Bridget Wolfe.

Here’s the trailer to the movie & the link for the early special price of only $20 which gives you not only the movie, but a dvd on how to make a faerie house like the collectible art pieces John makes.

http://www.fairywoodland.com/news-detail.php?article=7

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

4- ANNE FEENEY…

My dear musical sister, activist, friend, organizer, & giver to all, Anne just sent a note out with the shocking news that they found an 11 cm tumor in her lung (that’s about 4 inches) As a musician with minimal resources for health care & loss of work, she’s asking any who are able to donate $50 (absolutely no more) to send to her at:

Anne Feeney

2240 Milligan Ave

Pittsburgh  PA 15218

 

or you can send a donation via Paypal to getwellanne@annefeeney.com.

 

 

Please consider it if you can. Anne has spent her life fighting for us, so if we can help her now, that sure would be a return gift!

 

 

5- KATAHDIN 100- K100

 

My other wee bit of news is that for many of the past 18 years, I’ve had the privilege & honor of being part of the “K100”, the Penobscot Nation (of Indian Island, ME) annual Spiritual Gathering the 1st weekend in Sept. We run in relay 100 miles from the Rez to Mt Katahdin tracing the path of their ancestors. It’s a journey where we each ask for messages, guidance, strength. I always ask to be put on my path no matter how large or small or significant or insignificant it may seem. So far in life, I feel I’ve had a pretty wonderful journey & have been guided in ways that though enlightening & sometimes painful, have left me always giving thanks for my blessings… I will be once again ‘finding my way’ with my friends, but this year, it’s looking as if I may be able to be part of a 7 person canoe crew paddling 70 mi up the Penobscot River (bicycling 20 mi in the portage areas & then running 10 mi. up Abol (aka Ahole) hill at the end.  If I don’t get a message then… well I know I will. I always do. I’m excited & I’m pumped (& I’m pumping major iron!)

 

So between preparing the CD, practicing for the Sam gigs & training for the paddle, please wish me heath & wisdom & clarity… I’m hoping each of the 3 biggies in my upcoming life will bring me to sharing messages & passing torches we’re meant to share & pass & share & pass.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6- PAKISTAN

 

Last of all, please keep my friends in Pakistan in your thoughts & prayers. They have once again been struggling, this time due to horrific floods which have displaced millions. The medical team with whom I worked after the earthquake a few years ago have again mobilized and are working tirelessly to do all they can for victims. If I hear of a way to donate, I’ll let you know, so please stay tuned. (for those who’ve read the Book 3 Cups of Tea. A little love goes a long way!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

7- TATA

 

 

As always, I’m grateful to you all for being there

sharing your many bits of wisdom & inspiration.

Without Y’All, it would all be … very different.

So THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU f

rom the top & bottom of my heart!

 

 

Peace, Paz, Shalom, Namaste, Assalam o Alaikum, Pura Vida…

 

Annie

Hi Friends

Here's a sneak preview/video of 1 of the tunes from the upcoming CD

FYI- this is the 'smallest' production

some of the tunes are very "large"

i'm excited about the blend!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjF-pNmvK0o

YAY!

ADVANCE DISCOUNT COPIES OF

The movie

"Gateways to Faerie"

Featuring my music as soundtrack!

are

FINALLY AVAILABLE!

It's a brilliant absolutely stunningly magical journey

into the lore & world of

Nature & Faeries & Setting your Imagination Free.

by filmmaker Andy Corwin...

click & check it out & maybe even gift someone with it now.

HERE'S A LINK TO THE PREVIEW & FROM THERE,

A LINK TO THE ORDER NOW!

http://www.fairywoodland.com/news-detail.php?article=7

 

I'M OVERJOYED & THINK Y'ALL WILL LOVE IT TOO!

Hello Friends

This July 18- 22, I will be returning for the 5th year to teach at Kerrville's Summer Youth Music Camp

SO

 

IF ANY OF Y'ALL ARE ABLE TO ROCK MY PLANET & SPONSOR A YOUNG PERSON FOR A MERE $50, YOU CAN

Just send a check for to:
Texas Folk Music Foundation
C/O Jon Charles
304 W. Ave B
Killeen, Tx 76541

More info:  http://www.tfmf.org/youthcamp/index.htm

It is a gift SO WORTH GIVING!

This is hands down the annual event that

overflows my cup the most!

Kids come from all over TX

(& I'm hearing this year from other states as well)

To learn about community & music & friendship & songwriting & groove & poetry. Lives change forever, tears flow, art is born and it does NOT get any better!

I'm honored & excited to be teaching again with my buddy

Roy Wooten (Futureman) of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones

& also Sonia of Disappear Fear, Dana Cooper, Jenna Gissamen, Tim Mason, Bill Oliver & Frank Myers

!!!WOW WOW WOW!!!

Sponsored by
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas
& Texas Folk Music Foundation

 

I really hope some of Y'All can help. Many Thanks!

Annie

 

Red Hot off the press...

YAY! Tomorow 5/15

Harley-Davidson Ft Myers, FL

I'll be there 10-5 performing various times solo

& between the bands!

HUGE benefit for Nashville flood victims.

Go to this link for a list of what to bring to load on the truck!

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!

http://www.hdfortmyers.com/#panel-1

Hey Y'All

In case any of you find yourselves either on the west coast or jonesing for a jaunt or you know of someone over her who  may be interested...  I'd love it of you can pass this on!

Since the percussion workshop I taught at Koucky Gallery & Gardens over here on the left coast was such a blast, we're offering it again!   (& it really really is a sweet setting!)


Details/Scoop:     PLEASE CALL ASAP & REGISTER!

Date:  Saturday Feb 27th

Time:  1pm- 3:30pm

Location:  Koucky Gallery & Gardens   http://www.kouckygallery.com/

Cost: $25

Address:  5971 Bay Point Road, Bokeelia, FL  33922     (which is over here on Pine Island near Cape Coral)

Contact Phone:  239.283.4414  or  866.227.7163

or email:   KouckyGallery@gmail.com
annie@anniewenz.com

PLEASE CALL ASAP & REGISTER!

BRING YOUR OWN INSTRUMENT, OR LET US KNOW YOU'LL BE NEEDING ONE, WE WILL HAVE NUMEROUS ON HAND, BUT WOULD LIKE TO GET AN APPROX.  COUNT OF HOW MANY WILL NEED INSTRUMENTS.


& YOU CAN ASK THE GALLERY IF THEY HAVE SUGGESTIONS FOR ACCOMMODATIONS IF YOU PLAN TO MAKE A WOOP-DI-DOO  OUT OF IT.

Here's the description:
A percussion workshop by Musician/Percussionist & Songwriter Annie Wenz.  This hands on workshop promises to be both fun & educational.  This will be very different than a drum circle. Annie will be teaching all sorts of snazzy hand techniques & rhythm tricks & tools. How to play the drum to get different luscious tones. How to find "rhythm spaces" so you may create your own funky parts that compliment the grooves others play. How to get really cool sounds with NON drums!
No prior knowledge required. For adults or mature young people...
And particularly GREAT for teachers!  (all of the above are WONDERFUL for youth & community groups)

~~~~~~~~~

As a percussionist...
I've been honored to have been in  some of the best company in the world...

Teaching with Futureman/Roy Wooten of Bela Fleck & Joe Craven of David Grisman Quartet

Studying & performing with Puerto Rico's Platinum award winning/Putamayo Recording artist Jose Gonzalez, Senegal's Massamba Diop (of Babba Maal's band) & World Rhythm's Tony Vacca

& I've accompanied artists such as Darryl Scott, Peter Himmelman, Lowen & Navarro & Eddie from Ohio.


Many Thanks & hope to see some of you there!
Annie

Hey Beautiful Shiny Peeps

A Quickie reminder about this Saturday's

Percussion Workshop

AND next Saturday's Sweet Bean Gig!

KOUCKY GALLERY ON PINE ISLAND  - 239 283 4414
THIS very SATURDAY - NOVEMBER  14 
1PM -3:30pm  for Only $25

http://www.kouckygallery.com/   

(Rt on Stringfellow at center then a  few miles up on the Right)

PLEASE Call  283 4414  ASAP To reserve a spot so we can be set for you!

***FYI this will be very different than a drum circle. I'll be teaching all sorts of snazzy hand techniques & rhythm tricks & tools. How to hit the drum to get different luscious tones. How to find "rhythm spaces" so you may create your own funky parts that compliment the grooves others play. How to get really cool sounds with NON drums!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEXT SATURDAY NOV 21!!!  

PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD!

Nita's Sweet Bean Cafe  (YAAAAAY!)
1870 Clayton Ct.  Ft Myers  (just off 41 by Sams Club)
(239) 275-9000   http://ftmyersjava.com/
Only $6 Cover

NOT your ordinary bar gig! This is a REALLY SWEET Cafe Totally Dedicated to Providing an actual listening/concert space for artists to share music.  The ambiance is REALLY wonderful & comfy & ahhhh!
They have light sandwiches & all sorts of lusciously effervescent beverage blends.

It's just a fun place to spend a night out!  Easy parking. Easy location. (at website above)

It's my first time there & I'm hoping to fill the place, so please think about spending a fun saturday not sitting in front of your tube, singin & partying along with friends, celebrating, breathing, music-ing. 

SPECIAL GUESTS!!!
My longest dearest friend Danny Robles from my first band "JAVA" will be visiting & I will make him sing a few with me if we have to plunge it out of him!  (You'll LOVE Danny he's AMAZING!)

Again- PLEASE spread the word.

I Promise we'll have a great time!
Annie

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!

Annie

Just read a great article about an initiative started by my friends Salman & Samina Ahmad (of "Junoon")... using music "to encourage cross-cultural understanding, and interfaith dialogue to promote peace, especially between Islam and the West and India and Pakistan." Here's a link to the article. & from there, you can find a link to their foundation. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32859167/ns/us_news-giving/#storyContinued

& a direct link to the  The Salman and Samina Global Wellness Initiative
http://www.ssgwi.org/

Be informed... Give if you can! Spread the Word!

Many Thanks!

Annie

Katahdin 100 Penobscot Spiritual Journey 2009...

The journey... Where to start... Up at 4:45am. Who sleeps knowing they have to get up THAt early? Damn the alarm. Scurrying about. Coffee. Yaaay. Eggs for protein. Pie for love. Doing the 'idiot check' to make sure nothing is forgotten. (3 hours into the journey, we realized we forgot one thing. The little chocolate donuts. Breakfast of champions. DAMN)

Squeezing running shoes over my swollen bashed up right foot. Shoulda known not to balance my drum inside the tailgate of the van. Just a wee chunk of little toe & few ounces of blood lost after the mighty fall from 6feet high to my bare foot. Not a happy event the eve before running. Ignore it, it'll be nonexistant.

Off to the sacred fire as the sun rises over the river. Sage & sweet grass offerings. Words of hope & intention. For Peace, For Love, For Messages, For Thanks, For All My Relations. Ajo.

Smoky breath. Pounding feet. Friends. One heart. One body running like a river.

Together 2 miles off the Rez. The running stick whispering a beat. A horn, a shaker, eagle feathers, ribbons, carvings. Passed down over many journeys.

Then two cross the bridge. Off the rez. The rest of us readying for our turns.

Then Brilliant skies. Huge white clouds. Turning trees. Green to red. An eagle with the whitest head. Watching. The river like a mirror. Paved roads. Then dirt. Cheering. Joy. Then Pain. Frustration. Tears. Stubbornness. Sweat. Hugs. Laughter. Huge hearts.

More pain. "I can't stop running. I want to go on. My mind & heart are fine."
My bad knee says otherwise. It gives out.
"I haven't yet gotten my message. I have to keep running!"

"Haven't you gotten your message? You can't do this. You can do something else."
"We need music too."

So I play flutes & drum. But I keep trying to run. Because that is most difficult. And I am pigheaded. The other is easy. So I run in stubborn bits.

But most of all, I am humbled & moved by Dale, Larry, Katrina, Judd, Bob & Eric who are able to run almost effortlessly (though they will swear otherwise) , but they still cheer me through my pitiful stumbling.

100 miles. Almost 15 hours. The last the most beautiful. In the dark on the mountain in the smoke of our breath. We all ran in together. One lone echoing drum beat. And the almost full moon filled up the sky, through the silhouettes of the trees. Our feet on Katahdin.

And the real unsung were there. Welcoming us. They didn't run. They brought gifts of food & heart & temporary home... Tents & fire & dinner & music were waiting. And everyone would have thought we were the big deal. We were the runners.

But really... They were the big deal.

Sometimes the least shiny thing is way larger.

If you don't/can't do one thing. You can always do something else.

Thank You My Friends! One and All. For your Largeness & your Hearts & Your Wisdom.

Hello Y'All

I finally sent my song "RIDE", stunningly produced by grammy winning engineer/producer Ben Wisch ("Walkin in Memphis") to CD Baby so that it will be easily/securely available for download as a single. I'm told it will be up any day now. I'll let you know the minute I hear. Many Thanks for your support & encouragement!
That which takes time endures!

In the meantime... tomorrow, Fri Sept 4th, I'm off to do the annual 100 mile spiritual relay with my Penobscot Indian friends. We'll run from Indian Island to Mt Katahdin, ME which is the Penobscot's sacred mountain. It's a very special honor to be part of this journey. I always arrive with questions & return with answers & a full heart. (& aching knees!)

I'll be there hoping to fill my basket with wisdom... Wish me well... I'll say a few for all of you... I think we all need it.

Peace...
Annie

Hello Friends

I just wanted to share this... I'm on the Obama mailing list... & this note from Michelle just came in... Definitely worth passing on to those in our bubbles.

Wishing you ALL Much Joy & Peace
Annie


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


This holiday season, the grassroots movement you helped build can make a big difference for those in need.

I hope you will join me in supporting your favorite charity or contributing to causes that are especially meaningful to me and my family.

While many of us will spend the holidays counting our blessings and sharing dinner with loved ones, millions of people around the country won't be so fortunate.
Donating to your local food bank will help provide a holiday meal to people in your community who can't afford one.

Talking with the families of deployed troops was one of the most rewarding experiences I had during the campaign.
Giving to Operation USO Care Package is a great way to send members of our military stationed around the world a reminder that someone back home is thinking of them.

This is a time to celebrate our blessings, the new year, and a new era for our country. But it's also a time to come together on behalf of those who need our help.

Do what you can to help today by locating your local food bank and giving your support:

http://my.barackobama.com/foodbanks
Or send a care package to an American in uniform:

http://my.barackobama.com/carepackage
Thank you for all that you do and have a very happy holiday season,

Michelle

For those of you who don't get my mailing... Here's my Wandering Gypsy Occasional...

If you 'd like to sign up for the list, you can go to http://www.anniewenz.com/home.html
and fill in your email address at the bottom where it says "join Annies mailing list." I Promise, I send it quite infrequently... maybe 6x per year (I know- I'm BAD)


Hello Very Shiny Beautiful People from Near & Far!

I write this as I Celebrate & Give Thanks for another year of Life &
Family & Friendship & Art & the Many Paths of Our Wandering Journeys.


It's been a year bursting with Roller Coaster Emotion!

I've learned to Honor it All... As I've learned that for as much as
the cup filled with Joy & Light Gifts us with certain lessons, so does
the path filled with pain & imperfection.

We are all part of a huge intertwined Circle, an ebb & flow.

As my dear soul sister/friend playwrite/actor Julie Portman breathes
her last breaths, we her friends & community are watching this circle
of life & death & soul in all of its fullness & grace.

It makes me reflect on how Simple everything really is in the end...
and that makes me adjust my life accordingly. What's Really
Important??? And that always seems to boil down to moments with family
& friends & community.

Simply finding those moments of Joy. "Living in my Boots" as I
say... Not wishing for any moments other than those at my feet and
searching for the bits of good in those moments...

Sure, sometimes it's incredibly difficult...but I'm learning that
struggles are part of the Journey and each struggle seems to leave me
with Something that makes me able to pass some torch which needed to
be passed to me... to Others...

As to the World & Peace, I am receiving calls & letters about Hope
for the future from my friends in the US as well as my dear friends in
India & Pakistan. There are many more of us alike than not, and there
are many more of us working towards Peace than not. I Believe. I
Believe. Please let us All keep walking together...

& speaking of that... My friend & musical brother Salman Ahmad (some
of you remember Salman performing with me at Philly folk Fest) was
part of this AMAZING Peace celebration with Melissa Etheridge & Deepak
Chopra today... http://ringthebells.ning.com/ Just another of the many ways we can get involved!
I know we can all find ways to Pass the Torch of Peace!

My dear friend Dr Batool Kazim & I are working towards finding grants
to bring us back to Pakistan & India to share our music & wellness
inspired educational programs... If any of you know of any special
grants... we'd love to hear about it! (Batool is the psychiatrist who
brought me to Pakistan after the earthquake. She's part of Harvard's
Multicultural Task force & is a fireball of ideas & energy! She has
family in both India & Pakistan)


So My Friends...
Thank You for another Year of Love, Support & Inspiration.
I know I am not alone and that I am Incredibly Blessed!





And now on with the scoop

1- CONCERTS
2- RECORDINGS
3- GIVING
4- TATA'S & THANKS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1- CONCERTS:

TUESDAY DECEMBER 23- 6- 9:30pm
TARPON LODGE
Celebrate the end of 2008
13771 Waterfront Drive Pineland FL 239 283 3999 (Please call for
reservations if you to have some of their luscious food!)

In these economic hard times, I'm REALLY trying hard to drum up a
crowd for this last show of the year. The wonderful folks/servers who
work at the Tarpon would SURE APPRECIATE & SURE DESERVE IT! So Please
do what you can to help fill the place for them... They have light
pub fare as well as a luscious full blown 4 star dinner.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Saturday, December 27th
LA TAVERNA - Santa Elena/Monteverde , Costa Rica

YAAAAY! I'll be sitting in with my buddies "Chanchos de Monte" at
this very hip Costa Rican venue! (We promise to shake the walls!)


~~~~~~~~~~


Wednesday, December 31st
BROMELIAS AMPHETHEATRE
3RD ANNUAL New Years Concert / BASH-A-RAMA/Beatles Tribute!
Santa Elena/Monteverde - Costa Rica

It is my SUPREME HONOR to join up as guest artist with THE Best Band
in Costa Rica ~ Los Chanchos de Monte! (Led by our fearless &
incredibly Talented whip cracker Robert Dean. The entire local
community PLUS travelers/visitors turn out for the celebration! Last
year we had an entire string section as well as a full blown rock
band! Standing room only. It was BLISS!

If you know anyone spending the holidays in Costa Rica, make sure
they're aware of this show in the cloud forest region-
Monteverde/Santa Elena.

(FYI- Robert isn't just known for his band "Japan" & for his work
with Sineaid O'Connor, he's also the artist/painter behind the
acclaimed "Bird Book of Costa Rica"- Cornell Press!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

JANUARY- I AM ALSO ATTEMPTING TO RETURN (With Robert) TO THE VERY
FUNKY "MOON SHIVA" in early Jan. & will post that date to my website
as soon as I get word, so stay tuned.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WEDNESDAY JAN. 21- 6-9:30PM
TARPON LODGE-
13771 Waterfront Drive Pineland FL 239 283 3999 (Please call for
dinner reservations)

If you miss this Tuesday's show... Hey- You can come in January.
YAAAAY!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SUNDAY JANUARY 25TH- 10AM- 12 NOON

WILDCHILD GALLERY- 4625 Pine Island Road, Matlacha FL 239 283 6006

NATIVE AMERICAN/WOODERN FLUTE WORKSHOP!
Price: Workshop $45/ Workshop & Flute $95

(PLEASE TRY TO RESERVE A SPACE IN ADVANCE... GIFT CERTIFICATES
AVAILABLE AT THE GALLERY)

THIS WORKSHOP HAD BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL , WE'RE DOING IT AGAIN!
Learn simple techniques and secrets to playing beautifully & caring
for a Bamboo or Wooden or Native American Flute.

Bring your own Flute or consider purchasing a flute by our Artist Ray
Wood. Maybe you have one & never played it, or you've always wanted to
learn.
Give yourself or someone you love the gift of peaceful music.
~~~~~~~~~~

SUNDAY FEB. 8- 10AM- 12 NOON

WILDCHILD GALLERY- 4625 Pine Island Road, Matlacha FL 239 283 6006

Percussion/Hand Drumming Workshop!
THIS WAS ALSO SO SUCCESSFUL, WE'RE OFFERING IT AGAIN!

Workshop $45!

For anyone who'd like to learn more about the art of drumming &
percussion ... from simple individual rhythms & drumming/percussion
techniques to playing in a group and creating you own poly rhythms.
I will lead a hands (& feet) on workshop using shakers, claves,
brushes, drums, & found objects... (just like "Stomp!")
Bring your own "whatever" or use something from my bag of tricks.
For adults or mature young people... Also GREAT for teachers!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~





2- RECORDINGS:

Folks ALWAYS love the gift of music...
We the artists ALWAYS appreciate it when you share our Art & enable
us to keep doing what we do...

CD Baby, my online distribution gurus have a HUGE assortment of music
of all types. Please check them out! http://cdbaby.com/

As always, my 3 CD's can be purchased:
* Via my website : http://www.anniewenz.com/products.html where there are links to CD Baby for purchase of the actual CD

*or for INSTANT GRATIFICATION! It's SO EASY! (I even tried it
myself)
Digital Download via iTunes- Quick/easy/cheap~
http://www.anniewenz.com/products.html
OR

If you live in SW Florida, you can purchase the CDs at:

*WildChild Gallery on Pine Island Road, Matlacha, FL

*Pine Island Variety & Gift Store on Stringfellow Rd,
St James City, FL

*At Ada's Natural & Organic Foods~ S. Cleveland Ave. Ft Myers, FL

A brief info-a-rama about the CD's...

"Winds of the World"~ All instrumental w/ Indigenous/Native flutes
on
each song, 60 min long peaceful journey to nirvana type recording.
Folks are saying they love using it for massage, yoga, dinner,
romance;)

"Poets Dance"~ "A Magical Musical Travelogue" songs about life,
love,
travel to far off places like Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Bali &
Saskatoon Skies". I call this my "Story CD".

"Time is Magic" ~ Full on band production, produced by Grammy
winning
producer Norman Blain. With Annie Burns, Brooks Williams, Duke
Levine, Glen Velez!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


3- GIVING:

There are SO MANY ways to Give...

- SHOP LOCAL! (if you can- where it makes sense)

We in SW Florida are feeling a HUGE crunch... & I know each & every
one of You all has also been affected by the world economy... so I ask
that all of us be mindful of your local artists & business owners...
Shopping local saves gas/energy and connects us with our communities.

- CHARITIES
There are SO MANY in need organizations. Think about donating a gift
or service to your local shelter for the holidays. You can even do it
in someone else's name!

- KINDNESS- Promise a day of unconditional Kindness to someone you
love, or to those you don't know!

- MUSIC FESTIVALS!- There are SO MANY wonderful music events &
festivals out there... think about giving the gift of festival!
http://www.magmusic.com http://www.kerrville-music.com/ http://www.bluegrass.com/ http://www.falconridgefolk.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4- TATA's

Well... It's that time...


Once again...

I Wish You All Joy & Love & Peace
In Every One of it's Many Colors & Shapes

With Much Gratitude...

Peace, Pura Vida, Oneh, Namaste, Assalam-O- Alaikum,Nasdorovia,
Annie

I sit here moving between tears & holding my breath.
Waiting to kiss the ground.
My friend John even brought me knee pads!

I have SO MUCH HOPE.

More later
Annie

A few folks on my mailing list have sent me nasty anti- Obama bits of mail.

I tried to agree to disagree... but after it escalated, I replied...

hi jim

please remove me from you anti obama mail list

i am getting disgusted, angry & frightened by the republican party working harder & harder to convince the american people that senator obama is:

a terrorist
a muslim
a muslim terrorist
an incompetant
an evil man
the antichrist

on & on & on & on


colon powell spoke passionately of the same concerns
many republicans are disgusted as well
is this the new way to win an election???
by stealing it... by lying & cheating & promoting hate & racism???

30 cars at an obama ralley had tires slashed

i personally know of 3 people who were chased for having obama bumper stickers on their car. "nigger lover" was hatefully screamed at them.

voicemails were left at a voter registration office stating:
“Hi, I was just calling to let you all know that Barack Obama needs to get hung. He's a f***ing n****er, and he's a piece of s***t. You guys are fraudulent, and you need to go to hell. All the n***ers on oak trees. They're gonna get all hung honeys, they're gonna get assassinated, they're gonna get killed.”


SHAME on those who resort to hate
or those who side with those who do
or do nothing to stop the hate

this is not how jesus would act
or ANY person claiming to be kind, fair, religious

& it sickens me

so please please
remove me

you bet i'm angry
i work for peace
& this type of hate has nothing to do with peace or kindness

annie

Hello Lovelies!

As Y'All know I usually send a lengthy note... but since I'm on the
road & am up to my eyeballs in pounding the pavement for Obama, I'll
be more brief than usual.

First & Foremost~ I URGE you all to VOTE (& if possible volunteer
where you can so we can help take our country back!)
I just spent last Saturday going door to door with my brother in law
Dennis O'Dell, head of health & safety for "United Mine Workers of
America" & was INCREDIBLY moved by how hard the folks from UMWA are
working to help elect Barack Obama, since they believe he will make
mines safer, work for cleaner coal technology & he will also help put
our "going to hell in a backhoe" economy back on track. There IS HOPE,
but we can not sit back. So PLEASE VOTE & tell your friends!

~~~~~~~~~~~
UPCOMING CONCERTS:

Always check to be sure there haven't been last minute changes.

Thurs. Oct 23- Sun Oct 26- THIS VERY WEEKEND!
Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park - Magfest 2008!
Live Oak, FL
Info- http://www.magmusic.com
I just LOVE this festival. It gets better & better each year...
Featuring THE best artists in the country. A MUST on festival list.
PLEASE JOIN US!
~~~~~

Tuesday, October 28th, 6:30pm
Tarpon Lodge- Pineland FL 239 283 3999
Info- http://www.tarponlodge.com/home/
SUCH a wonderful place to unwind, listen to music, eat GREAT FOOD &
watch the sunset... Please spread the word & bring a friend! (call for
dinner reservations) Both full & pub menu served. Hey- Think about
staying in one of their romantic rooms & celebrating life, your
anniversary, or a birthday. (Surprise your sweetie!)

~~~~~
Thursday Nov. 20th 6pm
Tarpon Lodge- Pineland, FL 239 283 3999
See above
~~~~~

Saturday, December 6th 8pm
LUNA STAR CAFE- 775 Northeast 125th Street,
North Miami, Florida, 305·799·7123. Info- http://lunastarcafe.com/ This is SUCH a fun VENUE!!!
Please come down & spread the word!
(I'll be LONELY all alone!)

~~~~~~

CD's~
As always, my recordings are available at my website.
http://www.anniewenz.com/products.html
You can either buy the CD or download it for instant gratification.

OR If you live in SW Florida, you can purchase the CD at:

*WildChild Gallery on Pine Island Road, Matlacha, FL

*Pine Island Variety & Gift Store on Stringfellow Rd,
St James City, FL

*At Ada's Natural & Organic Foods~ S. Cleveland Ave. Ft Myers, FL

Folks often give my instrumental CD as a gift (& I'm incredibly
grateful!)

Thanks to your encouragement, I am currently in the process of making
my therapeutic recording "Peaceful Waters" ready for release in CD &
digital format.
(It includes me talking you through 25 min. of guided
imagery/stretching exercises to flute music, followed by 25 min of
instrumental music)
It won't be long, so stay tuned.
~~~~~

SUPPORT LOCAL BIZ

Last of all, with the Florida economy bottoming out... I urge you all
to do all you can to support you local businesses, especially
music/arts venues! I do as much business as possible on the small
islands in my bubble because their very survival depends on it!

~~~~~

Soooooo... that's all for now...
Much to do...

Now please go VOTE VOTE VOTE!
(& IF after checking your completed ballot, you find any problems
with your voting machines or any aspect of your voting process, tell
the folks at the polls & call the US Justice phone # :
1-800-253-3931)


Wishing you all Joy, Music, & HOPE HOPE HOPE

Annie
http://www.anniewenz.com http://www.myspace.com/anniewenz.com

Hello Beautiful Peeps

A few weeks ago I sent a note to some music listserves urging artists to consider getting involved in the upcoming election. It was followed by a series of very interesting postings in music world...

Here's my follow up... thoughts about when to get involved & what to consider IMHO.
~~~~~

hello y'all
busy week... i'm finally able to write after reading all of the great thoughts shared privately & publicly...

because i have the honor of both performing & teaching political songwriting, i've really tried to articulate the many aspects of the issue... so many variables imho. (so it's lengthy- so feel free to delete)
--------------------------
1st- the songs... (obviously i'm just choosing a wee microfew)

*those which clearly make a statement about a controversial issue in a serious way:
anti war- phil ochs "i ain't marching anymore"
pete seeger's "bring them home"

*making a statement in a cynical "in your face" manner:
anti bush- my "vote him gone" song (written before our last election)
anne feeney- "teenage immigrant welfare mothers on drugs"

*songs about issues most all people will agree with:
paul kamm & eleanore macdonald's "calling on love"
pat humphries "swimming to the other side"
steve seskin's "don't laugh at me" (anti bullying)
amy carol webb's "i come from women"

*disturbing songs about issues people will agree with, but they may be difficult to hear:
domestic violence- suzanne vega's "my name is luka"
my song "little white lies" (about my own 8 month pregnant grandmother's abuse)

*rallying songs like "we shall overcome"

& there are songs about controversial issues which just put you in another's shoes to think:
andrew mcknights "these shoes" my "vietnam" song which (i'm honored) gets kudos from both those who protested & those who went. i actually performed it at the kennedy center one veterans day.

on & on & on... you get my point... many ways to skin a tofu cat;)

------------------------------------

2nd- the mission:
*am i trying to rally the converted to help spread the word? yes- sometimes 1 person speaking out can just push those who were complacent to get more involved... & numbers sure matter!
you can do this by pushing their anger buttons, their sympathy buttons, their solidarity buttons...

when i teach, i do point out- when an artist sings songs on the "in your face- controversial" pile, they make choices. you may totally lose some fans... but you may chose to sacrifice the few to gain other strong supporters. so you may opt either way... i carefully consider that particular audience & venue (see below)

pete seeger's "bring them home" clearly steers some people away, but the passionate fans they win by making those commitments may be worth it to them. my other artist friends paul kamm & eleanore macdonald, rod macdonald, sonia, freebo, elen bukstel, & ronnie cox... (on & on) clearly make committed political statements in their music, conversation & newsletters, but again their strong fans applaud them =0 Afor it & are even more loyal.

*as to the "disturbing song" category. i choose them very prudently, place them carefully in a set when i do sing them & play something more gentle afterwards.

*on the other hand, sometimes i'm just trying to show those who are clearly of different opinion that "folks like me" aren't so bad but we can work together. (i think i finally worked with my parents;) i attempt to make my life & art an example of standing by my principles in hopes that good will come. i also try to deliver the message that if we get involved even if by being honest & kind & trying to find common ground, we may be better able to coexist.

*sometimes i just try to open some eyes by little things i say "i have a really kind/wonderful/talented son who happens to be 1/2 puerto rican... when i wrote this song, i was thinking about him telling me how hurt he was when people crossed the street to avoid him at night."

*since my audiences often cross cultural boundaries, i often say "if we of different backgrounds can sit & share music together in this room, we can in life as well" ( "spirit wing" are wonderful with this!)

*sometimes just coming from healing & comforting (post 9/11) can do more to create dialog that creates change.

----------------
last of all & equally as important, as ca rla, jack & chuck pointed out, always consider the venue & audience.

* i choose "songs & mission" from all of my writing above accordingly

*with conservative audiences, i am mindfully respectful. they're coming to hear me, so i prefer to meet them in the places where we probably see eye to eye. (i'm not going to sing "vote him gone".)
i may say & sing something about honoring our diversity or some struggle we all have in life...
i may talk about my visit to pakistan & how 99% of the people i met when i went were are loving kind struggling families just like ours...

*with all audiences i've been known to try to make a difference by things like mentioning "this amazing book i read called 'one heart' which takes the major religions theme by theme (thou shall not kill, honor thy neighbor... yadayada) & lists almost the same the quotes from each religion... see we really all do want the same thing! (& yea, there are those few wacky extremists who really don't represent any of the religions!)
& maybe then i'll joke and sing my song about being brought up catholic (most everyone can relate to "religious guilt" & everyone loves singing "hallelujah, we're going straight to hell"
it's all a delicate & mindful but fun dance if done right.

*with rally audiences (& those who are clearly 99% "the choir") , i d o let go at the risk of offending 1 or 2 people, believing the outcome is worth it. i feel the purpose of a rally is to shake the numbers & people out. hell... if i truly feel our country is going to hell in a backhoe, i personally can't sit back & watch & i'm ok with being labeled as a political artist of a particular side... it's a choice i personally make.

all in all, i truly respect & applaud artists who make mindful choices as to how & when to sing particular songs.
because yes- being too "in your face" at times can do way more damage.

so... for this particular election... i will tread cautiously... but i WILL tread... choosing VERY mindfully from all of the above. i do believe the choices made in this particular election have HUGE HUGE ramifications.

bottom line... (& i guess this applies to my life more than in concert) love it or hate it, it's a blessing & a curse, it's just the way i am... i just can't sit back & keep my mouth shut
& i often call people on their s***
(like tim mason's piece... "man... that joke just ain't funny!!!")

when i hear someone saying something like "i just can't vote for a black man"
i say... "oh you mean like my two brilliant, kind, innocent half black grandchildren... that's SO damn SAD"
or... i'm really equally as obnoxious as they are,20& i say "damn- that's a racist thing to say"

as to mrs palin. feel free to read my song in progress/footer line below;) i also posted what i believe to be the most poignant piece about that situation at the news part of my website<http://www.anniewenz.com/news.html>http://www.anniewenz.com/news.html written by eve ensler, the woman who wrote "the vagina monologues" (referred to as "the hoo hoo monologues" by types who try to ban certain library books"

with respect & much HOPE (& quotes of popeye "iyam what iyam")