Hello World,
Just a quick update to let you know what I’ve been up
to.
In my last post I was telling you about a wonderful
adventure I had on the Toronto Island.
There was a actually a Part II of the Island adventure that I didn’t get
a chance to tell you about and it was just as unexpected and just as
magical.
Ronan, the gregarious
opera singer who I met the first time, invited me to be part of a music event
that he was holding at St Andrews Church on centre island – this is a beautiful old wooden church with stained glass windows built in the
late 1800’s. I had no idea what I
was getting myself into but about 15 minutes before show time, I was informed
that I was to be the opening act for a 30 piece orchestra and choir performing
Mozarts Requiem. Aaargh! It was a
little intimidating to say the least!
The church was full, a crowd of 200 strong. According to Ronan many in the audience hadn’t experienced a
classical music performance before so he wanted to ease them into it with some
familiar folky sounds like the ones that I make. At first I thought he was crazy but as it turns out
everybody loved it and the whole night was a huge success. It was such a treat to hear the Requiem
live – what an incredible piece of music - goose bump material.
Since then I’ve had a couple more fun gigs. In May I was invited back to the Atrium
Music Program at the Princess Margaret hospital. This is a lunch time performance for patients, their
families and staff. Like the last time, this was a very rewarding
experience. I received a very
moving message from a patient undergoing treatment the day after the gig. It was the type of message that reminds
me why I do music in the first place.
Music is such an amazing gift to be able to share with people, especially
when it can help someone through a difficult time.
A couple of weeks ago, I was also invited to perform at the
Summer Hill tennis club. This was
an incredible setting – the stage was on one of the wide verandas surrounding
the old clubhouse, or should I say club mansion! We were on the fancy shmancy
restaurant patio, with a backdrop
of swimming pools and tennis courts all surrounded by walls covered in
flowering creepers and hedges. Our
audience were a tanned and healthy looking bunch, glowing in their freshly
pressed white tennis outfits. I’ve
only ever seen scenes like this in the movies! I had to perform for 3 hours, so it was a good opportunity
to learn some new cover songs and
pay tribute to some artists who I
admire – Carol King, Roberta Flack, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen and Cold
Play to name a few.
Meanwhile I am working on a record with my good friend and
accompanist Asher Ettinger. We get
together every Tuesday “Tuesdays with Tash” as we like to call it. We’re a good team and it’s a fun
process. For the first time ever,
I am having hands on involvement with the production and arrangements of my
songs – and I am loving it.
(Thanks Asher for being such an amazing mentor and for being so patient
with me) Can’t wait to show you the track we are currently working on – it
should be ready for you very soon.
Aside from that, I am continuing to work on a giant art
piece. It’s a collage/painting, which when completed will be 7ftx8ft in
size. It’s taking me a lot longer
than anticipated, but there is method to my madness, and before too long you
will see my reasoning behind it all.
Oh and I’m also going through a Spanish phase! Perhaps it
was inspired by my short love affair with Flamenco dancing, because now I’m
learning how to speak Spanish, and if all goes well I may even throw a couple
of Spanish songs into my set.
I think that just about sums up the last 2 months.
Hope you are all having some of your own fun
adventures. Send me a message, I
would love to hear from you!
Hasta pronto,
Adios amigos xx
