We do like to have a good time on St. Patty's Day, aka Irish Appreciation Day:
A drop may have been taken. Maybe two.
"Whiskey in the Jar" was definitely sung.
Fashion lovers: there happened to be three antique clothing experts at this particular party, and so I got an in-depth consulation about my green dress. It was decided after some debate that it is an Edwardian nightgown made of silk crepe. I knew I loved it, but I had no idea it was so old!
It's been an amazing year so far... and it's just whooshing right by! It's almost April, and New Year's Eve feels like just yesterday.
I like to put some of my favorite pictures on this blog, as a record for myself more than anyone else, probably. One day everything is going to be one big blur, I just know it.
Here are some images from the trip the Sugatroll and I took to Santa Cruz last month. This was at the beach in Soquel, just south of Santa Cruz:
This boat was a nightlife hotspot in the earlier part of last century, hard as it is to imagine now. There was drinking and dancing and loose women... but the boat was made of concrete, and eventually it cracked in two. Now it's a private estate for the birds.
It was an especially beautiful day on the coast... one of those dream days that makes a gal never want to go home. I am such a beach girl at heart.
The coast always draws in some characters, and their vehicles:
And carrying on with the coastal theme... a few weeks later, Mount Whateverest did a mini-tour of Southern California. We happened to go during a rare February heatwave, which meant that it felt like mid-summer. Here in the beach city of Ventura, a warm breeze was blowing through the palm trees:
A visit to the beach before we doll up for the evening:
The gang, getting ready to head out to the show:
We played with the most glamtastic bands, Zachary James and The All Seeing Eyes and Alexandra and the Starlight Band. They even had swaroski crystals on their musical gear!
All together now!
It was still t-shirt weather at 3am after we'd played the show and come back to the hotel. We were just a few blocks from the beach, so we decided to do some night wading:
In the city of Los Angeles, we played a Dada Art Opening at a dollhouse-sized, adorable art gallery called Museé 16 that was located in an old fish canning factory. They did vintage film projections on the stage:
Our hotel in Los Angeles, the Hollywood Hills Best Western, was so awesome- the whole place was covered in Hollywood memorabilia. Even the kitchenette had a touch of glam:
The best was that they had an amazing restaurant downstairs that was open until 3am. Everyone in there looked like a movie star to me. Eating breakfast:
Here we are about to head North again, posing in the lobby mirror:
The band has been super busy since then- we recorded a 12 song album! We also had several more shows, including one at a "Burnal Equinox" festival- the midway point between Burning Man events. We were joined by my bestie Linda on the far left.
Dirt + tarps = country glamor: me and the Sugatroll.
In other news, I've been practicing piano at at least a few times a week, for the first time in years (thank to my friend who is letting me use her grand piano!), which is making me very, very happy. I also started doing Zumba, a latin-inspired exercise dance class, at a local studio. My cardiovascular systerm is very happy about this, and I am loving the dance steps.
I hope all is well with you and yours... happy Spring!
On Halloween weekend, our band, Mt. Whateverest, rocked the Miner's Foundry in Nevada City with an all-glam rock tribute show (KISS, Queen, T Rex, and David Bowie). I was an unearthly blend of Marc Bolan and David Bowie, and the Sugatroll was, of course, Ace Frehley from KISS. It was out-of-this-world fun!
Singing "Ziggy Stardust"
Last month, me and the Sugatroll got to hang with the real and actual Larkin of Larkin and Larkin! We went to see the Cindy Sherman exhibit at the SFMOMA... we ate burritos... we made Silly.
Larkin is a REAL MERMAID! No, really.
My fatal character flaw, shared by Larkin: refusing to take museums seriously. Photos "arted up" by Larkin:
Tourist shot in front of the Bay Bridge!
Thanks to the red-haired-non-stranger from Rhode Island for one of the most fun days I've ever had. Come back soon, y'hear?
By the way, Larkin is crafting up all kinds of great new stuff in her Etsy shop for Fall... your eyes will be happy when you take a peek here.
My friend Cat spent the last week hanging out with me and the Sugatroll, making music and accompanying us on last-swim-of-the-season river adventuring. Before she left, we did an impromptu photo shoot on the hill behind my house, starting out somewhat serious and quickly degrading into giggling 8-year-old girls. It was the most fun I've had with my camera in a long time.
Seriously now:
My personal favorite:
A unicorn appears in the forest:
And other creatures as well:
Cat is an incredible musician- I know you'll love her work. Check out her cover of The Cure's "Love Song", filmed live on her roof in New York City:
Cat Martino - "Love Song" [Live Cover of The Cure] from Consequence of Sound on Vimeo.
Thanks to Cat for being my playmate this week!
Last week I had the pleasure of being in one of the most beautiful weddings ever- my friends Bluebird and Dylan tied the knot (or, more accurately, stomped on the glasses) in a magical ceremony held on Lughnasadh. The moon was full, spirits were high, and love was everywhere!
Take note: this blog post is going to have a LOT of pictures of dresses! Not only did the bride make her own wedding dress-- inspired by the elaborate bridal dress worn by Isabella, Queen of Spain, incorporating the skirt from her mother's wedding dress, which was handmade in Mexico in 1960 by her great-aunts-- but she made each and every one of the eight bridesmaids dresses. She even hand-dyed the silk for the dresses. Yes, she did this AND planned a wedding- you read that right. She's a professional costumier, and she wanted each of us to have our Dream Dress!
Here we are, hurrying quickly around the edge of the wedding, hiding the bride, as we make our way to the other side of the pond:
The groom and his groomsmen (and groomslady) are all painted in a dye handmade from the sacred herb Wode, and wearing head wreaths made from symbolic trees and plants.
On the other side of the pond, we board the raft and are pulled slowly across, gradually parting to reveal the bride, as we sing a traditional round:
Rose, rose, rose red
Will I ever see thee wed?
I will marry at my will, sire
At my will
The groom, dressed in a cloak of deerskin which he made and tanned himself, painted in sacred runes, awaits the arrival of his bride:
We arrive!
The bridesmaids line up on shore, and watch the ceremony, which takes place on the raft.
The four elements are invoked, including air, here symbolized by a beautiful and breathy song played on the flute:
When it comes time for Dylan to say his vows, he is handed his hand-carved harp and sings the vows to her. There is not a dry eye in the house. I actually thought Bluebird might faint from joy!
"Can you believe how lucky I am?!?!?"
Bluebird and Dylan were so utterly, profoundly sincere in their declarations of love.
Kissing in the flowered wreath!
Here is the bride and groom with their families- Dylan's mom came all the way from Michigan, which made him so happy. That's Bluebird's dad, and her two gorgeous daughters:
All the bridesmaids, and the flower girls:
Lady's man:
(What did I say about those dresses?!?!?)
The first dance, with Bluebird and her Dad:
The groom cuts in:
The song is "Unchained Melody"- sigh!
Aren't they lovely?
I haven't even talked about my dress, but I am guessing you've noticed it by now- it was extraordinary! When Bluebird asked me what my Dream Dress was, I had to go with my first impulse- the era of Marie Antoinette. This dress was done in authentic 1700s style, with a lace-up back and pocket hoops in the skirt and the whole she-bang. The colors, of course, were my own choosing- I love hot pink and green and gold so much it HURTS! And yes, I really did dye my hair to match. Here I am, with some of the mead that- get ready- the bride and groom made for the wedding. (Yes, they even made their own alcohol!)
(those are Hops in my hair, for you plant spotters out there!)
With my Sugatroll (why oh why did no one get a photo of his amazing purple and white vintage dress shoes? They matched the top perfectly!):
Dylan totally photo-bombs us:
My stomacher was hand-embroidered by Bluebird. It took her a month of stitching every evening.
Me and Leonna Sapphire! In sapphire blue, of course.
Swirly!
This is my favorite photo of myself- I sure do love a good door!
Hanging with friends:
There was some speechifying (after the mead, of course):
And of course we all get by with a little help from our friends, especially in fancy 18th century dresses- Lucia is loosening my corseted back. How did those ladies do it? I'm a wimp!
Later on there was a live band (Sun Hop Fat) playing 60s Ethiopian psyche/funk, canoeing and swimming by moonlight, and lots and lots of dancing and laughing. But you'll just have to imagine that part!
I hope you have been inspired and delighted by these fun photos- even if you don't know Dylan and Bluebird, I'm sure that you can get a sense of their amazing spirits! Here's to life and love and creativity and community and every color of the 'bow!
Bluebird designs wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, historical costumes, corsets, and even Tardis dresses for Dr. Who fans on her Etsy site! You can get in touch with her there regarding special commissions.
To start the night, a fanciful, fairy-full tea party:
With delicate tea sandwiches and a floral punch made by Miss Leonna Sapphire:
(all edible, including the flowers!)
As evening falls, the Skitual begins:
(Summer and I are playing the mischief-making fairies)
(stealing socks...)
The Green Man and Green Woman, played by Bluebird and Dylan:
...and at darkness, the double bonfires:
Happy Solstice, everybody!
I just spent the past few days working an entirely different day job- as a bird goddess.
In a life-size nest, built by Dylan!
My friends in the band Lasher Keen teamed up with Bay Area filmmaker Lara Miranda to create a music video for their song "Rainmaker", and they gathered their friends to play all of the characters:
(yup, that's a fog machine- essential!)
Getting into full costume with hair and makeup (including body paint) took many hours each day:
Lara applies some finishing touches to my face.
Even fully made up, you still have to eat:
Here is Bluebird, playing the Moon Goddess, hanging out and waiting for her scene (the desert-like shots were done in an old mining area):
Dylan trying out his costume- no paparazzi!:
Sarai as the Horse Goddess (on her own Clydesdale horse!):
Robert as the pyromaniac Fire Demon:
Lara on set:
Mugging, as usual, with Bluebird and Emily (one of the Clay Goddesses- this brave girl spent the entire day covered in clay!):
My wonderful headpiece and costume were made by Bluebird:
What an awesome time, and what a video this is going to be! Holy moly! It's going to take a while before we see the finished product, but meanwhile, you can enjoy some of Lara's other work, like this wonderful Faun Fables videos:
Photos by Lasher Keen and Lara Miranda
Twas a starry Solstice eve, and merry folks were gathered together to keep the creative fires burning high...
Bluebird, Dylan (of the rockin pagan band Lasher Keen), Leonna Sapphire, and moi, at Bluebird and Dylan's gorgeous home. Solstice gifts: Dylan's cookie jar (filled with freshly baked Russian Tea Cookies from Leonna), Leonna's rainbow piano socks, wrist warmers crocheted by Leoanna, and my beautiful scarf, which came all the way from Africa!
Best holiday soundtrack ever (Dylan is originally from Detroit, so he knows what good music sounds like):
Needlepoint Christmas stocking, open wine bottle, homemade playdough and game of Cranium:
Dylan processes the Mistletoe which he picked himself, while fur people Lakshmi and Mochi look on:
O Tannenbaum...
Leonna brought holiday songs with alternate Pagan words! Best idea ever!
We were belting out those carols at the tippy TOP of our lungs! I am so glad there were no neighbors anywhere nearby!
Dylan's mistletoe bunches are ready, and Bluebird returns to the needlepoint...
Dylan shows us his amazing hand-carved wooden harp with gut strings, just arrived after a six month wait.... Wow. Wow. Wow.
Cutie Pie Pies.
...and to all a good night.
I just returned from the amazing Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival in San Francisco- three days of amazing free (!) music in Golden Gate Park. The weather this year was incredible... sunshine all three days! T-shirts and shorts, bare legs, mom and dad and grandma and babies and dogs and hippies and magic brownies... the park was about to lift off the ground from the good vibes.
One of my favorite acts was Dr. John and the Lower 911. It was my first time seeing him live- and what a venue to see him in! Dr. John is from New Orleans, and he brings all the fun and magic and musical tradition of that city to his work. He had the (very willing and able) crowd in Golden Gate Park partying their booties off on Sunday!
This is the song that first hooked me on Dr. John:
This video for the Scott McKenzie song "San Francisco" has some footage that could have just as well been shot this weekend- dancing girls! headbands! bare feet! and a parade of kooky characters on Haight Street, where we went on Saturday night. Remember, if you're going to San Francisco... be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.
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