The Goddesses

Got this at the Christmas party last night... We were doing a "white elephant" sort of gift exchange, but I actually LOVE this candle holder. Everyone at the party was calling this work of art "Boobs and Butts" but I call it "The Goddesses."

Reminds me very much of my friend Cynthia (btw, we need to have another Gathering of the Goddesses" soon...)

IWMF and AWE pics

A music-filled weekend, and it was a blast! The Iowa Women's Music Festival was outstanding -- the talent was exceptional and Cindy and I have a new favorite artist -- Carolyn Wonderland is mesmerizing in a Janis Joplin meets Reba McIntire meets Stevie Ray Vaughn sort of way! She got the mojo, people.. check her out: www.carolynwonderland.com

I was honored to again emcee the IWMF. Later that evening played a set in the closing show at The Mill. The evening program was billed as a "Pop, Hip-Hop Dance Party." Uh, I was not the Hip Hop or Dance portion of the evening. But you guessed that, yes? Couldn't stay all night and party though -- had to get home for our special AWE (Alternative Worship Service) at Unity in Naperville Sunday morning, with our special music guests Jason & deMarco.

Yes, yes, I know... I AM wearing the same blouse both Saturday and Sunday. Don't razz me, I barely made it home in time, lol... lets be glad I didn't walk into Sunday morning in my jammies!

Wonderful Weekend of Music!

My, what a delightful weekend I've had! Singer-Songwriter Sharon Bousquet came in from Iowa to join me in a house concert hosted by the Schneiders in their beautiful home (thank you SOOO much, Tom & Marge)! The next day, I presented Sharon and the "Singing Body" Workshop at The Healing Place. Sunday was icing on the cake as I played and sang with our worship team for the morning service at Unity in Naperville (where I am delighted to serve as Music Director) and Sharon Bousquet blessed the congregation with special music during the service. One of the songs she sang was "Temple," the title track from her most recent CD release and a favorite of mine (one that is on rotation at SpiritRiseRadio.com).

THANK YOU to all who came out for the house concert and/or participated in the workshop - I am so very grateful for your support and loving energy! Special thanks to those who helped with set up and clean up (Kris, Denise, Cindy - Mahalo)!

(Top picture and slideshow from Friday House Concert; bottom picture of Sat. Workshop participants...)

FRI sold out; SAT Workshop still open...

All the seats for Friday night's House Concert have been reserved -- yahooo! If you emailed a reservation, you will receive a confirmation shortly.There are still spaces left for "The Singing Body Workshop" happening the next day, August 22nd at The Healing Place in Naperville:

"The Singing Body Workshop” is for anyone with a desire to express their Spirit in a gratifying, uplifting and empowering way. The workshop incorporates yoga, breath work, singing and Educational Kinesiology - movements that balance the hemispheres of the brain - in a fun and very effective home routine that you can continue to use on your own, to develop your natural voice. This work has nothing to do with classical approaches to music or singing; it is about the entire body being your instrument, and utilizing tools that get us out of our own way in our desire to express ourselves.  Dress comfortably. One hour lunch break (please bring a bag lunch).

Presented by Kim-Char Meredith; Led by Sharon Bousquet
Saturday, August 22nd 10 am - 3 pm
Location: The Healing Place, 513 W. 87th St.
Sliding scale: $35 - $75.
Please contact me for creative financing options; I don't want cost to hold you back from this gift to yourself and your personal growth.

To register: Please respond to this email.

Hugs, Kim-Char

FRI, Aug. 21, Show in Naperville; SAT workshop with Sharon Bousquet

Click Here To Make Your RESERVATION

Aloha!

I have a "rare" local gig happening next Friday night (Aug. 21st) at 7:30 p.m.   I am playing some of my original music  at Tom & Marge's in Naperville and you are cordially invited! 

If you have never experienced a "house concert," chances are you'll really dig this.  Thats right, show happens at a private home (thank you to our gracious hosts, Tom and Marge)! Imagine an intimate acoustic concert where you are right next to the artist in a relaxed, casual environment!  I LOVE doing house concerts because they really allow for an "up close and personal"  experience.  I'll be sharing the program with Sharon Bousquet who is coming in from Iowa.  www.sharonbousquet.com.

Click Here To Make Your RESERVATION

Seating is limited (30) and you are strongly encouraged to make reservation(s) by emailing back and letting me know how many seats to hold.  Having your reservation helps me know how many beverages and snacks to pick up too... starting to sound like a party, hmmm?!  There is a suggested $10 donation.   Music will run the gamut from pop to rock to folk to spirit-centered.

Please click the graphic/link above for more info (I even have a map up to the home).   Again, please email your reservation as soon as possible to be guaranteed a spot.  Parking is limited and carpooling encouraged.  Some construction on 75th in front of Oxford Lane (their street)  causing delays, so please plan accordingly.

AND... The next morning (Saturday, Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.), Sharon and I will be presenting a wonderful workshop at The Healing Place in Naperville.  The Singing Body Workshop is for anyone with a desire to express their Spirit in a gratifying, uplifting and empowering way. Workshop incorporates yoga, breath work, singing and Educational Kinesiology...  More information by clicking the graphic/link at top of page.

Hope to see you next Friday (and Saturday, too)!

Hugs, Kim-Char

QuickVoice Pro -- how nifty is this?!?!?!

"Hello my friends. I'm playing with the new app that I got for my iPhone called QuickVoice Pro and I actually just speak into the phone and it automatically converts it to text and sends it to my blog and posts it. How awesome is that! I'm telling you... I love all this techie gadgety stuff. Stay tuned. Hugs, Kim-Char"

'QuickVoice Email – spoken through SpinVox'

Chillin' at Thunder Bay Falls in Galena

I'm really relaxing today - this is a great vacation! My current view:

Catching Up...

Hey Gang,

I've been a Blog-Twitter-Facebook slacker... but I've keeping busy otherwise! This past Thursday, we had our "Official" Grand Opening Celebration at The Healing Place and the ribbon was cut by our Honorable Mayor George Pradel of Naperville. We had a wonderful turnout of friends, family and business associates (including many from the Naperville Chamber of Commerce). Thank you to everyone who made the event a wonderful success.



And how exciting... my son Parker graduated high school on May 20th! It was great commencement topped off with a fireworks show. Parker was dashing with his lei that we had flown in from Hawaii (lei for the graduate is an island tradition)! This fall, he'll attend College of DuPage where he is interested in getting a Fire Science degree (he'd like to be a Fireman).

Of course, we had another graduation of sorts... Jordan moves on up to the high school next year! He is at this moment in Washington D.C. on the 8th grade trip...

Other things happening -- our dog Rigo was diagnosed with Panniculitis and had been having a rough time. But he is now turning the corner, regaining some of the weight he had lost (he had dropped from 40 to 27 pounds in ten weeks). I ADORE the Dr. Saylee and Dr. Ness at Arboretum View, who have been taking good care of Rigo and great care of our hearts...

And finally, I head to Nashville Monday. Playwright Lance Belville flying in from CA and songwriter Johnny Petty coming in from TX so we can powwow about a joint project in the works... won't spill the beans about this venture either... but this summer is filled with fun projects, let me tell ya!

Hugs, Kim-Char

Jordan Dressed to the Nines...

He's 14, so you just know he won't smile for a picture; still, I forced my reticent son to pose this morning. He had to dress up for career day at school today. I must say, I greatly prefer this outfit over his regular ensemble of baggy jeans and t-shirt....

Candlelight Vigil at Guardian Angel Community Services

Pictured above: Angela Gkizas, a counselor at GACS; me!; my dear friend Denise Lee; Donna Plier, SASC Program Coordinator

Earlier this evening, I attended the Sexual Violence Awareness Month Candlelight Vigil at Guardian Angel Community Services in Joliet, IL.

As part of the program, there was a showing of a video of a song from my Give and Take album, "Fly." The video was produced & directed by my good friend, Denise Lee. It was a blessing and honor to be there and watch how the video and song spoke to so many. Denise incorporated some wonderful imagery of eagles soaring that just... well, LIFTED the song and the heart.

At the Sexual Assault Services Center at GACC, trained advocates are available 24 hours a day, everyday to provide crisis intervention services. SASC also provides legal advocacy, prevention education and professional training, and individual and group counseling. These services are provided free of charge.

March 27th Show at the Ashbary Coffee House

Wow -- what an AMAZING evening at the Ashbary! Thank you to everyone who came out to make the evening a huge success... we packed the joint AND raised enough to fund SpiritRise Radio for the next year! Thank you also to those who were not able to be with us but donated generously to SpiritRise Radio. Mahalo to Chris Ellbogen for lending a hand with some guitar playin' and to Nina Lennon for adding her beautiful vocal to the mix! Oh, since Marcy Walsh and Rhonda Lorenz-Pignato were in the house, they were pulled up for the medley of some of the songs that we do on Sunday mornings at Unity in Naperville - ladies, hope you didn't mind too much! :) And I can't forget to thank me fabulous crew: Denise Lee, non-stop photographer and personal assistant, Cindy Blank (my honey) and Margot Davis, who worked the door and cd table, and Matt, the crackerjack sound dude who always makes me sound scwheet when I visit!

Thank you to Beth and Art King, who shot some bootleg video. I took a portion of the first song and a portion of the final song of the evening and posted on youtube. If you where there, you know that A WHOLE LOT happened between those songs, lol...

Raffle prizes were generously donated by Vicky of the Ashbary Coffee House, Dr. Leona Di Amore of The Healing Place and Melissa and Chris Ellbogen of MassageWorks. Thank you to all for their generosity!