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Showing posts from February, 2014

Amtrak Offers Writer’s Residency on Trains

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As seen on Galley Cat… Amtrak is Offering Writer’s Residency on Trains [ www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/amtrak-is-offering-writers-residency-on-trains_b83009 ] By Dianna Dilworth on February 24, 2014 1:17 PM... Writers residencies just got mobile. Amtrak is now offering free rides to writers on long rides so that they can get some writing done. The idea came from a Twitter. Inspired by an interview that discussed writing on trains, writers Zach Seward and Jessica Gross tweeted their desires for a writers in residency program on Amtrak. Amtrak responded to the tweet and offered Gross the chance to test drive the idea. She took a ride from New York to Chicago and back. The Wire has the story: She rode the rails from NYC to Chicago to NYC again, writing the whole time. No one else on the train knew about her residency, Gross said, or if they did, they “definitely didn’t act like it.” Now, perhaps the most important point: The residency was free. According to Gross, all Amtrak ask

Critique by National League of American Pen Women 1 March 2014

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Marie Kriss of the  Denver Branch of the National League of American Pen Women tells me that it's time again for their annual critique program on Sat 1 March 2014...  Here's your chance to personally present your manuscript and receive feedback on your style, format, technique, and publishing suggestions from members of the Denver Branch of the National League of American Pen Women, one of the first and most prestigious arts organizations in the nation. Your manuscript/s may be completed or in progress, and may be poetry, a novel, short story, article, essay, memoir - your choice. See  www.nlapw.org " When : Sat 1 March 2014 @ 9:30a - 1p Where : Eloise May Library, 1471 South Parker Rd., Denver 80231 Good to know : lunch is included at no charge for presenters. For members and others, the charge is $11.00; $11.50 for gluten-free. Limit of 8 guest presenters;  last we heard there are only a couple of slots left. RSVP required: Marie Kriss | (303) 433-5266

What was that again? Memory Help for Actors

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Many people have heard me say:   "I do improv because I can't remember lines."    I do improv acting because I love doing improv, but the real issue is that I don’t audition for scripted parts (unless there are no or very few lines) because I know I won’t be able to memorize the script, cues, and blocking. When I was 15 years old I had a terrific memory. My memorization skills were so amazing that I provided the page, paragraph, and lines of the assigned reading in my test answers; and that was on closed book exams. And then the ability was gone. POOF! Just like that. I learned the physical reason why at age 42 (and I have the MRIs to prove it), but the fact remains that for decades I just couldn't retain masses of data even after very serious attempts to do so. That goes back to the joke, "hey, Doc, when I do this my arm hurts." And Doc says, "so don't do that." That was my solution: to not do the activities that required memorizing vast am

Reminder: Kathryn Winograd Signs New Book Phantom Canyon | Wed, 19 Feb

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© 2014 Kathryn Winograd Ya just gotta meet Kathryn Winograd, author of Phantom Canyon  released Tuesday, February 18. What's the book about - you need to read it. It's a memoir, that's all I'm saying. She's a great writer, and really cool in person too.  So do that.... When: Wed, 19 Feb - 2p and 6:30p (yes, twice) What: Book Signing:  Phantom Canyon by Kathryn Winograd Where:   Arapahoe Community College Library, Main Campus.  5900 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. SoHa  Happenings  in  Colorado ™   produced by...               written by...        Pam Roth O'Mara

Updated: Writers Studio Presents Panel of Writers Thu, March 6

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From Page To Stage To Pixel To Beyond: Or "So I Wrote It--Now What Do I Do?!" …   Want to do more than just publish your work?  How about a little Improv?  A little Stage Reading? A Film Documentary? A "Monster" Opera? Hear from the writers (and one Stories on Stage director) who have ventured beyond the printed and pixel page. They will share their experiences, how-tos, and creative work.  Featuring award winning film maker,  Coleen Hubbard , Improv artist  Pam Roth O'Mara , Stories on Stage  Anthony Powell , and Flash Fiction Monster Opera Writer  Nancy Stohlman . Says author, artist, and improv performer Pam Roth O'Mara (also known as Pam OyMara):  It’s about playing and what comes from it. I love how all of these creative forms play off each other – improv, writing, visual works, performance. This presentation is about the evolution of the concept of ThumbPrintPlays™ and what they do for me as a writer, artist, director, instructor, coach, perform

Art and Nature Go Hand-in-Hand at Carson Nature Center

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Hey Kids - join artists and South Platte Volunteers, Carol Peterson and Pam Roth O’Mara for Creating the Nature Of Nature, a fun-filled, creative and reflective day of observation, art, and writing. As Carol and Pam guide you through the park, you’ll use colored pencils and create ThumbPrintPlay™ journals to learn to see nature by writing, drawing, and using color. You'll never see nature the same way again! Bring a sack lunch, snacks, and water.  When : Wed, 6/18/2014 @ 10a - 2:30p Ages : 9 - 13 Location : Carson Nature Center, South Platte Park District : $15.00/Non-District: $20.00 Materials : All art materials and a ThumbPrintPlay™ Journaling Kit are included in the fee. Good to Know : this workshop will fill up fast so register now! Register online:  www.ssprd.org/nature Questions? Victoria | victorias@ssprd.org   SoHa  Happenings  in  Colorado ™   produced by...               written by...           Pam Roth O'Mara

Community Drum Circle @ Hudson Gardens

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I have to admit, I’ve yet to participate in a Community Drum Circle @ Hudson Gardens , but it sounds really cool… “Join people of all levels of musical expertise to share your rhythmical spirit in an oasis of beauty! Community drum circles are popping up throughout the nation as a fun way to celebrate community and life through recreational music making. No drumming expertise is necessary! All ages and abilities are welcome to attend this family-friendly event. This guided session will include basic and traditional rhythms, guided imagery, and freestyle.” When: Tuesday, February 11, 2014, 6-8 PM Where: 6115 South Santa Fe Drive in Littleton , 1/2 mile south of Bowles Ave. 3 miles north of C-470. West side of Santa Fe Drive. Across the street from Arapahoe Community College. Reservations required: 303bob5280@comcast.net . Good to Know : The Hudson Residence and may be held outdoors; please dress for the weather and bring a chair or blanket for seating. When registering, indicat

South Platte Park Recognizes Volunteers

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Budding Blossom Award 2013 for a new volunteer with exceptional potential  And a good time was had by all at last night's South Platte Park Volunteer Recognition Dinner. First dinner, then awards, then a fantastic trip down memory lane by a family of four, including their then-11-year old son (Jesse) and 13-year old daughter (Hannah), of their 6-month trip to train conservancy leaders and help residents in Kenya, China, and Nepal. Just WoW! Thank you for sharing. The Carson Nature Center is a well-kept secret. To the staff, volunteers, and hundreds of visitors who annually enjoy the area - run, bike, walk, walk dogs, and oh yeah partake in Nature (with a capital N) - and the kids brought in for school programs, it's no secret how marvelous the environment is. The staff and volunteers are working like crazy to keep it that way, share, and maintain the natural wonder. Put this on your must-get-done-list for every year: visit South Platte Park and the Carson Nature Cente

Kat(hryn) Out of the Bag | Phantom Canyon Release

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(c) 2014 Kathryn Winograd It's been official for a while (yay, if you particularly like things official), Kathryn Winograd's new book, Phantom Canyon is officially released on Tuesday, February 18. (yes, I did intentionally mesh present with future.) YaY Kathryn - this is something to shout about. But if you can't wait until then to get your copy, listen up! Check out these locations where you'll find Kathryn reading from and signing her book: Feb 6 @ 7p: Boulder Bookstore . Conundrum Press Reading: Kathy Winograd, etal. Feb 8 @ 11-12:30p: National League of American Pen Women, Denver chapter .  Lyric Essay Workshop and Reading with Kathy Winograd. And - drumroll, please - the book signing… Feb 19 @ 2p and 6:30p:   Arapahoe Community College Library, Main Campus . Book signing with Kathryn Winograd, etal. ("etal." means there will be other writers and publishers present, but this is Kathryn's spotlight. You go, girl!)   SoHa  Happ

Spring Happens 2014 at ACC Writers Studio

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Never too soon to think about Spring... especially Spring Happenings at the ACC Writers Studio. Put these events on your calendar before they pass you by.... So just what is the Arapahoe Community College Writers Studio ? Glad you asked. This is what they'll tell you: "Established in 2004, the ACC Writers Studio is a community for writers of all ages and skill levels.  We invite writers from our school and community to experience the writing life through creative writing courses, workshops, literary contests, festivals, and readings.  We invite local and national writers to share their words and expertise with our students and community members." www.arapahoe.edu/writerstudio They're also responsible for award winning Progenitor Lit Mag.  www.arapahoe.edu/campus-life/student-press/progenitor-art-and-literary-journal   SoHa  Happenings  in  Colorado ™   produced by...

Last Chance to See Painted Violins @ Madden Museum

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Forget the cold... get there while you can... The Painted Violin Fundraiser for Denver Young Artists Orchestra is on exhibition through February 7th. Features 19 original works of art on real violins!  sold to benefit the  Denver Young Artists Orchestra Association (DYAO). When: thru Fri, 7 Feb 2014 Where to Find Them: Madden Museum, 6363 South Fiddler's Green Circle, Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Questions ? 303.763.1970 | Monday – Friday 9 a – 5 p   SoHa  Colorado  Musings ™   produced by...

January 2014 Busy Month for Arts and Culture

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January 2014 was an invigorating month: we imbibed as much art and culture as our time allowed, and barely hit a nano nth of what’s out there…  We attended The Whipping Man (Curious Theatre), The Legend of Georgia McBride (Denver Center), literary readings by Kathryn Winograd (Denver Woman’s Press Club) from her new book, Phantom Canyon (Conundrum Press, Publisher), and black odyssey (Denver Center). Visited the Colorado History Museum. Continued reading a prepublication manuscript of Kathryn Winograd’s book. Planned to teach more sessions of art, theater, and writing workshops for kids and adults at locations in SoHa. Collaborated with Cheri Karo Schwartz on our Jewish theater project, OY!Improv. Added to my ThumbPrintPlayArt™ portfolio. What was so invigorating were the ideas thrown in my face so passionately that I had to take time to process what I’d heard and felt. The Whipping Man made me wonder about motivation and ask, “what drives supposedly sane people to do violence