fundraiser – An Accidental Vagabond

Art, Music, Dance, and Film

Jen is drawing three pieces to go with one of my poems to sell at our silent auction. I have two other painters doing their own pieces. One piece that I haven’t seen yet is being done based on another of my poems. There will also be a short film, cello music, storytelling to music, burlesque, opera and an acting performance, and a reading. It is a great way to bring people together see some great art and to raise money.

When and Why

The show is on the 14th of November so it is coming up soon. Hopefully I will raise enough to pay off my tuition. This fundraisers goal is higher than the last: $1,200.00 dollars. It will feel good to know I paid for this through art versus taking out a loan. Paid in full by my own hard work and the help of artists. How amazing is that?

Collaboration Work

This fundraiser has a lot more collaborative work allowing for cross-medium and genre performances. I am working with my friend video/film maker Francis and we are going to make a video to another one of my poems: This is the Power of Performance. Now Set the Poet Free. Poetry is not my main medium, but I am collaborating a lot with my poetry. I am also collaborating with visual artists, and musicians. The band the Waking Guild, has sent me one of their songs and I wrote a story to it, so instead of singing I will be performing a reading over the music.

One Night Only

The show is this Sunday, and I have some incredible people performing. I’m really amazed with the amount of talent. I hope I have a good turn out, not just to make the money I need for school, but also just so that there is an audience for these great performers.

Don’t Short Change the Muse II

Once again we will be having another fundraiser to help Adrienna pay her final tuition fees for The Attic Anthenum.

We’ve put together another fantastic night of music, dance, acting, and multimedia visual art. Come early to enjoy the hordourves, drinks, and fun ambience.

There will be a silent auction and this time we have even more incredible art, crafts, and services for you to bid upon.

November 14th 2011, 7:00 p.m.

Come join us in community and art.

This is the drawing used in the invitation is by Jen Smith and inspired by my poem Girl. I’m really thrilled with what she has created. The originals will be up for the auction on Sunday, and prints will also be available for purchase. It is strange to see one of my poems come alive in a drawing.

Terry O’Neil, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

William S. Burroughs once said, “Cheat your landlord if you can and must, but do not try to short change the muse. It cannot be done. You can’t fake quality anymore than you can fake a good meal”.

He meant to always be truthful in what you write and what you do, dirty or clean, as long as it is you and yours. I also take it to mean, “don’t cut corners when it comes to what you love”.

In any art form the artist needs to continue to grow. As every artist knows nothing is more detrimental than complacency and routine. As soon as you are comfortable: change. As soon as you are popular: give them a left hook. That is our exercise as artists. We need to keep learning no matter how old we get. The grey matter in our head is plastic and expands, but only with use. Practice does make perfect, and as soon as you are perfect it’s time to cut that shit up and take a risk.

This event was a very last-minute thing for me, setting up the auction and the fundraiser, I’m amazed it has actually all come together in so little time. I had not expected to be accepted into the Atheneum program at the Attic and was not prepared with the tuition. Like most of us, I survive by tooth and nail, but when I received the acceptance letter something inside me said, don’t say no because of the money.

The Atheneum is about building a community of writers, it is about creating a circle of learning. I have had my share of community involvement through organizations like Write Around Portland and Playwrite Inc., In both organizations I have volunteered my time to help others, all through writing and performance. This is something I have always enjoyed, and for no other reason other than that I think Art Saves Lives. I believe art can touch and change people.

This is the first time I have ever asked for money for myself, and this is also the first time I have ever built a show. The first time I have ever showcased any of my work, and in a very short time I have learned a great deal about community. The reason I followed through with this event is because of all the names you see in the program. I was amazed at the sheer excitement, joy and support my friends have offered in putting this together, and that support and joy extended out. I never knew so many people had wanted to see me succeed in my dreams, and I am honored.

There is not one artist in the history of art that did not have some network. Even the most solitary and loneliest of us need support even Van Gogh had his brother Theo. Our society, our media projects the image that certain famous artists and writers were loners and climbed to the top on their own, but this is a falsehood, everyone has held the hand of at least one person. And that is what we are doing here tonight; holding hands. You are holding my hands as I ask you for help in making my dream of becoming a great American novelist come true, so that in turn I can hold the hand of another.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of you that have helped pull this together and to those of you for being here.

Thank you to Bar Carlo for the space, be sure to buy yourself some drinks and tip the bartender. Also don’t forget to check out the silent auction. The show is about to begin!

The show began…and ended beautifully.

Tag: fundraiser

Fundraising Event for Don’t Short Change the Muse II