Audiovisual Department Newsletter -- October,
2007
Patchouli Monday, Oct. 29
7
p.m.
Audiovisual
Department
Patchouli
Bruce Hecksel and Julie Patchouli
recorded their first jam session together on Jan. 6, 1993 in a
church in Chicago. With Bruce playing an acoustic guitar and Julie
on a 5-gallon pail, they discovered their desire to create music
together out of anything and everything around them. That desire
fueled their relationship as it grew out of this musical love they
shared and keeps them grounded in the music they create to this
day.
Bruce Hecksel’s primary instrument is
acoustic guitar. In addition to intense study in many styles from
fingerstlye, flamenco, classical, jazz, flat picking and folk, he
studied concert piano, choral compositions and plays bass guitar and
percussion on stage. But Bruce started his guitar adventure in a
punk rock band named Be Safe Be Seen. At a Canadian music festival
in 1991, his electric guitar and amp were stolen and he was left
with only his acoustic guitar, which he took as a sign and never
played an electric guitar again.
As lyricist and lead vocalist of Patchouli, Julie’s background is in words. She
began reciting poetry when she was seven. She walked around with her
steno notepad and recorded all her observations of her young life.
Dabbling in violin, drums and trombone throughout school she worked
many of her poems into acapella pieces that she and friends would
perform.
When she and Bruce met, they put the
poetry to music and Patchouli began.
Julie now plays multiple instruments on and off stage, including
6 and 12 string guitars, upright bass marimbas, flutes
and hand drums.
Bruce attended college and grad
school for music and theology. Julie studied ethnobotany (the study
of cultures and plants) and environmental science. Together they
blend the ide of cultures, music, environment and theology into the
positive vibrations of Patchouli
music.
The song "Patchouli" was the first instrumental piece they
wrote together. It’s one part ethnobotany, one part
theology, two-part harmony, two-part guitar and a pinch of gypsy
caravan. Patchouli’s deeply
rooted musical base combined with advanced studies in yoga,
meditation and other healing disciplines work together to make music
with a remarkable capacity to inspire and uplift the human
spirit.
Being a duo has its
advantages. Two home bases for instance. Julie’s originally from the
Chicago area. Bruce is from Minneapolis. Patchouli maintains a loyal following and plays in
both cities regularly in addition to their heavy touring around the
rest of North America.
Duets were formed from both
perspectives on their long road adventures and stories that become
songs. The duality reaches even further as they are not only the
musicians but also the owners of their independent label Earthsign
Records. They divide the office of booking/managing, recording,
graphics department, accounting, and technical support and
merchandise sales into their 24/7 labor of love.
If you are interested in
engaging Patchouli for one of your functions, please contact
Julie Patchouli and Bruce Hecksel by e-mail at: earthsignrecords@aol.com or
go to their website at: http://www.patchouli.net/
Illinois Arts Week 2007: Connect with the
Arts October
7-13
Illinois Arts Week was
established in 1978 to focus attention on our state’s vast
cultural resources and to increase public awareness of the arts. In
the twenty-nine years since Arts Week’s inception, hundreds of
communities and countless individuals throughout Illinois have come
to appreciate and celebrate the animating force of the arts and
creativity. This year’s campaign slogan, “Connect with the Arts,”
invites all Illinoisans to establish, deepen, or expand our
relationships with the arts -- and to join together in making the
arts a visible and vital part of everyone's everyday lives
in Illinois.
Add your voice to the power of many
during Arts Week – and make a difference. For Illinois’
great wealth of artists, arts workers, and arts lovers, every week
is Arts Week – but Arts Week is not only for artists and arts
organizations! We encourage local businesses, civic leaders, media
outlets, schools, senior centers, park districts, and all
communities or individuals who recognize the value of the arts to
participate in this opportunity. Together we can build a statewide
arts and cultural community which is stronger and better connected –
to each other and the broader community – and use these new
connections to advance a more vital and robust creative landscape
for Illinois.
DIGITAL
MEDIA Schaumburg Township District Library
(STDL) subscribes to several electronic products that allow patrons to
access electronic books (eBooks), audiobooks and videos from
home. Try these from the comfort
of your home. Go to: http://www.stdl.org/emedia.asp If
you should have any questions, please do not hesitate calling the AV
Information desk at 847-923-3182.
Schaumburg Township District Library’s
collection of full-text eBooks and always available downloadable
audiobooks. If you are an STDL cardholder, you may
check
out these new eAudiobooks – listen to samples,
download to your MP3 player or computer! Go to: http://mail.recordedbooks.com/rbmedia/2007
Schaumburg Township District Library
cardholders may now browse, checkout and download digital
Audiobooks, eBooks and video anytime of the day from
anywhere in the world. NOTE: Apple IPODs are not supported and MAC
users can only view eBooks. Go to: http://www.mymediamall.net
Schaumburg Township District Library (STDL) provides FREE access
for STDL cardholders to a variety of entertaining and informational
programming, including cooking, travel, health programs and classic
movies. Enjoy these programs from the comfort of your own
home.
Guitars of
Spain (continued from the column on the right)
Carolina Xavier - Dancer
Carolina's
flamenco studies began in Chicagowith
Wendy Clinard at the Clinard Dance Theater in 2002 after moving from
Brazil. Carolinaattended
flamenco studies technique, training, and choreography thought by Wendy
Clinard and she also has attended workshops given by visiting artists from
Spain. With
a Brazilian "party personality," Carolinaidentifies
with the "chicoforms"
(such as tangos, guajiras, and bulerias) in flamenco and she finds a way
to be playful and have fun with the complex art form. Currently
Carolinacollaborates
and performs with "Las Guitarras de Espana" and she studies classical
ballet with The Boitsov Ballet. Carolinais
also a member and one of the teachers of the
FlamencoArtsCenter.
She currently teaches flamenco to the students of the "After School
Matters" program at Kelly HS in Chicago.
Kassandra
Kocoshis - Percussionist
Kassandra
began playing percussion in 1995 with Clay Arnett, and in 1999 with Dr.
Erwin Mueller. In 2006 she received her Bachelors of Music in
Percussion Performance at DePaulUniversityunder
the instruction of Eric Millstein, Michael Green, Fred Selvaggio and Al
Payson. During her college years, she also studied with the
world-renown percussion group, NEXUS. As well as playing with
DePaulUniversity’s
major ensembles, she has performed with the Battle Creek Symphony
Orchestra, as a marimba soloist with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra,
Concertante di Chicago, Sacred Winds Ensemble, & the Aspen Opera
Theater. In 2004, Kassandra began playing flamenco. She has
studied with Francisco Orozco Fernandez "El Yiyi,” and has taken workshops
with Timo Lozano and Oscar Valero. Kassandra has been
performing with various flamenco artists around
Chicagoincluding
Jose Cortes "Pansequito hijo", Paco Fonta, Diego Alonso, Alfonso
Ponticelli, Chiara Mangiameli, David Chiriboga, Jim Collinsworth, Michelle
Nascimento, Las Guitarras de España, Ensemble Español, and
others. In 2006 she was featured as one of 6 flamenco women in
the Chicagotribune's
article "Flamenco: A way of life.” Kassandra also contributed
as a guest artist on Las Guitarras de España’s 2007 album, “Cuatro por
Arriba.”
Movies at the
Library
Are you looking for variety in movie viewing? Come to
the Schaumburg Township District Library. The Audiovisual
Department has a new 120-inch movie screen along with surround sound
and a projection unit. Once the receiver is installed, our patrons will
enjoy all of the modern conveniences found in movie theatres. You won't
want to miss this type of theatre viewing. Join this friendly group and
get in on all the fun. After the movie, you will receive a bag of
microwave popcorn and the best thing is - it's all free! No fee, no
registration required. Check out the times and dates for movies at the
Central Library Audiovisual
Department: (847) 923-3182.
Wednesday Night at the
Movies Wednesdays at
October 3 Unaccompanied
Minors PG
October 10 TMNT
PG
October 17 Are We Done
Yet PG
October 24 Messengers
PG-13
October 31 Blood and
Chocolate PG-13
Thursday Afternoon at the
Movies
Thursdays at in
Audiovisual
October 4 Peaceful
Warrior Pg-13
October 11 God Grew Tired of
Us PG
October 18 Wild Hogs
PG-13
October 25 Disturbia
PG-13
Saturday Afternoon at the
Movies
Saturdays at
October
6 Gremlins PG
October 13
Ghostbusters PG
October 20 Ghostbusters 2 PG
October 27 Hocus Pocus
PG
Guitars of Spain
(Las Guitarras de Espana) Monday, Nov.
12
7 p.m.
Audiovisual Department
Spanish Guitar Chicago is a network
of professional
Spanish-Classical, Latin-Jazz,
and Flamenco solo guitarists
and ensemble performers (including flamenco dancers and singers) based in Chicago. These musicians and dancers perform for
concert halls, theaters,
private and corporate events, public events, and weddings throughout the
United
Statesand internationally.
Carlo Basile - Guitarist
Carlo Basile has a Master's Degree
in Spanish classical guitar and has
traveled to over 25 countries to
compose, study, teach and perform
music. He also regularly travels
to Spainfor additional work
and
study.
Diego Alonso - Guitarist
Diego
Alonso has studied
flamenco guitar intensively in
Jerez de la Frontera,
Spain. He
also continues to study and
perform flamenco, Latin jazz, and Spanish classical guitar works.
Both Carlo and Diego are featured on the new Las Guitarras de España release, "Un Respiro por El
Mundo."
Patricia has Mexican/Cuban
musical roots and has performed with groups ranging from the Lyric
Opera Children's Choir to several original and cover bands before
venturing on her solo musical path and work with Las
Guitarras de España. Patty has displayed amazing versatility and
musicality in the two Las Guitarras releases. She has the ability to
create vocal phrasing on the spot in many genres including Cuban
music, Rhythm and Blues, Soul and flamenco music. Patricia's
considerable contributions to the ensemble are most clearly
displayed in the latest CD release of the group. Patty also
continues to study traditional flamenco cante - she has worked with
recently with Curro Cueto, Antonia Vargas, and Vicente
Griego.
Chiara Mangiameli -
Vocalist and Dancer
Chiara,
a native Italian, began her flamenco studies in
Chicagowith Michelle Nascimento “La
Caoba,” and continued in Sevilleto study extensively with
Carmen Gamero, Yolanda Heredia, and Juan Polvio. Although
dance came first, Chiara's interest in learning the "cante" followed
shortly thereafter, leading her to master guitarist and
flamencologist Tomas De Utrera who guided her through the basic
"palos" or forms of flamenco song. She later pursued further
instruction with Sevillian locals such as Emilio Cabello, as well as
visiting artists such as Antonio Pitingo. Locally, Chiara
collaborates both as a singer and dancer, with various flamenco
artists and musicians. Among them, Alfonso Ponticelli and his group
Swing Gitan, with whom she presented the first ever Flamenco Night
at Chicago's legendary Green
Mill. In 2005 she began collaborating with
Chicago's flamenco and world music
group The Guitars Of
Spainappearing at, among other
venues, the HotHouse and The Chicago Culture Center. In November of
2006 Chiara had the opportunity to travel to
Polandand perform alongside
guitarist and Cadiznative Jose Cortez
"Pansekyto," as a guest singer with Ensemble Español. Educational
performances include collaborations with Raices Gitanas, and Edna
Manteca's Flamenquisimo as part of the Learning On Stage
concertseries. (continues in
middle
column)
Midwest Ballroom with John Russell Ghrist 90.9 FM
WDCB Public Radio
WDCB is a
non-commercial, public radio station broadcasting
continuously to northeastern Illinois. The station is known for its
diverse music programming: jazz, folk, reggae, world,
classical and "Midwest Ballroom," hosted by John Russell
Ghrist. It is heard Saturdays at 5 p.m. over 90.9 FM WDCB in digital HD
and features Chicago area big bands and musicians. The station is
owned by the College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL and can be heard
throughout Chicago and the suburbs, as well as on the Internet by
going to www.WDCB.org.
Listeners may contact John Russell Ghrist at P.O . Box 1073 Dundee,
Il. 60118 or via e-mail at midwestballroom@yahoo.com.
Additional information on upcoming music events and dances can
be found at www.yorkvillebigband.com.
Midwest
Ballroom Schedule for October,
2007
10-6: Big Band Medleys - A collection of great tunes played in
medley style by local and national big bands.
10-13: More Famous Pairs - First the hit version, then a
good local cover of a popular tune played by a local
performer.
10-20: Autumn Program - Favorite songs for remembering
fall.
10-27: Pop Favorites - Local big bands and
vocalists perform recent
hits.
Musically
Yours,
Barbara
R.
Marik
Thank you for subscribing to Musically
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Audiovisual Department of the Schaumburg Township District Library. Email
addresses will not be sold or provided to anyone else. If you have news or
questions you want to share with other Musically Yours subscribers, just
drop me a line at bmarik@stdl.org. I welcome all comments. If you decide to be removed from the list
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Audiovisual Information
Coordinator/Music Programmer • Schaumburg Township District
Library 130 South Roselle Road
• Schaumburg, IL 60193 •
(847)
923-3186
