Posts Tagged ‘music’

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Treme soundtrack

Season Two of the HBO series Treme premieres tonight, Sunday April 24th at 10pm.  I’ve eagerly awaited the return of the series, longing to be virtually as close as I can to the city of New Orleans.  The series has received Emmy and Grammy nominations as it portrays the rebuilding and restructuring of New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Season One was set in Fall 2005, three months after the storm and the breaking of the levees in the Ninth Ward unleashed the flood waters into the city.

Treme expresses the vibe and soul of the city while addressing the depth of loss felt by the residents both emotionally and physically. As the city struggles to rebuild, it’s left to the people to carry on, generate sparks of hope, and become the voice of the city as they endure hardships and struggle to rebuild. John Goodman spoke eloquently in Season One about the state of the city and the nation and if truly his character is gone from the show, he will be missed.  The writing and acting on the show is superb and the music is the virtual icing on the cake. To know New Orleans is to understand the music and Treme pulls it all together, stirring it up in a delicious gumbo served hot and spicy.  Seeing Kermit Ruffins on the show each week is pure eye and music candy and the cameo appearance of the delightful John Boutte’ invites us all into the Treme. It’s always a treat to hear them both while in New Orleans and an incredible pleasure to have their music on the show and available as a soundtrack.

Show creator David Simon is quoted as saying… “We are following the actual timeline of post-Katrina New Orleans as a means of understanding what happened – and what didn’t happen – when an American city suffered a near-death experience. In doing so, we’re trying to address ourselves to what the American experiment has become and what possibilities remain for us. We are an urban people now. How we live together – and of what we are capable or incapable of achieving as an urban people is going to define our future. New Orleans and its recent history speaks to that.”

Treme is accomplishing what others have tried to do and failed, which is to portray Louisiana and New Orleans with an authentic flair, in a veritable soul concoction of people, music, big hearts, art, and passion.  From the touching portrayal of Big Chief Lambreaux ‘s resurrection of the Big Chief’s parade (played by Clarke Peters) to the talented musicians and chefs struggling to keep the music and artistry alive, the show continues to inspire, educate and entertain.  Viva La Treme!

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More about Kala Ambrose: Kala Ambrose is an award winning author, intuitive and host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show. Her thought-provoking interviews entice listeners to tune in around the globe! Described by her guests and listeners as discerning, empowering and inspiring, she speaks with world renowned authors, artists, teachers and researchers delving into metaphysical, holistic and paranormal topics. Kala lectures on Wisdom Teachings, Developing Business Intuition, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom (also known as the Divine Feminine). Her new book, The Awakened Aura: Experiencing the Evolution of Your Energy Body will be available in November 2011 through Llewellyn Publishing.

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Musician, composer, poet, and singer Cari Cole, has walked the shaman’s path to create music that inspires and heals. ’Transformational Music’ is what listeners are calling her ” Circle of Fire” CD, inspired by the teachings of don Miguel Ruiz (NY Times best-selling author of The Four Agreements).  Cari’s angelic and powerful voice, combined with her soulful and empowering lyrics, inspires my mind body and spirit so deeply, that I knew I wanted her song “Beautiful Life” to be the intro song for the Explore Your Spirit show to set the tone and energy for every show. As gracious as she is talented, we were thrilled when she agreed to allow “Beautiful Life” to be the introduction to the show on Explore Your Spirit with Kala.

Originally from Minneapolis, Cari Cole has been a musician and songwriter for most of her life. She sang the folk songs of Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan as she wrote her own and found her way to New York City at the age of 19 where she joined a rock and roll band.  She went on to teach voice in New York, founded her own voice studio, was a soloist in The Metro Mass Choir and performed everywhere from CBGB’s and the infamous Bitter End in NYC to Carnegie Hall, Town Hall, and The Apollo Theatre where she shared the stage with legendary singers such as Cissy Houston, Beth Nielsen-Chapman and Martha Wash to name a few. Although she is best known as a vocalist and songwriter, Cari is also a versatile musician: playing piano, acoustic and electric guitars, dulcimer, and flute. In the teaching arts, she is regarded as one of the most notable in voice studies, working with four-time Grammy Award winning recording artist Donald Fagen of Steely Dan, Diane Birch, Chrisette Michelle, Courtney Love and the legendary band of Journey among others.

Cari Cole was on the Grammy Nominations Ballot for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for 2004 and has won and placed as a finalist in numerous contests such as the Independent Music Awards (Best Female Artist), Independent Acoustic Music Awards, DiscMakers Songprize contest and was a 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 ASCAPlus Award winner. Cole graces the pages of Billboard Books author Daylle Schwartz book “I Don’t Need a Record Deal! Your Survival Guide for the Indie Music Revolution” as an indie artist on the rise. She was selected as the AOL Musician of the Week/Tonos.com and debuted her The Circle Of Fire record at Carnegie Hall.

Cari knows that having a great music career is the ultimate dream. It’s endless creativity, superstardom and a great lifestyle. But here’s the thing, you have to know what steps to take. You have to know how to chart your path and get yourself on the right track. You have to know how to walk the delicate line between Creative Type and Business Mogul. Most people burn out and miss key opportunities because they don’t know how to put it all together. They just keep plodding along hoping for a BIG break or to “get signed”.

Cari says… “If this is you, it’s not your fault! It’s just that no one’s ever taught you what to do”. Cari has coached the best of the best and she knows from 23 years of experience exactly what it takes to move from your dreams (reliant upon others) to your inner DIVA (in your control).

Cari’s coached many singers and helped them to achieve their goals. She is now offering a Free Teleseminar on how to move from your dreams into being the diva you were born to be!

Here’s your opportunity to find out more about the music business. It’s Your Time, Go Explore Your Inner Diva!

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As we draw close to wrapping up the 12 Gifts of Enlightenment, with gift number eleven presented here, take a moment to reflect on the concept that the best gifts are the ones we give and receive with great thought and care. With the holiday season winding down, you may find yourself a little worn out from the season of celebration. In January, the long cold dark nights of winter are a reminder that we should take time to hibernate, recuperate, and create reserves of our vital energy, so that when spring arrives, we are bursting with energy.

One of the simplest, rewarding and budget friendly gifts that you can give to yourself this year, is to adopt the practice of meditation. For many, the concept of meditation is a daunting one. For those who have never tried to meditate, the idea of sitting in a very uncomfortable position in complete silence for hours is enough to discourage even the slightest attempt. True, there are those who enter into meditative practices that become an entire lifestyle, however, just like the preponderance of flowers in an English garden, there truly are hundreds of ways to meditate and connect with your inner self.

Crucial in any meditation practice, is the breath. Regardless of whether you wish to spend ten minutes in meditation or ten hours, slow deep methodical breathing will relax the body, bring in oxygen to the lungs and blood stream and help to retain focus and awareness.

This brings us to Gift Number Eleven – Give the Gift of Meditation. If you or an aspiring metaphysician in your life are looking to adopt a meditation practice, open your mind and disregard any preconceived notions of how you think a meditation practice should operate. Take this time to create a practice that feels right for you. One of the easiest ways to do this, is to adopt a simple ten minute meditation. Make a resolution for the new year, that for ten minutes every day, you will create a window of opportunity to meditate. Perhaps you’ll wake early before the rest of your household to have those ten minutes, or set aside some time during your lunch hour in your car or before you go to sleep in the evening. Given the demands of your day and the fast paced lifestyle that you may be leading, you may find that when you take those ten minutes, that it proves to be too difficult to simply relax and think of nothing. Do not feel concerned about this, this is your practice and you can create a meditation practice which is right for you at this time.

For many people, guided meditations are a wonderful way to meditate. You can have the meditation on CD or on your iPod and play in your home, car, or with headphones anywhere you are. Simply choose the meditation that appeals to you and play and enter the journey that the guided meditation provides with a guide and soft music.

If your day is full and you don’t have time for a guided meditation, create a sacred space for yourself that you can return to often. This is done by picturing a peaceful scene which you find relaxing. Perhaps it’s the beach or a mountain top or garden. Build the scene in your mind, adding beautiful details. If you find the concept of a garden to be calming, create a bench where you will sit in the garden. See the trees, the cascade of flowers blooming in a multitude of color and hear the birds chirping, along with the soft rustle of the breeze blowing through the leaves in the trees. Relax on the bench, stretch out your legs and with your eyes closed, tilt your head back and feel the warmth of the sun on your face. Take a deep breath and sigh out loud. Breathe in slow and deep and exhale fully, releasing the air from deep within. Notice the colors of the leaves and the bark on the trees. Take your shoes off and sink your feet deep into the soft grass, flexing your toes. As you breathe in again deeply, become aware of the flowers as their scent fills the garden.

Continue building this garden in great detail until you can see it fully in your mind and know it well. Then claim this scene as your sacred space. Know that you can return there anytime, all you need to do is to sit quietly, breathe deeply and imagine this scene in your mind. In this space, you can relax and spend a few minutes there every day. This act of active meditation can become a profound spiritual practice that can make a significant impact on your day and create a sense of relaxation and well-being.

Tune in tomorrow as we explore Enlightenment Gift Number Twelve. If you’ve missed Gift’s One, Two, Three, Four, Five Six,  Seven, Eight, Nine or Ten. Click on the links here to visit the articles and click on the subscribe button on the top section of this page, where you’ll be notified via email each time a new article by yours truly appears.

As Bob Marley once said, “Man is a universe within himself”.

Breathing deeply, unwinding and going within…
Kala

More about Kala Ambrose:
Kala is an award winning author, intuitive and talk show host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show. Her thought-provoking interviews entice listeners to tune in around the globe! Described by her guests and listeners as discerning, empowering and inspiring, she speaks with world renowned authors, artists, teachers and researchers delving into metaphysical, holistic and paranormal topics. Kala’s  book, 9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled delves into the mysteries of ancient Egyptian mystery schools and explains their wisdom teachings. Kala lectures on Esoteric Teachings,  Developing Business Intuition, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom (also known as the Divine Feminine). Kala’s Guided Meditations CD’s include Spirit of Hawaii and Egyptian Mystery Temple and Tibetan Mountain Journey.  More info: www.ExploreYourSpirit.com

Enjoyed this article? Kala welcomes your comments and reads them all. For more articles by Kala Ambrose, visit her main page at National Metaphysical Spirituality Examiner.

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A Passionate Action Celebration!
March 13-15, 2009
2012QuantumLeap.com
877-421-6805

JOIN US and Experience World Class Leaders, New Multi-Sensory Technologies, Healing Forums, Extraordinary Music, ELEVATE’s “Best of” Spiritual and Conscious Film Festival, Laserium’s LIGHTDANCER, Vegan & Raw Dining by Visionary Culture, Exhibition Hall, Interactive Workshops…

Ed Begley Jr of Living with Ed will host and present at Friday night’s gala, State for the Earth, culminating with a concert performance by the Luminaries.

Saturday’s “2012 Co-Creation” program includes Illuminated Visionaries with festivities emceed by George Noory, syndicated talk show host of Coast to Coast AM. The evening will come alive with an special experiential performance combining Laserium’s light performance with the music of Constance Demby!

Sunday morning, Best-selling Authors and Radio Talk Show personalities Sri & Kira inspire new Visions for 2012 and beyond as they weave together ALL THE PRESENTERS to celebrate the shift that is upon us…

Take full Mastership of your life!
Ignite your Passion – Inspire a New World.
Prepare to live Beyond your imagination.
Be there for yourself, Be there for your community,
Be there for your planet!

The time is NOW!

Burbank Marriott Airport Hotel.

Visit 2012QuantumLeap.com for tickets and exciting updates. Be sure to use Discount Code EYS2012 for a 10% Discount. 877-421-6805.

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