Meet Kara Tanner - 2016 poster contest winner

You may already know Kara Tanner, this year’s Safety Harbor SongFest Poster Contest winner, but we wanted to write a bit about this multi-talented artist, mom and entrepreneur. 

Kara and her husband came to the Harbor around the same time as Todd and Kiaralinda’s fencepost painting SHAMc fundraiser four years ago. She holds a Bachelors in studio art and a Masters in art therapy but says that as her kids grow up she finds more time to focus on being creative. “I enjoy doing art with my kids,” she says.

Besides winning the contest, Kara has also recently completed a flamingo for the library’s Flamingo Art Fundraiser and she’ll be one of the artists at this year’s Chalk Fest March 19-20.

“We were so excited when we saw Kara’s entry,” says Kiaralinda, “because the musical manatee sure felt right, since we have manatees right near the pier on the festival grounds. It’s a cute mascot and it would be cool if the real ones knew how to play instruments! 

“It was exciting to find out that the winner is from Safety Harbor and that she also painted a fence post that is still at SHAMc,” Kiaralinda adds. “It’s also nice to know that she is aware and watching what we are doing and is supporting the arts and getting involved.”

And Kara has definitely gotten involved in the community in the past four years! Take for example her family's new company. Every Saturday at 1:15 p.m., Kara's husband takes groups of 2 to 12 through Safety Harbor. She, her sister, brother in-law and husband started Harbor Food Tours in January and locals have been very supportive so far. “It’s been pretty successful,” she says. “We’re excited about it.” 

Kara explains that tours visit nine different restaurants, pubs, bakeries and also stops at Francie’s for a glassblowing presentation. “There is a lot of history within these places and just going out and talking to the owners, you learn so much more about where we live,” she says. 

The cost is $50 per person and the tour ends at the 8^th Avenue Pub for food and a drink, which is included. All gratuities for business owners are included in the cost, (but if you’d like to tip your tour guide, that would be separate.) To read more about it and to book a tour, visit www.harborfoodtours.com. 

We’ll post more information before Song Fest regarding the posters and when you can get yours.

Caravan of Thieves is in the Harbor!

Like most Monday nights in this artsy city, I was hanging out with my writers group. We went to Nolan’s to talk about life (very common for us on a Monday), but as soon as I decided to head home, I received a text from Kiaralinda:

Going to Pub with Caravan of Thieves … Join us????

Also common for a Monday is that Kiaralinda and Todd are often out somewhere with really cool people—friends, musicians, artists, people who do things, make things, expand creativity … so, of course I accepted the invitation. They always open my mind to new ideas, even late on Monday nights. 

          Plus, Caravan of Thieves is the group who brought Emily Dickinson back from the dead.  

Although I love all of their music, I’ve binged watched Raise the Dead more than I should admit. The lyrics are phenomenal and I’m pretty sure my foot stomping is almost in line with theirs. I love the whole song, but especially the line: This is Miss Dickinson, go ahead and tell her, her poems really lived on …. 

Fuzz and Carrie Sangiovanni formed Caravan of Thieves in 2008. They added violinist Ben Dean and bassist Brian Anderson, and in 2009, released their debut album, Bouquet. Since then, the group has released Mischief Night (2010), The Funhouse (2012), and their latest, Kiss Kiss, which came out last week.

Even though it was after 10:00, the 8thAve Pub was hopping. I headed out back and got to meet Fuzz, Carrie, and Ben. Brian was in Miami, but the three included him anyway, even offering to make up a few quotes—things he would have said if he were with us. 

Whenever I have the opportunity to talk to visiting musicians, I always wonder what they think of our town. Fuzz smiled when I asked. “It’s like a Bohemian hippie town. That was my first impression,” he said. “But there’s money here, too. You need both elements for the arts to succeed.”

Ben explained how they had pulled up in front of Casa Loco at 2 a.m. and noticed what a cool neighborhood they were in. “There was a pink elephant … and a lot of selfies.”  

Earlier that evening Todd brought Caravan of Thieves to the City Commission meeting to offer an update on the huge success of  this year's SongFest and also to let people experience the band.

The group is used to live performances, bringing audiences into the mix, but they’ve never done a commission meeting. “We had no bass. No guitars. We showed up and it was like a street performance,” Fuzz said.  “That’s a big part of what we do—to bring the free-spirited feeling, like street performers in the park, trying to connect with people they pass.”

According to their website, “the band has had the pleasure of touring with such great artists as The Decemberists, Iron and Wine, Punch Brothers and Emmylou Harris.”  

Their music is a bit of Funk, a little Soul and Gypsy Jazz. There’s a swing influence—some Latin—on their latest album. “The trick is how to keep moving forward while maintaining our sound,” Carrie said.

They have nothing to worry about there. If you know their music, you won’t be disappointed, and if you’ve yet to discover them, you can’t miss their Safety Harbor show. It’s happening Thursday, April 9 at Sideshow, 737 Main Street, which is a partially-covered outdoor venue with casual seating. Wine, beer and softdrinks are available for purchase and plenty of parking can be found along Main Street. Tickets are $20 through the Safety Harbor Art and Music Center or $25 at the door. Doors open at 7.  

One more thing I love about Caravan of Thieves is that they apparently love cemeteries. I do too. Whether you agree or not, I just had to mention it. They take on love, life, and some thought-inspiring subjects in their lyrics. They put those words to music, they get your hands a clappin’, and your feet won't be able to help but stomp.

They also tell a hell-of-a good story.

See you at the show! - Laura

Joseph Arthur at the 2nd Annual SongFest

                                                                   I learned about Joseph Arthur because of Chuck Prophet.

I’ve been nagging K. and T. to get Chuck for the Safety Harbor Music Fest. They are the dynamic-duo-plus-one (hey, Heather!) that brought us the first Annual Music Festival. And now this is the SECOND one. I see a pattern here. 

Anyway, just because my kid knows the Prophetmeister, doesn’t mean I have any influence at all.  On the other hand, Todd only has to show up at any concert and his magic grabs them. Musicians tell their handlers to find a way to schedule them for a SHAMc gig. I think it’s a Swedish thing.

I also think Todd was politely getting me off his back when he said he saw an artist named Joseph Arthur who had recently toured with Prophet. Todd asked him to play at this year’s
festival. The Arthur people booked him. (See, I TOLD you…)


My interest was piqued. I Googled and You-tubed the guy. It constantly surprises me just how much GREAT talent is out there.  I mean, really talented vocalists, writers, and musicians with so much charisma and so much to say in their music, are not as well-known as they should be. These artists, in my opinion, are better than, or at least equal to, the over-played pop stars of the commercial world. It’s a shame there aren’t more music festivals, car commercials, TV dramas, or late night talk shows to put these talents out there and cause people to say, “Who is that? Screw the car, what is that song in the background? I want more of that!”

And so we get to see Joseph Arthur, a veteran of the Letterman show, and actually has quite a
large following. He’s also a fellow Buckeye hailing from Akron, Ohio. Ohio produces superb
talent. We’re awesome people. [Here is a shameless shout out to Canfield.]

And this guy is a visual artist as well.  His paintings sorta remind me of Picasso or Keith Haring, but still feel original, colorful, and fun. He’ll be painting and performing live at Syd Entel Gallery for our SongFest Kickoff Party on the Friday night before the festival, the 27th of March from 6 to 8 p.m. His paintings have been to Berlin, Singapore, SXSW … and now Safety Harbor! Can you stand it?

According to my virtual stalking, he was discovered by Peter Gabriel. That’s a name we know,right? Although, I’m not sure how a person is discovered if they’re already here. Just sayin'.

If you type Joseph Arthur's name in Pandora, you’ll  find that he’s been grouped with bands like The Shins, Iron and Wine, Death Cab for Cutie, and the Weepies. When I read bios for these bands they all mention Leonard Cohen as an influence, as does Arthur. I sometimes worry about the deification of Cohen, but his writing is so impeccable and carefully  thought-out, that he will never be over-stated. I actually prefer to hear renditions of his work by other artists, because they seem to become new over and over again.

Arthur writes his songs impeccably, too. He tells stories. He finds new ways to describe
ordinary experiences, inner struggles. Some of his songs are presented like poetry, similar to
the talking style of Patty Smith or Bob Dylan. Travel as equals or not at all. He mentions God a
lot, and themes of redemption. His visual acumen comes through in his performances. See
Currency of Love. He’s good to watch. His band is good to watch. And when songs grab us
visually, they become visceral.

He took on a daunting project in writing a tribute to Robin Williams. Who can properly honor
such a soul as his without running the danger of trivializing it? Joseph Arthur managed it well. 
Venues like the Second Annual Safety Harbor Music Festival, an inspiration of The Safety
Harbor Art and Music Center, bring these talented musicians to our community so that people
who don’t necessarily listen to Community radio, or get to go to many concerts; can experience
imaginative and varied styles of music packed in to two days. Music should be a feast from
savory to sweet. Out on the sloping lawn by the water, with friends around, is one of the best
ways bathe in it, breathe it, move to it, or eat a taco and drink a beer to it. The music will float
on the breeze and through open windows. Joseph Arthur will be the soundtrack to your splendid evening. 

He’ll take the waterfront stage on Saturday evening, March 28th. For a list of all the bands or solo
artists, and a rundown of where and when they can be enjoyed, click here. 

See you at this and all the other SongFest events!
- Deb Klein

 

Download the free SHAMc app to receive updates on all of our pop-up concerts and events. It's easy! Just go to the app store on your phone and search for SHAMc.

Interview with Randall Bramblett

Randall Bramblett had just finished a salad from one of Safety Harbor’s finest eateries when we (Debby & Laura) interrupted him for a short interview before the concert on March 25. Todd filled him in on the history of Safety Harbor as we settled comfortably on the bright, flowered cushions adorning the wicker couches in Casa Loco. The Casa is across from Todd and Kiaralinda’s house, Whimzey. Casa Loco belongs to them and is used for travelling artists and musicians, as well as friends. It doubles as a studio when necessary.

I was impressed with Todd’s knowledge of the local history, but it didn’t surprise me, because he and K. have a child’s enthusiasm for as much information as they can absorb about everything and everyone.

Laura is the consummate professional and had her pen poised and her I-phone set on record, but only after requesting permission. I was more or less a loose cannon who started out by informing Mr. Bramblett that I’d never heard of him before. If we hadn’t had the recorder, we wouldn’t have this interview because I didn’t write one damned thing down, and barely shut up the whole time.

Randall Bramblett is small in stature but has that certain “aura” of a person who’s special. He’s the guy you see on a subway and think, “He’s probably someone.” He settled on the couch across from us and had an easy smile as he crossed his ankle over his knee. He was wearing worn jeans and a black on black, buttoned shirt. It seems like he had blue eyes, because they twinkled. He ran his hand through tousled blonde/gray hair.

I asked him if he’d ever stayed in a place that had copper Bundt pans for a ceiling. He hadn’t.

We wanted to know if he was related to Bonnie Bramlett, even though the spelling is different. He’s not, but he knows her, (pretty awesome in and of itself). I asked him if he ever ran in to R.E.M. (They live in Athens, Georgia also). He said no, because he’s older. Again I had to make another needless comment by pointing out that R.E.M. is pretty old these days. His eyes twinkled when he said, “Yes, but I’m still older.” His wife has a restaurant in Athens called the Creole Market and he speculated that maybe Mike Mills had dined there.

So, armed with a recorder and excited about the house concert that we were soon to enjoy, we asked him a few questions…

LK: What should we know about your music? You’re kind of jazzy, bluesy?
DK: (Not really a category)
RB: It’s hard to categorize. It’s a mix of a lot of different music. I grew up playing and singing Soul music, but I was also influenced by Dylon, he had a sort of funky thing going too. Country rock, Americana. Gospel. I’m not a Jazz player.
LK: I don’t know where I heard that!
DK: When you listened to music when you growing up what sort of music would most embarrassing thing to admit to? I’m talking about when you were little. Not toddler, but you know, the gawky age…
RB: I used to listen to these piano records that were really schmaltzy. Andre Previn, Peter Yarrow. My older sister’s records – I think they came from her, or maybe my parents bought one of those Columbia “You get all the Classics” collections.
DK: Did you have a stereo?
RB: Yeah, if you could call it that. I don’t know if you could call it a stereo. A hi-fi.
DK: Did anybody else in your family play music?
RB: My sister played piano some. My mom was a kindergarten teacher. She played enough for Sunday school and kindergarten.
DK: Were you good church goers?
RB: Yeah. Southern Baptists.
DK: Where’d you grow up?
RB: Jessop Georgia. It’s in southeast Georgia, near Brunswick, near Savannah. Flat woods, swamp. Omaha River swamp. I spent a lot of time in the river. That made a big impression on me. It’s such a prehistoric looking place.
DK: Did you write things down?
RB: I tried to write some poetry back then. Mostly I was singing in the local high school band.
DK: Like a garage band?
RB: Yeah, a dance band really.
RB: So you guys all got together like in junior high or high school and decided who would do what?
DK: In high school we really started getting paid. We were playing all over by the time we were seniors in high school we were playing all over.
DK: All over Georgia?
RB: Yeah, and South Carolina. Occasionally North Carolina.
DK: Did you play guitar?
RB: I just sang.
DK: You wrote most of the music?
RB: It was all cover music.
DK: So you did covers, but you were good.
RB: Yes.
DK: There were some really bad bands back then too…
RB: I played through college with that band.
DK: So you all went to college and kept in touch?
RB: Yeah, we all played together all through college. I went to UNC some of them went to college at Georgia. I would hitchhike and meet where ever they were.
DK: Chapel Hill is a good fertile place for writers isn’t it?
RB: I think that was when I first heard James Taylor. And Dylon … I never really thought I could write until my senior year. I started fooling around more with the guitar. It was the hippie days too. UNC didn’t really even have graduation. There were so many protests going on. After that I stopped doing cover music and started trying to write songs. I played guitar since junior high but never really wrote until then.
DK: Self taught?
RB: Yeah
DK: We interviewed on of your fans who traveled a long way to see you tonight. Sheila says you play a bunch of different music – different instruments.
RB: Keyboards, sax, guitar… (chuckling) Sheila comes to God knows how many gigs. I’m not sure why
DK: She loves you, that’s why.
RB: She’s showed up in Tennessee, various places…
DK: North Carolina. She said she’s been as far as NC. And you have people coming from Naples.
LK: Who inspires you now?
RB: Occasionally I get inspired. I don’t listen to enough music. But when I heard Elbow this year – an English group – they’re huge - I got inspired. Unbelievable stuff.
DK: Have you ever heard of Chuck Prophet?
RB: Sure. Chuck was on the same label as me out west. I like him. I like hearing quirky things like Cake. I like Lucinda Williams a lot. A great poet. She likes to write lyrics.
DK: So you write all your stuff now?
RB: I have some co writers I work with sometimes. Mostly it’s me.
LK: So how’d you hook up with Todd and Kiaralinda?
RB: The 38 Festival in the Panhandle . It’s where they have this great singer/songwriter festival. Lots of venues. You play at different ones every night. There are probably a hundred or more different people playing.
This seems like a really cool community of people.
DK: We spread the love. You’re in good company playing here. We’re excited. We’re happy you’re here.
DK: Did you bring a road wrangler?
RB: I am the road crew. I was a social worker for a while. So, if you have any problems … (Laughing)
DK: So you did have a real job for a while…
RB: I’ll tell you what happened. I played strictly music for about 10 or 11 years. Had my own group and played with other groups, then I bottomed out in every way with alcohol drugs and everything. I was in New Orleans. Got sober, met my wife. Figured at some point my career was over so I needed to find another career. I want to University of Georgia. Got my MSW there. I got the experience. I was a drug and alcohol counselor. In the middle of school I got a call from Steve Winwood’s people. His music director heard me from Sea Level. He was always one of my favorites – and Traffic ― but I hadn’t picked up a horn in years. I could play sax keyboard and strings. I started getting calls back. It was a great experience.
I Just played with Greg Allman last week. And Leon Helm is one of my heroes. I just played with him. Playing with Steve [Winwood] was a great experience too. Right now I’m doing solo stuff, playing with Geoff Achison, … he is an Australian guitar player. His stuff is bluesy. He comes over for a few weeks. We always play together. It’s a fun life.

(Hi, this is Laura. I just have to say something before we run the credits...)

This was an amazing concert (March 25) and if you were there, you might like to know a little more about this man who should be even more famous than he is. I mean, like as famous as Steve Winwood, Greg Allman, Bonnie Raitt and others who he’s played with. Did you know that about him? He's just as talented as those artists, and in some ways, he shouldn't even be compared. His voice is nice, not overpowering, but rather easy on the ears and leaving you somewhat addicted. I'd say he is as talented with words as Bonnie Raitt ... His lyrics made my mouth water. Yeah, they're savory to the senses, and beautifully crafted.

Honestly, go buy his music. It won’t disappoint, I promise. In fact, there's a FREE song available, too - just in case you want to sample before you buy. His new CD The Meantime, and his older stuff, can be purchased through his website.

I'd love to compare notes and hear which song is your favorite. Drop us a line in the comment section. Are you an old fan or have you recently discovered Bramblett's music? And Mr. Bramblett, if you find your way here for some reason – maybe wondering what happened after those two writers sat you down and plied you with odd questions – well, rock on, man. You impressed the hell out of me.

And the amazing photos are by Holly Apperson. Thank you, Holly. You have a gift with a lens...

Talking Story with Imani Woomera

Imani Woomera is a poet who sings her words. She takes a feeling, an idea or message, turns those into a poem, adds flavor and soul and what she creates is called Spoken Word. There is a hint of soul, a splash of rap; a heartbeat, a mixture of yesterday, today, and her dreams of tomorrow's possibility.

Imani spent her first eight years on Maui, but it was about that time that her father moved to Kenya. “It changed everything,” she says. “When I was about eleven I went to Africa for the first time. I started traveling between Kenya and Hawaii and I had to choose where I wanted to live.”

There was something about the freedom in Kenya that made her decide to stay with her dad—-a doctor of soil sciences who at the time worked with the United Nations.

"I was blessed with a lot of opportunities. I was able to travel internationally, and to experience things that in Hawaii I would not have been able to. To get from Kenya to Hawaii you have to travel through Europe, and I am an island girl. It made me feel like more of a citizen of the world.”

She says that she was never completely accepted in any one culture, but that turned out to be okay. “I grew up in an international environment, so I figured out how to create my own culture. My fabric is woven from my diverse experiences.”

Her music is affected by this background. Over the past ten years, Imani focused on her poetry, channeling her love of words into a passion for working with young people. After studying audio production in college, she found work as an after school youth coordinator. She introduced the kids to Spoken Word poetry. “I started to experiment with the kids. I taught them to write poems, to perform. One thing I have worked to do is to teach kids that every life is a story—-a remarkable story because it is your story.”

After that experience she moved back to Kenya and ended up staying for seven years. “It was a pivotal point in my career. There was no spoken word in Kenya. People did poetry readings, but the boring type that put you to sleep. I had the idea to start an event. It blew up to be the biggest event in the city. It went on for about two years after that first one.”

Then Imani co-founded a nonprofit called Slam Africa. It was a platform for youth to express themselves. The winners got something not so easy for artists in that part of the world―publicity. Members of the community—everyday people―found themselves on the covers of magazines. But eventually, Imani found that she was ready for change, so she left the organization in good hands--the hands of that community that she had helped to build around the art of Spoken Word.

She then started writing curriculum to teach Spoken Word in high schools. She had a radio show and traveled a lot―-Brazil, Canada, New York, South Africa. “It was not just about being in Kenya; I was a traveling artist.” She became part of the Arts Alive and Habitat for Humanity, where she traveled to Canada and Thailand.

Her first album, Morning Rain, was released in 2006. In the summer of 2010 Imani chose to leave Kenya officially. She was hired for a three-month job in Ibiza and played at Pacha—-a well-known night club in this, the party capital of the world.

In Ibiza, Imani hooked up with a producer named David Villlefort, who is also a percussionist. He produced several of the songs on Imani Woomera’s new album, Talking Story, and many of the songs were produced in Kenya and Ibiza. “In Hawaii we ‘talk story’ when we get together. It helps me connect to the islands,” Imani says. “This album is really about believing in your dream, letting go of whatever fears and doubts you may have. There’s no way I can move forward unless I honor myself enough to put out what I have worked on.”

Even though Imani found success through all of her endeavors, she admits that there had always been self-induced limitations to what she believed she could do. “I had certain limits of how I saw myself and my talents. There was a lot of self-doubt. All along I had been teaching youth about connecting with themselves―not judging themselves―but here I was doing what I had been teaching kids not to do.

“One of the biggest ways you can empower people is by having the right examples. But if you are living it, you are living the next level of success. A lot of us fear success and push it aside. I am ready for success now in a new way. I am ready now! Finally. Talking Story is about being ready for the next to come.”


If you would like to be on the waiting list to see Imani perform live on Saturday, February 25, please e-mail SHAMc@me.com

We wish you the highest successes, Imani Woomera. Aloha!

To hear Imani Woomera’s music and to purchase her albums, visit her website.

Sentimental Spinning, Spinning the Wheels of Friendship, Thanks, Creativity and Fun!

On Sunday, 10/16/11, The Whistle Stop Grill & Bar celebrated their 16th anniversary as one of Safety Harbor's most beloved restaurants. No, Dawn Pendola did not ask me to say that. Let me tell you a little story before I get into the events of last Sunday...my original idea for a blog post!

When my husband Chris and I arrived in the bay area from Washington State in the late summer stickiness of 2008, we searched home after home for the right place to live. The realtor had us driving to places way north and way east, but we asked to see a home we'd found on the Internet. I remember how she sighed and told us how far away Safety Harbor was. (Ha!) But we were feeling desperate. We had to go back to the northwest and begin the process of relocating to Florida. I think we had two more days...

Long story short, we drove into town, found the house, fell in love with it, and let the realtor go home. Chris and I headed to the marina, where tall white sails flapped in the breeze. I think we saw a dolphin that day too. We went back to Washington and packed, moved and finally began the process of acclimating. I remember how hard it was for me to find a grocery store and how I had to have a map to get our son to Countryside High School. After the first day's stresses of moving, we headed downtown to eat.

Whistle Stop felt like a local hangout, but with its lights and warm outdoor patio, it had a magical ambiance to us out-of-towners, and as silly as this may sound, it felt like we were home. We ate our meal holding hands across the table, watching a squirrel climb an oak, and listening to a musician as he sang and played his guitar. I snapped pictures and sent them to my friends in the Northwest. "It's called the Whistle Stop," I remember writing in my text message, "Like the Fannie Flagg book."

So yes, I am sentimental, and yes, I will always treasure the welcome we received into our new hometown. (I even remember Mike was our waiter!)

So now, three years after our move, if someone had told me I'd be part of a huge network of friends, helping the community we fell in love with to get an art and music center built. Wow! Amazing.

So, thanks, Dawn and Patrick, and all the WSG staff, for being a huge part of Sunday's fun. You brought the town together, helped SHAMc raise funds by donating beer proceeds and getting hundreds of people to your restaurant and naturally, to get people involved in our town's non-profits. Now, I'll stop being so sentimental and show you all some pictures!

SHAMc had a great day, and Regina AaMacha of the Safety Harbor Musicians Co-op reported that they made $400.00 for the guitar that they raffled. Heather Richardson won the guitar, by the way. Way to go, Heather!

The Co-op provided amazing talent, and kept everyone happy, dancing, laughing, and enjoying the day. Thanks, musicians. We loved sharing the day with you and the museum!

So, to end my sentimental thank you (from not only me, but all of SHAMc), I'll hand the mic to Dawn.

"Thank you all for a very beautiful happy day. Just thinking about Sunday... Patrick and I want to say thank you again to our AMAZING Staff, Our awesome guests, Safety Harbor Musicians Co-op, Safety Harbor Museum, SHAMc and Todd and Kiaralinda. That's the crew you need to plan a party! We could'nt have done it without you all!" --Dawn

Thanks to Holly Apperson and Joe Sacco for the beautiful photos!

Now that we're winners...

(Thanks to guest blogger, Deborah Klein!)

We worked so freakin' hard, didn’t we? Begging people to vote, NAGGING people on social media, snatching bottles with yellow caps right out of peoples’ hands, stealing caps from children’s art projects, teaching people how to text numbers to numbers on their phones, basically making ourselves total pains in the asses.

Everybody . . . deep, deep inhales. Hold it. Hold it. Now OUT through the nose!!!! Feel the abdomen contract!! EXHALE.

So now it’s time to play. We LIKE to play. After all, SHAMc will be a huge playhouse, more or less. So here’s what to do as you daydream. Take the letters from SHAMc and do a word association. It doesn’t have to make sense.

Here’s an example - Singing Harmonious And Musical Cacophonies. But that one kind of makes sense…so how about, Silly Hippos Are Muddy Creatures.

Hmmmm. Why am I still making sense? I NEVER make sense. Let me try again channeling Dali.

Saxophone Hiccups Angry Muscatel Crispy!!!!!!!!! YAAAAAAAY! Totally useless! Have fun! Play with your words. You won’t get in trouble like when you played with your food. But don’t get disgusting like a food fight. Then comment to below this blog. I’ll even wager that Todd and Kiaralinda might MAKE something out of them. They like to make stuff out of things that have already been used.

Come on shammies…it’s a throw down.




Note: Comment below to play!

Voting Used to be a Pain in the Ass - by Deborah Klein

She’s a real Powerhouse. That’s how Kiaralinda describes her good friend and fellow artist, Heather Richardson. I guess it takes one to know one.

I shouldn’t be surprised by how far Kiaralinda and Todd have come, lo these many years later. I thought 1992 wasn’t very long ago. But people born in 1992 are having sex, graduating from college, voting, and even having babies. Shit, I feel old…

When I met Kiaralinda and Todd [this is an “indulge my ego” moment] their house was already a colorful bungalow that attracted curious onlookers. Then they started the Christmas installations and every other year after Silver Lining there was another major project. I remember exactly what I was thinking the moment I met those two. I felt they had the collective curiosity of a hyperactive three year old in FAO Schwarz hopped up on smores. I guess I’m always amazed when anyone barrages me with questions. I constantly look behind myself to see if they’re talking to someone else.

But here’s the thing about people like them, unless you quiz them you won’t know about any of the neat things they’ve done or are doing. I’m baffled by people like that. If I did only ONE of the hundreds of interesting things they’ve done, I’d be boring people about it for YEARS. There isn’t anyone who can rest on a laurel as long as I can.

So this is the main point. K. and T. have continued to grow and expand their creative universe by adding people, countries, attitudes, dreams, [place a wonderful noun here], like a HUGE tower of Babel to get to an awesome place. But Babel was an egomaniacal scheme which ultimately collapsed because the intentions did not come from ultimate good.

This tower, The Safety Harbor Art and Music Center, ain’t going to fall or fail, because it comes from very good souls.

Twenty years ago, who would have thought such a dream would be this close [place thumb and pointer finger so close together you can feel the heat between them] to happening? But happen it will. Back when I helped cover anything that didn’t move with silver Mylar, I never imagined I’d someday be helping to make a center for the arts. Shame on me. I should have known my friends would continue to reach for the stars. The manifesto has always been the same. Inspire people to create. Make people smile. Make people see things differently. Show people that creativity is as much a part of self as blood and bones.

I get really tired of voting for SHAMc every day to win the Pepsi Refresh grant. I work on a computer all day. Then I come home and fire up a computer.I lay out the power votes and enter the codes. One of our friends, Nancy, who has probably known K. and T. the longest, is a constant cheerleader and positive force. She even bought every freakin Pepsi bottle with a yellow cap for miles around. Friends everywhere are going out of their way to make this happen. People are raising money through their businesses. Holly and Ginny go dumpster diving for caps. And I bitch about sitting at the computer for an extra 20 minutes every day. I’m a turd.

I simply could not believe they were at it again with a vengeance after they didn’t win the first time around. Again, I should have known they wouldn’t give up. Tenacity and perseverance wins every time…just like the ant with the rubber tree, the little Engine that could, and the tortoise racing against that egocentric hare. Keep going. No matter what.

But JEEZUS. When I’m tired and cranky I think, would they be doing this shit for me?? And the answer is always a resounding YES. They would and they have, time and time again. And they’d do it for you too.

This is the thing to try and remember. The Safety Harbor Art and Music Center- SHAMc- is going to be a wonderful place for everyone. You might meet your best friend there. You might learn something that will totally rock your world. You might decide it’s the best place to spend a day or an evening. It might be the refuge you’ve needed in your life. You’ll meet interesting people there and you’ll be one of them! It’s going to be comfortable, colorful, and cool. It’s going to be a box full of surprises. It’s a gift you can give yourself over and over, because there’ll be something different in it every time. It’s really an easy thing to do to vote, in the grand scheme of things. We’re this close.

“The soul should always stand ajar. Ready to welcome the ecstatic experience.” --Emily Dickinson

By Deborah Klein, author of Stuff From the Laundry Chute

Thanks to Deb for being the first brave soul to take me up on my invitation to be a guest blogger. I know SHAMc is going to be a great place for writers too, so come on, let me know when you want to be a guest blogger for SHAMc!

Send me an e-mail at LEKsInk@gmail.com ~Laura