Category: Poiemagals

8/13/2013

Performing Alone

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Grindstone Theatre's Byron Martin with writer and director of "Anatolia Speaks", Kenneth Brown and star of the show, Candice Fiorentino.

This one goes out to all the supporters! Everyone who comes out to watch us perform, shows up to a fundraiser, gives us a word of encouragement – This one's for you.

I’ve been doing a lot of solo performing lately - Candice also, in her one woman show "Anatolia Speaks" (soon to be performed at the Edmonton fringe) - and the both of us have had a similar experience – It gets lonely. When on stage alone, in a city where you know few people, or no people at all, even performing to a sold out crowd, you feel alone when you leave the performance by yourself.

I never realized how much having even just one friend in the audience means more than having hundreds of audience members. To me, having someone in the audience who knows me and cares about me regardless of how my performance was, is very comforting.

On a slight side tangent, this experience goes to affirm that fame will never be the measure or delight of our successes as artists. It is the individuals we meet, connect with, learn from, and maybe even are blessed enough to grow with, that really enriches our lives, brings joy, and instills a deep sense of accomplishment.

How timely that I should be having this experience just around the time that Poiema had it’s fundraiser in Edmonton. To everyone who came out, know that regardless of what $ value you contributed to the evening, what has exponential value to us as a company is your support, your belief in us as young women hoping to create meaningful theatre and bring about a change. We really are blessed to have you in our lives; it touches our hearts all the time.

-S

7/14/2013

A Weekend To Remember

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Last weekend, the four Poiema Gals and one Poiema Gal Sister took a road trip to celebrate the upcoming marriage of Melissa Heagy and Mark Blackwood. Poiema Gals have been known to love a good surprise, and the stagette weekend was no different. We had the entire weekend away planned and Mel had no idea where we were taking her or what we would be doing. Our trip took us to Fernie, Lake Kookanusa, and Cranbrook. Each day we gave Melissa clues in a vintage photo album about what was to come. A fujifilm instant camera was the perfect accompaniment, allowing her to document the trip and fill the album as we went. What I loved most about the weekend, was the spontaneous, unplanned fun we had. Yes, our plans were brilliant (Japanese dinner, dancing all night, lounging by a lake) but it was the random games of grounders, the abrupt stops to go jump in a new lake, the fully-committed improvisation of songs, the impromptu heart to hearts detailing what each of us love most about the rest- these are the things I will remember. For Monday, we had planned a 2 hour bike ride from Cranbrook to Kimberley on a beautiful trail, but awoke to thunderstorms. No problem. We played cards, swam in the pool playing Marco Polo and having jumping competitions, watched a movie, went to a café, and finally played the scariest game of Sardines I've ever experienced. (Candice, your parents have a terrifyingly dark and eerie yard when the sun goes down.) The rain didn't make us skip a beat. "Ah well," we thought, "just an opportunity to do something else exciting." These trips remind me how lucky I am to have the friends I do. It makes me pause to appreciate the moments I share with them, and how important these relationships are in my life. It was brought up on the trip how people, girls included, view women as dramatic, catty, or selfish, and how saddening this is. Girls are great. I hope that everyone can be surrounded by women just like the ones I have who they can laugh with, share with, and lean on. Congratulations, Melissa! Thank you for letting us be a part of your day!

-B

6/29/2013

Good Women, Good Company

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As Poiema Gals, we have been working together as a group since 2008, though we weren’t calling ourselves Poiema until 2009. And although we consider ourselves to be a company in most senses of the word, we have not yet incorporated.

Now in our 5th year of operation, we have decided to look into becoming a society. Lucky for us, Edmonton has fostered a lovely inter-disciplinary arts community that is interested in the success of everyone! Edmonton artists want everyone to succeed, realizing that we aren’t competing against each other for audiences or popularity, but that the more successful someone else’s company is, the more people will continue coming out to community arts events.

So as we begin to embark on our incorporating journey, we were blessed to have Ainsley Hillyard of Good Women Dance Collective join us this past Tuesday evening at Remedy Café. She generously shared her successes and failures with us imparting a breadth of knowledge that she spent over a year researching. Even after our 2 hour long conversation, she continued to go the extra mile, emailing us resources and ensuring we know we are welcome to call her if we have anymore questions along the way.

Stay tuned over the next year, as Poiema starts another leg of our journey, continuously moving towards bigger and better things. We are definitely in a good company in Edmonton, what a wonderful community we have here. I am so proud of the Edmonton arts scene! Love you guys, may one person's success be a victory for all.

-S

6/16/2013

Pecha Kucha

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While it costs quite a large dollar to go to a Ted conference, you can see them on the internet for free. Or, if like me, you want to be in a room surrounded by hundreds of other people getting fired up and inspired by their fellow human beings, then you could head out to Pecha Kucha for only $15.

Similar to Ted Talks, there are a variety of speakers speaking on any number of topics. The difference is, each speaker only gets 6 minutes and 20 slides each lasting roughly 20 seconds.

I attended the Vancouver chapter of Pechu Kucha with a few friends on June 13th for the first time. The main theme was “Around The World” and featured native Vancouverites sharing the work they are doing around the world. One guy was developing a water filter to give to families in developing nations, another volunteered at an elephant sanctuary, another was founding girls soccer clubs around the world and the list goes on. The innovation, hard work, and what seemed to be random happenstance, came together to create something beautiful and inspirational. These people’s small hopes to change one person's life, teach soccer, or take photos, lead to the changing of communities, countries and entire lifestyles.

Pechu Kucha has put a fire in my belly to live beyond myself, keep dreaming, and get connected to the silent voices in my heart that are leading me towards whatever it is that I will do to help better the world around me.

This all leads back to the wonderful accomplishments of people immediately in my world, like the Fashion For Freedom fundraiser that my fellow Poiema Gals pulled off with major success. Who knows, maybe us Poiema Gals will be up on a stage at Pecha Kucha in Edmonton or Vancouver one day to talk about the things that we have been doing, and hopefully all the lives we are positively affecting. I’m so proud of my fellow Poiemians and privileged to count myself among them. Can’t wait to see what great things come out of your lives, ladies. I love you so much.

Find a Pecha Kucha event near you, and be inspired.

-S

6/1/2013

Sasquatch!

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Two Thursdays ago, I started my long 1206 km journey to the Sasquatch Music Festival in the Gorge Amphitheatre, Washington. Packed into the Toyota Matrix along side me was my wonderful boyfriend, a tent, some clothes, and a bunch of disposable cameras, ready for a weekend celebrating music with other like-minded people. This was my first camping festival I had ever been to and I wasn't sure what to expect. I pictured lying on the grass on a blanket in the warm sun in front of a gigantic stage soaking in all my favorite songs. I wasn't too far off. Other than being relatively unprepared for the camping portion- forgetting rain gear, cooking tools, warm clothing, and games/books to keep me occupied during the day- it was a magical weekend.

The campsite is a short trek away from the festival grounds and so when Friday arrived, we joined the herd of people excitedly walking the marked trail. As we entered the gates, I could see we had arrived; we had made it to Sasquatch! But it wasn't until we stood at the top of the hill that it really hit me, looking down on the lawn, the stage, and behind it- the Gorge. Tears came to my eyes at the beauty of it all. The grass plunged down the hill to the huge stage and the view was breathtaking. The Gorge had beautiful walls of rock surrounding waters that were calm and still except for the occasional boat or sea-doo carving the glass.

Music. Here are some of the bands I got to see: Vampire Weekend, Bloc Party, The Tallest Man on Earth, The Dropkick Murphys, Postal Service, The XX, The Lumineers, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Elvis Costello, and best of all... MUMFORD & SONS! I had caught their Rexall Place show the day before I left Edmonton, and seeing them only made me more excited to watch them again at Sasquatch. We started making our way to the front about three hours before they were scheduled to take the stage. Luckily, we were surrounded by very friendly people we could chat, laugh, and rap with. That's one thing about Sasquatch: you meet tons of great people. Mumford & Sons did not disappoint. Seeing them up close was amazing. I love seeing a band enjoying themselves on stage. I like to know that they are having as much fun as the audience is. I sang the words to every song and jumped and clapped along with the whole mass of people who have been touched by their music. It was one of the best experiences of my life.

So yes, the port-a-potties (their brand of choice was Honey Buckets) and the rain and the chilly weather was no expense when it came to the once-in-a-lifetime experience I had. I'd like to give a special thank you to my boyfriend, David Dempsey, for going out of his way to get me to the front for Mumford & Sons, and for making sure I had one of the best weekends of my life.

-B

5/12/2013

What A Night - The First Annual Fashion For Freedom

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Brittany Paige Photography

It's all over. Our first annual Fashion For Freedom event is done and what an event it was. Thank you to all our attending guests, sponsors, designers, models, volunteers, and donors. With your help, we were able to raise $7473.60 that goes straight to The A21 Campaign: an organization that aims to abolish human trafficking in the 21st century. Thank you to everyone who made the night such a success. If you couldn't make it out, let me tell you a bit about the evening's activities and make sure you check out the full gallery of photos here, all taken by Brittany Paige Photography.

//Guests were greeted in the lobby by strange looking hosts in pale skin and black lipstick, where they could grab a drink and some appetizers as they mingled with other guests, shopped at the merchandise booths, and bid on an array of silent auction items. Car parts hung from the ceiling and mannequins dressed in anything-but-fabric adorned the room. Then it was show time. People took a seat in the theatre and the lights went down. A video began that highlighted the topic of discussion for the evening. "Human trafficking is a modern day holocaust" were the first words on the screen, sending chills down your arms, arousing a sense of unrest, and a passion for change. The video played on to inform that there are more slaves in the world today than at any other point in human history, with an estimated 27 million in bondage across the globe.

As the screen started to play a music video, the lights faded up and dancers appeared with a moving performance of loss, grief, fight, and hope. Then the beautiful and magnetic Candice Fiorentino, who emceed the evening, appeared on stage to kick off the main event - the fashion show. Music played by DJ Derrick Johnson began as the models fiercely walked the runway in innovative designs made with coffee filters, silk flowers, mylar, and confetti. Nothing was conventional.

Jessica Corbeil took to the stage, to fulfill the true intent of this event, and enlightened the room about The A21 Campaign and the many victims of human trafficking. She talked about the horrors that most of us have never heard about, and also the power we all have in us to help. Jeremy Blackwood sang an original song, "She's Loved," that he wrote specifically for Fashion For Freedom. The song was melodically beautiful, yet the content was heavy with a victim's dark story of abuse, loss, and terror. The presentations came to a close and it was time for door prizes and to announce the winning designer. Tessa Stamp won a flight for 2 anywhere in North America for her incredible hat and coat design made from Atlas pages. Congratulations, Tessa! And so the event ended, and the support and donations received far surpassed our expectations, truly conveying the eagerness of the community to congregate around a worthy cause. We can’t wait to do it again next year.//

Please visit our FFF 2013 page on our website for all the information on our first annual event, as well as our FFF 2014 page for updates on next year's Fashion For Freedom. There is a full gallery of the night's activities, as well as all the designs. We'd like to give a special thank you to J Crew who provided all the jewelry and accessories for each model, Volume Salons for providing hair styling, MC College for providing Make-Up artistry, City Life for the perfect venue, and Kosmos Restaurant and Lounge for the delicious food. Below are just a taste of the photos from the event. All photos by Brittany Paige Photography.

-B

FFF Artistic Director and Emcee, Candice Fiorentino, with our beautiful models in some of the innovative designs. (Brittany Paige Photography)

The night's winning design by Tessa Stamp, modelled here by Mark Blackwood. The piece was made with Atlas Pages. (Brittany Paige Photography)

Designed by Paola Cantal using cotton mop strings, a table cloth, car sunshade foil, plastic bags, and nuts & bolts, modelled here by Jaryn Weir. Hair by Volume Salon. Make-up by MC College. (Brittany Paige Photography)

Designed by Christa Joy Hoefling using mylar, modelled here by Shanelle Roline. Hair by Volume Salon. Make-up by MC College. (Brittany Paige Photography)

Designed by Kyla Porter using reused coffee filters, modelled here by Andrea Klassen. Hair by Volume Salon. Make-up by MC College. (Brittany Paige Photography)

Designed and modelled by Gage Boettcher using coffee filters. Hair by Volume Salon. Make-up by MC College. (Brittany Paige Photography)

Our guest speaker, Jessica Corbeil, talking about The A21 Campaign. (Brittany Paige Photography)

Jeremy Blackwood singing "She's Loved", a song he wrote specially for the event. (Brittany Paige Photography)

The evening's winning designer, Tessa Stamp, with Emcee, Candice Fiorentino, holding the big giant invisible cheque representing a flight for two anywhere in North America. (Brittany Paige Photography)

4/21/2013

Fashion For Freedom - 1 Week Away!

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We are one week away from our much anticipated event, Fashion For Freedom! The girls and I have accomplished many different tasks while planning this event: hiring a caterer, finding entertainment, volunteers, a venue, media coverage, equipment rental... this list goes on and on. The evening will be filled with tons of great people, delicious food, fun beverages, silent auction items, merchandise for sale, and the main event: the fashion show! If you don't already know, we've asked 20 local Edmonton and area artists to create two pieces of raw couture each using anything-but-fabric. (I.E. paper, plastic, metal, tape...) We are expecting some very creative pieces and, from the few we've seen so far, the audience will not be disappointed. To add to the fashion show fun there will be dancers, singers, speakers, and a beautiful short film. (Check out a teaser of the film made by Joses Martin on our Facebook Page.)

The most important part of this night is that all proceeds go to The A21 Campaign, an organization that exists to abolish injustice in the 21st Century. They help rescue and provide the victims of human trafficking with a safe and comforting environment, with access to medical and psychological care, vocational training, secondary education assistance, counseling and access to legal assistance.

What is so heart-warming is how many people have come forward with generous offers to help, donate and volunteer. We've received emails from strangers who, having planned similar events, offer us advice. We've had companies donate exciting silent auction prizes such as an iPad, Chanel Sunglasses, Handmade Jewelry, and a flight for two anywhere in North America. I'd like to give a special shout out to Poiema Gal, Candice Fiorentino, who is the heart and soul of this project. She has been planning to throw an event of this grandeur for years now and it has finally come to fruition. She has worked extremely hard in every aspect of planning this event and I believe she is a big part of why so many people want to be involved.

Fashion For Freedom will take place Saturday, April 27th. Doors open at 6:30pm. Check out www.fashionforfreedom.ca for more information and how you can get tickets. We hope to see you there!

-B

4/8/2013

Where in the World

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Good day! I have returned home from my extended and wonderful trip to Australia and Hong Kong. Ah, the perks of having family all over the world. Traveling has become an accidental hobby of mine, a passion I happened to fall into. From year long backpacking trips with friends, to family visits 26 hours away, I've got to experience many different parts of the world.

When I travel somewhere new, I try to live life like the locals: taking off my tourist shoes and discovering a local bar, a secret waterfall, or getting short-term jobs that most visitors don't get to experience. I think the desire to find these things stems from our innate passion to fit in, to belong and feel like we're part of something. I was talking to my sister about the importance of traveling and she stressed the fact that so many people don't do it. Yes, many don't have family they can visit in exotic places, but some just don't want to either. I hope that everyone has a time in their life when their curiosity brings them to a new place, out of their comfort zone, across the language barrier, and to a place overflowing with a new culture. It teaches you humility, modesty, and respect. Most of all, the experiences stay with you and become a part of who you are.

Happy traveling!

-B

3/17/2013

Welcome to Hong Kong

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I write this post from the big, smoggy, happening city of Hong Kong, where I have been vacationing/working/enjoying myself for the past month. My father being from here, I expected to visit maybe once or twice in my lifetime, but this is now my 6th time here. My sisters both live here now, as do my adorable niece and nephew. It is a wonderful place full of busy, ambitious and motivated people whose creativity is embraced and welcomed with open arms. Everyone I meet here believes my 'vacation' will never end; that I will decide to stay here as they had when they were expecting to leave. I can see why the've stayed. It's an infectious city with millions of things happening at all times of the day and night and many friendly faces you seem to run into daily. Most of the people I have met have moved here for an occupation or big opportunity and ended up loving it so much, they stayed.

Traveling around the world has been a big part of my life for the past 5 years and I am very aware how lucky I am to say that. Seeing different countries and their cultures for extended periods of time has shown me alternate ways of life. I try to take the things I appreciate from every place I visit and remember to use them in my own life, no matter where I am. Hong Kong has taught me to be driven, Perth-friendly, Laos-outgoing, Fox Glacier-brave, Rome-strong... and Paris has taught me that I love pastries.

I am thankful for every experience, good and bad, that I have because I know they are building me into the person I will become. My flight is booked to come home April 4th. Even though I'm not moving to Hong Kong as of now, I promise to take this slice of Chinese life with me when I go.

-B

3/3/2013

Fashion For Freedom Photo Shoot

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You may have caught the behind-the-scenes photos of our Fashion For Freedom shoot a short while ago that were posted on our Poiemagals instagram page by Poiema Gal Melissa. Here's a deeper look into the hard work and behind-the-scenes fun that went into making this shoot a success. For this special project, we recruited Brittany from Brittany Paige Photography with her mom, Marj Balser, to take our photos to a whole other level. I decided to take some photos of the details that brought this whole day together, from the hair and make-up (done by the wonderful Erin Clemmer), to the lights, to the social networking. Our location was a beautiful home built in 1914 that was being renovated at the time of the shoot. A big thank you to Lydia Lawrence, Nadia Candido, and Claire Brandenbarg for being our fabulous models, and to Howard and Carmen Lawrence for sharing their home with us. You can check out Brittany's professional photos on our Fashion For Freedom pages, the official Fashion For Freedom website, and on all the promotional materials for this exciting event. The photos in this post are by yours truly.

-B

Fashion For Freedom is an event in support of the A21 Campaign that aims to abolish human trafficking.
Saturday, April 27th.
For tickets or to find out how you can be involved, visit www.fashionforfreedom.ca.