Toronto, ON
Hello Summertime! The solstice bells will ring tonight at
1:04 am EDT, and I shall be there to pop the bubbly, and eat a celebratory
strawberry. Or six.
It’s been a full double-fortnight since I last properly
wrote – and for my silence, I apologize. A girl has to keep some of her
secrets. But there are a couple grand tales I would love to tell … So get
comfortable, gentle reader, and pour yourself a drink.
Once upon a time, in ye olden Italia, there lived a nice
poet who was tragically banished from his beloved city and forced to flee to
the lonely hills of somewhere-or-other. There he spent the remainder of his
years wandering pouty-faced though the Italian countryside, mourning not only his home, but the woman he loved - who had both the effrontery to marry
another man, and then also go and die.
Our hero found solace in writing, and his deep belief in the
Spiritual realm. And thus, he decided go on a quest through the unforgiving
Underworld, up yonder mountain of Purgatory, right to the shining resplendent
garden of Paradise. Where apparently the girl was waiting for him with a hot
outfit, and a cool refreshment.
I am indeed a great believer in the Joseph Campbell-esque “heroic journey.” This usually starts out with the Call to Adventure and soon beckons
some form of Supernatural Aid. Welcome to my life. And as Dante journeyed with
Virgil though the many shadowy layers of his unconscious, so have I been guided by dead poets and troubadours on my own hero's journey of late.
This week my Virgil has been a tall, charming Englishman
named Jont. I met said pin-stripe suit wearing, often-barefoot, singing-songwriting,
master of manifestation at the International Folk Alliance Conference in
February. He breezed into town last week on tour from Halifax and together we threw
a wicked house concert party at Casa Sweetlandia. It was truly a magnificent time,
and may have to become a regular event. We feasted, lounged around the
metaphorical pool, and enjoyed a fantastic artistic salon-style soirée of music
and storytelling courtesy of: Jess McAvoy, Sarah Burton, Jory Nash, Evalyn Parry, Richard Flohil, Michael Wrycraft, Yours Sweetlandishly, and of course, Jont.
The most magical part of our adventure, I cannot even tell
myself. For that, I must direct you to Jont’s blog. He did such a fine job
of putting into words something of which I may never have spoken. But it’s too
late now – It’s on the internet forever. You will need another drink for that one, I reckon.
And in other news…
The Captain Dirt & The Skirt CD release was a glorious
success. A million thank-yous and sweet Sweetlandish kisses to all my beautiful
Ladies In Waiting, the folks at Lula Lounge, and everyone who came out to the show. We love
you! And there were also a couple photographers who took some great shots … Have
a peek at these galleries by Sean Ryan and Levent Erutku.
The new CD&TS website is still under construction,
but we’re getting close and can’t wait to unveil it soon in all its glory.
Ciao, xo
Signorina Sweetlandia
They aren't quite Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise, but they'll do.
More photos here.
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