What's Happening at fosteringArts.org
October 2011
Peeptoad Coffeehouse
October 14, 2011
8 pm
North Scituate Baptist Church
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Celtic tinged, Appalachian influenced repertoire, this trio uses double bass, guitar and fiddle with vocals that - while each being distinct - come together perfectly, making a great sound, an old-time country reminiscent of The Carter Family.
Tickets $15 at the Door purchase online here Peeptoad
November 18, 2011
8 pm
Imagine a human bagpipe—a person who could sing a sustained low note while humming an eerie, whistle-like melody. For good measure, toss in a thrumming rhythm similar to that of a jaw harp, but produced vocally—by the same person, at the same time.
Tickets $20 at the Door purchase online here Peeptoad
December 16, 2011
Special Winter Concert
8 pm
Special Winter Concert - with John Kirk, Trish Miller, Linda Schrade, David Kiphuth, Addie Murray & Olin Boyle Enjoy Rhode Island’s only "Candlemas-Hanukkah-Ramadan-Solstice-Christmas-Kwanzaa-New Year-Boxing Day-Epiphany Event!" Three husband-wife teams from the Saratoga, NY area, join forces to bring us this holiday extravaganza.
Tickets $20 at the Door purchase online here Peeptoad
COMING IN NOVEMBER
ARTIST OPEN STUDIOS
Featured Business Sponsor:
Featured Artist
Atwater & Donnelly
Aubrey Atwater/Elwood Donnelly
What age did you start to play an instrument?
Aubrey: I was 7 years old
Elwood: I was 8 years old
What instrument was it?
Aubrey: Piano
Elwood: My first instrumentthe harmonica. It came with a sheet of songs that I quickly learned. I still play the harmonica to this day.
What did you like about the instrument?
Aubrey: I’m not entirely sure. I was so little when I started and it was an instrument that was in the house. I started playing nursery rhymes by ear and so my parents started me on lessons. I got pretty proficient but quit when I was 13. It wasn’t doing enough for me I guess!
Elwood: Singing is something I've always done, memorizing all the songs on the radio as a child, and continuing to learn songs until I finally picked up the guitar in Viet Nam and taught myself to play, accompanying myself with harmonica and voice.
What did you find challenging about it?
Aubrey: I needed to practice every day, which I did. And as I got older, the pieces got harder.
Elwood: Instruments were never a challenge for me until I tried the fiddle. I took classical lessons and Celtic lessons and finally old-time music lessons, yet I still haven't put the time it deserves into it.
Where do you draw your inspiration/creativeness?
Aubrey: My first response is people, people, people and their stories. All kinds of stories, especially stories about personal challenges and resilience. Also, taking care of myself as a person and as an artist. Setting good boundaries and a routine around practicing and developing my career and creative work.
Elwood: My inspiration comes from my friends, loved ones, acquaintances and their life experiences, as well as my own. Spirituality also plays a role in my songwriting, as well as the traditional songs I choose through research in those small pockets of the rural south of America where songs and music are a part of daily chores and are as important to life as breathing. The songs I write are not intended to please everyone, but I hope they will touch some.
Who are some of your favorite musicians and why?
Aubrey: Joni Mitchell and Jean Ritchie are my top two. Strong, brilliant women who are one and two generations older than I am. I not only love their music, singing, writing but they paved the way for female artists such as myself in so many ways.
Elwood: Inspiration is also drawn from the likes of people who have carved a path before me, especially old-time musicians, the ones who came before bluegrass style and sing and play for community rather than instrumental prowess, people like Jean Ritchie, Lee Sexton, Sonny Houston, Almeda Riddle, Al & Alice White, Doc Watson, The Carter Family, Dan Dutton, Cari Norris and her grandmother Lily May Ledford, to name a few musicians. But we've also been inspired by the parents and grandparents of our friends, who model wholesome lifestyles and genuine hospitality.
What do you find is the biggest challenge for you as a musician?
Aubrey: I’d say the tremendous amount of energy and output which often comes easily for me but I can get quite exhausted. We do about 100 engagements a year, often traveling long distances. As a matter of fact, I am writing this on a plane coming home from six straight days of performing and teaching in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. It’s exhilarating, energizing and so very fun and satisfying but sometimes I get so tired I cry!
Elwood: There are lots of challenges for full time folk musicians. You have 100 bosses every year; most are great and some are not; you need to learn to live with both. Not all venues will offer the same hospitality either; you don't know what you're getting until you arrive. Some producers are overly friendly and hospitable while others ignore you. Traveling can also be challenging, whether your driving or flying, there are often obstacles that can serve to either inconvenience, annoy or harm you, not to mention the constant possibility of losing your luggage.
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a musician?
Aubrey: The utter miracle that we get to do this for our living; that we get to play music and dance nearly every day, something that many people only dream of; that we play for many wonderful audiences and that we are constantly being praised and complimented in such meaningful ways for what we do. We feel very loved and understood by many many appreciative people.
Elwood: The rewards come when a musician is recognized by his or her peers, when a community honors your efforts, and when individuals say one song changed their lives. I was drawn to music by nothing short of friendship. Many of us had imaginary friends while growing up; I was no exception. My friend and I found peace and solace, as well as individuality and the desire to be alone and apart from others through music and song. There we could express ourselves without disapproval, criticism, rejection or ridicule. The irony is, if you pursue a career in music, you leave yourself open constantly to those same behaviors.
Do you have a favorite style of music to work in?
Aubrey: Traditional American and Celtic Folk Music
Elwood: One of my preferred styles of music is old-time, the music which was originally called 'country' back in the early 1920's, songs of sentiment, as well as old gospel hymns. But my favorite music is quite eclectic, songs from each decade in America, as well as music from many countries around the globe, especially their folk traditions.
Did you attend a music school/are you currently involved in a music organization or society?
Aubrey: I didn’t attend a music school except for 7 years of classical piano lessons and one college course in music theory. Some of the gigs we do every year are at special folk schools/festivals around the US. I am also on the boards of Fosteringarts and The Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland, RI. I teach classes at the Blackstone River Theatre.
Elwood: I am a founding member of fosteringArts.org, an Arts organization that produces many programs, including The Peeptoad Coffeehouse, The Rhode Island Folk Festival, Christmas in the Valley, Artists Open Studios, Foster Summer Concert Series, and a theatre group, Swamp Meadow Community Theatre, which spun off on its own a couple of years ago.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ELWOOD DONNELLY!
"The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery." - Francis Bacon
We are very proud to announce that our own Elwood Donnelly and Kevin Doyle received The Working River Award 2011recently that recognizes significant achievements embodying the spirit of Hope that sustains and embraces creativity, vision, and commitment to the arts and civic life in Rhode Island, along with their dear friend and mentor, Theresa Landry, owner of Theresa Landry Dance Studio in Pawtucket, RI. Theresa will be 90 years old in November and still teaches dance and runs the studio. She is a great mentor and is full of love and light. What a role model and reminder that the joy and exercise of dance keep us young!
Friday, Nov. 25 5 - 9pm
Saturday, Nov. 26 10am - 5pm
Sunday, Nov. 27 10am - 4pm
Arts & Craft vendors, a special visit by Santa Claus, raffle,
live music all weekend long
67 Johnson Road
Foster, RI 02825
For more information contact Elwood Donnelly Elwood@notaol.com
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