A Summary of Summer Sounds and Sneak-Peek at Winter Happenings
//Published 2022//
Dear Borealites,
What a summer THAT was!
So much so, that now I get to say Happy Halloween!
Travel, music, and installations were regular from June all the way to the end of September… I’ve taken the fall to recoup and get organized….
So, in this my second newsletter, I will first summarize and share my adventures with you, and then let you know what’s coming up next.
JUNE
Wiggly World
Summer Solstice brought my music and installation art to Camp Wiggle, in London Ontario.
Music
After much expressed anticipation from the crowd, my music went off smashingly well opening with a badass version of heart shaped box. Although the crowd dwindled as the night turned to day (I was on from 3-5am), a bunch stuck around till the end and experienced the “palpable sounds of my fingers dancing across the keys.”
After a quick break & costume change not wanting it to end, a fan and I sang piano bar songs into the morning to the delight of many around the fire. I felt elated and adored, and it was a beautiful thing! Thank you to those who were there to experience it with me.
One of your fellow Borealites captured some video (thankfully, because my audio recording yielded 3h of static), and as I traversed the festival I snapped some artful shots myself. Check them out below:
Installation
Each festival I install “Aurorah’s Grove,” a forever evolving forest boudoir…. Also known as, my campsite.
My fur lined hammock hangs in the air, away from the damp forest floor and critters, and feels divine; a feeling I then translate into my music and performance.
To protect against the elements, I install a tarp roof and hang clothing lines for privacy walls inside a series of bug net curtains. Of course, as the terrain is never the same my grove always looks different, and I love that… It’s as much of a wonder and surprise for myself as it is for its admirers, and a hell of a lot drier, more attractive and comfortable than a tent!
For Camp Wiggle this year, it was completed with a parachuted roof, mood lighting, a living room to entertain guests, a screened in hammock bed and tiki torches lighting the way. It was magical as always. Check it out:
JULY
Bird’s the Word
A Memorial and Benefit Concert raising awareness
for men’s mental health
At the beginning of July, I played an online concert with my friends the Electrofunk Collective, based in the Okanagan in BC. This event was a memorial for one of the founders of EFC - Jay Dyck, and I dedicated my performance to my friend Andrew Clark. Both these lovely, kind gentlemen were lost to us too soon due to mental health issues through the quarentimes.
This benefit concert was to raise money for Jay’s two daughters, and intends to grow into an event that can contribute funds to mental health agencies across Canada.
Catch my livestream here:
Bird’s The Word Livestream Concert
Flying… Literally
Later this month I had the extraordinary opportunity to fly… like, literally.
In my dreams I fly a lot and have been for as long as I can remember. As I got older, my dreams saw me climbing up ridiculously tall structures that would then bend and sway with the wind. As a result, I am very comfortable in the air… one would say almost at home.
My soul no longer envies the soaring birds above, for I have finally felt it real life.
Check out my flight below - set to my composition, op.68: Dub Keys
(caution if you are prone to motion sickness)
Wanna fly too? Check out Areosuperbatics Wing Walkers
Galactic Garden
For my final July event I put on a concert in conjunction with my friends at Galactic Garden. This was an intimate concert at a private venue in downtown Toronto. Our collaboration yielded a beautiful garden, filled with the music of four powerful songstresses myself, headlining the event.
Please enjoy some images and a reel of my performance below.
AUGUST
Goddess Gathering
On a quiet farm on the shores of Lake Huron, Goddesses’ gathered in the grove, to experience the siren sounds of a songstress in her element.
Here, on a mid-summer’s eve the grove twinkled in the heat while I serenaded a group of powerful women who had gathered in the name of gorgeousness.
We laughed and connected and set our intentions for the second half of the year before moseying down to my installation for an impromptu concert.
It was delightful magic. Behold the grove (with power for the first time) in all its glory! A video of Chopin’s Fantaisie Impromptu follows.
Goderich
This was my chameleon event – it kept changing forms but was no less brilliant than the rest of the summer. On one of the hottest days in August, my good friend Big Bad John and I rocked the streets and marina of Goderich, much to the delight of many.
Catch my livestream below:
SEPTEMBER
Cherry on my Sunday
This gorgeous collaborative event run by the Phantom collective saw installations by three artists (myself included), music by Toronto’s best loved djs, food vendors and a crowd full of light and love! Unfortunately, the event was cut short prematurely, much to everyone’s disappointment.
The collective marches on regardless and I look forward to working with them again – they’re really great people and put on bangin’ events. Be sure to give them a follow if you are on Facebook to stay up to date with what’s happening next.
The Rest of the Month
The rest of my September saw me at beaches, on the sea, under the sea, in the sky, at magical workshops, behind the keys & in the web.
Though I was not always acting as Aurorah, I certainly had a view to frame. Please enjoy my perspective, then be sure to scroll down for Winter Happenings…
WINTER HAPPENINGS
Collaborations
I’m always interested in collaborations, as the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I have been in conversation with many dj’s, producers, bands and other artists in the community, but I’m curious: who would YOU like to see me collaborate with…
Each of the artists below is someone I’m talking to about a collab. Your votes can help me choose who to work with first!
Aurorah.ca
Finally, a place for all things Aurorah: find videos, images, services, offerings and booking information. Coming soon.
Classical Whomp Album
Currently working on two whomps:
How Do I Play/Gymnopedie by 20th century composer Erik Satie set to drum n bass in ¾ time,
and Solfeggiet-it, by C.P.E. Bach set to a house beat recorded by super talented musicians and made more awesome my faithful producer.
This project is projected to be complete by summer/fall 2023, but I will offer sneak peaks to those who attend my next concert!
Winter Concert
As you can see, I’ve been busy. I am thoroughly exhausted and thoroughly fulfilled from my summer exploits. But, I will not disappoint you my dear Borealites.
I intend to throw an intimate concert though the winter, to offer a sneak peek at my album material and provide the covers that were requested through the summer months – look out for a Britney tune Aurorified at my next show.
I am currently in conversation with one of the artists from my survey, and may combine into a double act concert… or it might be solo. Either way, it’s guaranteed to be a night of musical magic!
The date/location to be announced as soon as it is solidified! Keep your eyes peeled.
That’s all folks!
‘till next time… with love, Aurorah
