Up-Up-Update Soon

Sorry Folks, that I’ve not added anything new for a couple years. Hope to amend that soon. Interesting that when my days and hours are stuffed full of books and editing and music and teaching and singing and speaking and family and change …. there is little time left to tell you about the books and editing and music and teaching and singing and speaking and family and change.

I hope to bring things up to date in a few weeks. In the meantime, get out there and live loud. I have a saying on my wall: “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”

Light a candle in your corner.

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UPDATES COMING SOON…

March 8, 2013 Trafalgar 24

Trafalgar 24 on March 8, 2013 – Sell-out event in Whitby.

I was delighted to be one of six local playwrights to participate in Trafalgar 24, produced by Driftwood Theatre under Jeremy Smith. These six playwrights gathered at Trafalgar Castle School on the evening of March 7th to spend the night secreted away writing six separate plays. Friday morning, March 8th, actors, directors and stage managers arrived to whip those six plays into shape.

Friday night, 350 theatre lovers arrived for a silent auction with fine wine and sweets and, of course, to see all six of the brand new plays.

The audience voted for best play and a panel of judges made the final decision. The winning playwright received funding to workshop his play for the professional stage. Thanks Driftwood for the opportunity. Everyone wins.

http://www.driftwoodtheatre.com/event/trafalgar-24/

Adele’s UKULELE Classes Jan. 2014

Seniors 55 and up, be sure and sign up for the class that suits you!
Learn for yourself, for your grandkids, for songwriting, for performance …

Feb. 13, 2013 Valentine’s Day Luncheon at Wilmot Centre

About 80 seniors dined together at their monthly luncheon at Wilmot Centre Missionary Church, near New Hamburg, Ontario. My good and talented friend Carol Weicker sang a duet with me for old time’s sake, and then I had the hour to tell my story and sing for the group. Lots of laughter and a few tears. God is good.

If you have a few minutes, go to Carol’s website to hear her sing and read her story:   http://www.carolweicker.ca/music.html

UKULELE CRAZE

2013 finds me teaching ukulele, guitar, bass and vocal sessions to teenagers in Whitby. Throw in a little drama and comedy, add some jazzy singing, and these kids are awesome!

And the OSCC is running its inaugural UKULELE CLASS to seniors in Oshawa. Lots of fun! Sign up at the Conant Branch of the Oshawa Seniors Citizens Centres, 115 Grassmere Ave., Oshawa.  Phone: 905-576-6712.

My story (and I’m sticking to it) is that it takes no more strength to play the uke than it takes to operate the remote control for your TV!

Exercise your hands, exercise your brain, exercise your smile!

Author Readings at CRUX BOOKS

A Second Cup Of Hot Apple Cider is now a Canadian best seller. 15 of the stories in the inspiring anthology have won writing awards from The Word Guild, including, I’m thrilled to say, my two stories “Charlie” and “The Bulletin Board”

The 37 authors have performed dozens of author readings in bookstores, libraries, churches, book clubs and interest groups across Canada. This time five authors gathered at Crux Books (Wycliffe College and University of Toronto) to read portions of their stories: Armig Adourian, Marguerite Cummings, Bonnie Beldan-Thomson, Wendy Nelles and myself, Adele.

Adele Reading “Charlie” at U of T CRUX BOOKS, photo by Marguerite Cummings

The library hall above Crux Books is a delight with stained glass windows, browsing benches in the bay windows, miles of books on the shelves, hot apple cider, and eager ears to hear. Thanks to Crux Books, at Wycliffe College and the University of Toronto.

Book Launches a Success ~ The Costumer’s Notebook

I’ve just returned from a successful book launch trip to Alberta for the book I edited and produced for The Costumers Institute.

The book is titled The Costumer’s Notebook, written by Rae Stephens, a professional costumer with 20 years experience in major film and stage production. It’s a comprehensive manual for beginning and advancing costumers in film and stage.

~ Great resource and how-to for the working costumer, set supervisor, dresser, directors, community theatres, and professionals.

Sept. 6th: The first Book Launch event was at Boston Pizza at the Chinook Centre in Calgary. Thank you, Mark Garcellano, Manager, and Joe, Assistant Manager. 

Sept. 9th: The second Book Launch event was in Lethbridge at the Mocha Cabana Restaurant. Thank you, Karen Ohno, Owner, and Marc Gedrasik, Chef, and Dale Ketcheson, Classical~Jazz Guitarist. 

Thanks to the Lethbridge Herald and The Sun for printing the interview with Rae.

Both happy events were attended by the public, Rae’s fans, and theatre, film, university and college professionals. Rae signed copies of her books for her guests over delicious appetizers and beverages.

Drama Teachers and Professionals ~ Use this book in your classrooms and staging workshops.

Drama Enthusiasts ~ Find dozens of practical tips for your own film or stage productions.

Books are available through Adele at: ChestnutLaneCreative@bell.net

or directly from The Costumers Institute at: costumersnotebook@gmail.com

Contact Rae Stephens at costumersnotebook@gmail.com

for workshops for your video, film, or stage crew, and to purchase the book.

Price $44.95 plus shipping.

The Costumer’s Notebook, Printed and bound in Canada  ISBN 978-0-9784780-0-1

The Costumer’s Notebook by Rae Stephens ~ new book !

It’s DONE!

The Costumer’s Notebook,                300 pages of tips & truths for
behind-the-scenes show biz.

Film and Theatre backstage artists and crew will be glad to know that “The Costumer’s Notebook” is finally at the printer. Adele Simmons is the proud editor of this manual for careers in costuming and wardrobe for theatre and stage. Author Rae Stephens will be signing books at two Book Launches:

Calgary:   Thursday, Sept. 6th  from 7-9pm at Boston Pizza Chinook Centre, 232 – 6455 Macleod Trail SW.

Lethbridge:   Sunday, Sept. 9th  from 4-6pm at Mocha Cabana Restaurant, 317-4th St. S.

All welcome at the book launches. Come meet the author Rae Stephens and have her sign your copy of her book. Schmooze with theatre, film, university and college people! And I’ll be there to meet you, too!

If you can’t make it to the launches, you may order your book for $44.95 plus shipping.

Special guest price of $30 at the book launches.

Email your book request to:   costumersnotebook@gmail.com
The Costumer’s Notebook ~ for professional costumers and volunteers in film and stage, for drama teachers, university theatre program directors, workshop instructors, for directors, set supervisors, dressers, background-extras supervisors, and wardrobe supervisors.

May 5th Adele’s Song Debuts at Ontario Writers’ Conference,

Almost 200 writers, editors, publishers, and agents at the Ontario Writers’ Conference were present to hear George Craig sing my song BLOCK BUSTER. It’s a tongue-in-cheek cryin’ blues tune about writer’s block and the rescue from it. The song was commissioned by the Conference planners to illustrate another area of writing – songwriting. 

Kevin Craig’s song WORD BY WORD was also featured, in the rich baritone voice of George Craig. Thanks, George, for your effort and enthusiasm to present our songs.