glorious full moon last night rising over los angeles ~ tremendous insights and visions…felt the silvery light of the moon seeping into dreams…
* luna * astarte * diana * artemis * selene * hecate * MA’AT *

Just played in “an evening of higher consciousness” thursday night in a pre-grammy party at 6507 sunset blvd (club lingerie) along with other talented musicians, allstars, luminaries and activists including the amazing POE (so glad to see you back), Ben Lee, Astrella Celeste, Indian singer Amrita Sen & MANY more ~ the night was filled with beautiful love vibrations, healing, and fantastic music. Thanks to Jason and all who put the evening together highlighting the work of the Drukpa Foundation: education, school building, gender equality and sustainability ~ along with the founder of abolishslavery.org ~ and numerous humanitarian visionaries and supportive patrons gathered in unity for greater healing … honored to be a part.

In the next two weeks, playing two homegrown organic “help heal haiti” shows – one at crane’s tavern in hollywood FRI FEB 5 – 1611 N. El Centro and one at sidewalk cafe in new york city on SAT FEB 13 – 7PM, 94 Ave A in the East Village, right near Tompkins Square Park. Any and all funds collected at these shows will go to www.directrelief.org ~ a 4-Star Charity with high efficiency ratings delivering supplies and aid on the ground in Haiti.

Because as tough as things seem to get sometimes, when I focus on conscious gratitude and count the blessings in my life, I am humbled. While times have been trying, the winter has seemed darker than usual, and the album project still requires additional funds to finish mixing, mastering, manufacturing & distribution; sometimes the needs of others are greater, and I respond to calls for healing when I am in a place of strength to do so. The Emily Dickinson poem “not in vain” I sometimes sing in my shows and which infuses my music and mission originally hung on my bedroom wall as a child, and is as follows:

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain:
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

So if you feel called to help more with Haiti, please donate to:
Direct Relief: www.directrelief.org OR
Doctors Without Borders: www.doctorswithoutborders.org
OR use Charity Navigator to help you find your own 4-Star Fund…

Or come to one of these homegrown shows and give what you can. Every little bit helps. If you need receipts for tax donations, either give online ahead of time and bring a printout of your online donation or ask for a receipt for your cash or check donation at a show. You’ll get what you need.

Finally, since so many people have been telling me that I should not be shy to ask for help for myself and my music either, with the help of some friends, I’ll be setting up a donation page in the next few days for “finishing funds” that will go directly to final editing, mixing, mastering, printing, and the additional costs for making my long awaited A NEW WAY album. You can be a part of birthing it into reality. CO-CREATION.

In the meantime, you can always give through paypal, using:
market@amyclarke.com Funds are only used for making more music.
Stay tuned for details . . .

Namaste ~ Amy

new moon musings . . .

with my slight yet significant fall on the beach on a large rocky outcropping in laguna as I was tracing a constellation in the night sky triggering sensitivity to all walking wounds mixed in with recent stories of other women with knee surgeries, knee pain, needing leg healing, support, & strength I was struck, though not really surprised, to return from the Winter NAMM Show to find this poem staring up at me when I opened the pages on my we’moon calendar for 2010:

The Limping Goddess: She-Who-Survives
by Pesha Joyce Gertler, 1983

She limps into the room
bent with the cargo of rape, battering
single-parent mothering and bureaucratic neglect
if she is fat or gay or nonwhite or Jewish
the pains multiply; she has carried them all.

Her lotus feet have trudged this planet
for aeons; torn tennis shoes tell how far she’s traveled.
She hunches against the winter wind,
her second-hand coat like a blanket
she wraps around her golden body.
Occasionally, she flies over buildings,
lands on tree tops,
is mistaken for a fat bird.

And occasionally, she falls,
intensifying her limp.
But make no mistake; that golden skin was mined in the black earth,
her feet, though limping and calloused,
are the lotus feet of She-Who-Survives.
A broken yet shining forgotten deity
returning, and there are millions
ike her, multi-colored, limping Goddesses
returning to lay down our cargo and reclaim our own.

*************

LIVE brief clip of Amy Clarke at NAMM 2010 singing her original “RAIN COME ROUND” (forthcoming 2010) CLICK HERE

when will the rain come round again?
this land is getting barren
and I am sinking in the sand
oh, and I can sense a pattern here
dancing with desire
but now I am fighting fire
don’t you worry my friend
I will be there until the end…

more to come…

AMY CLARKE on Facebook
(c) MAAT Music, ScorpFaery Productions

* Last show of the year (and decade) is an intimate candlelit winter solstice concert Saturday night 12/19/09 at Cafe Muse in Hollywood, CA ~ 10PM, sliding scale donations w/20% going to the LA Food Bank. Be there.

*************
Greetings fellow spirits! 2009 (Year 2 of a 9 Year Cycle) was also an “11″ year (2+0+0+9 =11) ~ and themes ranged from changes in social reform, new and unusual world visions, humanitarian outpourings, innovative blends of both spiritual & technological innovation, building upon the 2008 (1 Year) foundation of the master work, healing the waters of the world…yet lots of duality and opposing polarities at work as well, waiting, patience, incremental progress…

2010 (Universal Year 3) builds upon the polarity of 2009 with the beneficial and expansive energies of THREE energy. Move your visions from 2D to 3D. Open up your imagination and your circle. Trine angles are helpful in astrology, and 2010 will yield additional cooperative forces to help us grow, expand, connect with community, and CO-CREATE. Expect more cause for celebration, growth in group creative endeavors, and greater enthusiasm in 2010.

TAROT CARDS: 3 of Cups, 3 of Wands, the EMPRESS. Also drew THE PIPER from the Froud Faery Oracle for the Year 2010, indicating themes of MUSIC, leadership, harmony, hearing/singing the universal song, and empathy.
CONSCIOUS. COMPASSION. COMMUNITY. COLLABORATE.

Amy, drum, & cards on National Mall 8*09

2009 YEAR IN REVIEW… released the single “MARY (her story)” from my forthcoming album in the spring of this year, played & shared the stage with many talented musicians, bands, & songwriters in great gigs, festivals, and showcases around the country including a highly revelatory August mini-Magical Mystery Tour (photos and stories here on the blog and on myspace and Facebook) with stops in Los Angeles, Brooklyn, New York City, Maryland, Virginia, Nashville for the Indiegrrl Conference, and my beloved hometown of Washington, DC ~ with “cosmic alignments” abounding and many impromptu visits to temples, churches, parks, museums, and other DC sites resulting in spontaneous piano, drum, and even organ concerts!

Strangely enough, many of the sites visited turned out to be settings for many scenes in the newest pop/cult Dan Brown novel “The Lost Symbol” which came out the next month…curious…

SONG OF THE YEAR : A beautiful new song emerged just for this Magical Mystery Tour ~ “GIVE IT BACK” ~ otherwise known as “the star song” ~ inspired by 2012 prophecies ~ it will be included with the other tracks on A NEW WAY for a Spring 2010 release.

2009 LIVE PERFORMANCE highlights ~ AMY CLARKE
Los Angeles: House of Blues, Viper Room, Acoustic Cordiale, Genghis Cohen, Nette Radio Spring Showcase, Methodfest Film Festival Awards Night, TrIp for A Faery Hunt, TreePeople Annual Dinner in Coldwater Canyon Park, Summer Solstice :: Make Music Pasadena (Fete de La Musique) at the French Cultural Center, King King Hollywood, Renaissance Hotel Hollywood, Indiegrrl Conference for Women in the Arts, Sunset Junction Street Festival, Artists United for Breast Cancer Awareness, LA Burning Man Decompression Festival at the LA State Historical Park, The International Alchemy Conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Incarnations of Matahari for Code Pink 4 Peace @ Home in Silver Lake, and an intimate Winter Solstice Concert @ Café Muse for LA Food Bank; Washington, DC: Mothertongue @ Black Cat, HR 57, All Souls Church for Gaia Grove/ACT, Busboys & Poets ~ ARTIST OF THE MONTH October 09, The National Mall; New York City: Rose Live Music, The Bitter End for Gaia Grove/Amazon Conservation Team

Autumn 2009 Developments:
*Top 40 VIDEO! ~ my live video of TAPESTRY solo at The Bitter End on 8*10*09 (Mini Magical Mystery Tour 2009) charted in the Top 40 Rock Videos on OurStage for November! THANKS TO ALL WHO CAME TO THIS GREAT SHOW IN NEW YORK!

*NEW ALBUM ~ the AMY CLARKE piano album project has one more live day in 4th St Recording Studio on the actual Winter Solstice (Dec 21 2009) and then will be mixing into the New Year…

Also in January of 2010, receiving my 4th ASCAP Plus Award (thank you ASCAP) & attending the inspirational NAMM Show in Anaheim for the 3rd year in a row ~ January 14-17, 2010 ~ check back for performance details! NAMM.org

SEASONS GREETINGS

However you may choose to celebrate the return of the light, we wish PEACE, LOVE, MUSIC, HEALING, and JOY to you and yours this winter holiday season . . . and to all others sharing in the cosmic dance of life . . .

Thank you for your support.

If for any reason you would like to contribute to the music project, email music @ amyclarke.com and you will be sent a link to donate.

For those of you in LA, see you on SATURDAY night 12/19 at Cafe Muse in Hollywood. For the rest of you, see you next year!

Keep your ears, eyes, hearts, and minds open for the long awaited labor of love ~ the AMY CLARKE album project (A NEW WAY) in the Spring of 2010.

IN UNITY,

Amy Clarke
MAAT Music, ScorpFaery Productions, GAIA GROVE
www.amyclarke.com

12/19/2009 10:00 PM at Cafe Muse ~ Winter Solstice Concert
6547 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90038
NO COVER, sliding scale suggested donation
w/partial proceeds going to LA Food Bank
“Magnificent singer/songwriter/keyboardist” Amy Clarke at Cafe Muse LA by candlelight, mixing chill electronic soundscapes with her acoustic piano stylings, signature vocals & compelling lyrics, on the verge of winter solstice eve “beautiful, magical, original” Mary Ishimoto Morris, The Washington Post ***** last show of the decade! ****** AMY CLARKE * Solstice Concert * SAT 12*19*09 ~ CAFE MUSE LA ~ 6547 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038 * 10:30PM ~ 11:30PM * w/Special Guests * NO COVER, sliding scale: suggested $10 donation with 20% of all donations collected going to LA Regional Food bank – every dollar delivers 5 pounds of food! https://www.lafoodbank.org/PD.htm ***

http://www.amyclarke.com

http://www.gaiagrove.org

http://www.cafemusela.com

Matahari Music

~ Presents ~

“Incarnations of Matahari”

9pm on Saturday November 21st at “Home”,

a singular event of exotic entertainment and mixology unfolds…

“Incarnations of Mata Hari” will be a night of extraordinary performers. Carrying the torch of Matahari, modern-day artists of mystery, intrigue & passion…

The Music will be presented acoustically, featuring piano, accordion, clarinet, cello, banjo etc. International Surrealism, French/German Cabaret, American Gothic, a celebration of feminine extravagance and decadence…

The setting, a 1940’s style bar/restaurant, “Home”(www.HomeSilverLake.com) is located in East Hollywood at 2500 Riverside Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90039.

10% of all proceeds from the night’s events will be donated to “Code Pink” (www.CodePinkAlert.org) Code Pink: Women for Peace is an anti-war group with offices in Los Angeles, New York City, Washington DC, and worldwide.

“Mata Hari Absinthe” (www.absinthematahari.com) debuts at “Home” in its myriad recipes of mixology, from the “Green Tear” to the “Spy Who Loved Me” expertly executed by the staff at “Home”. Cocktail specials featured throughout the night.

The evening begins with a poetic reading on the amazing life story of the historical figure known as “Mata Hari” read by acclaimed Latina poetess, “Carmen Vega” (lapoetacv.com). Accompanying her story is a live belly dancer.

Matahari Music artist, “Juliet Annerino”, performs with many of the musicians who appear on her new record, “Scenes from a Life on Fire”. Recently returning Stateside from her Middle East tour in support of her new record, her style of nu-jazz/lounge/neo-soul has been heard from Paris to Amsterdam, New York to Cairo. See: www.JulietAnnerino.com

And in keeping with the night’s theme of “Incarnations of Matahari”, two other popular female-fronted musical acts perform. Like a vision from a fairytale, the wistful and thought- provoking “Silver Phial” (www.myspace.com/silverphial) plays “witch music for elves”, casting a 60’s style lounge, acoustic spell.

Soulful award-winning singer-pianist, “Amy Clarke (www.amyclarke.com) performs dramatic & imaginative solo alt-pop & rock music with compelling lyrics & unusual depth, reflecting the diverse classical, electronic & world influences in her enchanting song craft.

The night’s festivities are presided over and MC’d by Hollywood’s own mistress of comedy & improv, the multi-talented, accordion-wielding “Tammy Tomahawk” (www.facebook.com/tammytomahawk).

Tickets for admission to “Incarnations of Matahari” are just $5 for advance purchase here on line, or $10 at the door. The first 25 guests to buy tickets will receive a free copy of Juliet Annerino’s new record, “Scenes from a Life on Fire”.

Raffle tickets will be for sale at $1 each for a chance to win some very special prizes! Stay tuned for more information…
click here to see event on going.com

Amy Clarke @ International Alchemy Conference 2009

Amy Clarke after her performance @ The Alchemy Conference 2009

Amy at the Pyramid of Peace

International Alchemy Conference this weekend at the LA Convention Center! Even if you are not in town, please check out some of the fabulous topics and speakers including Don Miguel Ruiz (The Four Agreements), Dr. Masaru Emoto (The Hidden Messages in Water) & Rickie Byars Beckwith (Healing Through Music) …

http://www.alchemyconference.com

Despite its ancient image, ALCHEMY is re-emerging to be on the cutting edge of modern thought in all areas critical to living a harmonious and fruitful life. Alchemy is about transforming our lives in powerful ways that create real solutions and sustainable results for ourselves and for the world. This conference will bring together the largest collection of practicing alchemists in the last 500 years to reveal hidden secrets of life!

Through Alchemy you will learn how to:
• Create a Sustainable Environment locally and globally
• Transform yourself spiritually using time tested Alchemical principals.
• Break yourself out of old patterns and bring great momentum to your life.
• Use Ancient techniques to increase the Sensuality and Sexuality in your life.
• Incorporate cutting edge Alternative and Complementary Medicine to create optimal health in your life
• Be a part of the growing movement whereby ancient spirituality is infusing itself into Pop Culture to create change on a global level.
• Discover what principles Alchemists all through the ages have used to bring great abundance and wealth into their lives.

The Alchemy Conference is a unique event… it is both an outstanding forum to learn about scientific findings and spiritual teachings from world-renowned experts, as well as an opportunity to mingle with like-minded seekers, receive insights, and gain a sense of personal betterment.

Conference Includes:
• Natural healing
• Yoga, Meditation, Qi Gong
• Entertainment with Live Music, Performers, Artists
• Homeopathic & Herbal Remedies for Health & Healing
• The Science of Harnessing Consciousness
• Techniques for Emotional Freedom
• The Art of Transformation
• Alchemy meets Modern Technology
• What’s behind Harry Potter
• Transforming our economy and societal shortcomings
• Exploring the intersection of Science & Spirituality
• Methods for Personal and Spiritual Transformation
• How to Apply Ancient Wisdom for Real Change
• Book Signings & Lectures by Best Selling Authors
• Celebrity Autographs
• Screening of Award Winning Film, “Yesterday Was A Lie”
• Educational Seminars and Workshops
• Live Demonstrations
• “Lightning Temple” Tesla Coil Sound Chamber Experience
• Free entry to Vendor Exhibit
• Congregation of People from Around the World
• … and so much more!

Featured Keynotes Include:

Don Miguel Ruiz and Don Jose Ruiz on Transformational Teachings of the Toltecs
Dr. Masaru Emoto on The Hidden Messages of Water
Master Mantak Chia on Taoist Internal Alchemy

William Henry on Transfiguration Icons – Soul Alchemy Encoded in Some of the World’s Most Mysterious Paintings
Hans Andrea on The Alchemy of Harry Potter
Nassim Haramein on Revolutionary New Science: The Nature of Spin
Dr. Alfredo Sfeir-Younis on Global Alchemy and our Inter-Dependent Destiny
Michelle Karén on The Alchemy of Transformation between now and 2012
Dennis William Hauck on How Alchemists Achieve Transformation – The Formula of The Stone
Dr. Gudni Gudnason on Joy – The True Philosopher’s Stone
With special guest MC – Dreaming Bear – often referred to as the Shakespeare of the 21st Century.

Body Alchemy Instructors: Join us in the mornings to learn direct methods from world-renowned experts on training your body physically, mentally, and spiritually through the powerful practice of Yoga, Tai Chi, and Meditation – Free for All Alchemy Conference Participants. Taught by Scott Cole and Adesh Kaur.

Other Fantastic Presenters Include:

James Kerwin (Producer)
Chase Masterson (Actress)
John Newton (Actor)
Robert Allen Bartlett (Alchemist & Author)
Barry Carter (Alchemist)
Don Nance (Alchemist)
Don Estes (Inventor)
Sonya Sophia Illig (Personal Growth Trainer)
Peter Sterling (Musician)
Dr. Thom Cavalli (Alchemical Psychologist)
Micah Nilsson (Alchemist)
Paul Bartscher (Alchemist)
Dr. Theresa Ibis (Physicist & Spiritual Teacher)
Dr. Pradheep Chhalliyil (Alchemist)
Gary Stadler (Alchemist & Glass Artist)
Daniel Coaten (Alchemist & Lab Glass Deisgner)
Adesh Kaur (Yoga & Meditation Teacher)
Amy Clarke (Musician)
Duane Saari (Alchemist)
…and more

Discover this re-emerging Art of Wisdom that will help us make the next quantum leap in finding sustainable solutions to issues we currently face in our world, our society, and our own individual lives.

*Gaia Grove founder AMY CLARKE (“beautiful, magical, original” Mary Ishimoto Morris, The Washington Post) performs at 3PM on FRIDAY OCTOBER 23 (her birthday!) in Room 408B.

http://www.amyclarke.com

http://www.myspace.com/amyclarke

http://www.twitter.com/amyclarke

INT’L ALCHEMY CONFERENCE October 23-25, 2009
FREE ADMISSION to Exhibit Halls, Golden Pyramid of Peace, and Films
Conference Admissions from $40 (single speaker) to $347 (all speakers & workshops)

To learn more visit http://www.AlchemyConference.com

*************

well, it finally feels like fall ~ recently came back from playing shows in DC

and a FANTASTIC outdoor stage performance at the Lightning Temple @ Burning Man Decompression Festival, held just north of downtown LA at the Cornfields, or LA State Historical Park ~

Decompression ‘09 was truly an amazing spectacle, with thousands of festive costumed attendees/participants, 7 Main Stages, Music & Art all over the park, stiltwalkers, interactive sculptures, fire dancing, incandescent seahorses (! ~ Sandman Creations), intricate theme camps, dream interpretation tent, all beautiful. I adored everyone I worked with, they were all so helpful, my hour performance on the Lightning Temple stage ran flawlessly, and was a blast!

Devin Haas performed after me, followed by a full sunset ceremony, dance, and ritual fire lighting on this gorgeous lotus-capped pyramid stage. Excellent tech and crew help from C & J, and special thanks to M, for our astrochat

…now settling into a new little hollywood studio bungalow and preparing for a winter of music making.

Much thanks for a wonderful event also October 10 in Santa Monica at the Artists Palooza Warehouse 1620 Colorado, an event entitled AWARENESS to draw attention to breast cancer month prevention, awareness, and cures…w/ Kirrily Keys, Sabrina Taylor, Allison Geddie, DJ King James, it was an excellent beautiful little night in this cool loft space…special thanks to Sabrina Taylor, such a strong spirit!

UPCOMING: FRIDAY OCTOBER 23 ~ brief birthday performance at the INTERNATIONAL ALCHEMY CONFERENCE ~ http://alchemyconference.com at the LA Convention Center. TRANSFORMATION!
FRI 10/23/09, 3:30PM, following Peter Sterling, 408B

ALSO, secret single release in the works!

peace ~ Amy

Aug 26 2009 ~ HAPPY NATIONAL WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY!

http://www.nwhp.org/resourcecenter/equalityday.php

Just recently got back into town from the Indiegrrl Conference (http://www.indiegrrl.com) in Nashville ~ amazing networking with artists and beautiful & powerful music abounding. Since I was going solo, not too many pictures (yet – unless others friends send them in), as I was playing many showcases while there and was all over the conference ~ Out & Proud/Radical Left Guerrilla Showcase, Nette Radio Stage, Indiegrrl Main Stage & TryXO Main Stage ~ got a huge variety of music into my sets including older material from Lunar Cycle (10 songs, out of print), ALL 5 songs from After The Fall EP, Mary (her story) ~ of COURSE, and lots of sneak previews from the new album project. All video is being edited and compressed and shall be uploaded shortly…

Special thanks to Vicki Blankenship for steering things at Indiegrrl, Yamaha to providing 88-key keyboards for the Indiegrrl, TryXO, & Nette Radio Stages, my friend Shannon Hurley for helping with the keyboard setup/breakdown at Nette Radio & Indiegrrl Main Stages (along with Rich Kulsar, Ben Eisen & Big Dave), Amanda Abizaid for her Yamaha keyboard for my guerrilla showcase on Thursday night, Stephanie Erdel for an emergency CD burning (and both Amanda & Steph for laughter & good times in the hotel room) Toni Koch & Steve Scott of COSMO for running the Pitch A Song panel along with all panelists ~ MARY (her story) made it into the Top 20 Songs & was presented Saturday morning! …though it was a bit too “left of center” for Nashville song pluggers, they told me I was an extremely talented pianist, singer and artist who reminded them of Sarah McLachlan! in early career days ~ I will take that compliment any time!

And a HUGE thanks to every single one of the music enthusiasts, artists and volunteers who contributed time, energy, and talents to make the Conference happen. IT DEFINITELY TAKES A VILLAGE. In the meantime, please read all tour updates below, go to http://www.youtube.com/scorpfaery to watch videos which keep being added, and send emails with thoughts and comments or just to sign up to the mailing list at music@amyclarke.com!

Here are some shots from my arrival back into LA on SUNDAY, AUGUST 23rd, where I headed straight from the airport to pick up my keyboard, then loaded in to the popular annual Sunset Junction Street Festival (http://www.sunsetjunction.org), got set up on the Mi Alma outdoor courtyard stage, and played a fantastic homecoming set to friends and fans new and old . . . special highlight included the helpful DJ Tony, Alex for being the best roadie & driver ever (maneuvering his way around fences, security and police! YEAH!), Gordon & all of the collective at Mi Alma for their assistance and for the *wondermelon* given as a gift for performing, Dana for photos, Amy and her creative, sustainable pillow stand, the goddess who watched over my shoulder, and the couple who took to dancing during “Love Heals” YOU ALL ROCK!

Love, Peace, Music & “WEAVING WINGS FOR YOU”…

Amy with wings, Mi Alma, Sunset Junction 8*23*09
(slightly left of center)

~ Amy Clarke
MAAT Music, ScorpFaery Productions

http://www.amyclarke.com

There is way too much to even cover in the blog, this DC area trip has been so amazing. Become a friend or fan on Facebook or MySpace for even more photos and stories:

http://www.facebook.com/amyclarke

http://www.myspace.com/amyclarke

and twitter ~ http://www.twitter.com/amyclarke

In the meantime, here are some favorite highlights, in reverse chronological order, starting from my last night in DC performing spoken word & song at The Black Cat in part of the long-running MotherTongue series . . . thanks so much to Danielle & Natalie for keeping this night alive and for everyone who turned out and packed the room to standing room only!

Earlier in the day, 8/19/09 @ Amazon Conservation Team in Arlington, VA

For more about Gaia Grove & Amazon Team, visit here: http://www.gaiagrove.org

Tues 8*18*09, after research & a tour, got to play the 3rd largest pipe organ in DC at The Masonic Temple, Supreme Council 33 on 16th St, NW

Sun 8*16*09 Drum Circle @ Meridian Hill / Malcolm X Park, 16th St

SAT 8*15*09 From inside the Washington Monument & the top

8*13*09 ALL SOULS CHURCH, Unitarian ~ Amy solo show

8*12*09 Amy @ Library of Congress

MORE TO COME…