Maverick community show in Swift Current

Having the most amazing morning in Swift Current. I'm hear to help the kids at Maverick high school produce a show for the entire community, where they present songs they wrote as part of this songwriting/performing/recording project. Last night, the students overcame their nerves and delivered stellar performances before their friends and family at the historic Lyric Theatre. After the show, I skipped out on the post-production cleaning duties (how terrible! I'll do twice as much tonight on the second show, I promise...) and went to a party with my good friend Dave Lang. I drank more red wine than usual, had amazing conversations with a diverse group of folks and laughed loud and long at Dave recounting his experiences as the artist in residence in small town Saskatchewan. Beautiful.

Woke up this morning with a full day to myself. The Maverick students are doing another show tonight, but the work is done for setup. I'm surprised how amazing this feeling is--to have a day without a schedule, without meetings, without even the thought of what I need to do running through my mind.

I used a run to get some fresh air and listened to the bliss inducing tunes of Wade Imre Morrisette. Ended up doing some yoga in my hotel room until all the effects of red wine and cigarettes from last night were history. I didn't even look at the clock, but made it to the local cafe by noon to do some email and get a coffee. So free. It's so incredibly difficult to feel this free at home--where there's always stuff to do, people to meet, and a little voice in the back of my head that gets in the way.

Last night, I met Annika who has opened an amazing "Welcome" centre in Swift Current for new immigrants. So i'm going to swing by her place and see the centre and hear more of her stories about the creative programming she's using to celebrate cultural diversity here. Lately, diversity has been a burning issue in my mind, and I've been thinking not about what causes or organizations or charities I can contribute to, but how I can make my daily experiences more culturally diverse. I'm starting by inviting people to sponsor tickets for upcoming concerts and then giving those tickets to immigrants in Saskatoon through the International Women of Saskatoon

Then I'm heading to the local art gallery. Dave and Jean Cyca introduced me to their daughter Jillian's artwork last night, which is currently showing at the gallery. Check out Jillian Cyca here!

Shann Gowan is a promoter in town who has single-handedly created a vibrant, enthusiastic audience for live music through her shows. So I've been invited out to her farm for a beer this afternoon. The last time I was out at her place, I performed a house concert. 45 minutes before the show, her husband Ray took me for a detour out to bottle feed the new calf. An interesting and unusual pre-show prep for sure!

Ah, the wonders of this little community!