MY NAME IS LARISSA.

Howdy Yinz-guys.

Holy Moly, it’s February! Valentines Day is right around the corner. Last year I wrote about the origins of Valentines Day. This year I am reflecting on what it means to Love. Love is multifaceted. It’s complicated...and sometime it hurts...BAD. But Love is worth it because out of the hurt comes growth, both personal and external. I think that’s what it means to “hurt so good”. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that all hurt is Love. That is NOT the case. Sometimes hurt is malicious and just plain wrong. Sometimes we don’t know the difference until after the hurt is healed. And that’s where the challenge is, in the time that passes in between. So, I continue my pursuit of Art in the spirit of Love, tending my wounds and waiting for Time to do it’s job. There’s too much nastiness out there in the world (and beauty for that matter!) for me to waste my time doing anything else. Here’s the latest news of my pursuit:

First things first! This Friday, February 3rd, is the first Friday of the month and Oakland’s Art Murmur. 25C will be open. 25C is the artist’s collective I joined a few months back. Joining a collective was an act of Love for my new community of Oakland. I almost rented a beautiful private space but I knew I couldn’t be there everyday and didn’t want to OCCUPY a space that wasn’t being used regularly. Being part of a collective means responsibilities, ideas and resources are shared. It’s a win/win for everyone AND I’m not “gentrifying” my new community. So, come on out from 6-10 this Friday and see a non-violent way artists can OCCUPY their community. As always, my work is on display along with the other members of 25C. While a card is probably enough, if you have a really special sweetie in your life, come find a one of a kind locally made gift for V-Day.

I’m also really excited to have some of my work included in the Love Show at Gray Loft Gallery in Oakland’s Jingletown neighborhood. The show opens on February 10th and runs until the 25th. Click the image below more info. Thank you to Jan of Gray Loft Gallery for including my work.

February 10th is a busy day! It is also the opening of the staging of the Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler I’ve helped to organize at Pan Theater. This endeavor has been an amazing and healing journey. There are performances on February 10th and 11th at Pan. I’ve had the chance to help direct and will even be delivering one of the monologues. The event benefits Oakland’s Elizabeth House. Tickets are $15 ahead of time or $18 at the door. Click on the image below to purchase tickets. I am grateful to Eve Ensler for creating this piece of Art and to David Alger of Pan Theater for providing the venue. If you aren’t in Oakland you can find a V-Day event near you at this link...until the Violence stops!

Speaking of Love and V-Day, my book of Love-inspired poetry, Sophia Was Pushed but the moon broke her fall, is available on amazon.com for $15. If you have a problem with ordering from amazon for some reason ask your local book store to order it for you. ISBN: 978-1468000184.

Finally, I am working on an album, If Love Were A Lullaby. To my total surprise I have found I write country music! Who woulda thunk it, right?! My Pappy, that’s who. When I was 13 he told me one day I’d be singing country music, and here I am Lovin’ it and even wearing cowgirl boots. Got me a real pair at Allens Boots on South Congress in Austin! Anyway, my target release date is March 2nd, but I think I may have to accept a later release date. These things take time and I am looking for other musicians to collaborate with. Last month I started the focus-group portion of the process, collecting feedback from friends, family and other music professionals. Last week I travelled to Austin and Dallas to visit friends and see if my country music could cut muster in Texas. Here’s a clip from an open mic I participated in. Thank you to everyone who has offered me their honest opinions and support.

Well, that’s about it for now. Hope you are well and Loving life. Happy Valentines Day!

Love,

Larissa