Back at Food Lover's Market every Saturday in May

Pictured: MJ (Martin-John Abrahams), at St George's Cathedral, 16/04/10
Photo: William Rose

Have a first paragraph somewhere of an article reviewing the Haiti concert on 16 April, but have just had no time to sit and put my thoughts down properly for a blog posting.

Thought I had to put this down, though - our duo's been hired back for its 11th consecutive month of Saturday night gigs at Food Lover's Market Restaurant and Sushi Bar, in Claremont. I can't even begin to say how significant this is for me. The place itself has become a part of my life, the staff a part of my "people", and Wayne (Bosch) a bigger part of my musical journey than I could ever have envisaged. It's also become a place where people considering hiring us come and check us out, catching the live performance as opposed to listening to a couple of CD tracks, and where friends come and chill for the night.

I don't take this gig lightly at all, and constantly work at increasing my repertoire of songs as well as of instrumentals. If I look back at our set lists of when we started, I'm proud to see how we've grown and diversified.

The guest slot has also become quite a feature of the gig, and even though we don't have a guest every single week, when we do, it's always special.

Last week's gig was particularly special, because we had two guest artists, and played four sets instead of three. This in honour of a 60th birthday party being celebrated there on the night. We were hired for the extra hour by the family. Megan Francis sang a few songs, including "Along Came You", by Gloria Estefan, a special request by Billy Rule, whose birthday it was. She did such a great version of it, he asked her to sing it three times during the evening! I must say, each successive time she did it better!

We also had young "MJ", who sang four songs as well, in his folky-rock style. To my delight, he did his original song again, about his hometown, Ashton.

And that's it for now! I'll find time to do that full review of the Cathedral concert.

Right now, I'm off to a Mind Power lecture at The River Club! Ooops, I'm running late. That's why my surname has to remain Rushin!

Concert at the Cathedral, 16/04/10

Pictured: Wayne and I at St George's Cathedral on Fri. 16/04/10.
Also pictured: Bienvenue Mambote, who sang in his mother tongue, Lingala.
Photographer: William Rose

To everyone who participated in the concert, attended the concert, helped out in any way, sold tickets, inspired me along the way, inspired others along the way, juggled busy schedules to practise and to be there, I offer my heartfelt thanks.

I have to say this again: I watched a movie preview, recently, in which someone said: "Don't just hope for a miracle - make one happen."

I feel like I was part of a miracle, on Friday night. I am so impressed with everyone, and so full of joy and gratitude.

Peaceful people and places (Written 14/04/10)

I love coming home at the end of a work day, in fact at the end of any day. I've been living here for 13 years, and it's one of my peaceful places. I appreciate this more than anyone could know.

Right now, I give thanks for a few people in my life, people in whose presence I feel an overwhelming sense of calm and peace. No matter what I've been through, how difficult my day or week has been, the energy from these people is affirming, non-judgemental, accepting. They have that special ability to make you forget about anything unpleasant, and see the wow of the moment, as well as the endless possibilities in every moment to come.

I haven't always been surrounded by peaceful people, and I can't say I am now. They're rare, like those perfect seashells you find on the beach, the ones without chips, cracks or broken bits. You pick one up and feel incredibly special because you're holding it between your fingers, and you inspect it, from different angles, not wanting to find any flaws, and grin broadly with satisfaction when you don't.

The energy I get from other people stresses me, sometimes. I find people who are semi or fully manic, frenzied, 'hyper' very tiring. After being in their company, I feel like I need a week's holiday, they disturb my flow so much!

I need to learn to feel the strength I do inside and be sensitive to others, but not allow myself to be so affected by what's external to me. I suppose it's part of being a person who does connect, because it's in our nature as social beings to do just that. We connect automatically, responding to what resonates with us and rejecting what doesn't. This applies to everything, not just people's spoken words. People affect each other's energy.

I work in an environment which is a curious blend of bustling and relaxed. The apparent seamlessness of things is in large attributable to the positive energy of the staff. They're people with a no-nonsense, problem-solving, solution-seeking attitude, which is exactly what our type of company needs. More than that, it's a place filled with people from all over the world, and one has to tune into and out of different accents, rhythms of language, not to mention cultural and national norms and expectations, assumptions. On any given day, you could have conversations with people from Angola, Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Colombia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and so many others. It's actually an amazing plce to be.

One day at a time

Stronger every day. And wiser?

Affirmations from John Kehoe's "Mind Power"

Every day, in every way, things are getting better and better.

I always make the right decisions.

I always attract the perfect people and circumstances.

My subconscious mind is my partner in my success.

E-mail re: HAITI FUNDRAISING CONCERT, 16 APRIL 2010

Hi

Like so many other people, when the news of the earthquake reverberated around the world on 12 January, I felt a strong need to DO something to help. I thought that St George's Cathedral would be the perfect venue for Capetonians to come together, to show support for people suffering on the other side of the world. I applied for the use of the Cathedral in January, but was only able to secure a date much later.

We all know that, even though Haiti is not in every news bulletin and on the front page of every newspaper, its people are experiencing immense hardship to this day, trying to recover from the devastation caused by the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks. Families are dealing with the loss of multiple members, children have been orphaned, entire neighbourhoods ruined. People lost their livelihoods and are dealing with trauma related to loss of limbs and many other physical difficulties. The effects of this earthquake were much more devastating because of the impoverished living conditions and inferior infrastructure in the affected areas.

I've rallied a group of musicians and poets, all eager to contribute their talents towards this worthy cause, and we'll be doing a concert at the Cathedral, in Wale Street , in the city centre of Cape Town , on Fri. 16 April, at 8pm.

I have secured, as the guest speaker for the night, Anglican Archbishop THABO MAKGOBA, who will update us on the situation in Haiti . He recently visited the affected areas and has been involved in aid efforts through the Anglican Church. They have an existing fund for Haiti , and it is through this channel that the funds raised on the night will be sent.

THE LINE-UP:
POETS: Diana Ferrus and Chris Ferndale, as well as three junior poets (TBA)

MUSICIANS: The Keith Tabisher Ensemble
Janice De Lilly (singer-guitarist)
Wilmie Monk (singer-songwriter, pianist)
Megan Francis (singer)
Bienvenue Mambote (singer-guitarist)
Martin and Jean (vocal-guitar pop duo)
and Wayne Bosch and I (vocal-guitar jazz duo, pictured)

Tickets cost R50, and are available from me. Please call 083 491 3048 or e-mail me at rushintrudy@yahoo.com. You may also contact me via Facebook, under "Trudy Rushin".

PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG YOUR NETWORKS! AND PLEASE SUPPORT THIS CAUSE!

Peace
Trudy