Barbara Ester

                           february's fun ! !

      What an absolute honor to participate in Drea & Leaf's 25th anniversary.  An awesomely beautiful celebration of their lives together....  empowering and inspiring !  !    Wonderful sharings.   

                            We had a great time  ! !

A few days later we were on campus singing old favorites and our own songs for wimmin that came to hear about 'the role of women's music in the '70's & '80's.' We were reflecting afterwards how appreciative we were when we consider that most of the womyn who came knew nothing about the music that was such a part of our lives. They were attentive and we continue to learn the importance of sharing our herstorys.

               Reading : 'My Red Blood' by Alix Dobkin

             Rehearsing : for up coming performances

                        moving on through february .....

            I'm looking forward to warmer weather so I can build my

               raised garden  beds. There's been a lot of rain and

                 snow here. Cuddling in the night.

                       http://womonwrites.wordpress.com

                    writing & planning for Mays gathering  ...

                              thinking about travels to Outland this summer ... 

                            Concert Review : Crescendo & Cris Williamson

                             On November 13^th, 2009 I stepped into a room of wimmin singing and soared into a realm of sound that shifted me to spirit connection. The interwoven vibration of voices was clear, powerful and soothing. My feelings were inspired by CRESCENDO, the Tampa Bay Women’s Chorus!  I had the honor and privilege of attending a rehearsal as the chorus prepared for the next evening’s performance.  A long time friend and chorus member, Joan Dark, gave me the invite. We had made many past journeys together in the mid ‘70’s and with other Lesbians, created our own music and supported the emerging women’s music network, with Olivia Records. Joan’s pure-toned alto joined with 33 other women under the passionate and soulful guidance of Sunny Hall, the attentive and intensely engaged director of the chorus. The opening song, “Blue Rider” easily drew me in, followed by the mesmerizing and talented Cris Williamson inspiring the chorus with her music and extraordinary voice.

            The power of Cris Williamson and her music was later made evident by the responsiveness of the audience. For over 30 years Lesbians have been singing her music, old songs and new. How delighted I was to once again experience this emotional mixture of song and voice.  The interaction and respect between Sunny, Cris, the chorus and audience was impressive. Cris, as “purveyor of the music” mentioned that she didn’t want to be the only one to “keep the fire burning”, and indeed she was not the only one. When it was time for the familiar anthem “Waterfall”, Cris’s voice was clear and strong!  She brilliantly gave her all to each note. Songs were beautifully arranged for the chorus and Cris appeared grateful to hear her songs echoed back by the chorus and audience. The auditorium was full with the familiar lyrics of “Song of the Soul” as we, all were ‘singing along’. The concert was truly memorable.

                                                                                   Barbara Ester

                                                                                    Spartanburg, SC

            Crescendo, along with dozens of other women’s choruses will be at the Sister Singers Network choral fest in Chicago July 2010.

  movement      music         massage

anthology        writing

my miami years

   '76 to '95