castles in the sky

From the Marquise de Rambouillet's fabled 'chambre bleue' to the mystical muskoka island evoked by Lucy Maud Montgomery and Phebe Florence Miller's Newfoundland outport salon of the same name....to a new series of monthly presentations and conversations on the role of women in the production and dissemination of culture throughout history

Monday, March 22, 2010

To Marguerite....

The Blue Castle and St. John’s Status of Women Council present:

To Marguerite...
A collaborative fundraising concert in support of Marguerite’s Place


Why listen to Johann, Georg, Frideric or Sebastian when you can join us instead for an evening with Anna, Elisabeth, a princess, a duchess and a few widows? Enjoy splendid, sophisticated and sensuous 18th century music for flute and harpsichord by...

Anna Bon di Venezia, an Italian composer born to Russian parents. This musical wunderkind disappeared from historical records as soon as she married. Her works are original and sophisticated.

Elisabeth de la Guerre, née Jacquet, was highly regarded by the French court and by her peers for her remarkable playing and variety of compositions.

Anna Amalia, Princess of Prussia, the younger sister of Frederick the Great, for whom her work was no doubt composed.

The program also includes compositions by men whose music was engraved, published and supported by women ...

A sonata for flute by Michel Blavet, dedicated to his patron La Duchesse de Bouillon.

A work by Jean-Marie Leclair, engraved by his wife, Louise Roussel,, dedicated to Madame la Princesse D’Orange and sold by Madame Boivin..

This benefit concert for Marguerite’s Place features Sonja Boon, baroque flute, and Mary O’Keeffe, harpsichord. Currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Women's Studies at Memorial University, Sonja Boon is also an accomplished early musician whose professional career has included eight years as soloist and principal flutist with the Portland Baroque Orchestra (Oregon, USA). She was Artistic Director of The Burney Ensemble from 1998-2005. Harpsichordist Mary O'Keeffe performs in solo and chamber music recitals, and has appeared as soloist with the NSO Sinfonia. She is a cofounder of the Hot Earth Ensemble, a group dedicated primarily to presenting concerts of music of the 17th and 18th centuries.

All proceeds from this concert will go to Marguerite’s Place, a new facility which will offer supportive housing and affordable, fully accessible programming in a women-centred environment. This facility is named in memory of Marguerite Dyson, a friend and volunteer.

To Marguerite...
Friday, April 23 at 8 pm
St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church (entrance on Cornwall Crescent)
Admission: $20 general, $10 student, $50 (with $30 tax receipt)
Tickets: St. John’s Women’s Centre (Tel: 753-0220), The Travel Bug (155 Water) or at the door.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Forgetting...but not Forgotten

For the past year, Megan Morrison, from MUN's Department of Women's Studies, has woven in and out of conversation with and about women living with late-stage dementia. As a researcher, she had to step out of her comfort zone in order ot hear and see what was being communicated. Over time, she learned to express herself through art, music and writing. Over time, these women learned to express themselves in whatever ways they can. Without relying on words, these five elderly women have taught Megan about who they are. Through story and song, she will share this experience with us.

Perhaps you will find yourself within the stories...or wanting to share your own.

Forgetting...but not Forgotten
Tuesday, March 9 at 8 pm
The Ship (265 Duckworth Street)


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Coming up in April:

To Marguerite....
A collaborative fundraising concert presented in conjunction with the St. John's Status of Women Council in support of Marguerite's Place

Why listen to Johann, Georg, Frideric or Sebastian...when you can join us instead for an evening with Anna, Elisabeth, the Duchess and a few widows? Sonja Boon (baroque flute) and Mary O'Keeffe (harpsichord) whisk you away to the eighteenth century for a program of music written, engraved, published and supported by women.

All proceeds from this concert will go to Marguerite's Place.

To Marguerite...
Friday, April 23 at 8 pm
St. Mary the Virgin Church (entrance on Cornwall Crescent)
Tickets: $20 (general), $10 (student), $50 (with $30 tax receipt)
Available at: St. John's Women's Centre (150 Lemarchant), The Travel Bug (155 Water Street) or at the door.

For more information about the concert call: 737-2551.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Working for a Living: Gender and Class in the Literature of Newfoundland and Labrador

The Blue Castle invites you to join local authors Helen Porter, Bernice Morgan, Trudy Morgan Cole, and Carmelita McGrath, together with facilitator Phyllis Artiss for a roundtable discussion about working class women in the literature of Newfoundland and Labrador. The authors will provide insights into their depictions of women in fiction and expand on the themes of work, and gender, as they appear in novels, short stories, and poems set in this province. The roundtable will be followed by a general conversation with our audience, as the authors take questions and engage in debate about the topic.

Please join us for a roundtable conversation about Working for a Living: Class and Gender in the Literature of Newfoundland and Labrador, taking place on Monday, January 25th from 8-10pm at The Ship (265 Duckworth Street). Admission is free.