When you get out of bed each morning, after you’ve done your toilette, made the coffee and taken your meds (if you take meds) do you have an additional routine? I’m grateful I have the dog JJ to feed, water, and walk; although lately he’s enjoyed taking a ride!
Every morning I cannot resist collecting the orange-colored kou flowers that have rained to the ground overnight. With these I string lei kui style.
I rake the kou leaves and seeds to tidy the lawn and for a little exercise. Then, I cannot wait to grab my reading glasses and a pen to do the crossword puzzle. I’m miffed that there is no paper for the crossword on Saturdays, so I’m glad I have my Hawaiian language class to attend on those days to distract me. Additionally, I play Solitaire cards in the evening after dinner. With the scriptwriters’ strike, there’s not much on TV.
There is one universal routine that never changes, I’ve told my granddaughters. Laundry!
Now I think it might be a good idea to resume my art and piano playing as habits! Be well, everyone.
Just a few more days to catch “Remembering Susan,” an exhibit of hand-dyed tissue-paper collage paintings and ceramics in honor and memory of my friend, teacher, and mentor Susan Rogers-Aregger at ARTS at Marks gallery, 1159 Nuuanu Ave. at Pauahi street in Honolulu Chinatown.
I’ll be at the First Friday closing reception on June 30 from 5 to 7 pm if you’d like to see the unique creations and meet the other artists as well.
ARTS at Marks is a popular venue for affordable art made by local artists. In fact, my work will be in the next show there as well.
For “Mix and Match”—running July 7-28–I am resurrecting four oils that I painted prior (or while) injuring my wrist from the repetitive motion of my brush strokes:
“Life at Ka Punahou,” “Clouds Lifting Over Lanihuli,” “Byodo-In,” and “At Wailupe.”
The opening reception is from 5 to 7 pm on July 7.
“Life at Ka Punahou”
“Clouds Lifting Over Lanihuli”
“At Wailupe”
“Byodo-In”
There is “something” about viewing original fine art in person. Hope you’ll take advantage of the opportunity.
Recommended parking at the Chinatown Municipal Parking Garage.
The sanctuary of Kawaiahaʻo Church filled with concert goers yesterday to hear “Jubilate Deo,” a choral and symphonic work composed by Dan Forrest, and performed by the Windward Choral Society and symphony musicians under the direction of Susan McCreary Duprey. What an honor and a pleasure! The lyrics, after Psalm 100 in the Bible, for each of seven movements, are in a different language, that is, our chorus sang in seven different languages. It’s not a long piece—50 minutes—and our director prides herself in concluding on the dot. I think she was a minute early in rehearsal!
In rehearsal
Because of my bad back, I sang seated from a chair behind the brass section. Sometimes I couldn’t hear myself. A friend quipped, ”At least you weren’t in front of the brass!” Ahaha, that’s for sure! This was my view, looking toward the back of the church toward the pipe organ.
I’m glad I remembered to ask Dan Forrest to sign my score!
Composer Dan Forrest and Rebekah Luke (Alto 2). Photo by Peter Krape)
“Omnis terra, jubilate, omnis terra, laudate, Omnis terra, jubilate Deo!”
“Sing for joy, dance in gladness, shout for joy, all the earth!”
Kīlauea Volcano on Hawaiʻi Island erupted this morning, the third time since 2018. For me, the next best thing to being there in person is to watch the television news reports from my studio on Oʻahu. These images are from KITV4. At this time the eruption is confined to Halemaumau Crater.
By now, everyone knows that Iam Tongi is the newest American Idol. TV viewers cast more than reportedly 17 million votes for the 18-year-old from Hawaiʻi.
Fans and judges liked Tongi’s heartfelt song stylings. While the champ has a good voice, the show is not “The Voice” or “America’s Got Talent”; it’s more of a popularity contest.
He charmed viewers with his smarts, humility, kindness, humor, and bigger -than-life presence.
Here are the lyrics to the song “Monsters” by James Blunt that Iam sings:
It’s not too early to make a note of these art and music events:
“Emergence” by members of the Windward Artists Guild will be on view at the Downtown Art Gallery, 2nd Floor, in Honolulu Chinatown, May 18-27, 2023. A reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on May 19. Come and see my diptych “Maʻafala Breadfruit” of hand-dyed tissue paper.
Next, the Windward Choral Society directed by Susan McCreary Duprey will sing “Jubilate Deo” composed by Dan Forrest on June 11, 2023, at Kawaiahaʻo Church in Honolulu. The downbeat is at 4 p.m. This major work is in seven movements, each in a different language! Symphony orchestra members will participate. Free admission. Donations appreciated.
Thirdly, “Remembering Susan” in honor of our late friend and artist mentor Susan Rogers-Aregger is scheduled for the month of June 2023 at ARTS at Marks, Nuuanu avenue and Pauahi street, Honolulu. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. The opening reception is from 5 to 8 p.m. on June 2. The closing reception is from 5 to 8 p.m. on June 30. Works will include collages and ceramics.
This Rebekah’s Studio is the blog created by the Rebekah who lives in the small village of Kaaawa on the island of Oahu. A journalist, artist, and healer by training, I invite you on any part of my journey shared here. I use a full palette, so come along, let’s see what unfolds together!
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When you get out of bed each morning, after you’ve done your toilette, made the coffee and taken your meds (if you take meds) do you have an additional routine?
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