notesong

      Rabinar Sarkar and me (Delores Fisher) on New Year's Day We met at a small downtown mini-mart of all places when I was making a quick junk food run. Tourists' know, and many of us transplanted "locals" enjoy, look forward, to experiencing downtown San Diego convenience stores' quirky urban ambiance--never know who you'll meet on a Friday night. One winter evening, a small brown face smiled at me when I walked in. He continued talking warmly and didn't mind my stopping.  I was drawn into a conversation in progress. Always looking for interesting artists, I listened quietly. He was describing his life's philosophy, some of his accomplishments, and his work with rocks at Sea Port Village. "Ohhhhh, you're the one who stacks those rocks!" I said, finally comprehending. He smiled gently, shyly as the store's owner spoke about interviews and articles. "Rabi" as he asked me to call him and I talked for seve...

   International Poet/editor Olga Garcia and Delores Fisher (me!) For recent posts on Olga Garcia . . .click onto  http://carpenoctum2.blogspot.com/2017/06/olga-garcia-international-poet-reads-at.html and also http://carpenoctum2.blogspot.com/2017/02/international-poet-olga-garcia.html It's always an interesting time when poets get together to catch up on events that have flowed into and out of  lives. Sometimes work, travel, projects loom so heavily in our minds that all we think about is the work--writing essays, books, editing, preparing for performances, videotaping, workshops--and hope that family and friends understand. Sadly, on occasion, life's shadows fall and we grieve while we clinch to work like a tired swimmer clinging to a buoy in chill-deep stormy sea. Other times, its those celebrations that go fleeting by without sharing in acknowledgement of benchmark, accolade, award, honor, accomplishment.. So when poets get together, well . . . Back ...

Unbelievable moments of "wow" timing happen rarely in most people's lifetimes; you know-- those serendipitous events that make ya just sit back and go "Hmmmmmm?" as Arsenio Hall used to say. I had one last week while walking around doing my usual Comic Con people watching in back (Bayside) of the Convention Center in Downtown San Diego. In the near distance, a few yards away, our San Diego Symphony Orchestra was rehearsing for a summer eve concert.What an incredible morning. But . .. . It all seemed too quiet. Not enough people or something this year. . . Then, walking closer to the Convention Center I realized that the venue had been re-formulated to "spillout" into side streets and  more venues beyond the Embarcadero A family themed picnic garden sprawled out in front of the Hilton. It had a DJ booth, 30 ft tall inflatable super heroes, photo op backdrops, and space for tired adult and little comic fans to rest, eat, watch, listen and just enj...

This year's Hope for Haiti campaign sponsored by students of the Black Student Science Organization (B.S.S.O.) at San Diego State University did not raise as much money this year as it did last year. As of May, however, it did raise over 500 dollars and will continue to accept donations from charitable givers who realize that the hard work does continue in order to rebuild lives and spiritual strength as well as restoring the material/physical devastation from the earthquake. B.S.S.O. students and various mentors will sustain their efforts to provide support to help relieve Haiti's ongoing burden.The Hope for Haiti 2013 event itself was more information driven, with only a few performers. One of my Africana Studies Department professor-mentors, Dr. Adisa Akebullan a Haiti history expert was one of the guest speakers.  I was honored to perform as a San Diego area poet. I wrote about the event last year. This year, I offer a few comments on the banquet: The 2013 appreciation ba...

                                                              Educator/Poet Viet Mai Poet Viet Mai is the feature performer this Friday May 31st in celebration of  Na tional Asian American Heritage Month.  http://www.vietmai.com/                                      4th Friday Open Mic                                  Friday, May ...

                      Danielle Lo Presti This is a quick post on the beloved San Diego innovative singer/songwriter/music promoter Danielle Lo Presti who was recently diagnosed with a life challenging illness. A shout out to her at this time of personal and spiritual challenge. She can use our prayers and positive thoughts. Here's a sample of her promotional work as the founding creator behind San Diego's innovative and grassroots supported Indiefest presented here in San Diego California. It features performers from around the world. Danielle's energizing stage presence is an incredible experience for all who attend her concerts. I have been a fan ever since I heard the opening vocals on a promotion CD and as a result, covered the gala award winning 22 Mountains CD release party for my original Carpe Noctum blog in 2003. To read more about Danielle's continuing emerging story, go to my Music Blog:...

It's been an interesting adventure, putting together a CD that includes several artists whose work I've not only come to admire but to also truly respect. I am grateful for their inspiration and encouragement.  Anthony Schmitt and me (Delores) hangin' out Percussionist, music instructor, and friend Anthony Schmitt has been an absolute pillar of patience quietly  assisting with technical support and ideas. Among his credits, he's the drummer on Genus of Soul's 2010 CD "A Project For the New American Century http://geniusofsoul.bandcamp.com/ This is one of Tony's soundscapes for my upcoming CD. I like it . . . . but couldn't decide which poem to speak.                                             999 Inter-stellar Ghosts Tenor Alexis Alfaro will be sin...

EVELYN DIAZ CRUZ PLAYWRIGHT  Update--Evelyn is back in town after another successful premier.  It really is amazingly rare to have one friend or acquaintance who is a serious playwright.   I count it a blessing to have several that include award winning writers such as Clarence Cuthbertson, Sandra and Farrell Foreman, Calvin Manson, and USD professor Dr. Evelyn Diaz Cruz. A few months ago when I finally caught up with her, Evelyn was still in show mode, in process as her next project was in rehearsals. Although not a California-ite, she resides here in San Diego and has been teaching theater arts for several years at USD. She was on sabbatical preparing her play to  open in New York. The work is titled Glass Cord and it received a lot of national buzz.                                   While she was back East, we were talking via email for what felt like...

Sharing musical interests with a colleague who enjoys music across a broad spectrum is always fun. Ken Car is a guitarist with a wit and dry delivery that often has me laughing while at the same time rubbing my face uttering "Whoa, man," He and I enjoy traditional Western Classical music, as well as other "Classical" traditions. We also both enjoy the challenging process of improvisation.                     Ken Card  Guitar Faculty at Garrett's Band Instruments        Delores Fisher Piano Faculty at Garrett's Band Instruments It's all part of the musical fun that punctuates our sonic terrain as two of several Garrett Music studio teachers. Ken Car teaches guitar, me, piano--at Garrett's Band Instruments:     http://www.garrettmusic.com/ Here's a quick YOUTUBE post of our latest high jinks while on break. It is the very first time tha...

  Delores Fisher Center For World Music Resident Artist/Teacher and Africana Studies Lecturer San Diego State University  Lamont West and I have been friends for many years. I first met him at East Village Community Church in the mid 2000s when he was the Director of Music. http://www.evchurch.org/ At present, he is a staff musician at various churches as well as a performer/composer/producer. Back then, his hair was a short version of the hightop fad. Today, his hair flows below his shoulders in a cascade of dreds. (If I can get a recent pic or a snap with us both, I'll re-post.) Back East, he performed in a group whose funky-edged stylings were distinctive. He retains much of that edge today. Like many twenty first century musicians(and many of our elders) he works a regular job while continuing to create. He composes and arranges for lyricists, vocalists, and spoken word artists. He continues to do instrumentals at local and statewide social functions. ...