Uncle Calvin’s Tonight
November 30, 2007
Dallas back in the early days of Uncle Calvin’s.
Robin—-this show is for you.
XO
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 11:25 am
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This Voice In My Heart
I may have mentioned it on this site before, but now that I am becoming friends with the Burundi (who are Hutus)
family here in Austin, it strikes an even deeper chord for me.
Gilbert, who is a Tutsi, now lives in Austin and teaches running clinics. He is an amazing person to have survived so much.
If you want to know more about the devastating conflict between the Hutu and the Tutsi tribes, you will learn about it first hand from Gilbert’s stunning
account.
Love,
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 11:21 am
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Blast from the Zippity Do Dah Past! Little Blue Man!!!
November 29, 2007
I had the good fortune of interviewing you for a morning radio show I
used to do in Monticello NY about a million years ago.
While cleaning out the garage a couple of weeks back in preparation for
a garage sale I came across a cassette of that
Interview from 11/6/1990. I had recorded it off the air on a $10
walkman knock-off so the quality is suspect at best.
Anyway…as I ramble…I thought you might like to hear an excerpt from
that interview. It refers to your “secret song” on your then latest album. Hope all is well.
http://www.tonyimpieri.com/sara.htm
Take care,
Tony Impieri
posted by Sara Hickman at 11:08 am
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World AIDS DAY December 1
This 10th annual Austin area World AIDS Day Service of Remembrance and Hope will be held on Saturday, December 1st at Gethsemane Lutheran Church , 200 West Anderson Lane at 7:00pm.
The greater Austin community is invited to gather for this tenth annual World AIDS Day service of remembrance, which marks World AIDS observances for 2007. This service also provides a vivid reminder of the need for renewed awareness of the extent of the HIV/AIDS pandemic here in central Texas . This year AIDS quilts will be displayed in memory of those who have died from AIDS complications.
The mission of The Care Communities (formerly Interfaith Care Alliance ) is to provide practical and compassionate support through care teams, for people living with serious illness. Our vision is to have a caring community where no one will face a serious illness alone. The website is http://www.thecarecommunities.org
Thank you for your time and consideration. You have any questions, Please call Roger Temme , Outreach Coordinator at 512.459.5883 or e-mail at
posted by Sara Hickman at 10:41 am
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Homeless Thermal Underwear Drive
November 28, 2007
$10 puts a set of thermals on a man or woman
$20 provides thermals AND gloves
$25 provides thermals, a hat and gloves
Underwear, gloves and hat can make the difference between frostbite and fingers that function, and even life or death. I don’t mean
to sound melodramatic…I mean to share with you that your simple gift is of great importance. I have seen what the
hands and faces of homeless endure in bitter, freezing weather.
I can’t say enough about Richard Troxell, House the Homeless and everyone involved in this group. They are tireless and
work endlessly to help protect, clothe, and get homeless folks off the street and into shelter…from temporary to permanent.
You are also welcome to donate more, if you are willing…I promise you that every dime is used wisely, with the intent to help
and nurture our displaced fellow human beings.
If you can, please send a check to:
House the Homeless
P.O. Box 2312
Austin, TX 78768
Thank you, and all my love,
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 09:01 am
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FamousIndieMinute.Com Interview with Sara
Here’s an interview that is up at Famous Indie Minute. Com….there’s more (pics and all) at the site, but here’s the interview, if you’d like to read
it.
Love,
Me
Interview with the Wonderfully Whimsical Sara Hickman
Q 1
FIM: Sara, you are truly a role model for women of all ages. A number of celebrities think it’s unfair to be held to a higher standard and don’t want to be in the position of taking on that kind of responsibility. How do you feel about the fact that so many women look up to you and find you inspirational?
Sara:
“I must say; I am very flattered by your words! Thank you very much. I think the truth of the matter is that I just try to be the best person I am expected to be…
by God’s standards and by my own. I grew up with women who were very intelligent, women who weren’t in entertainment or in the limelight, but who were everyday mothers that were polite and responsible and sent “thank you” notes.
As a person who is in a job position that is connected with press and the occasional limelight, I DO take it as a responsibility to share my beliefs, my thoughts, my actions with society. If my music or my actions inspire others to be more involved and present (whether with themselves or society as a whole) and to think of a position they hold in a different or new way, then I have, truly, shared my gifts. My goal is to always make the place I am in a better place every time, and that is from sharing breakfast with my children to singing at a concert.”
Q 2
FIM: In today’s music scene, unfortunately, we have performers like Britney Spears who are not taking their music careers seriously. For some performers, it seems that media attention is more important than the art of making good music. Even some of the extremely gifted female artists with undeniable talent like, Amy Winehouse, seem to be happily skipping down the “Britney Brick Road.” Stints in rehab and court appearances have replaced concert dates and recording studios.
What advice would you share with the young female artists of today?
Sara:
“I feel really, really sad for these young women, but I think we must look at what we, as a society, buy and support. I remember reading a syndicated article in a
newspaper in which the reporter, who was female and is very well respected, bemoaned the fact that music is so detrimental to women…She asked, “Where is the positive music in today’s world?” I immediately boxed up a complete set of ALL my recordings with a letter that said, “Here I am! Please write not only about me, but Michelle Shocked and The Ditty Bops and…” then I proceeded to list a complete litany of artists that are positive and amazing. She returned my box with a thank you note and said she’d listened to part of one cd and thank you for the note. That was it. So, I think there is a lot more money being made off of the negative, the dark and the belittling of one another. With that said, my advice to young women artists is, “What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?”
It’s a simple question for someone who is in the flow of making the world a better place, but it would seem like a ridiculous question to someone who is self-serving
and lost. My advice wouldn’t really be heeded, so I guess the best advice I can give here is to be the best role model we can be as PARENTS or MENTORS, because we help mold who our children will be.”
Q3
FIM: Your entire Spiritual Appliances booklet was dedicated to fighting the homeless problem, and you have visited Romania to work on behalf of orphans. I know there are many causes close to your heart. What do you look for when becoming a spokesperson for a particular charity?
Sara:
“I look for people of action, who are using the monies raised to directly help the people, or animals, they are promoting. That’s it. I like to see growth, change and promises kept.”
Q4
FIM: Tell me about “MOTHERLODE”, your most recent two-disc LP. It seems to have a very different mood than your previous releases. There is even a cover of Tears for Fears “Mad World”. What was your inspiration for this new work and what was the motivation behind choosing to cover “Mad World”?
Sara:
“My inspiration was the fact that I’m a mother, and I work really, really hard.
I give of myself to my children, to my husband, to my church and community (local and universally.) I feel things very deeply, like most compassionate people, and I get bummed out that people are suffering over oil and diamonds and religious differences. The recording came about because I wanted, again, to speak out on the human condition, but from the viewpoint of a mother who is, also, a musician. I had heard Gary Jules version of “Mad World” in the film, “Donnie Darko”, and it haunted me. I knew I wanted to sing it with my oldest daughter, Lily, to express it from a woman’s point of view.”
Q5
FIM: While promoting your new LP, “MOTHERLODE”, you will be visiting my hometown of El Paso, Texas. Is it true you will be singing with the Mayor and why?
Sara:
“This will be happening in 2008, so, yes, I am supposed to be singing with your mayor, and I am looking very forward to it. This is a tour in support of “Music For Life”, a tour I have helped put together to start a dialogue in Texas about the death penalty. The tour includes musicians and speakers and invites the public to come out and discuss what the death penalty means, alternatives, viewpoints and experiences people have had on both sides: victims family members have spoken as well as those who have worked on death row.”
Q6
FIM: After a chance encounter with David Byrne of “Talking Heads” in a New York Gallery and a few toy bugs later, have you seen or spoken with him since?
Sara:
“Nope, except in my head!”
Q7
FIM: I know you adore David Letterman. When Harry Joseph (Letterman’s Son) was born, did you send any of your lovely children’s albums to him?
Sara:
“Yes, I sent Mr. Letterman a signed copy of “Newborn” for Harry. I suspect I need to follow up with “Big Kid” because I forgot to send “Toddler” during the “Toddler” years!”
Q8
FIM: In this new digital age of music, there are more ways for critics and fans to share their opinions about your music. In years past, the only worry an artist might have had is the opinions of radio DJ’s and music critics. Now with sites like Amazon and MySpace, anyone can voice their opinion. How seriously do you take reviews and what reviews carry more weight with you?
Sara:
“I really don’t read them, unless someone forwards an online review or mails me a clipping. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it is a big world and I have lots of music to make….”
Q9
FIM: That brings me to my next question. A fan said this about you and I quote: “After several years of recording mostly children’s recordings, Sara Hickman returns to music for grown-ups. And with the double-CD concept of “Motherlode”, she empties out the cupboards of all the goodies she’s been stashing for the decade so far.” How exciting is this type of fan feedback for you?
Sara:
“I’m delighted when someone gets my music. The best feedback for me, though, is when someone comes up to me after a show with tears of love or joy or even heartache, and we share a living moment of what the music has given them.
That ALWAYS blows my mind. That something I had the honor to create, and share, has had an impact on someone else’s life, especially when my music can be so personal to me.”
Q10
FIM: What is your next project?
Sara:
“A project entitled “The Absence of Blame” in which I sing songs that take the listener into the head/heart/experience of people who are usually condemned in society, or an extension of an experience that might broaden the listeners ideas of being human (a song from Cho’s mother’s point of view (the young man who murdered the students/teachers at Virginia Tech), a song about a woman who has just discovered a love letter to her husband from another woman, a couple in love that are torn apart because they are women, a man who gives his life saving others, etc.)”
Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk to us!
“You are certainly welcome, and thank you for supporting my music!”
posted by Sara Hickman at 08:38 am
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Super Pal Universe Studio Sunday!!!
November 25, 2007
The jams were jamariffic! The tunes were tuna-licious! The vibe was hard workin’ energy phenomenalistic!
Yes, this will be a day in infamy for what is to come. Took lots of pics and video footage.
Thanks to Boris, Sam, Riff, Nadia and Julee for bringing it all home and starting this cd off with a BANG!
And Marty…thanks for being so cool….everyone was laughing and filming and running around and then things would lose energy and the kids would drink some Coca-Cola and WHAMMO!
Energy spasmatronola and music blasting out the Genelecs, baby!
Ok, tired now.
XO
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 09:13 pm
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Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade 2007
Look who’s on the front page of Statesman.com!
hooray! we survived the freezing cold and rain!
(Photo by Larry Kolvoord, American-Statesman)
posted by Sara Hickman at 08:34 am
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Interview with Northern Spirit Radio
November 24, 2007
I just wanted to let you know that I’ve now posted the interview I
did with you back for “Northern Spirit Radio”, and it will broadcast locally on our
community radio station tomorrow. Here’s a link directly to the
program on my web site:
http://www.northernspiritradio.org/index.asp?command=showinfo&showid=437851823740
Please encourage people who listen to the program to post comments on
my site about the show - they help determine which things show up
first among the “most popular” listing.
I want to thank you a thousand times more for sharing both your music
and your soul. I was so happy to hear you again as I edited/prepared
the program, so pleased to begin to know you. It was really a gift to
me to spend the time with you.
Lightly,
Mark
Northern Spirit Radio
405 S. Farwell, Suite 24
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715) 839-6855
posted by Sara Hickman at 01:27 pm
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Amani Kwa Ko!
November 23, 2007
My friends from Burundi taught me this….In Swahili….pronounced “Ah-mah-knee kwa koe”
This is all for now!
XO
You know who
posted by Sara Hickman at 08:12 am
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A Thanksgiving Newsletter
November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving! I wish you more peace and love
than I can express.
I’m curious. What does the phrase “Happy Thanksgiving”
conjure up for you? Does it warm your heart and bring
sweet memories to mind? The joy of children’s
laughter, playing among fall leaves, while parents set
the table with homemade whipped potatoes, turkey and
pies? Heads bowed as thanks is given?
Does it remind you of how diversely different groups,
like the Pilgrims and the Native People (American
Indians) came together to celebrate, even in the midst
of great fear and the inability to communicate? And
because of their courage a tradition was born….?
“Enemies” coming together to share peace and harmony.
That is powerful stuff. And not the stuff of fiction.
Well, for me, Thanksgiving is my favorite time of
year. I can reflect on all the kindnesses shared with
my family and me, all the moments where I have been
given an opportunity to expand my thinking, my heart,
my gifts…And, most of all, I can enjoy sharing a
prayer on behalf of, and gratitude with, those I love,
from neighbors next door to friends in faraway places.
I can be thankful for being alive and for the
opportunity to serve.
This week, I experienced something very compelling on
why courage is necessary in our world, which is
forever growing smaller and seemingly, on some fronts,
more fearful. Bear with me as I share this
amazing true story. It is a Thanksgiving gift wish I
long to share with you.
A local church here in Austin had agreed to allow the
Austin Area Interreligious Ministries to hold it’s
annual interfaith Thanksgiving
feast. After six months of planning, complete with
invitations mailed and caterers pre-paid and only four
days before the event, the church backed out. Here was
what they shared with us:
“Although individuals from all faiths are welcome to
worship with us, the church cannot provide space for
the practice of these non-Christian religions on
church property. We hope that AAIM and the community
of faith will understand and be tolerant of our
church’s beliefs that have resulted in this decision.”
It just happens that I am blessed to sit on the board
of AAIM, where I am honored to work with and know
people of Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Baha’i, Catholic,
Hindu and many other faith traditions. We believe that
together we can enhance community well being and the
quality of life in Austin better than any of us could
do on our own. Our goal is to bring faith communities
together to foster mutual partnership and
transformation in the interest of the common good.
Because, as I said: It’s a small world.
Alongside helping to organize the Thanksgiving
celebration (which has been gathering for 23 years
violence free), we have Hands on Housing, which, for
example, brings Jews and Muslims together to help fix
low-income homes.
So, being informed of the fact with, now, only three
days to find a new location, knowing that hundreds of
people would be going to a place that no longer
welcomed us, was heartbreaking and shocking to each of
us on the board, Christians included.
And, then, the proverbial miracle happened.
Congregation Beth Israel welcomed the entire event to
come celebrate in their place of worship. Immediately.
Without hesitation. Knowing full well that this year
the event was being hosted by the Muslim community.
And, so, on Sunday, almost 2000 people of varying
religions came together to share their prayers, to
share food and laughter, and to learn more about one
another so that we can be a world of tolerence,
understanding, and peace.
My hope is that, one day, all hearts can be moved to
recognize that God is too big to fit inside one
religion. That the Golden Rule applies to each of us
as individuals, which might be why religion has their
own version of the same thought. I’ve included four
here:
Christian
In everything, do unto others as you would have them
do unto you, for this is the law and the
prophets…. .Jesus, Matthew 7:12
Islam
Not one of you truly believes until you wish for
others what you wish for yourself…The Prophet
Muhammad, Hadith
Judaism
What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor.
This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary.
Hillel, Talmud, Shabbat 13a
Buddhism
Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find
hurtful.
The Buddha Udana-Varga 5.18
Or, returning to my first paragraph of people of
different idealogy coming together, I’d like to end
with a quote from Chief Dan George:
” We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive.”
Thank you for blessing me, and Happy Thanksgiving with
those you love…
Gratefully,
Sara
—————— ————- ————- ———
THE SUPER PAL UNIVERSE GALA!
Super Pal Universe is RIFF, NADIA, JULIE, BORIS and SAM, five kids
making a difference while following their dream of being the next
BIG/little thing!
For the latest, check our blog at http://www.superpal universe. com!
The Super Pal Universe, Sara Hickman’s tween-age band and
“edutainment” brand, is celebrating their launch with a year end gala
at the newly renovated Alamo Drafthouse Ritz Theatre on Sunday,
December 9th.
“The Super Pal Universe Gala,” a multi media experience, will feature
music, video, giveaways and more and will run from 3 to 5 PM.
Tickets available at http://www.original alamo.com
Open to kids and families, the gala will feature an amazing set of
auction and raffle items to help raise funds for the band’s first CD
release. Auction and raffle items include computers, cameras,
ice cream parties, Little Richard tickets and more.
Leading up to the gala on December 9th, the band will make an
appearance at Shady Grove on Friday, November 23rd from 3 to 5 pm at
a family friendly event to promote
the “Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade.”
Subsequently, on Saturday, November 24th the Super Pal Universe and
Sara Hickman will be featured in the parade performing atop the
GSD&M;/Idea City float.
“Super Pal Universe is a group of real kids learning the ups and downs
of being a real band, from their first gig together at Austin City
Limits to working towards making a recording.” Says Sara Hickman,
“I feel honored to work with both a devoted, talented group of kids
and with an amazing team working toward the same goal: TV and music for
kids and tweens!”
—————— ————- ————- ————
UPCOMING DATES:
11/24, Saturday
Chuy’s Parade!
Austin, TX
Join Sara and her Super Pals as they float down the streets of Austin
in the Children Giving to Children Parade! Parade starts at the State
Capitol, heads south on Congress, then west on 6th to Guadalupe.
Bring a toy to donate to needy children and have a rockin’ good time!
More info at http://www.chuyspar ade.com/
11/30, Friday
Uncle Calvin’s
555 N Central Expy
Dallas, TX 75231
(214) 363-0044
25th Anniversary Celebration with:
Sara Hickman, Ruthie Foster, Carrie Newcomber & Tracey
http://www.unclecal vins.org for more info
12/1, Saturday
Crossroads Coffeehouse
216 N. Main Street
Winnsboro TX 75494
903-342-1854
7 pm
$15 advance/$18 door
http://www.crossroa dsmusiccompany. com
12/8, Saturday
First Unitarian Universalist Church
7150 IH-10 West
San Antonio, TX
210-344-4695
The Music for Life Tour continues w/ Shelley King.
6pm
1/14/2008, Monday
Burning Bush Coffeehouse
Corpus Christi
Continuing the dialogue with the Music for Life Tour,
with Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart.
1/25/2008, Friday
Austin Acoustic Series
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin
4700 Grover Avenue, Austin TX
8pm
Sara kicks off the 2008 Austin Acoustic Series Season with a show in
her beloved hometown. Tickets for this event are $20.
http://www.austinac ousticseries. com for more information.
Tickets 888.512.SHOW
posted by Sara Hickman at 07:37 am
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john kelso’s column on thanksgiving
November 21, 2007
There’s a big difference between selective and exclusionary.
By John Kelso
Monday, November 19, 2007
If I were Hyde Park Baptist Church, ain’t no way I’d rent out property to me.
First of all, I’m not your leading authority on religion. When I found out the Bible has a book called “Numbers,” I was glad to hear it had a chapter devoted to casino gambling.
When I see a “What would Jesus do?” bumper sticker, I think, “Jesus wouldn’t put a bumper sticker like that on his car.”
Besides, if I rented a place from Hyde Park Baptist for a function, the first thing I would do is put in a keg. I would also have a smoker going and do sausage wraps. I might even bring in Miss Bud Light, and I would hire the Austin Lounge Lizards to provide music with disturbing lyrics. So I can understand why Hyde Park Baptist is a bit selective on who it rents to. But what I can’t understand is why it wouldn’t rent it out to a prayer group because it includes local Muslims. Muslims don’t bring in no hoochie-coochie dancers. Muslims don’t even drink. If you took a 12-pack of Milwaukee’s Best and had a bet on who could hold out the longest from breaking into it, I’d take the Muslims over the Baptists and give you the points.
Why is Pastor Kelso delivering today’s sermon? See, way back in July, Austin Area Interreligious Ministries, who believe different stuff but get together and pray anyway, booked Hyde Park Baptists’ gymnasium at its Quarries property for a Thanksgiving interfaith prayer session. This event has been going on for 23 years and has yet to involve a single fistfight, which is more than you can say about most family reunions.But last week, Hyde Park Baptist told the group they couldn’t use the Quarries, mostly because of the Muslims. So the prayer gathering took place Sunday at Temple Beth Israel instead. You had Jews and Muslims in the same place and no barbed wire. So in a sense, the Baptists performed a miracle.
Why did Hyde Park Baptist decide to give the mixed prayer group the old heave-ho? Simple. They don’t want non-Christian stuff going on on their land. I didn’t realize telling people to get lost was Christian, but you learn something every day.
“Although individuals from all faiths are welcome to worship with us at Hyde Park Baptist Church, the church cannot provide space for the practice of these non-Christian religions on church property,” a statement from Hyde Park Baptist said. “Hyde Park Baptist church hopes that the AAIM and the community of faith will understand and be tolerant of our church’s beliefs that have resulted in this decision.” So they’re pleading for tolerance while being intolerant. In these situations, people often ask the question I mentioned earlier, “What would Jesus do?” If Jesus ran the Quarries, I don’t think he’d charge rent. I also don’t think he’d turn anyone away. And, from what little I’ve read of the Bible, he’d probably provide free grub, although probably seafood.
John Kelso’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Contact him at 445-3606 or
posted by Sara Hickman at 05:03 pm
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happy thanksgiving
after watching this film, take a moment to list all the things you have to be grateful for and mail it to yourself.
happy thanksgiving….
love,
sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 04:46 pm
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This world is important: take action!
November 19, 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDsIFspVzfI
posted by Sara Hickman at 06:58 am
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Dallas Homeless Walk-a-thon Show
to the people. The folks who put the Walkathon for the
homeless together are a corportation called Fannie
Mae, which, oddly enough, I did a national t.v. ad for
a few years back. All the represenatives
were really nice. (We got to meet the new mayor of Dallas, too.
Lily had her picture taken with him.)
At the last minute, I asked the girls
if they wanted to come with me, so being the merry travelers
they are, they packed up, hopped in the van, and sat in the back
with Brad and all his drums, playing Hangman and giggling over
assorted silliness.
The stage was a smaller version of ACL Fest, except this time we
had LIGHTS, too! Thanks to the sound guys (and the light guy!) for
making us ROCK! And thanks to Donna and Chris for making every
thing run smoothly and for thinking to invite me in the first place!
There were sponsor tents set up where only the
sponsors could get in for fine spreads of food and
tables at which to sit. I had a homeless man named
Bill approach me after soundcheck to ask where the
food was, and it was then I realized…There wasn’t
any for those without money…! Isn’t that odd? An event for the homeless,
and nothing for them to eat! So, I took him by the hand to the
Fannie Mae tent and sailed him in with me, introducing
him along the way, and gave him a plate and said,
“Please help yourself, Bill.” You can imagine…
this happened more than once, and, soon,
other folks started bringing in new friends to share
the meal.
I met another man named Raymond who has been on the
streets for 14 years, and used to deal and smoke.
He cleaned up for God, and we had a very moving
conversation about connecting through the spirit. He
said he could tell my spirit is about healing, that
God uses me to heal, and he wanted to come talk to me.
I held him and he had tears of great love. He came and
sat with me, Lily and io until it was time for me to
go up on stage.
The girls sat up there on the stage
while we performed (it was the entire band, and they
sounded TREMENDOUS!)
From the stage, I congratulated everyone who turned out for
taking steps on behalf of the Dallas homeless, and asked everyone
that the next time they see a homeless person to say “hello” or
smile as they look that person in the eye. I comitted
that 99% of the time, they will be glad that they made
the effort because the homeless are numb from being
ignored, numb from ignorance, and they are US…we are
all one, and every human being deserves to be seen and
acknowledged. I was sad that so many homeless were
present, and yet, I wondered how many had been talked
with or even acknowledged. Here were all these people
gathered on behalf of the homeless…and yet…there
didn’t seem to be any intermingling of the groups…
Well, it is a start, and a grand one, because Fannie
Mae hosted the event in 8 cities around the U.S.
And to that I say YES!!!
After the gig, the girls and Kristin and I checked into our
hotel and then walked around the West End for a super
supper at Spaghetti Warehouse. Their tiramisu is
quite tasty! Get some next time you can.
We stayed up late watching a really great movie,
“Hairspray” (the latest version), and we actually all made it
to midnight before we fell asleep.
Got up and had breakfast, then we packed and went across the street
to the Dallas Aquarium where we oohed and aahed over the baby
Golden Tamarind (?) and enjoyed all the giant fish and flora.
The drive home, we made crank phone calls to friends, and had
ourselves in stitches. The girls were really hilarious…trying to sound
like old, male politicians and a woman who lost her Chihauhau.
Then our friends started calling back, acting like they were the police or
morticians. I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. You should
hear Kristin laugh, cuz when SHE laughs, then you can’t help but laugh some
more and so, all in all….a weekend of love and laughter!
Love,
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 06:12 am
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She’s been found!!!
November 16, 2007
She is being returned home to her parents!
No other info is available other than that.
Thanks to all for the reposting of bulletins and spreading the word! We all appreciate it!
Sincerely
Janine de Luna-Azul
friend of Phyllis Masters, and Bob Bechtol, Zenobia’s parents
posted by Sara Hickman at 07:24 am
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URGENT: MISSING TEEN from my neighborhood
November 15, 2007
Yesterday, I was walking with my friend, Corinna, over on Toomey Street in South Austin. We ran into a young woman who fits the description of this missing teen. She seemed dazed and it appeared she might, possibly, have been crying.
She had on a black tee-shirt, bright red hair, a little taller than me (I’m 5’4”) and NO SHOES on her feet. As she approached us, I asked if she was alright. She said, “No,” and kept walking, looking straight ahead.
As she passed me, I turned and asked her, “Is there anything we can do to help?” and she said, “No one can help me now…” over her shoulder.
I felt conflicted, as I wasn’t sure what was going on, and Corinna and I kept walking. I wish I had listened to my heart and turned around and bugged that kid into coming with us. I now know she is fourteen years old and lives right around the corner from me….
Last night, Corinna called to say that she saw a girl on the news, and she sent me to a site to see a photo from the newscast, and when I pulled it up, I said over the phone, “Yes, that is her, definately.”
Corinna called the police, who then called me and asked more questions. I spoke with a detective today.
Please click on this site if you live in the Austin area and if you see this young woman, please call 9-1-1 immediately. She has been missing for two days, and the fact that we saw her yesterday gives me hope that she will be found soon.
Thank you, and I will let you know if I hear anything else.
Love,
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 04:10 pm
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Super Pal Universe Update!!!
November 13, 2007
WITH HIGH PROFILE PERFORMANCES AND YEAR END GALA
November 13th 2007- The Super Pal Universe, Sara Hickman’s tween-age band and
“edutainment” brand, is celebrating their launch with a year end gala at the newly reno-
vated Alamo Drafthouse Ritz Theatre on Sunday, December 9th.
“The Super Pal Universe Gala,” a multi media experience, will feature music, video, giveaways and more
and will run from 3 to 5 PM. Tickets available at http://www.originalalamo.com
Open to kids and families, the gala will feature an amazing set of auction and raffle
items to help raise funds for the band’s first CD release. Auction and raffle items in-
clude computers, cameras, ice cream parties, Little Richard tickets and more.
Leading up to the gala on December 9th, the band will make an appearance at Shady
Grove on Friday, November 23rd from 3 to 5 pm at a family friendly event to promote
the “Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade.”
Subsequently, on Saturday, November 24th the Super Pal Universe and Sara Hickman
will be featured in the parade performing atop the GSD&M;/ Idea City float.
“Super Pal Universe is a group of real kids learning the ups and downs of being a real
band, from their first gig together at Austin City Limits to working towards making a
recording,” says Sara Hickman. “I feel honored to work with both a devoted, talented
group of kids and with an amazing team working toward the same goal: TV and music
for kids and tweens!”
All activity is being taped for future webisodes of the “Super Pal Universe.”
For more information, booking or sponsorship inquiry please call John Rodriguez (J-Ro)
at 512-748-6175 or email
ABOUT THE SUPER PAL UNIVERSE:
The Super Pal Universe mission is to provide high quality educational entertainment
that addresses critical social, emotional and cognitive issues faced by pre-teens in to-
day’s society. The program focuses on a musical band of pre-teens called Super Pal
Universe, with Sara Hickman as their mentor and manager. The program features local,
non-professional kids and blends original music with reality-based and entertaining
video content. A core component of the program is also encouraging activism and in-
volvement from the kids in our audience, including creation of original content that may
be posted on our website and featured in our programs. Our ongoing programming and
video contests will focus on real and compelling issues that pre-teens and the global
community at large face today – the environment, health, family issues and issues of
self awareness and character.
For more information, visit our website at http://www.superpaluniverse.com
posted by Sara Hickman at 07:11 pm
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A Happy World Would Look Like This
David Howard, with his beautiful, throaty voice, opened the evening with spirit-based songs of hope and love. J Kendel, his partner, played piano beautifully, and an old, old friend of mine, Steve Brown, from “Equal Scary People” days in Denton, played electric/acoustic guitar. David ‘s songs were from his new album, “Spark”…for which Lance and I designed the packaging! The final song in David’s set was his upbeat, rocked out version of my song, “Comfort’s Sigh”, and he brought up Lucy (I wrote about meeting her at the International Women’s Peace Conference…she is amazing…you can search for her here in the blog entries and read about her trials and tribulations and how she has overcome them…since that entry, she has become a legal citizen!) and about 24 African refugees of all ages…toddlers to grandparents and in between….and, so, as I stood up in the balcony watching this amazing moment unfold, I had tears of happiness as my song was sung in English and Swahili…
After break, and drying of my eyes and many hugs, I hit the stage, high as a kite on clouds of jubilation! I could really “feel” this stage, this room, the people in the room….meaning, the connections were so vivid, so present….some rooms I perform in, I am searching for the energy because of distractions (mine/the audiences)….Zoom! On this stage, the energy and love were all around and in me and jumping for joy on my shoulders, tiny little Bob Barker waves of, “Come on down!” I think I gave a ten minute comedic monologue, I was feeling so happy! I sang and smiled and caressed and banged on my guitar, and led the listeners to a description of the “Music for Life” tour, breaking into Tricia Mitchell/Monte Warden’s “Twenty Years to Life”, followed by “The One.”
When I sing “The One”, there is a silence that follows, that sort of sacred space that occurs after songs of truth, songs of pain. Only this time, as the silence was gelling, I had asked Lucy to have the choir start singing while seated, and then to come up the aisles to the stage, and that is exactly what happened. The silence was guided by the hand of morning, sunshine spilling into the darkness, the choir singing about the face of God, clapping hands and letting out an occassional, high pitched shrill among the den of voices. On stage, Lucy presented me with an African wrap she had sewn for me, complete with lovely beading on one shoulder, and I opened my arms wide as she tied the cloth of brown and purple hearts across my chest and over my body. Then we sang “Romania”, with everyone in the audience standing to pray on behalf of the different countries we sing about, and went right into “Later Than You Think”, and WOW!!! Was that rousing? Yes! Was it hopeful? Yes! Was it beyond fantastic and fun and full of zip-zowwie-whoo-man-awesomeness??? YES! I was smiling so much I couldn’t sing on pitch! I was wobbly with glee! Everywhere I looked, people were on their feet, clapping and dancing and swaying and singing and smiling….I started bouncing and singing with two teenage girl African girls, and I swear, we were laughing so hard….! Thank God my guitar can play itself!!!
Then we got a crazy great encore, so Lucy shouts out to me, “We are each others’ angels! We must sing the angels’ song!” So we burst into that, the friends from Africa raising their arms and voices like wings to lift us all into further feelings of peace and contentment. This was taped, so Chuck Brodsky, I will send you a copy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How cool is this, to have both sides of the Atlantic ocean singing together, black and white, English and Swahili, men and women, parents and children, gay and straight, single and married…..all in one place singing out that we are angels for one another? Rock on, my good man. Cuz we were rockin’ hard, my friend!!!Thank you to Kim Corbet for coming out and being my moonbeam. For holding me up and sharing your great, quiet and ebullient (did I spell that right?) spirit.
You’re really the leader of our wolf pack, Kim…the one that starts the howl. Stevo and Larry are the wildebeasts, Amy is the jaguar, Chuck E. is the elm tree,
Andy is the bowl of m&ms;, I’m the giggle in the pocket, and George is the Guitar Hero. John McKay would be the Silent Film Era. Brad is our RV with a slideout.
Who am I forgetting….yikes.
Afterwards, Joseph and I drove up to a Sonic for cherry limeades. He was hilarious cuz he had never been to a Sonic, his window won’t go down, so he gets out of the car and talks into the speaker to order drinks (and fries!), and I can see the guy inside the Sonic watching Joseph like he’s lost his mind. You had to be there, but you get the idea….We went back to Joseph’s and laughed over “Saturday NIght Live”, slurping on my limeade , Joseph on his root beer float, and we were like two kids staying up late after the school musical…Just goofy with happiness, ready to bust a gut over anything comical.
Next morning: Got to the church by 8:30 for soundcheck, and performed at two services (9 & 11) and met even MORE fantastic people and felt even MORE of God’s great love and wow. If you are looking for a place to feel loved, I would highly suggest Center for Spiritual Living in Dallas, TX. Even if just for a visit. And make sure you meet Veronica and Jackie. Not only are the great, walking smiles, but they can boogie-oogie-oogie and will fill your heart with fun. They are my new dear friends that I must have known all my life but just got to really know.
Lastly, thank you to Steffeni and her mom, Terry, for coming out and surprising me. I love you both.
posted by Sara Hickman at 02:38 pm
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From John Adams to you…..
November 12, 2007
philosophy. My children ought to study math and philosophy and geography,
navigation commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to
study poetry, painting, architecture tapestry and music.”
-John Adams
posted by Sara Hickman at 11:15 am
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We Were in Huntsville last night…
November 08, 2007
Published: November 08, 2007 12:02 am
Concert tour promotes death penalty dialogue
By Robbie Byrd and Jessica Hamilton
The Huntsville Item
Sara Hickman isn’t about picket signs and chants.
However, that doesn’t make her word against the use of death penalty inTexas any weaker.
With guitar in hand, Hickman has joined professors and authors on their
Music For Life tour around Texas, a tour brought about by the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.
“The Coalition came to me and asked what we could do,” Hickman said. “We
figured out what was missing was a dialogue in Texas. I suggested a series of
monthly concerts around Texas to get that dialogue started.”
For the past 15 years, Hickman has been writing songs. Some are more
upbeat while others concern domestic violence, rape, war and the human
condition.
“I feel pretty comfortable with that,” she said. “We live in a very
oppressed society. People live in fear and it’s important that they shake it off
and speak out about what concerns them.”
One of the more popular of Hickman’s songs is written about Seung-Hui
Cho, the Virginia Tech student who opened fire on his classmates and then turned
the gun on himself.
“I sing the song from his mother’s point of view,” she said. “Most people
remember it because it’s so raw with just mostly my voice. I’ve gotten a lot
of positive feedback though in the e-mails people send me.”
The Music For Life tour kicked off October 3 as the group gathered at the
First United Methodist Church in Austin.
“I was expecting a lot more hostility, but Huntsville is our second show and
it almost seems like we’re preaching to the choir,” Hickman said.
However, Hickman doesn’t view the tour as a recruiting tool.
“My thought was that this isn’t a ‘you must join the anti-death penalty
movement’ so much as it would open and start the dialogue,” she said.
The year-long tour is set to hit the larger Texas cities of San Antonio,
Corpus Christi, Houston, El Paso, Dallas, Fort Worth, and then back to
Austin for the finale.
“Most people have the mindset of ‘that person did something wrong, they
deserve it,’ but other people are affected by this,” Hickman said. “If I can
get people to see that, then that’s all I can hope to do through my music.”
Speakers provide insight
Along with music, Huntsville residents spoke about their experience inside
and outside of the death house.
Carroll Pickett, a former chaplain at the Huntsville Unit, spoke of his 95
experiences inside the death chamber.
“I remember the first one,” Pickett said, recalling the execution of Charles
Brooks in 1982, the first execution carried out by lethal injection in the
nation. “Nobody had ever executed by lethal injection. The inmate was
scared to death, and not only him.”
Finally, the stress of his time with the inmates wore on him, and in 1995
Pickett retired from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, quickly
changing his stance on the death penalty and becoming an outspoken critic of
the process he was once involved in.
Dennis Longmire, who has stood in vigil just outside the death house at nearly
every execution since he came to SHSU in 1984, spoke about the current state
of lethal injection and what the future holds for the nation’s busiest death penalty state.
“This is an extraordinarily important moment for Huntsville and Texas,” Longmire said.
“But to think that we’ve seen the last execution is a hopeful dream from an old man whose been
standing at the corner too long.”
posted by Sara Hickman at 10:18 pm
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A Late Night Poem For Friend Larry
November 05, 2007
the cheese pleases
as no other cheese can
can you see oh yes i see
by the dawn’s early light
what so proudly we hailed
and continue to hail tonight
and beyond and forever
on and off the stage
the determined, the outlandish, the brave
fighting for the right to
party arty
yo ho ho and a bottle of rum
we toast the larry
and all who carry
him on
love,
sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 07:24 pm
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The Cheese
Republican Woman
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Fude Lyin’
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Bows and Arrows
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The Dinner Table
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The Dating Game
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What is Kumbaya?
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Jack in the Box and Bosnia
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Kim’s a Star
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posted by Gene Cowan at 08:29 am
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What A Perfect Day It Became
November 04, 2007
That night, had a SPU rehearsal and it was extraordinary. We started by sitting in a circle, me and the kids, and discussing the songs, where we’re at, upcoming events…and then the kids performed and I got to give them feedback, along with the parents who stayed to watch and enjoy. I left feeling so high and happy…There is no greater satisfaction in this world (ok, except maybe spending time with my children and finding time to be alone with my husband for a little ta-ta and R & R) then to have ideas and see them come to FRUITION, become reality, have them take on a life and become ALIVE. Carrying unfinished ideas around in my head/heart is a huge, heavy burden. Like NEVER giving birth to a child that roams the hallways of your mind, looking for an exit to play with the other kids who got to leave and flourish…So, I am grateful to these kids for working hard and putting their all into making this concept become REAL. No more Velveteen Rabbit….
Friday night…Went to St. John’s United Methodist to participate in their All Saint’s Day…what a thought filled program…people bring photos/remembrances/precious articles, toys, items, jewelry and a favorite food of their deceased beloved, and display it proudly…so as you walk along the tables to gather yummy delicacies and homemade casseroles, you read about these people who have lived lives and gone on to the great Unknown….it is very moving (and funny, too…one woman made a lovely shrine to her cat, Mr. Kat Kitara, along with an unopened can of cat food!) to witness. Then there is a reading, and we all eat, and afterwards, I got up to sing “It’s Alright” and lead in a prayer…Paul got up to tell about his grandma and what a saint she was to so many, and then we commenced to sing his song, “Always A Saint”….and such joy! I sang a few more songs and then time to head home. Many tears were shed, but all with gratitude. I must share this story with you:
Liz’s grandmother came up to tell me that her husband had died five years past, and that he died on her birthday (which was the next day coming up) and that right before he died, a nurse came in to say, “It’s alright…It’s ok…..” to let him know he could die, that everything would be alright….And, so she was weeping as she told me that it had moved her deeply to hear me sing, “It’s Alright..It’s ok”
the eve before her birthday…as if her husband was there to remind her the very same thing…that all is well, he loves her….It blew my mind! You know I was weeping, too, and holding her and I was grateful to be invited to the church to share the music, to help bring forth the feelings. I had dedicated “It’s Alright” to my friend, Larry, who is dying as I write these words…so hearing her story made me even more emotional…
Now, the perfect day….
Saturday morning….Lance went to get some guitar cables/picks for me cuz I really don’t like going in to music stores…one of the few things I just don’t dig…
So, he started my day off GREAT!
Got to the Texas Book Festival in front of the capital, and Super Pal Universe was just pulling in, too, but we set up quickly on the wooden stage under the giant, white tent…and the place was packed with children, their parents…And I sang a few, brought up SPU, we sang, read from “If You Give a Pig a Pancake”, and had an amazing time…I had asked everyone to try a stripped down, acoustic version since I knew there would be little kids at the event…it was rockin’ and fun to challenge everyone in the band….J-Ro brought out chalk artists and had the bicycle billboard crew with the giant SUPER PAL UNIVERSE billboards…full color photos of the kids!!!…and, after everyone did the Hokey Pokey, we had lots of hugs and kisses, talked to some amazing kids, and packed up to head over to Gibson Showroom…but not before the Book Festival asked to book SPU for their OWN GIG next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was a PROUD MAMASITA, you know it!!!! And I’ll have my own gig, too, so we can BOTH do our own thing…..autonomy ROCKS!!! For them, for me! I was also given the suggestion that they will be hired to come and read/sing to the kids in the summer reading program at the libraries all over Austin. So 2008 is shaping up to be a great year for the SPU band…we’re booking a year out!!!
Got to Gibson…and there were people already there!!! Thanks to Gibson, Clif Bars, Izzie (for the sodas/snacks)….and to Danny for running sound…because MAN IT WAS AN EVENT TO REMEMBER!
First, SPU got up and performed two songs, then we had open mic and about 14 different kids got up to sing or play an instrument…The best part is that I think this could become a monthly “clubhouse” for teens to come and perform, hang out and dance…just like yesterday! I had a blast emceeing, and the Latinistas, a group of teen girls, came and filmed the afternoon for us (so you know we’ll have footage up on the site soon!) So my dream of kids being able to congregate, talk, share their ideas/music/poetry/dance is COMING TRUE! And in turn, it is presented by Super Pal Universe, so the kids get to share what they are working on, too, and sort of be the guides/the reason kids come together….we’re all expanding and growing TOGETHER! Kids making tv/internet
content for other kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They all got on stage and did an acapella foot stomp/singalong of “We Will Rock You” that totally rocked me and the parents! Such a COMPLETE BLAST!!!
We had a free digital video camcorder to give away to one of the kids who had been on stage performing, and it went to Southern, who is 12 and has a voice like a 40 year old man. Just stunning. I cried yesterday and I cried when he auditioned to be on the SPU show, and he WON the camcorder when the name was being drawn…That was a perfect ending for the SPU afternoon……
To end the day…my girls and Lance helped me do something that was the essence of love. Our friend, Larry, was the recepient of a conference call which included almost all of the members of the Cheese, an improv band I was in in the early 90’s in Dallas…..Andy called in from New Zealand; Amy, Kim and Brad from Dallas; Chuck, Marty and me from Austin, and George from Flowermound.
While we were regaling Larry with stories, silliness, songs and improv, each of us was simultaneously filming ourselves, too, so we can edit together a film of what we were doing/wearing/looking like as we were crying/laughing/celebrating Larry’s life…And, let me say, it was all the more amazing because Larry is so open about his impending death (he has a few weeks to live), that it made it easy to ask questions about what he thinks heaven will be like, or what he is scared of…how is he feeling…all the things we humans want to know…So, the sweet part was that Lily and io were coming in with giant drawings of “We love you Larry!” or “Larry ROCKS!” and covering me in pictures as I talked on the phone, and Lance was filming all of it…and then my angel dog, Lucky, came and laid down right by my thigh, and I just felt like my entire family was with me on this crusade to bring the Cheese together in honor of Larry. The girls and Lance helped for 40 minutes, and I’m fed-exing the tape/drawings tomorrow to be edited into the other tapes so that, hopefully, we can get it to Larry as a final Cheesey tribute before he takes off forever. He’s going on to set the table of cheese for all of us….We love you, Larry! God bless you and your dear wife, Cynthia….
posted by Sara Hickman at 05:47 pm
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