~2022~ Happy New Year to You! I know it’s not just me when I say “that went by fast” and with much uncertainty, worry, fear, loss, and grief. Yet finding the strength and resilience to see the things to be grateful for, because we have to keep going. May this year bring more peace and ease, more love and understanding, and good health to the world and Mother Earth. So mote it be!
What are some of your highlights from this past year or so? What are you looking forward to? You can look forward to some fun music links at the end of this!
My 2021 highlights were definitely about being involved with festivals, singing with Big Bad Gina again and teaching women empowering songs on the ukulele! SHOUT OUT to the all-virtual Amazon Ukulele Chorus at National Women’s Music Festival! That was a lot of work and quite an involved process! You Go Amazon Ukuladies.
The Land! Formerly the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival. 2 fabulous festivals! Women’s Performance Initiative presented Music Camp for Women and Girls! I love this concept and on The Land. There was some music magic made there!
SPOTL – Singing and Playing on The Land (If you add an “ez” (or easy) you get SPOTLez….teehee). Such a sweet festival! Reminds me of my home festival, Midwest Wimmins Festival! Both with the same intention of singing in sacred circle and making connections through eating, play and music. At SPOTL 2021, more ukulele with amazing women and a set of original songs from 3 years of songwriting projects. Good connections indeed!
*Amazing women; awesome producers, boards, and event organizers; rockin’ band coaches and crew! It felt really good and I look forward to doing it all again and more and sneak preview, with Big Bad Gina!
Oh and then Lake Michigan several times with Spirit Mama Mary. That window of time on The Land and in the sand was so magical and I’m so grateful all the festivals there happened safely and lovingly!
An unexpected highlight throughout the last couple years has been the opportunity to lead songs at our local UUFF – Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville. Thanks to Renée of course, who is a mighty fine music director. I find I can really get behind most of the words and messages of the songs and I have a lot of free rein to sing women’s music, original songs, and continue to change wording based on principles of human dignity and social justice.
My radio show, Go Sista Go is beginning its 3rd year, live-streamed and archived on KPSQ.org (public square, but I like to say “kind people support queers”). Sistah JoJo sets the tone, makes it flow, and always gets to ‘rockin’! Women’s vocals with empowering messages; iconic women’s music, local to global independent artists, and classic female voices. If you would like to support this endeavor, my Patreon page is currently offering all episodes and ongoing into the future for $5 a month. I usually post one new show a month. Patreon.com/joricostello Thank you!
Thank you all for being a mirror, a mentor, a co-creator on this journey….we call…..Life…….
Here’s Cheers to our good health and finding the Joy in all our days and years!
Jori
Jori Costello 