fall, hugo & kudu

This weekend marks an official change of seasons....and, well, it is definitely fall! I can tell by my calendar! Today, in particular though, marks the anniversary of a hurricane that we experienced here in Charleston many years ago, aptly named 'Hugo'. It was another world then...pre-911, pre-Katrina...it was 18 years ago, so I was also 8 years old and my world was a lot different. My home of Charleston was a VERY different place then...my playground was literally the shores of Sullivan's Island and there was only one way on and off of that island. We were homeless, without electricity in the shelters, little food and water to ration out between many and left with that smell of mildew that still rests, even today, in the photo albums that were barely salvageable. And though recovery seemed so far away, we had each other...and we had a new appreciation for all that we loved and what was important. I'm thankful for that time.

SEE COMPLETE update HERE! Lately I have been in "crunch time" for an EP Release! There are deadlines to meet...and lots to do before everything comes together, but I do feel good about the TEAM of artists involved! Please be sure to check out my list of links on my blog....they are my friends and colleagues...and they do wondrous things! I really do hope to see you soon...and if not, at least hear how YOU are doing!

THIS Sunday, September 23rd, I will be at Kudu Coffee joined by David Linaburg on guitar.
We start at 2pm, end at 5 and play a lot of music in between! Come by, say hello!

And here are some more important dates for the calendar...

October 4th - Upstairs @ Rue de Jean:"Brainstorm"Art Show & Fundraiser to benefit the Eckman Family Fund 6-9pm
October 12th - Me with my Friends {Gerald, Kevin, Nathan & Ron} @ Modernisme Gallery- 8pm
October 25th - Dine & Drink In The Pink: pink pARTini party/fundraiser for the Charleston Breast Center
November 3rd - Celebrations of Stems & Clouds by Nathan Durfee
November 15th - EP RELEASE @ THEATRE 99!!!

Sea libre,
Leah

busy, busy, busy....as a little bee

I told you this fall was shaping up to be a busy one, right? Well, it's been a busy WEEK, planning for the busy fall season and I am giddy with excitement for what's next! This weekend is a private party on Saturday, but then Sunday afternoon (9/23), David Linaburg and I will be at Kudu Coffee from 2-5pm. David is a fabulous person and very talented guitar player and it will be a nice change for the cooler weather. I really look forward to my dates at Kudu...they're just so relaxing and it makes for such a great atmosphere for the music I play. Come out, bring your friends....enjoy your Sunday, for the modest price of a cup of coffee.

There's an art opening on October 4th that's shaping up....more info on that soon. Tickets on sale soon for October 12th @ Modernisme Gallery. This one's going to be a great, acoustic vibe with new music and some new friends playing! The show will start at 8pm...so mark your calendars. On the "friends list" so far...Gerald Gregory (keys), Nathan Koci (flugelhorn + accordian), Kevin Hamilton (bass).

Did I mention that I'm planning to release my first 'Leah Suarez ' EP in November?! We'll celebrate the incredible artwork by Nathan Durfee on November 3rd at his solo show, Celebrations of Stems and Clouds at Modernisme Gallery and then we'll really throw down at Theatre 99 on Thursday, November 15th!! Again, I ask that you "Remember, remember the 15th of November." (yes, I know it's supposed to be the 5th, but work with me here.)

This month has been concentrated on the EP Release. I have been in hands-on production mode, from mixing and mastering with Quentin to writing liner notes and working with Nathan on all the graphics. We have our release date, so now it's just pumping out the work before our order deadline of October 1st. I am getting more and more excited, but I am definitely feeling the crunch. There's always more than you expect....and I LOVE IT! It will be "me" for the first time....and for this not being the original intention for the fall, it's coming out better than I could have ever imagined. We are SO close to getting all the puzzle pieces together. Now it's just the final touches.....I'll keep you posted and I just hope that you'll really make the effort to support our effort by being at Nathan's solo show on November 3rd and my EP Release on November 15th. All of the work Nathan has produced for this EP will be on view and for sale at his solo show. It's been an incredible creative adventure that I can't wait to share!

paz y amor siempre,
Leah

celebrating 1 year! iShow @ modernisme

I hope to see you all this weekend at Modernisme's Anniversary Celebration! The iShow: You Are Where. This is really the first event for the fall and is yet another reason to celebrate. Gerald Gregory and I will be performing as a vocal/piano duo again, in a beautiful art gallery, surrounded by edgy, contemporary and accessible art! It's really a neat concept, with 6 of the gallery's 13 artists creating new artwork around a single concept. In a world where everything is compressed to make it more accessible to the masses, how has that shaped our society's identity...and even more so, our own identities? In response to that theme, we as musicians are taking an organic approach. Though we are just "reception musicians" for the evening, from 6pm-9pm by the way, Gerald will be playing a real, acoustic, upright piano and I will be using minimal amplification. It's not the mp3 version you are used to hearing compressed yet again to squeeze out of your laptop's speakers. It's real music by real musicians...with real instruments. :) Again, it's tomorrow, Saturday, September 8th @ Modernisme Gallery. Go HERE for more information...or just come by! 21 Magnolia Road in Avondale, Charleston. There will be an artist round table discussion that begins at 5pm. There really are some incredibly talented artists represented by Modernisme....I hope that you will come out and support the efforts of their creativity, imagination and visual voice. If you cannot make it this weekend, stop by another time...

In addition to this show, the full band will be performing on Sunday out at Palmetto Park for a Picnic sponsored by the Vineyard. It's going to be a lot of fun...it's free...it starts around 2:o0 and goes until about 5pm. It's only $1 to get into the park and then you can just come by and eat, drink and be merry. That will be me, Gerald Gregory on keys, David Linaburg on guitar and Nick Jenkins on drums.

Let's see....in other news...I'll have to write out those thoughts later. For now, let's concentrate on getting to Modernisme Gallery on Saturday! See you then!!! Take care of yourselves and each other!

Paz y Amor Siempre,
Leah