Katherine's News

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noreply@blogger.com (Katherine Wheatley) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:54:00 +0000

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noreply@blogger.com (Katherine Wheatley) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:27:00 +0000

HELLO EVERYONE. I just finished a YOUTHSONGS project with all the kids at Nelson Mandela Park Public School in Regent Park, Toronto. 17 classes between Grade 1 and 8 wrote, recorded and performed 11 songs. I LOVED IT! The grade 8's wouldn't quit. I had to keep working with them while eating my lunch. In photo to the right, they're putting the finishing touches on "We Believe". A rap song.

To the left, Grades 2 to 5 from Nelson Mandela Park Public School are singing "You're never on your own when Regent Park's your home." We're at the opening of the Luminato Festival - Yonge and Dundas Square in Toronto and we're singing to a few thousand people. In the middle of the song, the kids do a spoken part. They say "My family's from Afghanistan (or Portugal or Korea or Syria or wherever they're from)" in english. Then in their native language they say "...and in Regent Park, I feel at home". While they were doing this part, little eruptions of applause came from sections of the audience - first when Farsi was spoken, then Urdu, then Chinese and so on. The final bit was spoken by 2 kids whose parents are Ojibway. When they did their part, their was a hearty response. It was quite lovely.

All photos by permission from Luminato, the school or Six String Nation Guitar. The photos to the left and above were taken by an intern at the Luminato Festival.

We used the Six String Nation Guitar. It's made of 63 different bits of Canadian history (eg. Trudeau's paddle, Nancy Green's Ski, The Golden Spruce, Rocket Richard's Stanley Cup ring). Jowi Taylor brought the guitar to the school and asked the kids to write about their home, and to find a piece of Regent Park that he could sew into the guitar case - joining material from Karen Kain’s Sleeping Beauty costume, one of Don Cherry’s suits and one of Pierre Berton’s famous bow ties. Now, when Jowi takes the guitar across Canada, he can tell the kids' story.

Six String Nation Photos by Doug Nicholson

Luminato - Toronto Festival of Art + Creativity supported this project. They were fabulous to work with. Regent Park is undergoing massive change. It's the oldest social housing project in Canada. Every building except one is being torn down and new homes and public spaces are being built. Right now, RP is 100% social housing. The "revitalized" RP will be a mix of social and private residences. Luminato asked me to write songs with the kids about their home and their feelings about the revitalization. The kids' feelings are mixed. They're sad to lose the old spaces and old neighbours but excited about the new facilities - elevators that work, grocery stores within walking distance, a swimming pool. Some of their songs deal with those feelings. Some of the songs reveal their frustration at how Regent Park is portrayed in the media. Those same songs assert the incredible strength of their community. All of the songs demonstrate the kids’ passion for their home. Please check out a few samples. They can be found by linking here and clicking "audio". http://www.sonicbids.com/KatherineWheatleyYOUTHSONGS

If you'd like to purchase a cd of these songs, please e-mail me. katherine.wheatley@sympatico.ca The money will be used to support more arts programmes at the school. I haven't got it all set up yet. I'll put you on a list and let you know when the CD will be available.

All my best, Katherine

“Youth songs was the best school-wide program I’ve seen in my career as an educator.” - Nelson Keane, Principal, Paisley Rd. P.S.

WENDELL AND WHEAT

noreply@blogger.com (Katherine Wheatley) — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 03:47:00 +0000

WENDELL AND WHEAT

WE'VE TAKEN TWO GREAT ACTS AND JOINED THEM. NOW YOU CAN JOIN THEM FOR COMPELLING SONGS, AWARD-WINNING GUITAR PLAYING AND BEAUTIFUL VOCALS.

Katherine Wheatley and Wendell Ferguson are the best of musical pals - her heartfelt lyrical vision and poignant voice, and his honest yet irreverent humour make for both a moving and hilarious show. Here’s what one presenter said: “It was an absolutely transcendent concert...she didn't leave a dry eye in the house and he didn't leave a dry seat".

Six time Canadian Country Music Association Guitar Player of the Year, Wendell Ferguson has traveled the globe and accompanied a veritable who’s who in both the country field - (George Fox, Duane Steele, Tommy Hunter) and the folk arena - (Gordon Lightfoot, Quartette, Bob Snider, Cindy Church). He is one of the best loved and most respected guitar players in the country. Wendell performs his own, very funny songs at Folk Festivals and concerts. “The man writes sharp, witty and head-spinningly brilliant tunes. He’s a cross between Roger Miller and Ray Flack. He has more in common with Mark Twain than Shania”. (Twangzine). According to Country Music News "Wendell Ferguson is recognized by his peers as one of the top pickers in the country and known best as having one of the quickest wits in the game. A talented and funny guy to say the least."

Arresting vocals, fine guitar playing and a “down to earth” feel that some attribute to her years working as a geologist, mark Katherine's work. As well as touring extensively, she has written music for film and television documentaries and has been a musical guest on many shows, including CTV’s Canada AM and CBC Radio’s Vinyl Cafe. Hubert O'Hearn of the The Chronicle Journal in Thunder Bay wrote "Katherine Wheatley is able to take minor observations in life and find their soul. On stage...she exudes sheer kindness and love. Blessedly, refreshingly, Katherine Wheatley is a truly Canadian original". ". According to the Ottawa Citizen "This is a performer to keep you on the edge of your seat."

KATHERINE & CLAIRE RUN IN FOR DIABETES IN ICELAND

noreply@blogger.com (Katherine Wheatley) — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 17:27:00 +0000

Claire and I did it. We raised over $13,000 between us, we whipped ourselves into shape and on Saturday, August 19, we finished the half marathon. 180 Canadians traveled to Iceland with Team Diabetes to run or walk the half or full marathon. Together we raised over $1 million dollars. The Canadian Diabetes Association treated us to three days in Reykjavik. They fed us, accommodated us, took us to the Blue Lagoon, and provided coaching. I highly recommend this experience. It was a real win-win. Lots of money was raised, the participants achieved personal goals, and we experienced an unusual and beautiful country. Check it out: Team Diabetes.

Thanks so much to those who helped us...

WEBMASTER'S WELCOME

noreply@blogger.com (Katherine Wheatley) — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 13:52:00 +0000

As the new year gains momentum, songstress and performer Katherine Wheatley is gaining momentum too. With a full slate of bookings well into the autumn, a new album in the works and a brand-new web presence, Katherine is gearing up for a banner year of creative output.

This site has been created to help fans and new listeners find out more about Katherine and her work. It's also a forum where Katherine can share her own thoughts, ideas and projects with you, her audience.

Besides the contemporary new look and feel, this site offers many new and useful features: a dynamic concert calendar, an overview of Katherine's educational workshop projects, a brand new Electronic Press Kit for promoters and bookers, and sidebar highlights throughout the site.

Whether you're a die-hard fan, a new listener, or a member of the music community, you'll find what you need here at the all-new KatherineWheatley.com. Happy clicking!