This website was generously created and donated by Jonathan Skinner.

News

Wednesday, August 20th, 2008:
Summer's not over yet!

Thursday, July 3rd, 2008:
If you are anything like me, then the word "magic" may send a twitch down your spine. "Magic," some voice deep down inside may scoff, "is one of those silly words thrown around by hippies and cult-types... Not practical, certainly not something you can eat." However, to that killjoy voice, I would like to offer up this Toronto summer of clarinet-playing, ceramic-exploring and midnight-bridge-walking. As for the JCS Book Club, on the list this summer are:

Invisible Cities, Italo Calvino
Cymbeline, Shakespeare
The Prophet, Khalil Gibran
Under Milk Wood, Dylan Thomas
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, Translated by Jack Zipes

May there be magic for all in the summer months! See you in the fall...

Saturday, May 17th, 2008:
NEWS NOW: Valley of Ashes is on this weekend - and it is a MUST SEE! Check it out at www.dustyflowerpot.org (I'll be playing clarinet in the pit) - fer reeeeal.
In other news: the "Women in the Round" tour was a knock-out success (hooray!), as was the Lily Come Down CD Release Party (more hooray!). Also: I love CBC - have I mentioned that before? They are playing Eyre Corvidae still, and now Lily Come Down, and even played "Things Are Gonna Go Wrong" from my latest album - which I haven't even released yet! Whoa. My mind is blown. So Thank you CBC. Feeling the love... Rock out in the sun everyone!

Saturday, April 12th, 2008:
And they're off...
Last night was the successful Vancouver kick-off to "Women in the Round...On the Road" a Western Canadian tour featuring Kate Reid, Sarah MacDougall and myself performing as singer-songwriters-in-the-round. This is the most ambitious tour I have been a part of to date, and I am thrilled at the talent of the ladies I get to share it with. So I hope to see some of you along the way - and I'd love to see the vancouver folks at the Railway when we get back on April 27th.

Whoa. Too excited. Getting pheklempt...

Tuesday, March 4th, 2008:
So hello after a long silence...literally! - I've had chronic laryngitis! All the same, I have somehow managed to record a rocking new album! This Friday is the last day of mixing and I am excited. I am excited, too, to get back to the stage...
This month I have a few gigs - then in April I hit the road for a Western Canadian tour with "Women in the Round" - myself, Kate Reid and Sarah MacDougall. We've got a myspace - click here to check it out (it has some of my new tunes up there!).
So life is slowly getting back to normal - and as spring rolls around, all the challenges seem just a little easier to face. A lot of friends have been having various troubles of their own over this winter - and a few of them announced that March was "Napping Month!" or "Music Month!"... very optimistic titles, I thought! My idea for March is just to have a little more fun...
I'm off to have a bit of that now - but before I go, I'll just leave you with links to some lovely YouTube videos someone posted from a live gig with the band back in November 2007:

Arbitrary Lines
Cry For The Departed

...Ciao!

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008:
Happy belated New Year - I am finally ready! More news to come...

Thursday, December 13th, 2007:
Well I am getting excited... it's now four days until I leave for Brazil for a month of sun! Meanwhile - the new tracks are sounding great (check 'em out at www.myspace.com/joannacs. One of my bands, "Lily Come Down" has just finished our album as well... pretty fun... also I am charting for the first time! Where? You guessed it: Kamloops, CFBX. I'll be there in April when Kate Reid, Sarah MacDougall and I hit the road for a Western Canadian tour "Women in the Round...on the road!". Well that's all my news. Basically: Happy Holidays. To family et al: Lots of love! I'll see you soon!

Saturday, October 21st, 2007:
So the play was a fantastic experience - thanks to those who came - but onwards and upwards. It is studio season...
I went into the studio last week to record a new 6-track EP with the band. It is sounding great - I am very excited.
Lily Come Down is just about finished our first album, and all three of the other groups I am in (T. Nile, Sarah MacDougall & The Heroes and Gamelan Madu Sari) are all in various stages of recording new albums as well - a surplus of immortality going around.
I hope to put a few new tracks up on my Myspace soon. Meanwhile, I recently updated the old Myspace - and she's looking mighty fine - check her out at www.myspace.com/joannacs. Oh, and in case I forget: Happy Halloween!

Wednesday, September 27th, 2007:
Hello all... just had to put a little autumn message up for us all getting back into gear with work and school routines. I am back playing dance classes and loving it AND I have the good fortune of being involved in a very cool play called "Out Like Flynn" that starts up next week. Yes - I will be acting. Click Here for more information. Wow. I have a renewed respect for the theatre. The intense creativity and stamina required of the cast and crew are inspiring. I am thoroughly enjoying the experience. I'd love for you to come. Anyhoozers - I wish you all the best as the cold creeps steadily on. Get those cozy layers ready...

Friday, September 7th, 2007:
This was my first summer of festivals - and I loved it! - Finally getting a good look at this corner of the globe, meeting and hearing a whole bunch of incredible musicians, free food!... I just hope next summer is as full-up with fun as this one has been. So with a hearty sigh - I now turn my head up to "watch the seasons change up in the trees" (-T. Nile, Trees ). Have a great school-year everyone, and Happy Birthday Nana!

Thursday, June 28th, 2007:
Well dang folks. I've just arrived back to Vancouver following my two big firsts: my first little tour and my first big festival. The tour was a lovely three-day jaunt to the island organized by Pedestrian! Productions. I highly recommend the Duncan Garage Showroom to anyone looking to be surrounded by an air of the mysterious...
If on the other hand you go for out-and-out beauty, take a scenic flight up to Smithers, BC for the Midsummer Festival next year. What a gracious community - and so ready to jump in and dance! Thanks to the Westmans and others for playing host or just for sharing some fun times. So many summer memories already and it's only June!

Thursday, April 26th, 2007:
I've been checking up on my electronic footprints, and to my cheerful surprise I see that CBC has been playing several of my songs across Canada (Winnipeg and Ontario have now joined my airwave-map). So I am sitting here rather pleased as the rain falls softly outside and I sit working on some new tunes. All the best to you buddies and browsers on this bountiful day. Oh - and congratulations to my Mom who has announced her wedding this summer!!

Wednesday, March 28th:
Yes there's an exciting show at Rime this Friday - why do you ask? Ahhhh, but this is not all in the works this week. Festival number 2 has confirmed!! Join Joanna (my humble me) out in the Bulkley Valley June 22-24 this summer for the Midsummer Festival, the serene sunsets, and the warm summer breezes...

Tuesday, February 21st:
It's a lucky day for Jo - not only has The Atlin Arts & Music Festival confirmed for this summer (July 6-8) but Joanna will officially be the new voice of the Log Driver's Waltz in a live action remake of the classic cartoon to be filmed this summer by Ride With The Tide Productions. "For he goes birling down and down white waters..." To view original cartoon, visit www.canadaka.net

Saturday, February 10th:
Sheryl Mackay, host of North By Northwest on CBC Radio 1, played 'Moment of Green' this morning. Rise and Shine Vancouver!