Emmelie was excited to be in Kyiv and at Eurovision again. "Im very excited but Im also calm, as a songwriter youre more in the background, its more relaxing than four years ago when I was on the stage."

The Eurovision Song Contest changed Emmelies life. "Back then I was nineteen or twenty, I had just finished school and moved to Copenhagen to study singing but I was not in the music business at that point. After I won Eurovision everything changed. Im still making a living out of music because of that."

The Danish artist explained that alongside singing she has also started writing. "After the 2013 contest I started to get into songwriting. Last year I wrote a song for Anja, who represented Denmark this year. She came second in the national selection in Denmark in 2016, she almost won, so it's really been an adventure."

Emmelie explained that songwriting is her main focus for now but performing also remains important. "Ive been writing a lot of songs over the last four years, more than 80 in fact. Ill also record some new songs later this summer."

Not only has Emmelie won Eurovision for Denmark, Never Give Up On You provided the United Kingdom with its best placing in the Eurovision Song Contest for more than five years.

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Emmelie de Forest is never giving up on music - Eurovision.tv

Jeneal Merriman found herself walking through the Student Experience Center Plaza in the pursuit for a quick bite to eat, but ended up finding stress relief in the moon sand and playdough in the plaza.

She stated that she often has immense levels of stress around finals week, and often finds resources such as these beneficial. She was particularly keen on the massage opportunities offered on campus, as well as the relaxing music.

We saw the sand, and it looked fun to play with, and stress-relieving, said Merriman.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) partnered with Dixon Recreational Sports Center, OSU Program Councils Java Acoustic program and other services on campus to combat midterm stress through a variety of stress-relieving mediums.

This unity developed into an event in the Student Experience Center Plaza on Wednesday, May 10 from noon to 3 p.m. titled Unwind in the Plaza.Here, students were welcomed to an array of refreshments, an assortment of crafting opportunities, meditation, massages and even therapy dogsall activities which are aimed to help alleviate the stress of students after their midterms, and help encourage students to relax.

Unwind in the Plaza branched off one of CAPS workshops titled Destress Recess. Destress Recess is where organizations, or classes in general, may come and request a workshop where they can do similar activities as were seen at Unwind in the Plaza. These could be do-it-yourself activities, such as arts and crafts.

We have had many people have positive outcomes, said Sean Borne, the student outreach assistant for CAPS regarding these activities.

Borne says that as a student who experiences the stresses of midterms and finals himself, it makes him feel better to see the students engaging in the event. The event has historically been popular, and overall positive in previous years. This success may be attributed to the inclusivity and collaboration of the different organizations on campus.

The event is specifically planned during week six of the term, because it is anticipated that most students will have had at least one midterm by that time. The strategic placing is intended to help realign students and help them focus, with the end goal being getting students mentally prepared for finishing the term.

That building stress of seeing the end of the term kind of affects people in different ways, Borne said.

Borne truly believes in the need for stress management and relief, which is why he feels so strongly about the event.

It's just kind of a good outdoor spring event, for people to just come and relax, said Borne.

If students are looking for more opportunities in terms of stress relief, they may check out any of the many opportunities offered through CAPS on campus.

See original here:

Unwind in the Plaza attracts students - The Daily Barometer

SONGS From the Latin Skies is Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp's latest album.

The release sees the artists together on stage, as if they were in a beach in Bahia, Brazil, or in a field in Ecuador, doing a bit of 'Latin chillin'.

Once the parties are over and the mood quiets down, Latin music can be moody, romantic, relaxing and sexy, and it's that feeling that Noonan and Schaupp have captured in the release.

Ahead of their Bangalow show, Noonan said the show will be a very intimate show.

"It's a very intimate musical world that Karin and I make, and it brings it back to the simplicity of the voice and the guitar," she said.

"The guitar has been at the centre of the music of Latin America for centuries, so it felt like a logical place for us to go.

"It is Latin music but in a very intimate way, so it is just voice and the guitar, and a selection of songs spanning centuries from Venezuela, Spain, Brazil, and even an ancient Peruvian folk song that has been re-imagined into a new piece, so it is quite an interesting journey," she said.

Noonan said the music is ultimately defined by the rhythm.

"When you think of Latin music you think of rhythm, you think of dancing."

With so many countries to chose from, thousands of composers, millions of songs, Noonan said finding the songs was a daunting process.

"We had a very long short list (laughs) and were spoilt for choice, but we rally wanted to explore folk, jazz, classical and contemporary, though the filter of the geography of Latin America," she explained.

"The simple answer is that we had to love the songs, and the had to be something in the story, in the lyrics, that I was able to relate to.

"Most of the time I sing my own music and that's easier, but with this project I've gotta find something in there that relates to my life."

Link:

Enjoy a true Latin chill in Bangalow - Northern Star

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Baby gets a classical introduction to the world Pittsburgh Post-Gazette I asked her about the sorts of things she might be looking for in her playlist: themes, relative familiarity of the music, her favorite composers and genres, and so on. In her birth class, Heather was told to have a relaxing visualization she could ...

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Baby gets a classical introduction to the world - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Michael Ray Taylor and Chapter16.org, Special to the News Sentinel 10:03 a.m. ET May 14, 2017

Peter Cooper(Photo: Submitted)

In fact, he showed up in 2000, less than two decades ago, after beginning his writing career in Spartanburg, S.C. At age 22, he filled in for an English professor who had been assigned to review a Guy Clark show. So off I went to write about whether or not Guy Clark already a legendary songwriter in his fifties, known for remarkable emotional specificity and clarity of language was any good, Cooper recalls in his new book, "Johnnys Cash & Charleys Pride: Lasting Legends and Untold Adventures in Country Music." Hey, free ticket.

Halfway through the show, an overcome fan shouted, not once but three times, I wish Guy Clark was my daddy. In writing his review, Cooper decided to lead with that fan: I was writing about connection, longing, regret, and pain, he writes. I was doing so with a chuckle line, but it was a chuckle line that got to something deeper.

Cooper has followed that strategy ever since, with pretty much anyone who is anyone in country music. Stories of his meeting with Johnny Cash, visits with Merle Haggard and Loretta Lynn, and writing the message on George Joness gravestone in 2013 make "Johnnys Cash & Charleys Pride" resonate with humor and depth. The writing is often so funny it could be catalogued simply as humor, but Coopers delivery is reminiscent of Mark Twains: at just the moment youre laughing so hard you spill a little beer on the bar, he slips in a phrase or word that freezes you in place.

In that first piece on Guy Clark, Cooper described an artist who could stand on a stage, sing a song called Desperadoes Waiting on a Train, and make grown men weep over the tyranny of lineage. Through countless articles since then, Cooper has become for country what Lester Bangs was for rock: not only a critic but also a storyteller of events both witnessed and experienced. He is on the scene for the rest of us, serving as touchstone for what is real and what is nonsense.

Heres Cooper on Taylor Swift bringing him home-baked cookies as he interviewed her early in her rise to stardom: Taylor Swift had become a resounding commercial force simply by doing what no one else had done, which was, simply, being Taylor Swift. To sit down face-to-face with a 19-year-old Swift was to comprehend that she was someone of uncommon intellect, palpable presence, and perfectly risen cookies.

The book contains more than tales of recent superstars: Cooper also personalizes the history of country music by finding its echoes in contemporary music. The Carter scratch a guitar method first recorded in Bristol, Tenn., in 1927 he says, is the basis for the way most acoustic guitarists today approach the instrument, whether or not theyve ever heard of Mother Maybelle Carter. He explains how a tonsillectomy early in Ernest Tubbs career ruined his ability to do a Jimmie Rodgers yodel but gave Tubb a gravelly voice which, when combined with electrically amplified instruments, produced what later generations think of as country music.

Johnny's Cash & Charley's Pride(Photo: Submitted)

"Johnnys Cash & Charleys Pride" includes the rules for songwriters created by Cowboy Jack Clement (who wrote the lyrics from which the books title is taken): Remember, boys, were in the fun business. If were not having fun, were not doing our jobs.

While such gems appear on practically every page, the book is not entirely about music. Some of Coopers most quotable lessons pertain to other kinds of writing. Let me tell you what I learned in journalism school, he begins a chapter on storytelling. Nothing. Didnt go. Didnt take a class. But Im told part of what is taught, and Ive heard editors mention this, is that we must be objective. Objectivity did not take with Peter Cooper. Objectivity is dispassionate, he writes, but we are in the passion business. Then he delivers wisdom for any writer seeking to leave a mark:

If you write exactly what you feel, you have written an exclusive.

If you write something objective, you have most likely written a measured mediocrity.

Peter Cooper writes on the same level as a good country song. He makes you feel that you have not only seen the legends he writes about relaxing backstage, but had drinks and cookies with them, too, and laughed at life with them, and cried and cried and cried.

For more local book coverage, please visit http://chapter16.org/, an online publication of Humanities Tennessee.

Read or Share this story: http://knoxne.ws/2redxGr

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Funny Business: Peter Cooper writes of country music secrets, legends, laughs - Knoxville News Sentinel

The lawn of the Koi Pond Brewing Co. was filled with dozens of people Saturday as men, women and families came out to support the local craft brewerys third annual Pondapalooza event, which had craft beer, food trucks, live music and activities for the children.

Eric Ghiloni, co-owner of Koi Pond Brewing Co., said the Pondapalooza concept comes from the annual popular music festival called Lollapalooza, which features several music genre performances.

We wanted to do something that sounded familar, and this is all about fun, community, music and food, Ghiloni said.The turnout was great. In addition, to the people here locally, we had several people coming from places like Greenville, Raleigh and Durham.

Instead of rain, the day turned out to have overcast skies with temperatures in the high 60s and a little breeze. People were relaxing in folding chairs in groups, sitting at picnic tables or standing and talking on the outside porch of Koi Pond, while eating and having a cup or can of beer from Koi Pond Brewing, Tarboro Brewing Co. West: Tacos & Taproom or Bull Durham Beer Co.

People also were seen going across the Rocky Mount Mills campus to Ramblers Beer and Wine. Visitors looking for a bite to eat had a selection to choose from vendors such as Angelos Pizza, Cut Bait Cafe, Zekes Meats and Bills Kettle Corn.

In addition to food and beer, people were treated to several live band performances. Ghiloni, who is known to play guitar, played with one of the bands on stage. Joey Stultz, who plays the drums, performed during the first act with Chet Nichols and the Repeat Offenders.

Im from Wilson and this was the first time that Ive been to Koi Pond and the Rocky Mount Mills, Stultz said.This is amazing and even though I dont drink, this is a nice environment. I loved the diversity of the crowd seeing a mix of older and younger people and families out here.

While waiting for his chicken sausage sandwich, he ordered from Zekes Meats, John Wade said he has been a regular visitor of Koi Pond since it became the first tenant to open at the Mills in 2015. Wade loves the variety of craft beer served at Koi Pond. Wade said he enjoyed the music and having some good beer at Pondapalooza.

Wade is looking forward to the continuing development of the Rocky Mount Mills as two new restaurants under local ownership are set to open this summer.

I think its fabulous about the plans for the future so far, Wade said.Im curious what theyre going to do in the big mill building because I heard the possibility of retail and office space. It would be great to see that come to fruition.

While coming to Pondapalooza with some old friends, Shelly Johnson, who lives in New Mexico and was visiting her parents, said this was the first time she had been back in Rocky Mount in eight years. People close to her recommended she come to Koi Pond for the Pondapalooza event and check out what is happening at the ongoing development of the Rocky Mount Mills.

My last image of the Mills was it being an old cotton mill, and to see what it has become and the construction taking place is really cool, Johnson said.

See more here:

Pondapalooza gives folks chance to enjoy food, music and fun - Rocky Mount Telegram

Want to travel to space? Well currently theres no easy way unless youre really loaded to do that in real life, but with virtual reality (VR) there a plenty of options available. Launched back in March,Spacetours VR Ep1 The Solar System enablesyou to travel to our closest planetary cousins on HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. Originally exclusive to Steam and Viveport, developer Vibrant Visuals has now released the experience on Oculus Home through the Gallery Apps section.

Featuring all eight planets in photo-realistic detail, created from NASA and ESA/O images along with Epic Games Unreal Engine,Spacetours VR Ep1 The Solar System is an interactive learning app where you can freely navigate the solar system at your leisure.

With full motion control support for Oculus Touch, you can select planets to go to or even pick them up in the palm of your hands in gentile surroundings with calm relaxing music playing away.

Spacetours VR Ep1 The Solar Systemretails for 7.99 GBP on Oculus Home with Steam selling the experience for 6.99.

There are plenty of space-based apps and videogames available for Oculus Rift depending on how interactive you want the experience to be. Discovering Space 2, VR2 Space, Mission: ISS, Apollo 11 VR, Star Chartand ADR1FTare just a few examples.

For all the latest VR videogame releases, keep reading VRFocus.

Staff writer at VRFocus who enjoys bringing the latest news to our keen readers all over the world. Obsessive gamer since the days of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, when Peter does step outside he's off to practice Bruce Lee's Jeet Kun Do, or see the latest local live bands.

E-mail: pgraham@vrfocus.com

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Fly to the Moon and Beyond with Spacetours VR Now on Oculus Home - VRFocus

When: 3 p.m. today

Where: California Theatre of the Performing Arts, 562 W. Fourth St., San Bernardino

Tickets: $25-$60; students and military with ID are $10

Information: 909-381-5388, http://www.sanbernardinosymphony.org

Anne Viricel, the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestras executive director, has a gift suggestion for Mom.

What better way is there than to spend a Mothers Day afternoon with the family, doing nothing but relaxing and enjoying beautiful classical music, she said, referring to ensembles performance at 3 p.m. Sunday. Taking Mom to the concert will be a truly special way to treat her.

Most season-finale concerts are programmed for a Saturday night, to be celebrated with champagne and balloons. The schedule at the California Theatre of the Performing Arts in San Bernardino didnt allow for that, but opened the door to the notion of creating a special Mothers Day event.

Besides, this is a really beautiful concert, Viricel added. The music is absolutely wonderful.

The program includes Franz Schuberts Symphony No. 6 in C Major, Beethovens Symphony No. 1 in C Major, and Jacques Francois Antoine Iberts Flute Concerto, to be performed by the orchestras principal flutist, Patricia Cloud.

First on the program will be the Schubert symphony.

We believe audience members of all ages will love hearing this piece, said Frank Paul Fetta, conductor. Each instrument is beautifully highlighted to be easily identified and showcased.

Although Schubert died at age 31, his work was discovered and championed by 19th-century greats Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms. Today, he is ranked among the outstanding composers of the late Classical and early Romantic musical eras.

We titled the entire season A Season of Firsts, Viricel said. The programmed work had to be a work this orchestra would perform for the first time, or a first composition by a particular composer. For this concert, we will perform Beethovens first symphony.

Still under the heavy influence of the Classical composers including his teacher Joseph Haydn, Beethoven premiered this symphony in 1800. According to Fetta, the work still bears many of the composers unique and identifiable characteristics, especially the frequent use of sudden, strong musical emphases.

Nestled between the two very familiar works, the Ibert concerto fits into the first category, as the orchestra will be performing it for the first time.

This is a modern piece, Viricel said. Ibert composed this in 1934, but its beautiful, full of gorgeous melodies. Its so difficult for the soloist, and its really long. The audience will really appreciate the artistry which Patricia Cloud brings to the work.

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Musicians of Patricias caliber are rare, but San Bernardino is incredibly fortunate to have an orchestra full of some of the finest musicians in the country, said Fetta in a press release.

Cloud is a native Southern California performer and teacher, and has played with Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony and Mozart Orchestra, as well as serving as principal flute for the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra.

Our mission, in short, is to present accessible music that is fun and good, Viricel said. This concert is well-established classical music fare, and for a good reason. Simply put, it is beautiful music that has proven itself over the centuries to endure and still attract audiences, whether they are aficionados or new to the scene. Thats why we believe this is a marvelous Mothers Day gift.

As a bonus, every mother at the concert will receive a flower.

See the rest here:

San Bernardino Symphony presents a musical treat for Mother's Day - San Bernardino County Sun

ALFRED - The Cancer Care Center of York County will offer a free sun-damage analysis clinic at Parsons Memorial Library this Tuesday, May 16, from 11 a.m. to noon.

Representatives from the center will use a blight-light machine to measure the effects the sun has had on your face.

Information about preventing skin cancer will be available.

The library is located at 27 Saco Road.

For more information, call 324-2001

GOODALL LIBRARY

Goodall Library is located at 952 Main Street and can be reached at 324-4714. Visit the library online at http://www.lbgoodall.org.

Goodall Library will continue itsMeditation Seriesin May and June.Whether youre a beginner or looking to deepen your practice, head to the library for one (ormore) of the classes in this series, led by Cindy Simon, M.A., NCC, RMT.Relieve anxiety, anger and depression by learning to live in the present moment.Enjoy deep stillness and quiet and rid your mind of negative chatter. Live withmore acceptance, letting go, happiness, and gratitude.Classes will be held on Mondays, May 15 and June 19, from 4 to 5 p.m.

Coloring Calm, Goodall Librarys coloring workshop,will continue on Mondays, May 22 and June 26, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the library'sCommunity Room. Coloring sheets and supplies will be provided (or you canbring your own). Color in a relaxing group setting with music and refreshmentsprovided. Adult coloring, a focused and meditative activity, has been shown tohave many positive benefits, mental and physical.

Marianne OConnor, the author of"Haunted Hikes of New Hampshire,"will give a presentation at Goodall Library on Tuesday, May 23, at 6 p.m.OConnor shares more than trail mix withher readers as she recounts the ghost stories, legends and lore associated with some of New Hampshire'spremier hiking trails. Her one-hour presentation will be full of spooky surprises her Powerpoint program will highlight unusual ghost tales and will cover geological andhistorical events. Haunted locations are scattered throughout the state next door and featurelegends such as Devils Den in New Durham, Chief Chocorua in Tamworth, Sasquatch ofOssipee, the Bomber Plane in Woodstock, and a murder mystery involving Bette Davis inFranconia. O'Connoris a professional educator and has presented her program to various libraries,schools and local organizations throughout New England. Her book has been featured on "NH Chronicle," "Windows to the Wild," NH NPR and other local programs.

Plunk will meet funk when musicianPeter Mezoian will perform on the banjo during a special showat Goodall Library on Tuesday, May 30, at 6:30 p.m. The roots of the banjo are in American popular and jazz musicfrom the early 1900s, but, unlike many banjoists, Mezoian decided thatthose syncopated, infectious rhythms and melodies could transfer to other genresand generations of musicwhere Cole Porter crosses Paul Simon and Broadwayintersects with the Beatles, and where the Roaring '20s catch up with thepsychedelic '60s.This funny and engaging performer will keep you wondering what he will playnext. Mezoian has spent years taking the banjo across the world as a feature act ontheater and nightclub stages in America, England, and Japan, at music festivals and on more than 50 different cruise ships. He'sjust your typical native Maine, Steve Martin-influenced, donut-eating,espresso-drinking, half-Armenian, half-Greek, four-string banjoist.

Romp & Rhyme: Baby & Toddler Timeis held at Goodall Library on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. This program, for children ages 3 and younger, lasts 30 minutes and is filled with music, movement, fun, rhymes and books.

Creative Chaos Story Time For Pre-schoolersis offered at Goodall Library for children ages 3 through 6 on Thursday mornings at 11 a.m. This 45-minute program involves stories, crafts, fun and an occasional surprise.

Goodall Library offersfree passesto the Portland Museum of Art, Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the Ogunquit Museum of American Art and the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport. Stop in and start enjoying the benefits of becoming a member of the library.

SPRINGVALE PUBLIC

Springvale Public Library is located at 443 Main Street. For more information, call 324-4624, send an email to spl@springvalelibrary.org, or visit online at http://www.springvalelibrary.org.

Story timesare held at Springvale Public Library for children ages 3 through 6 every Monday at 10 a.m. Baby Rhyme Time, for children under the age of 3, is held at the library on Thursdays at 10 a.m.

PARSONS MEMORIAL

Parsons Memorial Library is located at 27 Saco Road in Alfred. It can be reached at 324-2001 or alflib@roadrunner.com. Hours are from 3 to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

E-Booksare available at the Parsons Memorial Library.The library has three Kindle e-readers with a total of 22 titles on each. Contact the library for the full list.

Parsons Memorial Library hosts aLego Clubfor children ages 4 through 12 on Mondays from 3 to 5 p.m. The Legos are supplied. Donations of additional Legos would be appreciated.

The Friends of Parsons Memorial Library are having anongoing book salein the Reading Room. Hardcovers cost $2; paperbacks, $1. You can fill a PML tote bag with books for $12. All proceeds support the librarys programs.

Preschool Story Timesare held at the library with Miss Karen on Tuesdays at 10 a.m.

TheGames Clubmeets at Parsons Memorial Library on Wednesdays at 1 p.m.

Parsons Memorial Library tote bagsare now available for $8 apiece. Proceeds go toward expanding library collections.

Discount passesto the Portland Childrens Museum are available at the library year round.

ACTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

Acton Public Library is located at 35 H Road in Acton and is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to noon on the second and third Saturdays of the month.

Acton Public Library is now offering aStory & Activity Hourfrom 10 to 11 a.m. on Fridays with two volunteers leading the fun. Parents and caregivers and their children, ages preschool and younger, are welcome to attend and listen to a story, participate in finger-play and movement activities and make light crafts. The library will also have "community celebrities" lined-up to attend once a month and share their talents.

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Parsons Memorial to host skin-screening clinic - Foster's Daily Democrat

The Kaleidoscope programme helps children relax, visualise and express themselves. Photograph: Alamy

There is a crisis in mental health for young people. Services are operating in silos and they are not working for over-tested, overstressed young people. Much emphasis has been placed on teenagers with low self-esteem, with behavioural and emotional issues and how we can support them.

At Water Hall primary school in Milton Keynes, we believe in the need to identify and address these issues early to be able to implement intervention strategies as soon as possible.

Taking action early enables vulnerable children to rebuild their self-esteem and take responsibility for their emotions, behaviour and learning. The outcome will be that they re-engage with education, perform well and are confident and happy young people.

Water Hall primary serves the Lakes Estate in Bletchley, a disadvantaged area where external issues regularly affect childrens mental and emotional wellbeing. The school has used the Kaleidoscope programme for eight years. The support system enables children to forget the things worrying them at home or elsewhere when they are in school.

Seven different stages make up a Kaleidoscope session: relax, visualise, express, move, build, explore and affirm. A designated room is used for sessions for either small groups or one-to-one sessions. Interventions last six to eight weeks.

The programme is used in all classes every day. Each morning starts with a session enabling children to be in the right frame of mind to learn. Lights are low, relaxing music is played and children are taught various calming techniques that they can use anywhere.

Kaleidoscope has had an amazing impact on the childrens emotional and mental wellbeing and their learning. Exclusions have fallen, attendance and behaviour has improved, children have taken responsibility for their learning and results have shot up. Kaleidoscope works, it gives children the tools to enable them to raise their self-esteem, with the accompanying improved outcomes for the school.

Our work proves that unless the child is in the right place emotionally and mentally, learning will not take place, however good the teaching and leadership in the school.

Tony Draper is headteacher of Water Hall primary, chief executive officer of Lakes Academies Trust, and the immediate past president of the school leaders union, the National Association of Head Teachers.

Read more:

Children need to be in the right mental state to learn effectively - The Guardian