Farewell 2013...Welcome 2014!

Kristen as "Monique the Maid" in Accent on Murder 9/2013

I look back at my last blog post, I marvel that it's been so long since I've written here.  As you hopefully suspect, I have thankfully been in good health and have been very busy in recent months and hope that you have been as well. 

In the music and songwriting realm, over the past year I’ve been writing and arranging songs that will be on my next full-length adult contemporary/folk rock CD that I plan to release this year.  I’m also working on another ambient project with Kathy Short-Gracenin and Rusty Wiltjer that the three of us are really inspired by and intrigued with.  I’ll share more news on the 2014 music projects soon (and see my calendar of upcoming performances at ReverbNation here:  http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/artist_shows/336419). 

Throughout 2013 I’ve been involved in music and acting with music performances in Bridgton, Lewiston, Norway, South Paris, Oxford and Mechanic Falls this year.  I performed as “Monique the Maid” in the Oxford Hills Music and Performing Arts Association’s murder mystery dinner theater production, “Accent on Murder” (see photo, details at http://www.ohmpaa.com/shows/2013/2013AOM.html), which was a whole lot of fun.  I’ll be involved in additional theater productions in the Oxford Hills of Maine as well as musical performances in Maine and other parts of the U.S. in 2014.  

I’ve also been busy with founding and operating the Short Folks For Hope Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization that supports the cancer community.  For more about my cancer journey and the mission and activities of the foundation, please check out the foundation’s website at http://www.shortfolks.org.

I have recently started up a new mailing list, so please sign up here: http://eepurl.com/LwNdj

Thank you for your continued interest and support, and best wishes,

Kristen Short

Singer/Songwriter

http://www.kshort.com

Memories of 2012

I’m very grateful for all of you who have been so supportive of my family and I during my cancer journey and beyond and of my music, and for the many memories I’ve made in 2012, including:

• Celebrating my two-year anniversary post breast cancer diagnosis on July 15, 2012, and thankful to be in remission and to continue on the journey to wellness (see the “My Journey” video on the Sea Siren Music YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHn1bsQ-yFc;
• Forming and getting the whole family involved in our new family charitable foundation, Short Folks For Hope Foundation (http://www.shortfolks.com) with the mission to raise funds and awareness for organizations that support families with health-related challenges;
• Getting involved in more community arts and charity events with performances in music and theater;
• Spreading hope to others facing health challenges by sharing my story, my music, my shoulders, my listening ears, my heart and my time.
• Being a part of The Dempsey Challenge, the inspirational fundraising event for The Patrick Dempsey Center For Cancer Hope & Healing, and being the 2012 recipient of the Amgen Breakaway From Cancer Survivor Award (http://www.dempseychallenge.org/kristen-short-named-amgen-breakaway-from-cancer-survivor-award-winner?doing_wp_cron=1356274729.9289898872375488281250).

There were over 4,000 participants of The Dempsey Challenge this year. I walked the 5K with my family in honor of Jessie Joy Rees, an amazing 12-year-old who inspired other kids with cancer and their families to "NEGU - Never Ever Give Up" (http://www.jessie.org), and upon her earning her angel wings in January 2011, she inspired her family and a global team to keep her Joy Jars and hope efforts flourishing. I also cycled 10 miles with my husband, a feat I hadn't attempted since my cancer treatment. It was very challenging, exhilarating, and so emotional to cross that finish line with my best friend, my husband, and receive a hug from a Dempsey Challenge volunteer, who placed a survivor medal around my neck. I had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful survivors and Dempsey Challenge supporters that weekend, to sing the Star Spangled Banner at the start of both days’ events, to lead the Amgen Breakaway From Cancer Survivor Walk with the Dempsey family and a fantastic group of survivors, and to give a presentation at The Champions of Hope Banquet. I look forward to the next Dempsey Challenge and will continue to be involved with The Patrick Dempsey Center For Cancer Hope and Healing year-round.

Also just in...my song "Chairs," which is an inspirational song I wrote about my cancer journey and is dedicated to The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing, is now available as a digital download on CD Baby, iTunes and Amazon.com. (See the CD Baby page here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kristenshort6). Fifty percent of the sale of the digital downloads of "Chairs" (and the CD single/DVD sets for sale at http://www.kshort.com) benefits The Dempsey Center.

This year I have made many memories and friendships that I will cherish always. I thank you all for your kindness and support of my music and efforts, and I wish you a blessed holiday season and a 2013 full of joy, inspiration and hope.

Best wishes,
Kristen

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Kristen Short Website: http://www.kshort.com
Singer/Songwriter Kristen Short Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kristen-Short-Singer-Songwriter/42932994619
Sea Siren Music YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/seasirenmusic

Wonderful Audiences and Four More Shows!

Photo of Maudie (Kristen) and Bummie (Dennis Twitchell) by Susan Alberi, from "The Road To Eden's Ridge: The Musical"


Last week was amazing and busy with lots of performing and, well, little sleep! The Oxford Hills Music and Performing Arts Association (OHMPAA) production of "The Road To Eden's Ridge: The Musical" opened with its gala world premiere performance on November 8. The musical is based on the novel "The Road To Eden's Ridge" by author M. L. Rose (pseudonym of Myra McLarey and Linda Weeks). Myra McLarey was in the large, wonderful audience (no pressure, folks, right?!) The musical was written and directed by Sally Jones with music composed and directed by Steve Jones (no relation). The show sold out its Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances last week with great response from the audiences. There's limited tickets available for the remaining four shows, tonight through Sunday. The shows have gone on beautifully with lots of energy. This is a great cast and crew to work with.

The story is set in Nashville and in Eden's Ridge, a thinly disguised Norway, Maine. The original music features both country and Broadway styles, written to help tell the story about characters who follow their dreams but come to realize that family ties and love matter more.

If you haven't caught a show yet, get in touch with Books 'n Things in Norway, Maine to see what's available! (http://www.bntnorway.com)

Ever since I can remember I been inspired by music, writing, theater and art, and it's wonderful to have my life full of it all. Life is art, and the world's a stage :)

Thanks for your interest and support. More news soon!

Kristen

Back To The Theater!

Although I've been amiss at blogging lately, it's not because life's been quiet! In fact, I have so much to write about that I'm really not sure where to begin; thus, there will be a number of current entries published soon!

First, for the most current news...I've jumped back into theater! In August 2012 I successfully auditioned for The Oxford Hills Music & Performing Arts Association (http://www.ohmpaa.org)production of "The Road To Eden's Ridge: The Musical." After months of hard work, the show has its world premiere next week! The original book was written by M. L. Rose (Myra McLarey and Linda Weeks), and the theater adaptation was written by Sally Jones with music by composer Steve Jones, and both Sally and Steve (no relation) are the show's directors. I'm part of a wonderful cast and crew, and I'll be singing, dancing and acting in multiple scenes. Tickets are $12.00 adults, $10.00 for students and seniors. Shows are at The Norway Grange on Whitman Street in Norway, Maine. Please visit my website for details on show times at http://www.kshort.com/gigs.shtml.

I enjoyed being involved in theater in my youth, and it's great coming back to the theater!

In another news, I'm working on my sixth CD of original music with plans to release it late summer 2013! Details soon...

Thanks for your interest and best wishes,
Kristen

Website: http://www.kshort.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kristenshort
Sonicbids EPK: http://www.sonicbids.com/kristenshort
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/seasirenmusic
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kristen-Short-Singer-Songwriter/42932994619

A Musical Summer...

My apologies - I haven't been very good at keeping my blog posts up to date lately, but I have been up to quite a bit musically in the months since I've written last!

Please feel free to follow me on my other social networking sites to catch the recent news - Facebook and Twitter.

This is certainly turning out to be a musical summer...

I'm performing at the Norway Arts Festival in Norway, Maine, this Saturday, July 14th, at the Ganderia Middle School/Hathaway House area of the festival from 10 to 11 AM. I'll be accompanied by Vessel Recordings Artist Heather Pierson and percussionist/potter Rusty Wiltjer. Then at noon I join composer Steve Jones and other vocalists to present music from the upcoming OHMPAA production, "The Road To Eden's Ridge: The Musical." The musical is based on the novel by M. L. Rose (Myra McLarey and Linda Weeks), and the musical adaptation is written by Sally Jones and Steve Jones. I'll be auditioning for a role in the theater production in August, and the show will run November 8 through 18th. For more information about the production, see the
OHMPAA site.

Other upcoming performances include Founder's Day in South Paris, singing the National Anthem for The Portland Sea Dogs, and two performances at the Oxford County Fair, one as The SuperMoon Trio (Kristen Short/Dawson Hill/Rusty Wiltjer) and one with Heather Pierson & Rusty Wiltjer. See my web site for details at Kristen's web site.

Thanks to all for support of my song "Chairs," dedicated to The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing. Fifty percent of the sales of the "Chairs" CD single/DVD music video benefits The Dempsey Center/The Dempsey Challenge. The kind words and support I've received about the song and video have been so wonderful!

In June I was back in the recording studio to start work on my next full-length original music CD that I plan to release next year. Details to come!

Best wishes and hope to catch you at a performance soon,
Kristen

An amazing weekend and a new CD single/DVD music video

It has been a whirlwind of activity in recent weeks! The Dempsey Challenge (annual fundraising event for The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing - www.dempseychallenge.com and www.dempseycenter.org) on October 8 and 9 was an absolutely amazing weekend that I will never forget. I met so many wonderful people and happily reconnected with several survivors that I met last year and formed a number of new friendships. I was blessed to be able to be a source of inspiration to the participants and volunteers at the Dempsey Challenge as well, singing two strong and heartfelt National Anthems for nearly 4,000 people in a fantastic array of team shirts. On Saturday I walked the 5K with my family, and on Sunday my husband cycled. A great time was had by all!

Then came Saturday night. I was excited, nervous...to me it felt like preparing myself to go to The Grammys or to the Sundance Film Festival! I wrote a song and produced a video called "Chairs" that I had shared with Mary Dempsey, and she was so moved by it that she asked me to share it at the Dempsey Challenge Champions of Hope Banquet. That evening there were many wonderful, emotional stories from Patrick Dempsey, caregivers, survivors, and participants. I had the honor of giving the top fundraiser award and had the opportunity to tell this gentleman what his fundraising for The Dempsey Center means to me and my family. Then, at the end of the evening, just before Patrick Dempsey's closing remarks, Mark Turcotte of The Dempsey Center offered the following introduction: "We have something we would like to share with you from singer/songwriter Kristen Short. You may remember the Short Family featured in a Dempsey Center video last year. Kristen was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and has undergone treatment the past year. Despite her diagnosis and treatment, she has continued to write and perform music. Kristen's cancer journey and experiences with The Dempsey Center, the caregivers of CMMC, and fellow patients and their families have inspired her to write a song and produce a video. This is 'Chairs' by Kristen Short." From the very first piano note (performed by Heather Pierson, percussion by Rusty Wiltjer, and guitar by Alan Bean), the standing-room-only group of people fell silent and watched the five minute music video with a display of emotion that brought tears to my own eyes. (As many people described that were there that evening, "there wasn't a dry eye in the house" after the presentation) I received rounds of hugs, the first from my husband, and as I made it across the room, I received big hugs from Patrick, Mary and Mrs. Dempsey. It was incredible to share this song this way!

The limited edition "Chairs" CD single/DVD set is available at the www.kshort.com web site. CD/DVD sets are $10.00 each (plus $2.00 shipping and handling), and 50% of proceeds benefit the Dempsey Center. If you'd like to take a peek online, here's a YouTube link to the video: www.youtube.com/user/seasirenmusic If you like the song, please help support the Dempsey Center in my independent fundraising efforts and order a CD/DVD set!

Thank you so much for your support!

Best wishes,

Kristen Short
Singer/Songwriter

Fundraising and New Song Dedication for The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing

Greetings!

I'm doing a fundraiser concert in conjunction with Gritty's in Auburn with Heather Pierson and Rusty Wiltjer of Wiltjer Pottery for the Dempsey Challenge/The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing tomorrow night 9/17 at Gritty's Auburn at 8 PM. Want to help but can't come? Please visit my Dempsey site at http://dempseychallenge2011.kintera.org/kshort. Donations are tax deductible.

On October 8th and 9th, thousands of people will join me in The Dempsey Challenge presented by Amgen, a bicycle tour and run/walk event designed to raise both cancer awareness and funds for The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing. In 2010 I sang the National Anthem for the Dempsey Challenge and have been given the honor to perform it again in 2011, and I'm also walking as a survivor! (Let me know if you'd like to join our team - Saturday is the walk/run, Sunday is the bike ride - you can do one or both events.)

The mission of The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing is "to provide the highest quality of education, support and wellness services to enhance the quality of life of individuals, families and communities touched by cancer. We strive to embrace the whole person including body, mind and spirit in a respectful, inclusive and healing environment." The Center and its staff have been an amazing resource for me and my family after my cancer diagnosis in July 2010, and I am inspired to help keep the Center funded so it can continue its wonderful work in our community!

My fundraising goal is $3,000 (as of this writing I'm a third of the way there!), which qualifies me to attend the Champions of Hope Banquet on October 8. I wrote and produced a special new song and video presentation dedicated to The Dempsey Center that I'll be presenting at the banquet. If you donate $25 or more, I'll send you a limited edition CD single of the new song! (If you've donated to my page already, you're eligible for the CD, too!)

Thanks for your help, and best wishes!

Kristen