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