Kate's Newsletter
March 13, 2008
Hello Everyone,
It’s the wacky-Whitehorse-weather report! In February we began with two weeks straight of minus 40 weather, followed by two weeks of above zero weather… and now it's just cold enough that the snow isn't melting & dog mushing continues for another couple of weeks… phew! I've been mushing quite a bit this winter & it's been a blast. I've learned a lot about myself & about working with dogs.
I've been working this winter as the Project Manager for a recording project that has been organized by Yukon Women in Music. Lynn Miles is here in Whitehorse right now working with engineer Christine Church to produce a compilation album of 12 previously unreleased songs from 12 different female Yukon songwriters. The songs are all being recorded from scratch at Old Crow Recording Studio. The songs all vary in style & the women all vary in age & musical background. It's been a really neat project to be involved in. I've really enjoyed working with Lynn & Christine, as well as all of the artists & musicians.
Other than that…. I've been fiddling lots with some pals up here & we're now signed up for group lessons with two different teachers – Keitha Clark, who I've toured with previously, and Sarah Hamilton who sang on my album. I've been writing quite a bit too & having a grand ol' creative time up at my little orange cabin on Squatter's Row.
I'll be heading back Ontario way for a tour in July/ August – I'll be playing the main stage at Blue Skies Music Festival this summer with Ben Whiteley & Carolyn Stewart.
Hope to see you there!
Take Care,
Kate
December 9, 2007
Hi Folks,
I’ve just returned to the Yukon after a two week house concert tour in Saskatchewan & Manitoba. These house concert tours are organized by Home Routes and are a fine thing to be involved in. Grant Simpson, a world-class stride piano player accompanied me on this tour. This is the first time that Grant & I have toured together and we had a lot of fun. For those of you in Saskatchewan, he’s coming back your way in February with New Orleans North, a traditional jazz band.
We met some really great people on this last tour. It was a unique experience to play in such an intimate setting & get to interact so much with the audience. I’m walking away from this tour feeling inspired & creative. I’ve been playing quite a bit of guitar since returning home & have a bunch of new song ideas I’m hoping to get down.
I’m going to be working at a school here in Whitehorse to lead a songwriting workshop with a grade 12 class. I’m really looking forward to it. This is something I’m interested in becoming more & more involved in.
Oh! I just found out that I’ve won the Mac Beattie Award as part of the Porcupine Awards, held on “Back to the Sugar Camp” – a radio show based out of CIUT-FM Toronto and hosted by Steve Fruitman. I won the award for being quintessentially Canadian in my songwriting…. neat, eh?
Other than that…. It’s off to Ontario for Christmas soon! The drive up here from Winnipeg last week was beautiful, but I’m excited to be flying back down instead of bussing it this time. It’s not as good fodder for songs, but it gives me more time to keep my guitar in hands.
Hope you’re all well & thanks to everyone who came out to and hosted our shows in Saskatchewan & Manitoba. It was an incredibly fulfilling experience.
Take Care,
Kate
Kate on tour with with Grant Simpson, November 2007
October 29, 2007
Hi Everyone,
Welcome to the very first Kate Weekes newsletter! I thought it would be good to have a place that lets you know a bit about what I’m up to every so often, so here we go.
It’s a sunny day in Whitehorse, but cold enough that the snow doesn’t seem to be melting. I’m hoping we get lots of snow soon so that that dog-mushing can start happening on sleds instead of 4-wheelers. I’ve been working for the past couple of months with a friend of mine to help take care of her sled dogs. So far, it’s been a great experience.
I’m getting ready to head out in a couple of weeks on a Home Routes house concert tour of Saskatchewan & Eastern Manitoba. I’ve only ever passed though Saskatchewan & never lingered, so I’m looking forward to seeing a bit more of the place. Accompanying me as a driver, piano player & banjo player will be world-class stride piano player Grant Simpson – should be a great time!
Other than that, I’ve been sawing away at my fiddle lots lately and have been making some good progress. I’m also working hard to memorize my 2,5,1’s all around the circle of fifths. I’ve got it in my head, but have to get it to come out of my fingers and then I’m allowed to have my next lesson. I want to learn to improvise this winter.
As always it’s a balance between work & play.
Hope you all are well,
Kate
Ottawa Folk Festival - August 2007