Rev. Bowman’s Memoir “Lady Father” featured in “Per Ardua” (With Difficulty) Winter Women’s Issue 2019 Episcopal New Yorker
Glenmont, New York – December 30, 2019 – Rev. Bowman’s compelling memoir has been showcased in the Women’s Issue of the Episcopal New Yorker, the quarterly magazine of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Entitled “Per Ardua” (translated “With Difficulty”) it is printed in English but the title of the article certainly captures the essence of her tumultuous journey into the ordination process of the Episcopal Church newly opened to women in the 1980’s. With a Bishop (the Rt. Rev. C. Claude Vache’) who refused to ordain women and a process still holding fast to the traditional all-male priesthood, Rev. Bowman was subjected to discriminatory practices and was not recommended for ordination until a year after her graduation from seminary. “Per Ardua” is written with the same honesty and gentle courage as her book which is set in the Dioceses of Southern Virginia and Albany. Her journey took her through various ministries during which she encountered everything from outright hostility and lost members to respect and devotion for her loving care of all those God put in her path, regardless of their stance on the issue. The events are reported honestly and without rancor, hostility, or excuses.
“It is painful; it is often light-hearted, even humorous; it is moving as it deals with real people, real events, and real emotions; and, most of all, it is mine – my story, my journey, my life.” – Susan B. Bowman
“Per Ardua” begins with a brief description of the author’s upbringing in the Episcopal Church and her early years of ministry with youth groups in Southern Virginia where she soon felt called to go to seminary. Her approach to the Bishop was shocking as this strong opponent to the ordination of women allowed her – as the first Southern Virginia woman ever – to enroll in seminary at The University of the South School of Theology in Sewanee, Tennessee. Three short months later, he made further history by enrolling her in the ordination process, again the first woman ever. The subsequent story of her 4 and ½-year stint as a Postulant/Candidate for Holy Orders is breathtakingly painful and outrageous – regardless of what side of the issue one was on – and her courage and perseverance was finally rewarded when she was ordained a Deacon by Bishop Vache’ on February 23, 1985 and later, on January 25, 1986, a priest in the Church of God.
“If I had known what was in store for me, I think I would have thought more than twice about embarking on this journey.” – The Rev. Susan B. Bowman, “Lady Father”
After 15 years of parish ministry, during which Rev. Bowman was disrespected, maligned, and even called names, the joy she had found in her ministry to many faithful Episcopalians began to be overshadowed by the mistreatment leaving her at the point of despair which nearly led to her resigning from the priesthood, the Church, and even Christianity. It was again God’s intervention which led her to ministry in a tiny United Methodist congregation where she served as “Pastor-on-Loan” for 12 years and was able to find healing and to retire with joy and serenity.
“Lady Father” was written by the Rev. Susan Bowman and published on May 10, 2011 by Aberdeen Bay. The website was born shortly thereafter as a home for “Lady Father” and has been a source of information about the book, theological and other more “fun” articles, as well as sermons for every season of the liturgical year. The author’s mission has been and continues to be to bring this piece of the history of women’s ordination in the Episcopal Church to the Church and, indeed, the world lest it be forgotten what an arduous journey women had to travel to serve God in his Church.
Your kitchen is the hardest-working space in the house. If you’re renovating your kitchen, there are a few important things to think about. Whether it’s small or large, your goal has to be efficiency. Making sure that the items you need are where you need them is critical. The following are a few renovations you could make to your kitchen to make sure you can get the most out of your kitchen space.
Single-Bowl Sink
Unless you wash your dishes by hand, a two-bowl sink is probably not efficient. If you’re just rinsing off dishes before placing them in the dishwasher, you likely have a bowl you barely use. By putting in a single-bowl sink, you gain counter space. If you’re adding a new countertop anyway, consider adding an under-cabinet sink for easy cleanup.
Cabinet Space
Cabinet design has expanded tremendously over time and actually can give you many options for layout. If you’re tall, be sure to include pullouts in the lower cabinets so you can easily get to the items at the back of the cabinet. Shorter cooks may want to add glass doors to the upper cabinets so they can use them as a display rather than as storage spaces. Every kitchen seems to have a black hole or a dark corner. However, new hardware that features either a lazy Susan or a pullout shelf can make your corner storage extremely useful. There are lots of options for corner cabinets for your unique needs. This may also be a great place to add a covered tool barn for items you don’t use every day, such as your mixer or juicer. A simple roll-up door can give a very clean look to your kitchen and can make it easy to keep things tidy.
Use Portable Pieces
Very small kitchens can still provide you with plenty of working space if you purchase a portable island. Many of these versatile pieces have drop-leaf features to one end, so the original footprint is quite small but the counter space can be huge once the leaf is up. In addition, many portable islands have cabinet or bin space underneath the countertop. These pieces come in a variety of materials, from heavy-duty stainless steel construction to wooden cabinets on wheels with butcher block tops. When you’re not using your rolling island, just fold down the leaves, and push it against the wall where it can serve as additional cabinet storage.
You don’t need a huge kitchen to enjoy your workspace when you’re preparing a meal. Renovations may take a little bit of time, but the results make the work worth it. By laying things out efficiently, you can maximize the space you have and still have everything you need.
Top rated Plumber in Allentown PA, Lehigh Valley Plumbing Experts have put together some tips to help prevent burst pipes. LV Plumbing Experts, who provide a frozen pipe repair service, currently has a special offer to check on the condition of pipes around the property.
In September 2019 a pipe burst in Lehigh University dorm caused flooding and evacuations. The burst occurred when a pipe failed in a third-floor bathroom where all floors of the building were affected. Nearly 50 students had to be moved for the night to alternative accommodation. Lehigh Valley Plumbing Experts, a leading plumber in Allentown PA has put together some tips and advice on how to prevent pipe bursts and what to do when a burst has been discovered.
When the cold sets in pipes can freeze and burst, which can result in expensive problems and serious damage to the home. If a home has a flood it can result in long-lasting damage which can include new ceilings, re-plastering, new flooring, and new contents. By acting now and following the advice from the Allentown PA Plumbing expert, serious damage can be avoided.
1. Insulate your home
It is important to insulate any exposed pipes in basements, garages, kitchen cabinets on the outside of the property.
2. Take precautions when going on vacation
For people going on vacation during the winter period, it is important to safeguard the home against potential burst pipes. When going on vacation for a long period in colder climates such as Lehigh Valley, our experts recommend shutting off and draining the water system. This can help prevent burst pipes.
3. Fix Dripping Taps
It is important to fix dripping taps. It does not matter how small the drip is, a dripping tap can result in a frozen pipe. As soon as a dripping pipe has been discovered it is important to contact a professional plumber.
4. Make Sure the boiler and heating receive an annual service.
It is important to make sure that the boiler and heating equipment receives a yearly service. This is done to detect any faults and avoid them becoming a serious problem.
Lehigh Valley Plumbing Experts has become one of the most recommended in their field and they provide a wide range of services which include flood prevention service, water heater repair, and leak repair service. They claim if a burst occurs then it is important to turn off the water supply. The next step is to call out a professional plumber and have the problem dealt with straight away to avoid more damage to the property.
If you need immediate service, please call (484) 222-4038. Mention coupon code LV50 to save $50 off your next service.
About Lehigh Valley Plumbing Experts
Lehigh Valley Plumbing Experts offer complete residential plumbing installation and maintenance services. Our plumbing technicians have the latest tools, equipment and technology to handle most problems on the spot; saving you time and money. Lehigh Valley Plumbing Experts have top rated plumbers servicing Allentown PA.
Media Contact Company Name: Lehigh Valley Plumbing Contact Person: Customer Services
In 2008 Karvunidis Jenna started a trend for mothers to be, a trend that has taken America by storm. That trend was Gender Reveal parties and nearly twelve years later it has reached countries all around the world. But now, one person has taken Gender Reveal Parties a step further by using magic, and that person is Doug Roy.
Doug Roy is a professional magician with many years of experience and a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM). He performs magic at private parties, corporate events, weddings, and banquets and now he performs his magic at Gender Reveal Parties.
His Gender Reveal Magic shows have gained huge exposure, so we wanted to find out more about Doug Roy and why his Gender Magic Reveal parties have become is such hot demand.
Doug Roy, you have made a career out of performing magic tricks, why did you decide to become a magician?
Early on, when I would perform magic as a hobby, the reason was simply because it was FUN… and I loved the fun reactions the magic caused. But as I went pro, I began to realize what it was that caused people to react the way they did when they saw my magic. I realized that magic is nostalgic. That it momentarily takes the audience member back to when they were a child… when magic was ‘real’. You see… as we age, and life happens… most of us lose the “magical wonderment” we often felt as a child. So, when a person experiences that feeling again… it’s a beautiful thing, and a joy to be a part of! The look on their face…. And even an occasional tear… says it all! The post-magic hug is the confirmation that what they had just experienced was indeed magical for them!
What was your job before you decided to become a full-time magician?
My background is in sales/marketing, which really fit well with the magic because it gave me regular opportunities to practice my routines and hone my skills a bit. I quickly discovered that magic was the absolute BEST ice-breaker when meeting people for the first time!
What age were you when you decided you wanted a career in magic?
My story is common with the story of other magicians. When I was nine years old, I saw a magician perform, and I was HOOKED!! I went to the school library and checked out the THREE books they had on magic! When I was finished with those… I went to the CITY library and checked out all TEN of THEIR books!! And then… as they say… The rest is history!!
Can you remember your first ever magic trick?
Yes… vividly! It was a SET of tricks, called Mashall Brodien’s “TV Magic Show”! I received it as a Christmas present when I was nine! My mother played the piano, so I clearly remember covering the piano bench with a tablecloth and laying out the tricks on it, thus turning it into my performance table! FUN memories indeed!
What is your favourite trick to perform?
HOW MANY favorites am I allowed to comment on??? LOL
There is one that I ALWAYS perform in my Gender Reveal Show, using a volunteer from the audience. It draws HYSTERICAL laughs from the audience and has a STUNNING ending!!! Sorry, but that’s all the details I’m able to provide you. 😉
You have hit the headlines with your magic show where you reveal the gender of a baby, can you tell me more about that show?
First of all,… its high-energy, involves a lot of audience-participation, and is a TON of fun! What makes the show unique is that it is custom-made and centers around moms & kids. I use a mix of tricks I commonly use in my regular shows, as well as some customized tricks you will never see anywhere else in the word, that have a baby theme to them.
I can also customize it to fit the audience… whether the audience is all adults, or a mix of all ages. And if the unborn child has siblings, I involve them in the show also! I usually begin the show by doing with strolling magic, where I mingle with everyone and perform close-up magic, and then end the show with my stand-up portion, where I perform in front of the whole group. I do the strolling portion because when people can intimately witness the magic happening within inches of their eyes… it really takes the magic to very high level for them. The reactions really say it all! The strolling portion really “sets the stage” for the stand-up portion, where I perform the gender reveal as the grand finale!!
Speaking of the gender reveal… it is truly unlike any other!! It’s what I call the “double hit!” The magic stands on its own as truly Vegas-quality magic. But on top of that is the GENDER REVEAL itself, that is done through magic!! The result is something you simply don’t get from cutting a cake, popping a balloon… or popping colored smoke! The show ends with a photo moment of the entire group holding a custom-made banner and jumbo photo props announcing what the gender is! The success of the entire evening is seen in the faces of everyone!
It has become a very popular show, why do you think that is?
I believe there are three simple reasons:
Magic has a VERY HIGH entertainment value. And with the amazingly talented magicians who have performed on Americas Got Talent over the last few years, I think magic has really become even more popular!
People are finding that there are only so many ways you can cut a cake… or pop a balloon! And… you know they will see only ONE of two options: Pink or Blue! With my show… people have NO IDEA how I will be revealing the gender!! It’s “anticipation on steroids!” (ALSO… there are NO bad endings, such as what has been seen in the news: The helium-filled balloon with the reveal inside that accidentally slid out of the toddlers hand and sadly flew away… un-popped!!! .. the fire in Arizona caused by sparks from a Gender Reveal popper that caused over $100K in damage!)
I think that people see that using the theme of MAGIC makes total sense! I mean… there’s nothing more magical than hearing the baby’s heartbeat for the very first time!
With the whole process of creating life being magical, it really makes sense to reveal the gender through magic!
What type of tricks do you do during your gender reveal show?
I perform a fun mix of traditional magic, where things appear … disappear… and change, as well as Mentalism, where I do mind-reading, predictions, and clairvoyance. And everything is highly interactive, very entertaining, and usually has a splash of comedy. Smiles, laughs, and looks of amazement is always the goal…. And the goal is always reached!
Where has been the strangest place you have performed magic?
A strange place just occurred… where I did magic at a corporate holiday event held at a bowling alley! Going from lane to lane doing Strolling magic as people bowled… and ending with stand-up magic standing ON one of the lanes itself, with my back to the pins, and facing the fun audience stretched across the sitting areas of all the lanes! TON of fun!
If you could perform magic for anyone in the world, who would it be for and why?
It would be for David Blaine (catch my breath!), because he is my idol!
Doug Roy is a professional magician with many years of experience. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah and is a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM). He performs magic at corporate events, private parties, and weddings.
Dr. Meger who is a Top Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon in Phoenix and Specializes in Breast Augmentation and Breast Implants has explained how Breast Augmentation Can Boost Confidence.
Over the years there have been lots of different studies that have looked at the effects of Breast Augmentation on women and why so many people have the cosmetic surgery. Many of those studies have found that Breast Augmentation Can Boost Confidence and Dr. Meger who is a Top Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon in Phoenix agrees.
Dr. G. Robert Meger, M.D. P.C., a leading Breast Augmentation in Phoenix has said many women have breast augmentation due to low self-esteem. When a woman has breasts that are sagging, deflated due to pregnancy and breast feeding it can result in them fesling less confident than they did before those breast problems occurred.
“Breast augmentation can help improve self-esteem by allowing women to feel more confident and satisfied about how their body looks. If their body looks great then this can improve their well-being”, explained Dr. G. Robert Meger
A lot of women lose their confidence and feel less attractive when they are not happy with their breasts. According to research, some women feel embarrassed and others feel uncomfortable when a loved one touches their breasts. It has also been reported that women who are not happy about their breasts lose their sex drive. This can be rectified through breast augmentation.
Dr. G. Robert Meger, M.D. P.C. who offers a range of different cosmetic procedures for the breast, skin, body, and face has said a lot of women who have breast augmentation feel empowered.
“It is not just about looking great, it is also about feeling empowered,” explained Dr. G. Robert Meger, M.D. P.C.
The Breast Augmentation Phoenix offer free consultations where clients can learn more about the procedure and find out if the procedure is right for them.
Robert Meger, M.D. P.C. is an aesthetic and cosmetic surgery office located in Phoenix, AZ that serves both the Phoenix and Scottsdale communities. Our practice was founded by our board-
One trend that has been discussed at length in recent times in the African tourism industry, is the idea of having a sustainable safari experience. But what does it really mean to travel sustainably? One of the core tenets is about providing travelers with a “transformative” or “transformational” experience. There is now a fast-growing trend among travelers toward more mindful, conscious travel – who want more than just a simple visit to a new destination and instead crave an authentic, meaningful and life-changing travel experience that is making a difference!
Sababu Safaris was created with a transformational travel concept in mind. Where many other Tanzania safari tour operators pledge to support local communities, we go a step further by letting our guests see and make the difference themselves. When you see for yourself the difference you can make in the local community and meet the people whose lives you touch, the feeling that follows is usually one you take with you for the rest of your life. That’s why we don’t just partner with camps and lodges that share similar sustainable travel values (leaving a low carbon footprint and/or supporting the local communities), we also integrate unique and impactful experiences that put you in direct touch with these local communities. One of such experiences is our solar light distribution project, which has been impactful among remote communities across Northern Tanzania.
THE SABABU SAFARIS SOLAR LIGHT DISTRIBUTION
Access to electricity has been one of the main challenges faced by local communities in Africa. In many of these places, families have to make do with kerosene lamps in order to go about their daily activities after the sun has set. Kerosene is expensive, dangerous and its fumes are toxic. Guests on safari with Sababu Safaris get the chance to visit these remote villages and distribute solar lights to give the gift of light to these families. Since the solar lights are light-weight and inflatable, we can easily distribute them in most of our safari tours. We simply pull up at random villages and inform the elders of our intention before being invited into their homes. It’s often an exciting moment when you show the villagers how the solar lights work and they realize that they no longer have to live in the dark or depend on kerosene lamps at night. It is a life-changing experience for many of our guests and improves the quality of life of these families at the same time. We usually keep our cars stocked so that we can easily replace broken lights whenever we drive through the same area. The immediate impact of solar lights includes:
No more expensive kerosene lamps necessary (kerosene takes up a huge chunk of income!)
No more fire hazards
No more toxic fumes inside their huts
Children are able to read and study after dark
AN IMMERSIVE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE
No Tanzanian safari experience is complete without an opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich culture of native tribes and witness their local customs. This is another transformative aspect of travel as visits to local Masai tribes and Hadzabe Bushmen expose you to a completely different way of life, which can have a profound effect on your understanding of the world.
Whether it’s taking part in a spear-throwing contest with Masai warriors or learning some handy survival skills from one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer tribes on earth, the experience is often one you’ll look back on with fondness.
You can also learn how to create traditional beadwork with Masai women or attend a cooking class and sample traditional delicacies. Either way, we are committed to providing you with a complete safari experience. Want to be part of this project? Create your dream safari with us today! At Sababu Safaris, we focus on providing you with a personalized experience with tailor-made safaris and unforgettable activities. Call us today at +1 914-207-4426 to book your sustainable Tanzania safari or to learn more about our transformative projects. You can also reach us through our contact form.
Jill Alice Roush Jacobson (MeeMa to her grandkids) was born on April 19, 1962 in Whittier, California. She graduated from Bingham High School in South Jordan, Utah in 1980. She studied cosmetology and met and married Dennis Roush in 1980. They soon had three adorable little boys, the lights of her life. Jill and Dennis divorced and she raised her three boys on her own.
Jill suffered a massive stroke and brain hemorrhage on November 24, 2019. For 26 days she fought valiantly and defied all the odds and amazed everyone by walking again and talking, even after we were told that she would probably be paralyzed on her left side. As her family, we will always be grateful for those 26 days we had with her! She was always a fighter and did not give up easily, never losing her sense of humor, but passed away on Friday, December 20, 2019, when a massive blood clot made its way to her heart. She was surrounded by family and loved ones when she passed on to a new life, greeted by her father David, and sister Beth (John), who had passed on before her.
Jill was full of life, a real girly-girl who was feisty and very loyal. She loved animals, especially her cherished pit bulls, Happy and Lexi. She was not afraid to give you her opinion or share money she did not have with those in need. She worked very hard to do the work of two parents and raised her boys to become three fine young men, husbands and fathers. Jill was very creative and beautiful and always willing to jump in and help when someone was in need. She was an amazing volleyball player and enjoyed being outdoors; she loved southern California beaches and sunshine and won many awards and ribbons riding the family horse Calico, in gymkhanas in southern California.
God be with you until we meet again dear daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and friend. We love you to the moon and back!
Jill is survived by her three sons: Blake Roush (Haylee), Tyrell Roush (Estee), and Jaymeson Roush (Heather) and nine beloved grandchildren: Jaxen (14), Jayah (11), Dayton (11), Tatum (6), Tyson (6), Etta (4), Cooper (3), Derek (3), and Beckham (15 months); her mother Nancy Tripp (Vern) and five of her six siblings: Blythe Carlsen (Kent), Joanna DeCrescenzo (Rick), Dathan Jacobson (Lynell), Danna Allen and Dayne Jacobson (Tricia).
Luncheon and memorial service in Jill’s honor:
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Luncheon: 11:00 am to 1:30 pm at Cobble Creek 2nd Ward, 8150 S Grizzly Way, West Jordan, Utah 84081
Memorial Service: 2-5 pm at Premier Funeral Services, 67 East 8000 South, Midvale, Utah, 84047
If you prefer to make donations to the funeral fund in lieu of flowers you may do so through:
Leading online resource for entrepreneursand technology enthusiasts, StartupWorld, provides shoppers with an amazing shopping experience this season with great Christmas Sale and Deals
StartupWorld is one of the leading online platforms that provide business owners and IT enthusiasts with the latest news and happenings across the globe in various fields. Over the years, the website has grown to become increasingly popular with a diverse audience, providing them with the latest information in the world of entrepreneurship, as well as startup stories, coupons, and reviews on several products. In line with the platform’s goal of providing users with the best possible online experience, StartupWorld listed a plethora of Christmas sale deals for online shoppers.
Shopping is one of the most desirable activities for anyone and with the holidays come lots of shopping as people look to appreciate their loved ones by buying them gifts. Families also want to close the year-long shopping cart with some products during Christmas. Regardless of the reason or factors that necessitate shopping, every buyer is looking to save as much as possible while getting their desired item. Unfortunately, this is not as easy as it seems, despite the tons of shopping offers available across the internet, with many such deals offering little or nothing in terms of price reduction. This is where StartupWorld is looking to change the narrative by offering shoppers the best possible Christmas deals 2019.
The Christmas Sale and Coupon Codes 2019 by StartupWorld cover a wide range of reliable brands from a plethora of product categories such as CBD, backpacks, proxies, web hosting, and a host of others. One of the beauties of the list from StartupWorld is that it saves online shoppers the stress involved in comparing the different deals and discounts provided by tons of stores before choosing the most suitable ones. The team at StartupWorld has allegedly taken the stress to compare the existing offers before bringing forth the top available offers from every brand. Additionally, the list of offers is constantly updated till the end of the season to ensure that it is an unending season filled with lots of surprises, fun, and excitement.
The Christmas Sale Deal also looks to entrench the reason for the season – spreading love to as many people as possible. The comprehensiveness of the list of brands and categories of products and services featured on the Christmas Sale and Coupon Codes 2019 by StartupWorld makes it the ideal Christmas shopping companion for people looking to treat themselves and loved ones to an amazing holiday. In a similar vein, StartupWorld also provides shoppers a plethora of year-end and New Year offers, giving them the best possible start to 2020.
Some popular brands featured on both lists by StartupWorld include Blinkist, Printful, Nuleaf Naturals, and Grammarly. Other brands on the list are Nomatic, Animaker, Peak Design, Electronic First, Storm Proxies, JapanCandy Box, Autumn Lane Paperie, Ait Themes, Semper Plugins, My Company Works, and a host of others. The diverse nature of the compilation makes them the most comprehensive Christmas and End of the Year shopping guide yet.
In addition to the Christmas shopping deals and codes, StartupWorld also serves as a platform to share news topics about startups, technology, business, mobile, and social.
For more about StartupWorld and loads of information on the website, please visit – https://www.startupworld.com/. StartupWorld also has a relatively strong presence on social media and can be found on Facebook and Twitter.
About StartupWorld
StartupWorld currently ranks as the most preferred media platform for Startups, entrepreneurs and technology enthusiasts. Founded in 2013, the platform offers the latest news and happenings across the globe in various fields. The website also shares share the stories of entrepreneurs with the rest of the world to inspire many others across the globe that have plans to start their venture.
More than one million people connect to Circulo Fusion.
From a job with Guy Laliberte (founder of Cirque Du Soleil) and Ferran Adria, Circulo Fusion was born in the Circulo de Bellas Artes, in Madrid.
Madrid – December 27, 2019 – Círculo Fusión is a collision of avant-garde in gastronomy, art and music, actually the most important digital cultural project in southern Europe. It is, for having exceeded more than 1.000.000 unique people connected through the channels on Spotify, Facebook Videos, iVoox, Google Podcast and other digital platforms, but also for collaborations with some of the leading professionals of the 21st century, the biggest creators at gastronomy, art and music. Círculo Fusión is documentation of the management of creativity and avant-garde in the three areas: haute cuisine, electronic music and contemporary art, which have a very similar discourse and has been confirmed throughout more than 70 collaborations.
Not any gastronomy, only haute cuisine. This is what Elena Arzak talks about, in an interview with her father, Juan Mari Arzak. Both have previously collaborated separately, and have dealt with topics like the evolution of the famous pintxo of San Sebastián or the incursion of women in haute cuisine, the most famous three michelin stars in Spain, has his first Michelin star at COMO The Halkin Hotel, at London, UK.
Who doesn´t know ARCO? Thanks to Juana de Aizpuru, founder of the most important contemporary art event in the country, we know more about contemporary art, of artistic innovation, and the change of the rules in art. A unique interview where some essential points are covered to understand the contemporary art movement in Spain. We explore other amazing works, like the done by Hans Ulrich at The Serpentine Gallery or Louise Jeffreys at the Barbican Centre, at London, UK.
The most important electronic music festival on the European continent, Tomorrowland, with Joris Voorn, one of the artists, who has his own stage at the festival. He is in charge of the “pre-opening season”, the season number five that will begin very soon on the radio of the Círculo de Bellas Artes de Madrid.
One of the main milestones of the project, the creation of guidelines around the management of creativity, told by the creators and professionals themselves, the merge between the three disciplines, which seems a priori very different, in fact, is very similar. The cultural project arises with the creation of the same space where the three subjects converge, documented by the most important artists and professionals of the 21st century.
Presented and directed by Luis Arranz, economist specialized in marketing, events and media for more than 10 years. The origin of Círculo Fusión, comes from the work done with Ferran Adrià and Guy Laliberté (founder of Cirque Du Soleil) on Ibiza island. He has been The Blogger in the international brand Ushuaïa Ibiza, has worked written in traditional media, online and national radio, and as a specialist in marketing, hospitaly, events and culture. After 4 seasons, the internationalization of Círculo Fusión begins, thanks to the connection with the city of London, UK, where it has collaborated with art brands like The Serpentine Gallery or Barbican Center.
Media Contact Company Name: Círculo Fusion Contact Person: Media Manager
Imagine the impact of your childhood experiences and how it effects you today. Darcy Rhino sheds light on how Susan Johnston took the experiences of her childhood to empower her community through story and technology.
Take a closer look at Susan Johnston’s bio and it becomes apparent that her whole life and career was always and inevitably leading to the creation of the New Media Film Festival®. She’s been an actor, model, producer, film services sorceress and early digital whiz. She’s been knighted, named an honorary astronaut, been awarded Gamechanger of the Year and traveled the world. As a lifelong activist, she’s written and recorded songs to support Greenpeace campaigns and for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. It all started with an offbeat upbringing in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Her mom and dad were high school sweethearts, but their marriage went off the rails when Johnston was just a toddler. A marital spat she witnessed at the age of two has stuck with her, a key to understanding the film industry professional and enabler Johnston would become.
Mom
Susan Johnston first stepped out of the wings and onto a stage as a Brownie. “I was a flower in a play,” she recalls from her LA home. “I crouched behind the flower. Then the flower fell and the audience laughed.” She was hooked. “Having a whole audience laugh when your life feels like hell is pretty cool.”
From her role as flower child, Johnston’s mom graduated her to beauty pageants and an early, successful modeling career for magazines and television. During those formative years, Johnston’s mother took her to the theatre as often as possible. “I got to see a lot of amazing performers coming through town,” she says, and remembers the breadth of experience she gained. “I’m thinking every kid lives like this, but looking back on it, I was entrenched in cast, crew, audience, sound, lights – everything for years.”
Then, when she was just 16, tragedy struck. Her mom died. Johnston had to live on her own for the next three years while she completed high school. “You’ve got to pick up and get a move on,” she reflects. “You put things in a box and put it way back.” This period of her life was anything but easy. Still, there was an up side. “Now, when something happens,” she says, “I just stand in the middle of it.”
Dad
While she lived with her mother, Susan Johnston was living a parallel life with her dad. He worked as a musician and promoter while Susan was in junior high school. One of her fondest memories is of an old school bus her dad painted blue and converted into a tour bus by removing half the seats. He taught her to drive in the ingenious jalopy. When her dad remarried, Johnston gained two step-siblings. Together, the six of them formed a band and gigged, including at her own school.
But perhaps the most important influence Johnston’s dad had on her life and character was through other people. Because he was always booking performers and personalities, she got to know many of them. She remembers hanging out and chatting casually with the likes of Robert Redford, Richard Chamberlain, Bruce Springsteen, Joe Fraser and Slim Pickens. “They were just adults to me,” says Johnston of her younger self. “So we would talk about anything and everything.”
Long conversations she remembers as respectful and fascinating with, in particular, Redford and Chamberlain struck her years later as important to finding her place in the world as an equal to those she later considered giants. When she told Springsteen she wanted to be an actress, he warned her of the lonely road ahead. “I came to know what it meant. You could be away on location for so long, you feel isolated. Sometimes you feel like everyone wants something from you because of your position, and that’s loneliness. Or being in a room with people you grew up with who don’t understand what you’re doing so you can’t have a conversation about it – that’s a loneliness.”
The Digital World
In high school, Johnston landed a work-study placement in the computer department of a large corporation. Her first experience in the new digital age was exciting and led to a placement at a division of Pierre Cardin. “I worked in their computer department with this fantastic machine which looks like it came from 2001: A Space Odyssey. I’m in this clean room of a PDP 1134 with giant discs and sounds, and I am responsible when it crashes while everybody else is screaming because they think the world is going to end. I just loved it. That’s why on the tech side I’m not scared of anything.”
The experience left Johnston with far more than confidence with new technology. Her father’s innovative approach to getting things done together with her digital experience at the corporate level as a problem solver at such a young age gave her confidence to face pretty well any challenge. She could simply remain calm in the midst of turmoil and, calling upon her skills and creativity, solve problems. When characterizing her own approach to working in the entertainment industry, Johnston likes to quote Yoda. “There is no try. Do.”
Los Angeles Calling
In 2000, Johnston – moved to Los Angeles in the midst of the commercial actors strike. She worked – often for free – and studied every day to develop her skills. On one day she might be a best boy, on another a snake wrangler. When a director asked her to produce a project she was working on, Johnston agreed. “My motto at the time,” says Johnston, “I’m not going to ask anyone to do anything I wouldn’t do myself or that I haven’t tried myself first.”
Johnston says her favorite film is Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder because she wants to be that character, but not just because he lives in a self-made magical kingdom. “When you’re a producer responsible for 30 people on set, just imagine that you are Willy Wonka with all these kids and their parents. So, of course I think I’m Gene Wilder overseeing a team of people in a magical world, content creation.”
New Media Film Festival ®
When the Writers Guild of America strike of 2007-8 happened, Johnston felt a strong urge to do something that would make a difference. Looking back at her life, she believed she had what it would take. From her dad, she developed business acumen. From her mom, a spirit of exploration. “I’m good on the tech side. I’m good on the innovation side. I’m not scared of anything, so I can start things.” One night before she went to sleep, she set herself a task. “What do I do with my skills and experience to help this community that I’ve been a part of my entire life? When I woke up the next morning, the schematic for the festival was pretty much downloaded.”
That schematic became the foundation for the New Media Film Festival®, which launched in 2009. “It wasn’t easy because no one knew what new media was then,” Johnston recalls. Yet, the festival took off, immediately breaking new ground. It was the first to screen a film created by artificial intelligence, the first to offer Emmy consulting and to distribute micro content. A work that won the augmented reality category went on to become the first ever series of its kind. “We distributed it and nominated it for an Emmy,” says Johnston. Two documentaries submitted to the festival recently hit number one on Amazon. As many as five others have made the top 50.
Wild Thing
Chip Taylor, composer of the 60’s hit “Wild Thing” and Songwriters Hall of Famer submitted a music video to the festival. He also happens to be the brother of actor Jon Voight and uncle to Angelina Jolie. “I didn’t know this when we accepted him,” says Johnston. “One of the things about the festival is that we just press play. The content sells itself.” Because Taylor described his project as the first in a series of music videos, the festival encouraged him to enter it in the pilot category. As Johnston puts it, “Old school is, there’s a video for each song on your album. New media is, it’s episodic. It’s a series.” Taylor won the category and the festival submitted his project for an Emmy. There are plans to submit it for a Grammy as well. “That stuff is mind boggling,” says Johnston.
Johnston says that those who submit their work to the festival will have its support long after the annual event wraps. “We’ll reach out to you if someone’s looking for your film. If there’s an opportunity for you, we’ll look for you. You’ll have positioning on a global scale. Positioning and strategy placement is really important for careers. You’ll have the level of judges – HBO, marvel, Fox, Emmy winners. Everything designed at the festival is to help the filmmaker – the press junket, VIP soirée, producer panel and pitching, the red carpet. Everything about the festival is designed to empower and catapult the filmmaker and content creator.”
When it comes to thinking about her own accomplishments, what jumps to mind first for Johnston is those she serves. “What am I most proud of? I understand that story is someone else’s child.” When pressed, she does admit that it’s pretty darn cool to be knighted. In 2017, the Ordine di San Martino del Monte delle Beatitudini in Italy knighted her for work on behalf of humanity and artists. Susan Johnston, story enabler, talks with crowds and walks with kings, never losing the common touch.
Susan Johnston is President, Select Services Films, Inc., Founder/Director New Media Film Festival ®
Darcy Rhyno is a magazine columnist, features writer and travel writer and photographer. His work has appears in Canadian Geographic Travel, Saltscapes and Coastal Discovery. He writes about interesting personalities, experiential travel, national parks and wilderness, ecological issues, culture and the arts among other things.
