Leticia Rodriguez Day?

This week is a one of a kind in that I will receive an award from the City of Austin. This Thursday, November 10, will be declared "Leticia Rodriguez Day" by the City of Austin.

It is a way that the music-loving city of Austin recognizes artists, especially musicians.

Although, I don't feel especially shy, this title makes me think twice before making a posting. I seem to recall creating such events for others, especially kids, to make them feel good about themselves. I found out it works for adults too. It makes me feel good.

But, if I am to be recognized, I’d like to share it with the people who have helped me get here. An artist is only as strong as the community that supports them. So, if anyone is going to do any naming; I’d like to join in.

Legal Entities and Businesses The City of Austin has been instrumental in providing knowledge, financial support and recognition of my work. Thank you very much for your ongoing work in promoting the growth of Austin artists.

Artists Collaborators of all kinds, shapes, sizes, colors and persuasions need to be included. My work is collaborative, and is structured upon a team leaning upon one another to create a unified vision. And on this note, I’d like to recognize Steve Vidal and Darin Layne for joining me on this day, They support my work, and help me become a better musician. Here is a link to Darin’s website for those of you who wish to take a look: http://www.darinlayne.com/

Friends Friends are key for sustaining the work; friends who come to hear the music, friends who offer words of encouragement and friends who offer constructive advice during both good and bad spells.

Family Family members take over for you when you need a sitter, and need to get to work, sell tickets for you, when you need a hand and calmly listen to you rant and rave on occasion.

We can proclaim "Leticia Rodriguez Day." But I know better. It's really Community Recognition Day. It is also a day of thanks for being able to continue to do what I love with all of the heart, gusto and skills that I have. And then, if life allows, more of this, another day. If I happen to get tongue-tied on November 10, just know, this day is for you and me. And I can't see that ever changing, or ever wishing it would be any different.

The Gift of Song

Waking up to cooler weather is enough to make me feel like I can write, not just a song, but a symphony. The energy it gives combined with the richness of an early day’s light, intoxicates. Listen first; then do.

My thoughts are running amok. I need to run, walk, ride a bicycle or just BE outside, before I can settle down and SING. (Laundry dirty dishes, bills, errands, etc., all take a back seat during this writing adventure. Yes!)

I am a dancer, who sings, and once a dancer, always a dancer. My physical being is tied to everything I do. I am the person in a reception room who paces. I twitch when I sleep, and rest in the shape of a big X, spread out over the bed.

When I close my eyes, I have visions of being upside down doing a handstand. Song is partnered with movement; it is a long term relationship.

I MOVE through the day, literally, singing and doing, doing and singing. Somewhere in between it all, I accomplish little pieces of a song, or thought for a show, a different idea about relating to an audience, something new when I suspend a note and focus on the meaning of that particular word and how it is pronounced. The creative process is my steak and potatoes; an entertaining evening, one end result. There are infinite details to mull over, and I savor it all. It is a process not unlike constructing a house.

Singing is motion, rhythm being in the vowels, the breath, the arms, the sway of the body and the sentiment of the lyrics. This dance, while appearing to have less movement to outside viewers, is just as rich as traditional forms of dance. The movement, the choreography, the feeling is more internal. Singing is accomplished by the diaphragm, instead of the torso. The mouth articulates, instead of the feet. The breath is similar in that it informs what is to come, and how the information is presented.

I’m very happy to have this gift of song.

Speaking of informing, my body is aching to get up and zoom around. My brain has already moved onward to next month's shows, recording music for a CD and continuing work on vocalizations, diction, considering the meaning of the each lyric and the historical context in which they were written.

My spirit is singing a song already, lyrics are around the bend. Being in action creates inner stillness for me. Sing, dance, love life, always.

What MOVES you?

This Land is Your Land

I’m feeling reflective today, after Wednesday night’s republican debate, on the “viable” candidates and their hair, which to me, represents some of their own substance.

Let me set the stage.

Today, I take my mom to the ENT doc in Kyle. I steel myself with granola, stuff a newspaper into my backpack and remember to take out the trash. My mom is in her eighties, but moves like someone much younger. If you were to ask her, she would let you know in a flash, she prefers younger company. Today, that’s me.

This will all take place in the early morning, a round trip to and from Austin. As I drive and wait, I will chew metaphorically on the Republican debate, and keep thinking about how much hair is present on most on the candidates. I’m glad I saw these debates, because the entertainment value was high.

Although the debates were focused on Mitt Romney and Rick Perry sparring, there were also wonderful moments from other candidates. Ron Paul, while lacking hair, delivered what I felt were the most honest comments of the evening. I saw why Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann are good friends; they could be sisters, and look like they have the same hairdresser. In fact, no matter the party politics, women are now asking their hairdressers for the "Bachmann look."

Both senators, Rick Santorum and Jon Huntsman, were polished and well prepared to respond to their questions. If hair could speak, theirs would not conflict with their performance Wednesday night. Newt Gingrich, beautiful silvery hair, rose above the fray to expound on his former contributions and, amazingly enough, credit Barack Obama for his part in the capturing of Osama Bin Laden. And Georgia businessman, Herman Cain, was extremely well spoken, direct and practical. I would follow him anywhere, but for his lack of hair.

As for Rick Perry and Mitt Romney, they appeared substantially presidential looking while making strong, yet vague statements about how they would create jobs in our struggling economy. Without a doubt, both had great hair to support all comments.

Frequently questions were answered in a way to highlight a point a candidate wished to deliver to the audience, regardless of the question. And so, questions were often not answered.

I am of course, skipping over much of the debate, but this is, after all only a blog, and, like Wednesday night’s debate, lacks in real substance. There’s nothing profound here, but in Texas, still putting out fires, we want solutions. I still see a drought ahead not only for Texas, but for our country.

What are you thinking about this week’s debates? I’ll be playing “This Land is Your Land” today on my piano.