The uses of psychological research and strategies to address the stress of performance for musicians is well known in that community. Classes in reducing performance stress are featured in many conservatories today and YouTubes and podcasts abound on the topic. I've blogged about Noa Kagayama's effective and enjoyable five-session zoom class I attended some years ago, then repeated one year later at no charge. It's called "The Psychology of Performance. " Noa, a violinist a

"Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to fight for justice for women. The Walk was a great, great privilege." ---- Kimi "I like being able to do something that seems to have a positive effect on the viewers and the participants. Not just complaining. Something very active"   --- Ellen "This was the most affecting, most emotional, the most honest expression of how our predicament feels, of many protests I have attended." --Jessica "Thank you! Abrazos" --Steve -

FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF WOMEN ARE THREATENED BY A WANNABE KING AND HIS COURT JESTERS! It was time on Sunday, Nov. 23 to walk with women and men in Glen Park, San Francisco for gender justice lost and being lost since DJT was inaugurated. The struggle to secure women's rights is not over. It's ongoing and it needs your body on the streets and your voice in the ears of national and local legislators! You may see other blogs about how women have been treated unfairly and overlooke

For real, I heard this song today and fell in love with a 40s style jazz singer whom I thought I had heard before! At least I recognized her name I was sure: Bertha Mae Lightening. Take a listen..... But it wasn't real! Some trickster group called "Dumpster Grooves" applied their clever musical talents to writing lyrics and creating "Bertha Mae," coraling AI to produce the final version along with "Bertha Mae's" album cover "picture" above. Amazing. But...a commentator tipp

From a pedestrian: "What a wonderful protest: organized, costumed, heartfelt!" From a Walker:    "It was my honor to participate in the Lament Walk and do my own small part in the day’s protest...clearly, people on the street and in passing cars were so supportive and moved—that was in their faces, voices and gestures. Do keep me informed of future Lament Walks; I’ll dress in my blacks and be there with you, wherever, wherever." From a Walker: "Thank you for providing a safe

Read Part I here . Read Part III here. From a pedestrian after observing the July 21 Noe Valley Walk: “When I read a few signs and saw what was happening I started to tear up then cry because I realized how much we have lost in terms of the Rule of Law and justice for all. How can I join in?” From another pedestrian: "I love the whole concept of the Lament Walk. It's so powerful, and even with just the 15 people in the video you sent me, it looked really chilling and symbo

The Lament Walk, Kentucky May 2025 A Lament Walk is a superbly powerful visual method of political and social resistance and protest. It is deeply emotional for both participants as well as for pedestrians and drivers who pass and view the line of black-clad, somber Walkers. A beautiful classical lament music Playlist was chosen and may be heard on the below link, used for our first-ever Lament Walk for Lost Justice in San Francisco held this past July. (Thanks especially to

Ms. Bellamy , my high school classic spinet 1953 Baldwin Acrosonic, now for sale (San Francisco) Many modern piano teachers seem to emphasize the neccesity of learning improvisation. Well and good, for those who revel in what to me and many, are uber-anxiety producing. If I don't have a concertizing or public performance goal, why would I want to engage in that? Believe me, I have engaged in many other experiences that stretched me and my preferences to the limit, and I'm

Law students marching in the San Francisco Second Annual Gay Day Parade June 1971, from L. Ann, Hindi, Steve & Martha PROUD OF AN INCLUSIVE CITY : It's that wonderful June month of PRIDE activities and parades to celebrate the LGBTQT community and those of us standing for self-determination for all, inclusion, bodily autonomy, and a fair shot at living in a safe, decent community, nation, and national and political environment with adequate health coverage, public education

My favorite joyful dance group! The Ghetto Kids Do you remember the first time in political life you heard the Democratic candidate for...

As  a returning piano student starting at age 76 in 2020 after a 58-year gap to do other art and business-related things, joy in making...

I sometimes lose my creative muse. Especially during the last 100 days and starting about four months before last November 6, she goes wandering off for a few days, but she always comes home. It seems I'm in good, national and world company as the political days drag on. A few days ago a friend reminded me to send him fewer depressing news or commentary videos about the doings of US politics now. To cheer me, he sent this funny political satire musical video. Sort of cute.

The US entertainment industry has been the single major feature behind the world-domInant export of US-style culture and values to the...

Eyes shining and a warm heart was my overall feeling when I left San Francisco's Davies Hall Friday night after hearing renowned...

"Poetry doesn’t seem to be doing much to alleviate the tension in our communities" It doesn't seem to address the moral outrage of we...

"All aspects of the human condition are somehow related to politics" says Hannah Arendt in The Human Condition (published 1958). That's...

DO YOU KNOW THE FEELING OF NOT BEING ABLE TO BREATHE IN THE MOMENTS AFTER YOU FALL A LONG DISTANCE, AND HIT THE FLOOR WITH FORCE? Please...

I was gobsmacked to run across an online ad for the cutest ever toy - a realistic faux-fur covered mini-bunny. Here's what it said:...

Sometimes we just need a smile or a good laugh. I'm feeling that way recently. And I'm recently thinking about repurposing, because at...

I was stunned to read in our Feb. 25 SF Examiner online that: San Francisco’s International Pride Orchestra says it was “disinvited”...