Black Magic in Worcester

{Cirque Du Noir programs donated by checkerboard, image by andreea waters}

{fun vip name tags donated by checkerboard, image by louie despres}

{a beautiful capture of helen sheldon beaumont by louie despres}

{watching the live art fusion by louie despres}

{cirque du noir guests and participating artists, rocking the noir, susurrus din, helen sheldon beaumont, j fatima martins, jeff gemma, antonio fonseca, guybrush threepwood, and thomas caywood.
timed image by thomas caywood.}

Final result are almost complete. There are still a few auction items that are being wrapped up. The evening was so incredible, thanks to all of you Worcester people with serious party pants. There were so many new faces in the darkness, on a Sunday! Many of you asked about the Sunday night arrangement. We are doing everything we can to make Cirque happen on a Saturday next year. It will still be a week before Halloween, but hopefully we can fulfill your request to make it happen on a Saturday!

Thank you to all who came, you looked incredible. Thank you to all the photographers, Amy DeMar, Louie Depres, Mike Hendrickson, Jim Collins, Donna Dufault, and to those guests who shared their photos with all of us.

There are more Cirque Du Noir images via flickr. Please share your images in the group pool!

Shhh, there are some exciting plans in the works for Cirque Du Noir, so stay tuned...

Creative Black/Tickets now online!

{tim burton fashion photographed by tim walker via harpers bazaar}

{tim burton fashion photographed by tim walker via harpers bazaar and chic dash}

{image via hauntstyle posted by model tara renee}

{image by adriana gerasimova via behance}

From your favorite little black dress to full on Tim Burton haute macabre, Cirque Du Noir is a night of magic for all! Last year's costumes were amazing. We had "Dia De La Muerte" winner, Todd Rawley, Tina Zlody as the "Golden Woodland Nymph", as the first and second place winners. Click here if you want to sneak a peek at the 2009 Cirque Fashion captured by Louie Despres. Todd walked away with two tickets for the men's semi finals at the US Open, sponsored by USTA New England via the wonderful Jeff Waters. Tina earned an Adventure pass donated by Vertical World Adventures. I wonder if she has gotten vertical yet?

Tickets are now available online via www.cirquedunoir.org or directly at eventbrite.com and there will be a kickin' prize for orders placed before the 17th of October, so stay tuned! If you can't make it out and you would still like to donate, you can go directly to the WCFB website. We already have one donation of a ticket for someone that can't attend. Thank you to that anonymous donor! This is what it's all about! Love it!

Artists, if you would like to contribute to the art auction, contact me as soon as possible. I would like to get everyones bio/donation image up on the website for exposure. The WOW factor of the donation is exceptional so I would love everyone to see the goods prior to the event! Previous artists are here. Check out their work. Shoot me or Andreea an email if you are interested.

Sponsors, if you are interested in supporting Cirque Du Noir, please drop a line. I would like to include all sponsors on a banner, the website and chat you up all over the place, so connect and we can make this year incredible! Previous sponsors are here. I would like to give huge thanks to all of you again for your contributions to local art, music and celebrations here in Worcester.

Cirque Du Noir Inspiration

{image via vogue italia and fotografiademoda}

{image via vogue italia and tom and lorenzo}

{image of prada via vogue italia and tom and lorenzo}

{image of mcqueen via vogue italia and tom and lorenzo}

Half the reason Cirque Du Noir came to be was my love for fashion, black clothing and celebrations. Until the event I will be posting images for inspiration here on Festival Creative. The event is special in the way that although it is all black attire and assuming everyone has something black, the space gets filled with either costumes or elegant people rocking their black. Another wonderful thing about the event is that it attracts a very diverse crowd to come and either people watch or indulge in the fascination of the live art fusion, the delicious food, or the ethereal music. Sounds of an elegant deep violin and world rhythms help to invigorate curious appetites. If you have not attended before, I have to say, it is a very different kind of event for Worcester.

Taking the talents of local artists and watching them create amazing works of art in front of you is intimate and really fascinating. Watching their faces, the nuance of how they sketch and watching them complete each piece is pretty incredible. All this while listening to really great music. The different groups that come together all for a night of celebrating together is what energized me and prompted me to really think outside the box and get this started. My house was too small to continue on there.

That really motivated me was the fact that at almost 40 years old, I had been waiting for things like this to happen in Worcester. I wanted to go out in the city and experience something artistic, edgy, captivating that transcended all the barriers. Worcester seems to have pockets of people, places and things. In my mind I wanted to intrigue people...to come out and give them something that would highlight what Worcester has to offer. Since my circle is full of creatives, I really wanted to celebrate the incredible artistic talents here in town. I also did not belong to any artists groups, I was not involved myself in any of the artistic communities here in town. My fault. Without knowing much about anything in event planning and execution, I set out to find out that there were many people willing to make it happen. Especially, Andreea Waters of Kai and Gipsy, a creative herself that could really see where I was going with Cirque Du Noir, and jumped in right away. She is my partner in crime on this. Together we spin crazy ideas into reality. I love when that happens.

That was 3 years ago. Today we look forward to working hard to bring another, bigger more magical event to Worcester. If you think it's not for you, think again. This may be just what you have been waiting for! Museum goers, art admirers, art buyers, voyeurs, lovers, foodies, music lovers, curious, adventurous, zombies, politicians, teachers, lovers of fun...if you want to take a night to experience art and music in a new way, treat yourself to this elegant evening of eye candy, yummy food, creative people, and a fabulous night out in town.

The bonus? All proceeds go to the Worcester County Food Bank, just in time to feed so many Worcester families for the holidays. Tickets will be up online soon. They will be $25 in advance and the same at the door.

Big thanks today to:

Checkerboard Ltd. (the company I design for) in advance for the wonderful invitations they are about to print.

Niche Hospitality and the staff at The Citizen/Speakeasy for their incredible and accomodating support.

Cathy Walsh from Sprout, who always brings the fun on!

I also want to thank in advance the artists and musicians who make the event really super cool. Worcester is overflowing with outrageous talent. Come see what they can do!

Anyone new artists would like to be a part of the art auction, please contact me pronto! If anyone would like to donate a piece of art, please include a little bio piece with your donation, so our curator can tell the buyers about you and your work.

You can reach me at mlhiggs2{at}yahoo.com.

Expose yourself...

Take a peek... {click}

Rediscovering Brasov

{the circular flusher makes a wonderland image in my favorite place in brasov, the all new festival 39, the initial inspiration for my blog...even better now! you must come visit brasov}

{images of brasov, romania 2010}

So much has changed in Brasov since my first trip in 2004, prior to Romania joining the EU. The economy has prospered so much, evident in all the new homes, cars and infrastructure. New more efficient roads have been built, diverting most commercial traffic outside the downtown area and keeping the city free of congestion and pollution. Emissions are way down and the mountain air is clear and fresh, and free of litter, which used to be a huge problem. The town itself is popular among tourist groups. Just sitting at the plaza, you see so many who travel the three hours on small roads from Bucharest to see the town once known as Kronstadt, when occupied and built by the Germans. This medieval town is filled with elements of it's former self, most reflected in the city's coat of arms, Brasov is also known as the "crown city", populated now by a large amount of Moldovians as well.

Being from the States, you do not see old buildings like you do in Europe. I think this is the most evident thing I feel when I am here. The history is all over. Walking around town and seeing history reminds me how young our United States are. I feel overwhelmed when I see the dates on buildings and stop to think of the people that would have built them with their hands, much like I do walking in the woods near my home in Worcester, MA when I see old stone walls separating land.

Today we are off to Bran to take our little one to see Bran Castle. A very touristy place to go, but it's close and she is into princesses these days. Little does she know what Bran represents for the world, thanks to Bram Stoker. I am wondering if all the hoopla with the vampire shows in the US have casued an influx of sightseers to Transylvania. We will go from there to Transfagarasan, a long mountain road that leads up to a lake.

Brasov, Romania

{brasov, romania 2004}

Travel makes me so inspired. I can't wait for this year's trip to Brasov, so my little Sosi can see her Tiku! We have not been since 2008. That trip was so much fun, meeting our friends at the Black Sea. I just can't wait to hop on the plane.

Brides Mag featuring 2 of my designs!

{image if gold palm and yellow floral invite/table card via Brides Jan. 2010}

Available online at our partner site:
Bianco, by Checkerboard gold palm motif on Corinthian textured paper, available with a matching website!

Buttercup, (shown below) featuring hand painted flowers on rich cream paper, layered to sunshiny yellow, printed in thermography. These next invites are exclusive to our partner site.



Also in this watercolor collection, Pink Orchid, special pricing right now for under $1.68 each! These are also printed on 130# heavyweight paper!


{images of product captured by Adoniram Sides}

I love the work I do, and our sense of value. You can't beat getting custom invites, (not digital) that are handpainted and on this heavyweight paper. There is something so wonderful to hold fine paper in your hand and to feel and see the raised printing. Thank you to our friends at Neenah for making us this custom paper. I have THE best job!

Wait 'til they see what we are cooking up next!

Cirque Du Noir

Cirque Du Noir II will be held at Bocado on October 25th! A celebration of art and music to benefit the Worcester County Food Bank. Experience artists creating works in an art fusion. This event was so successful last year that we are expanding it this year. Try YOUR hand at contributing to a collectable piece. All proceeds from the art auction go directly to the WCFB.

A little Cirque inspiration below, as it is all black attire. Create a costume or come dressed in all black, you will enjoy an evening like no other here in Worcester! People are still talking about last year's event, so I am so happy planning for this year is getting underway. Website and ticket updates coming soon. Find out more on FB. Bocado is the perfect venue. Last year was amazing and this year will top it!

{image via dior}

{image via scoop}

{image via makebelievecostume}

What are you thinking?

{image via ffffound and don't touch my moleskin}

Newcastle Signage

A good rule of thumb...especially for teenagers!
{Image by David Byrne on Flickr via ffffound.}

Natural Beauty, A Code

{image or rainforest bloom by andreea waters}

{image via cannelle et vanille}

{image of vodka packaging via lovely package and ffffound}

{image of angelina jolie via ffffound}

Beauty comes in all packages. From natural to manufactured, from wild to human, from crafted to consumed...it's all beauty. The colors, textures and allure are such large economic factors. Aesthetic and beauty are such motivating factors of discoveries in science and math. The Fibonacci code, the Golden Mean, the ratios of natural occurrence, whatever you want to call it...all are so significant when we look at everything. I am no expert, but I am drawn to all the findings and I am addicted to the practice. It is logical to apply the theory to artwork and packaging.

Subliminal messages of natural perfection creep into our minds, and we choose to be attracted to natural beauty. As a designer, applying the ratio to artwork can yield dramatically more attractive work. I have tried it and was successful. Most beautiful artwork already applies to the ratio, giving it credibility. There is a useful program called Phi Matrix that is a great design tool. It has a few bugs, and sometimes you need a little work around, but for 15 dollars, I recommend it. If anyone tries it, I would love to hear what you think.

Still Green Premiering in Worcester

{image via Still Green}

Press Release from Still Green via I'm From Worcester, a cool source for all things happening in Worcester:

Massachusetts Producers to Premiere Award Winning Film at Showcase Cinema
On May, 15th local producers Doug Lloyd, Georgia Menides, and Andrea Ajemian will premiere their edgy, coming of age, independent drama Still Green at Showcase Cinema North in Worcester, MA, where it will run from May 15th to May 21st. Developed in Worcester, Still Green won Best Narrative Feature at the New England Film/Video Festival, Spirit of Independence- Best Ensemble Cast at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, and was rated Best Film Not Yet Released by popular Boston film critic TC Kirkham (Popcorn and Roses).

Still Green recently sold to Osiris Entertainment and will be released on DVD and blue ray later this year. Osiris just made headlines in Variety after acquiring Westlake Entertainment's library of more than 400 films, and Nelson Madison Films for an additional 40 titles. Often described as “The Big Chill for teenagers,” Still Green follows the lives of a group of high school graduates who rent a beach house, along the gulf coast of Florida, the summer before college. An accident in the ocean tests their friendship, and the teens respond in a way some people find disturbing and others see as a beautiful act of loyalty. Starring Sarah Jones (Big Love, The Riches), Ryan Kelley (Mean Creek, Prayers for Bobby), Noah Segan (Brick, What We Do is Secret), and Douglas Spain (Band of Brothers, But I’m a Cheerleader), the film has been called “Powerful and Poignant” –Larry Richman (pronetworks.org), “haunting and Hypnotic” – Adam Moore – (former consultant with Miramax Pictures), and “A film with the dramatic strength of a theatrical play with the cinematography and music of a blockbuster film” – Markdoty.com.

Director Jon Artigo’s former award winning film, Freedom Park was shot entirely in Massachusetts ran successfully in local theaters in 2004. Last summer, Artigo and Ajemian produced the feature length comedy We Got the Beat, (also set and filmed in Worcester), currently in post-production.

Writer Georgia Menides is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and was a student at Doherty Memorial High School. The film was inspired by experiences with her high school friends. Georgia’s screenplays have won awards at the Hamptons International Film Festival and the Austin Film Festival.

Producer Doug Lloyd is a graduate of Clark University. A wide range of promotional events will accompany the film’s release such as a premiere after party and a concert from artists on the film’s soundtrack (including platinum recording artist Kaz Gamble).

Following the Worcester screenings, Still Green will screen at Coolidge Corner Theatre in Boston on Wednesday May 27th and Thursday May 28th at 7:00 pm. For future screening locations and dates and for more information visit www.StillGreenMovie.com.

Tickets to the premiere of Still Green and the after party held at The Worcester Youth Center are open to the general public. All proceeds from the after party (20/head) will go to The Worcester Youth Center, 326 Chandler. Sweet.

Ah, chalk this up to more Worcester coolness. Congrats to all of you Worcester kids! Oh, and let us not forget, didn't The Maiden Heist , filmed at the Worcester Art Museum just premiered in Worcester at Hanover Theatre on March 7?

{These guys look familiar. Image via telegram.com}

The Power of Cathy Walsh and Worcester bits...

Cathy never fails to make me smile, laugh out loud or make me feel like maybe I am not thoughtful enough, not even close. Besides being unbelievably creative and original with her floral designs, Cathy Walsh is probably one of the most generous and thoughtful businesswomen in the city. Free wreaths at Christmas, so every business has one............what?

Cathy Walsh is a doer, not a sayer, not a dreamer. She does amazing and incredible things for other people, for the whole city! Now she and a group of rebelrousers she has enlisted are planting flowers around town for the International Sunflower Guerilla Gardening Day, May 1, originating in Brussels, Belgium. They were building the "bombs" tonight in her shop! ( I wish I peeked in the window to see this go down). I can hear the mission impossible music now! Sunflower mud bombs that will be hurled into deserving spots around Worcester. All the Romanians will be so happy. It will feel like home with all the sunflowers blooming. I think I shall plant some myself!

{image via Sprout}

Sprout has earned the Best of Worcester Florist award for the 6th out of 8 years she has been in business. Congratulations to you Cathy and Francoise for all you do to beautify and make people smile. Your work makes people happy at important and special times in their lives. You take full advantage and make every order extra Sprouty!!!

For more info
on the movement and how you can help spread the sunflower love around Worcester,
see Cathy's blog for details.

Congrats also to the other winners of Worcester Magazine's Best of Worcester including Armsby Abbey for 13 awards and Punkystyle for her creative and inspiring fashion adventure blog. Don't miss her next clothing swap here in Worcester. She was Chronicle'd for her swaps in Boston!

Canal District Clothing Swap
Saturday, May 30th, 11am - 4:00pm
Where: 138 Green Street/ Crompton Place

......................

and I saw on
I'm From Worcester.....
Still Green is premiering at Worcester Showcase North.

I like your TUSH and your HICKS

{Tush 138 Green Street Worcester, Massachusetts, photo via Erb Photo's Blog}

{Tush Denim Boutique Worcester, image via Erb Photo}

If you haven't been in to Tush and you are fashionista and jean connoisseur, I highly recommend stopping by located at 138 Green Street Worcester, Massachusetts. Deb Covino and Shannon Gray have put together a collection and taste is top notch and the store is funky and fun, and you have the benefit of personal attention.

Ooh, they also carry the jewelry of Jessica Hicks, who I just love. She is all over Hollywood glam and is based in Nantucket, Massachusetts, but was raised in good ol' Worcester. Now she is hobnobbing with celebs and getting press wherever her designs go. Nice.

{Sarah Jessica Parker with Jessica Hicks image via Jessica Hicks}

{Image of Ali Larter and Brooke Sheilds wearing
Jessica Hicks via Bella Diva Designs}

Pretty sweet, huh? So, what is that? Two amazingly cool designers from Worcester in the last week. Christina Sullivan of Tocar, NYC and Jessica Hicks. I wonder if they played Little League here in town. I don't think the Paula Zawalich Dance Academy would have supported athletic activity, so I believe I shall find out about Jessica. That would just make me smile.

Side note: I was having dinner with friends at Block 5 in Worcester, Covino connection, and our waitress had the most amazing necklace on. She had a nice summer tan and the delicate silvery yumminess just glistened on her neck. I asked her about it and she said, "Oh, my sister's design"...Hicks connection. She returned in a moment with a business card. Good sister, fine jewelry...and the food and drinks rocked, as usual. A good night out in Worcester.

For those of you from afar, Block 5 is across the street from Tush, so a good shop and a tastey treat across the street makes for a great adventure. Mike Covino, Deb's hubby is also part of Niche Hospitality Group, aka Mezcal, Bocado, as well as Block 5 and I hear some new Worcester locations are on the way!!! If you live in Worcester, you know the lowdown. If not, you should visit and stop in any of the 3 locations...you won't be disappointed.

In true Worcester fashion, there are family and friend connections everywhere!

West Side Babe Ruth

West Side Babe Ruth co-State Champs 2008

Our West Side 13 yr. All Stars were left out of last post. Jesse Burkett is the feeder league for most of these boys, who went to States and then New England Regional Tournament last year in Westfield, Massachusetts, battling it out with Westfield. Good times last summer, looking forward to another great season at Logan Field. Matthew is in the front left.

It's the season

{ MA DIST 4 2008 SENIOR CHAMPS
Players: Megan Kasala-Hallinan, Kara Finlay, Kristin Poti, Toni Scola, Caitlin Brosnihan, Catherine Lucy-Meagher, Lauren Kiritsy, Liz Griffin, Kelley Fluet, Colleen Olen, Kristina Latino, Ellie Higgins (first row-left), Laura Madaio, Deanne Jacobson }

Every spring and summer we gear up for outdoor softball and baseball. That means several practices and games per child (2) per week. When your daughter plays on 3 teams, and your son another, that makes for alot of action. We live in the Tatnuck area of Worcester, Massachusetts, which means they have grown up with Jesse Burkett Little League. This league has brought so much to our family and the community here in Worcester.

On any given day of the week, you can head down to Rockwood Field or the A field and find families and friends having fun, playing ball, munching on Burkett fries and watching their kids learn to play ball, never giving up, coming back from major defecits to win big games. As pitchers, my kids were also lucky enough to have learned to work hard under pressure, in front of alot of people, especially at States, when Elle threw the winning game bringing in the winning run on a bunt with two outs! As this public pressure thing puts the fear of God in me, I am full of gratitude for this bonus!

They enrich the kids with a love of the games, the teammates and give them an amazing spirit of the game itself. My children have been coached by some of the most creative and dedicated coaches out there, so I just wanted to post a little cheers to JBLL and thank them for over 10 years of incredible memories. From Ellie's first day of T-Ball to regionals at the senior level, your dedication and commitment have given all of our families the best springs a softball/baseball community has to offer!

JBLL also created a strong base for so many to play highly competitve ASA and AAU, and giving them the skills and foresight to prepare for college ball, while maintaining a commitment to learning and fun. From sending the boys to Willamsport, Pennsylvania for the Little League World Series, and the girls to Albany and Maryland for Junior and Senior Regionals and now hosting Senior Regionals in what will soon be a great new complex here in Worcester, Burkett and the coaches and friends always show them the way. It's not a league, it's a family.

New York City

{image via ffffound}

The National Stationery Show is fast approaching and with the summer-like weather and raging sunshine this weekend, my jealousy is peaking that I can't be in the city this weekend. It seems to always rain for the show and getting a cab in Manhattan in the rain is not fun. My friend, Andreea (aka PR partner) is in the city until Tuesday for the International Beauty Show...........hairdresser haven. She is there making sure the big huge screen doesn't fall down and break the blow dryers for Expert Satellite. Have some Soho fun for me, Dre. I am there with you in spirit.

Tocar Interior Design

{image via DECORATI Access Interior Designs Magazine}

{images via Tocar}

From her hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts, Christina Sullivan ventured to New York City and now has become one of the youngest and most talented designers to watch! In partnership with Susan Bednar Long, whom she met working at Polo Ralph Lauren. She struck out on her own after Polo, attaining impressive clients including one of my favs, Donna Karan. Imagine designing for DK? Before connecting with Susan and founding Tocar, a Spanish word meaning to influence or to touch, she was already well on her way.

Keeping her on my radar, I knew Christina was in New York designing. With my love for design she kept me inspired...I heard that she was at Polo, then Hilfiger. It had been her dream since we were girls in dance school here in Worcester. We worked in retail together as well, at G.W. Walrus in the old Worcester Center Galleria. There was a lot of talk of fashion, design and music...her love for U2 ran deep. I recall her resourcefulness even then, trying to meet Bono with a connection of her grandmother's neighbor. We had a great time there, I think she owes me one, because I worked the day of the concert for her, after standing in line to buy the tix. I recall her having a swatchbook even then. We were no more than seventeen.

One day, perusing Elle Decor, I flipped open a page and there she was! So I immediately tried to find her. Her design firm reflects the aesthetic she has always had, even as a young girl, elegant, polished with every detail attended to.

Check out the link, they have been mentioned in every design mag possible. Congratulations Christina and Susan. I hope to see you when we head out to NYC for the National Stationery Show in a few weeks!

Tocar Interior Design
165 Madison Ave, Suite 500 New York, New York, 10016 USA 212-779-0037 info@tocardesign.com
www.tocardesign.com

1stdibs has a great slideshow showcasing Tocar's work.

Featuring the artwork of Jella Verelst

{image via Zentangle via Jella Verelst}

Zentangle inspired artwork by Jella Verelst, of Kalmthout, Belgium. Jella recently came to the US for the Zentangle certification seminar, where I saw many of her amazingly intricate designs. She is inspirational and an enthusiastic creative I was very fortunate to meet.

Now is a the perfect time to learn how to Zentangle. It provides relaxation and a complete satisfaction. Not too many things in this world give you that. I can promise you, Zentangle does. Once introduced, you will find yourself looking for 15 minutes to complete one.

Invitation Inspiration

Here are a few of my new designs. By Michelle May for Checkerboard, photographed by Adoniram Sides for our Paper Bouquet Wedding Collection.

Depending on your personal style, you can find the most unique and exciting invitations.