Esthema and Goli: Cirque Du Noir 2010

{images provided by esthema}

Music is so important to me, a love instilled by my family from the first time I can remember. Meaningful events are also shaped and created by music, an auditory experience. Live music, even better, a visual experience. This year for Cirque Du Noir, we are lucky enough to have the Esthema World Fusion Trio back with us. Lucky, because they have been very busy. I am personally very excited to have these amazing guys back with us for a third year. We will miss Bruno and Ignatio this year, but look forward to Andy, Tery and Onur as the Esthema Trio lighting up the noir of the evening. I can't wait to hear them!

Check out their schedule and definately catch them in Boston. Their emotional and heartfelt music transports you. Esthema's sound and unique style will take them to amazing places. Funny, since they are from all over the globe, meet them for yourself. They are a great fit for the event, with so many European guests at Cirque.

Working with them is nothing short of amazing. Andy Milas, the founder of Esthema is one of the most incredible human beings I have had the pleasure of knowing. No joke. He has been an integral part of not only sharing the music, listening to what we needed, and his insight and his experience made me feel confident as the director of this whole event. As a newbie in this arena, Andy has been a great resource for me to turn to. So, thank you Mr. Milas and Esthema for giving Cirque Du Noir and the Worcester community oh so many gifts! You have created a lot of great karma.

Since the release of the Hereness and Nowness of Things, Esthema has been nominated for the Top 25 Award and their composition Eastern Dance hit number 4 on the Instrumental Charts at Indie-Music.com. Esthema is also currently on rotation on radio programs and stations across the United States and in Europe. On September 15 the International Association of Independent Recording Artists (IAIRA) certified Esthema’s Eastern Dance as an International ‘Top 10’. (via esthema.com) Congratulations Esthema!

{image by karen clunes via golimusic.com}

Joining Esthema on the 24th of October, through the tall black iron gates and in the dark recesses of The Citizen and Speakeasy, will be Goli also from Boston. Vessela Stoyanova and Valerie Thompson two lovely ladies playing "chamber music for the modern era", while madly in love with tango, Bartok, and goat cheese". Perfect for the location. Bring on the cheese and chocolate! When they are not playing for the Worcester community at Cirque Du Noir, you can also find them hanging out in Boston and NYC, see where here. Vessela just got back from Bulgaria. We could have hung out at Vama Veche on the border of Romania to discuss our collaboration, but Worcester/Boston will have to due! Although there will be no rikia, I may be able to get my hands on some palinka. Thank you girls for being a part of this art and music event, and for helping us give back to the community while enjoying all this music!

Ooh, and the ART...next post! Look forward to Scott Boilard, Aaron White, Jeff Gemma of Secret Society Tattoo, Emily Quillen, and Antonio Fonseca.

Tickets are now available online, here.

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}

Save the Date for Cirque Du Noir!

Cirque Du Noir was inspired by the prolific and creative artists and musicians in my community. Actually my Halloween party was outgrowing my house and the company I keep is pretty darn creative, so I thought I might bring it all together to make some magic happen, not just for us, but for the Worcester community. The holidays were approaching, so I wondered how all of this could make a difference.

My idea was to bring art, music, and creative black attire together to raise money for the Worcester County Foodbank. In other words, a really cool upscale Halloween party with live art fusion and an art auction, all happening while listening to amazing music. Cirque is an exciting and unique event for Worcester. The crowd is diverse, the vibe is amazing. The music by Esthema in years past has really set the tone for the event. The international sounds of their music are intoxicating and ethereal. We have a lot of new things in store, including a new venue, The Citizen and the Speakeasy located right behind. The atrium area is a wonderful room and we are exciting to be working with Niche Hospitality for the 3rd year!

Keep checking back for incredible inspiration for your black attire challenges and more information, as we announce the artists and the music in the next few weeks. Get your black on! Costumes are optional, but attire is black. There are amazing prizes for the costumes for creativity, macabre, uniqueness & popularity. We can't wait for a magical night filled with incredible talent to celebrate giving. Worcester is a pretty cool place to be these days.

Cirque Du Noir III . 2010

{image via we love it, sourced at hautemacabre.com}

Start thinking of what you will be wearing Worcester for...
Cirque Du Noir III
2010
October 24th

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!