A Serenade for the Living, Dead, and Mother Nature

                                                          

I’ve posted about the many events offered at the Laurel Hill Cemetery way too many times to count. I guess you can say that I am a big fan of this Historic Philadelphia Gem near to the Zoo and you would be right on target. My friend and I volunteer whenever I’m not busy doing a book signing, psychic reading or ghost investigation. I love this place that much.

                                                       

This past Friday, Rita and I headed over the bridge and to the cemetery to see the Divine Hand Ensemble. This is about the fourth year that I’ve been fortunate to see these amazing performers. The Divine Hand Ensemble consists of Mano Divina Giannone who plays the Theremin, Monique Canniere who does vocals and violin, Julie Myers who does vocals and violin, Brit Walmsley who does vocals and violin, Hannah Richards on the Viola, Jonathan Salmon on the Cello, Gloria Galante on the Harp, Mary Kelso Bryson on the Harp and Randall Rudolph on vibes and percussion.

The Ensemble played in front of an ancient mausoleum and the music was a collection of a multitude of styles including funerary, classical, rock, and spiritual. The best part of the show was when the Ensemble performed a David Bowie tune and their rendition of the theme from Edward Scissorhands. I particularly love the Funerary tunes.

                                                                

While the music played and the bats flew overhead, I was watching a female ghost along with the several spirit children who stood at her side. I’ve seen this spirit before. She usually stays close to the old tree to the left of Benson’s mausoleum. The dead really enjoy the activities at the cemetery as much as the living does, but we were not the only ones enjoying the music this past Friday night.

Intermission

The guests and the performers took a thirty minute break, which gave everyone enough time to head to the restrooms and stretch our legs. On the way back from the restroom at the rear gate, Rita and I were surprised to see four young foxes outside their den. These animals were not frightened by the small crowd that gathered to watch them play out in the open. The crowd stood silently as the foxes chased each other or investigated their admirers from a safe distance. I was even able to film one of the more playful of the foxes.

                                                          

I didn’t think the magical evening could get any better, but it did. Monique Canniere was kind enough to serenade the foxes with her violin and beautiful voice. The human onlookers were not the only ones mesmerized by the spiritual connection between beauty and beast. Music is the communication between all living things.

                                                            

Conclusion

Cemeteries are not only for the human vessels left behind by souls. Cemeteries are home for the many creatures in nature. Laurel Hill offers nature walks in their long list of events. Become a member! Volunteer! Help keep the cemetery vibrant for the dead and the living...the foxes will thank you.

                                                              

A Grand Opening, Laurel Hill Cemetery and the Blue Bridgade: Volunteers

                                                             

 

My friend Rita and I have been visiting the Laurel Hill Cemetery for the last three years, but we’ve been volunteering for the cemetery for almost two years. What can I say? That place is amazing and it doesn’t matter if you are living or dead. Did you know that you could pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic at the cemetery? The Cemetery offers some amazing shows done right amongst the tombs.

                                                                                                                         

Rita and I have volunteered for some rather unique events with our favorite being the Mischief Night Event and the Zombie Run. Today was a special day for the cemetery. It was the grand opening celebration of the Kelly Drive Pedestrian Entrance.

                                                        

 

Rita and I along with all the volunteers received our blue shirts today. Very snazzy don’t you think? We are the Blue Brigade (I made up the name, but it’s not official...not yet). We helped with the many family fun activities that went on throughout the afternoon.

                                                          

The event began with a few speeches, then a performance by the Invisible River dancers and aerial performers almost brought the busy traffic on Kelly Drive to a standstill with their outstanding act. Music was provided by The Divine Hand Ensemble.

                                                                                                                        

Rita and I were assigned the table where young and old had a chance to paint flower pots before adding soil and a beautiful plant to take home.

                                                             

Go on the site for the Cemetery’s Event Page and check out all the activities they have lined up for October. Make sure to come out on Mischief Night. The Blue Brigade will be there is assist you.

                                                             

 

TRUE TALES FROM THE TOMBS: MISCHIEF NIGHT by FIRELIGHT

This Mischief Night, performers will regale you with true tales from Laurel Hill Cemetery’s historic tombs. From the desecrated grave of a prestigious doctor; to the woman who is buried in two places, True Tales from the Tombs will feature stories of the Cemetery’s most provocative and memorable permanent residents, as they return from the dead to tell their stories.                                                                                                                                                          

Featuring The Not Ready for After-Life Players as storytellers of these otherworldly tales, the candlelit tours will depart every half hour through the stones and mausoleums of Laurel Hill. Afterwards, slow your slow heart rate with hot cider and cookies. Bring your own flashlights.

One evening of True Tales from the Tombs is scheduled at Laurel Hill: Friday, October 30 at 7:00pm. Tours will last approximately one hour and depart every half-hour, with the final tour departing at 9:30pm.

Steampunk Granny’s Cabinet of Curiosities: Cemeteries, Divine Hand, Body World, Grounds for Sculpture

                                                                  

I've been busy this past month with attending events all over the place. Just a few weeks ago, I headed over to the Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia to listen to the marvelous music of the Divine Hand Ensemble headed my Mano Divina.  The ensemble played funerary music...music that was commonly played from sunset to sunrise the next day at the graves of the newly departed to help them on their journey past that thin curtain that separates the living from the dead.

                                                                  

 

It was a custom that had fallen out of favor with the church during Pope Leo’s reign and that is such a shame because the music is beautiful and haunting at the same time.

                                                              

While my two friends and I enjoyed the music, I witnessed the spirit of a woman dancing around the tree above and to the left of the mausoleum when the Mano played the theremin. The cemetery, although very old, is well kept and the lovely and helpful staff plan out all kinds of activities during the year.

                                                                 

                                      

Please check their event page and do visit this cemetery. It is a step back into time and it is alive with natural beauty. Check it out here: http://www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org/index.php?m=1&p=1&s=1

Mano Divina and the members of his orchestra will mesmerize you with the beauty of their music.  

You can catch the Divine Hand this Friday at:

Friday, October 10, 2014
REEFER MADNESS with a live improvisational score by The Divine Hand Ensemble!
Plus vintage animated shorts with live scores!
Doors 7:30, Program at 8:00
$10, advance tickets:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/863924

Anti-drug cult classic REEFER MADNESS will be screened at PhilaMOCA accompanied by a live improvised performance by the theremin-led chamber orchestra The Divine Hand Ensemble. The evening will begin with vintage animated shorts accompanied by live scores.

http://divinehand.net/
http://www.philamoca.org/

                                                                                             

Body World Animals Inside & Out

When I’m not visiting Laurel Hill, I’m visiting museums. My friend, Denise, recently invited me to the Franklin Institute’s members’ opening night of Body World.

                                                                                             

You might, at first, think the subject matter more on the level of gore, but you would be mistaken. Our bodies and that of animals are so much than bone, muscle and arteries. We are all works of art.  Do yourself a favor and check this exhibit out.

                                                       

Chocolate at the Academy of Natural Sciences

Who doesn’t like chocolate? Maybe zombies, but for the rest of us, chocolate makes us happy. Here are some details, but the exhibit opens this weekend. If you go, buy me a bar of chocolate.

Join us THIS weekend, October 11-12, for the opening of Chocolate: The Exhibition! Enjoy activities all weekend devoted to the delicious science behind everyone's favorite treat. And yes, there will be chocolate to eat...
Get all the details and purchase advanced tickets: http://www.ansp.org/Visit/Events/Details/?eid=5859&iid=18112

                                                             

Sculpture for the Soul

This week, my fellow spirit investigators and I headed to Hamilton New Jersey to visit the Grounds for Sculpture. This place is amazing!! The statues were so lifelike and there were several times I made the mistake of confusing a real person for a statue. Don’t ask.

                                                                  

Seward Johnson conceived of and opened the grounds in 1992 with the mission of promoting and understanding and appreciation of contemporary sculpture and to promote emerging artists. The grounds are surrounded by beautiful nature and boasts two cafés and a restaurant. “Grounds for Sculpture” is even more important in today’s world due to the severe cuts to education. The first classes to get cut are always the arts and that is inexcusable. Located on 126 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, NJ 08619

                                                               

                                           

                                            I’ll let my pictures convince you to go.

 

                                                                 

Steampunk's Awesome "The Gilded Festival" in November

                                                                  

Okay, my little Steampunk aficionados, I have some big news. No! The zombie apocalypse did not begin. Don't worry, I have my katana ready. This news is about the big festival coming up at the end of November. The brains behind this big event is our ever talented Gil Cnaan. He's responsible for Dorian's Parlor, and the very popular Steampunk events held in Philadelphia. I had the chance to interview Gil about "The Gilded Festival" and I'm excited to share the big news with you.
                                                                        

You all know how much I love Steampunk and in fact I posted about the last Dorian's Event on Biff Bam Pop! But this is really big news and I'm so excited.


                                                                     

                                                                                                                             


Now, my lovelies, let me introduce you to the one and only Gil Cnaan, Mr. Steampunk, himself!


What is “The Gilded Festival? Where? When?

The Gilded Festival is what happens when the staff at Dorian's Parlor say "We love doing this event, and wish it would never end!  We also wish that we could be open to a broader variety of ages, and have more performers, and more vendors, and more food, and more of everything!"  It will occur on Thanksgiving weekend, Friday November 29-Sunday December 1, at the Doubletree of Valley Forge/King of Prussia.  

 

What performers and venders can we expect to see at the Gilded Festival?

The list of performers and vendors is constantly being updated, but our preliminary performers include:

Voltaire

Mr. B. The Gentleman Rhymer

Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys

The Divine Hand Ensemble

Coghead (DJs Kiltboy, Dave Ghoul, and Cub)

Psyche Corporation

Steampunk Boba Fett

Phineas Phlensing, Esq.

Countess Lenora

and many more.

In addition, we are looking at the potential of having multiple fashion shows, as well as an interactive panel about the historical fashions that influenced modern Steampunk styles, as well as a variety of other interactive experiences.  There will also be clockwork egg hunts, as well as a whole track of family oriented programming that is currently being worked on by the director of programming while this interview is happening. 

We will also have two catered events that we are very excited about.  The first of which will be a kickoff dinner, The Orphan's Dinner, which will be a Thanksgiving style meal for those who are around Friday afternoon.  On Saturday, we plan on serving a high tea.  We are currently negotiating menus and prices with the hotel, and hope to announce those soon.

What inspired you to create this event?

I've always enjoyed doing weekend events, and felt that waiting a full year for Steampunk World's Fair to come back again was just unbearable, so I thought it might be nice to have something 6 months away, so that there's always a big event to look forward to.


What will the visitors see when they arrive?   

Hopefully they'll see a bustling group of people going to various exciting shows (2 stages, an interactive room, and various wandering performances), patronizing exciting vendors (3 vendor rooms are currently planned for), socializing with each other, and having delicious food and drink.

Will this be something that you'll be doing each year?

If this goes well, not only am I planning to continue this as an annual tradition, but there are several other weekend events I am looking at launching.  So if people want to see more great weekend events in the greater Philadelphia area, get tickets, and get them soon.  The sooner I sell enough tickets, the sooner I can start programming more events.

Gil, I want to thank you for not only updating all the people involved in the intriguing world of Steampunk, but also, for people who want to learn what Steampunk is all about.

You can keep updated on the latest news of the Gilded Festival at this site: http://gildedfestival.com/



Purchase your tickets now at this site:
    http://doriansparlor.ticketleap.com/gilded-festival/t/GildedFestival/

Symphony For the Dead

                                                        

Last night my ghost hunting friends and I headed out to Laurel Hill Cemetery to listen to a concert in front of Millionaires Row. This is a special section located inside the cemetery that proves, once and for all that “You can take it with you”

                                                                     

The concert was given by an amazing group called The Divine Hand. What a treat!! I had heard this group play before at Dorian’s Steampunk Events in Philadelphia, but there is something just magical about hearing a concert while in a cemetery.

                                                                     

The Divine Hand ensemble is led by Mano Divina, who is a professional concert Thereminist. What is a Theremin you dare ask? Click here to learn.

                                                                        

                                                          

The group treated us to a special performance of funerary music, which was very popular during the 15^th century. The belief at the time was that a soul would be more comfortable moving on to the next life if it was accompanied by music; makes perfect sense to me. Musicians were hired by the family of the deceased to play music from sunset to sunset on the day of burial. This beautiful custom was later stopped by Pope Clement. I don’t know why. Maybe the musicians weren’t playing the Vatican’s favorite hits? Here is a sample from a few months ago:

                                                                                                                               

The performers played in front of a particularly beautiful mausoleum. The audience was lifted to heights of surreal imagination via the music that soothed the souls of the living and dead who had attended that night.

                                                                 

If you get a chance to attend a performance given by The Divine Hand; please do so. You won’t me sorry. And I would suggest you attend one of Laurel Hill Cemetery’s many interesting, educational and fun, events.