Special Events

Sunday, September 14, 2pm
Festival of Sacred Music Performance- “From the Sea to the Sky” Enjoy a unique performance blending the traditions of many lands: Karsang Jamtso Saeji’s inspiration comes from Tibetan Buddhism, his family and the grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau. Asmarandana’s Rob Levit and Emiko Susilo use ancient and contemporary Javanese and Balinese melodies fused with western harmonies to connect two distinct traditions of creativity. $10 for museum members: call ext. 31 to RSVP.

Oct 02 2007
Tibet comes to LIFE for school travel program

By Michele Heller
The Lopez Center will be the venue for a richly textured look at Tibet through the lens of photographer and world explorer Don Gurewitz, with a special performance by Tibetan singer, Karjam Saeji, winner of the Lopez Artist Advance.

The LIFE Travel Program at the Lopez School will be the beneficiary, along with the community, in another wonderful Lopez potluck dinner and slide show at 6:30PM, Saturday evening, October 6th.

LIFE (Lopez Island Foreign Exchange) Travel Program transports high school students from the Lopez School to the far corners of the globe including Europe, Central America and Asia

The travel program began through the efforts of Lopez schoolteachers Greg Ewert, Pat Burleson and Richard Tetu with help and inspiration from Susan Corbin, Cynthia Dilling, Jane Werntz. Richard and Debbie Tetu began by taking students on trips to France and Quebec, as part of the French language program.

Middle school teacher Greg Ewert, who has taken students on service trips to Nicaragua with the help of Dandy Porter, described the early history of the LIFE travel program, "Our first travel outside France was to Russia in 1991, in collaboration with the Lakeside School, followed by a student traveling to Greece. LIFE Foundation for travel was founded to help raise money for continuing these trips."

With generous donations from Sally Bill, Mary LaPorte and another Lopez family, and support from many others, LIFE travel programs have been able to continue, with money provided by families of participants and fundraising by the students as well.

Travel to Asia has been with teachers Kurt Jacobs and Pat Burleson, who lead a two-week trip to experience Japanese culture. Ieshima, an island off the coast of Japan, is the location of a reciprocal home stay program that is now in its seventh year. Students from Ieshema visited Lopez last week in a memorable event with students at the Lopez School. Funding for the program is provided by The Freeman Foundation.

"To be able to offer these opportunities to our students is remarkable, and it has been through the commitment of the school and a lot of generosity, that it has been possible," reflected Mr. Ewert, "We are really grateful that our kids have been able to experience other cultures."

"A Trek to the Tibetan Kingdom of Mustang" on October 6th, is free and everyone is invited. All donations will benefit LIFE Foundation, a 501c(3) charity. For more information about LIFE Travel, call Greg Ewert or Richard Tetu at the Lopez School.

© Copyright 2007 Islands Weekly

Sep 25 2007
A trek to the Tibetan Kingdom of Mustang

The Kingdom of Mustang is a semi-feudal, semi-independent and semi-secret region of Nepal, nestled in the Himalayas at 13,000 feet on the border with Tibet.

Photographer Don Gurewitz was given access to the Kingdom, and will be sharing what he saw during a slide lecture, "Mustang: The Lost Tibetan Kingdom," on Saturday, October 6, 6:30 p.m. at Lopez Center. It will be a potluck as well, so bring your favorite dish.

Don is an internationally recognized photographer who has traveled to over 50 countries and exhibited his work throughout the world.

To reach and photograph Mustang's capital -- the medieval walled city of Lo Manthang -- Gurewitz trekked for five days through the deepest canyon in the world.

Once inside this ancient kingdom, Don was able to capture a rare and fragile portrait of an historic culture.

The Kingdom of Mustang was closed to the outside world until the early 1990s, and, even today, special permission is needed to enter. It is the only surviving continuous Tibetan monarchy, and because of this, and its near-total isolation for so long, it is perhaps the "purest" surviving Tibetan culture in the world.

Take a glimpse at the people, villages, farms, monasteries, and celebrations of this unique and ancient culture, and the wild, remote, and starkly beautiful Himalayan landscape that has shaped it.

Donations at the door will benefit Lopez Island Foreign Exchange (LIFE) Travel Program at Lopez School. There will information about LIFE during the event.

"Don will talk about the many benefits of travel in the education of students, and the importance of travel in creating and maintaining a society that values the richness of cultural diversity, and the promotion of peace through global citizenship," said Michele Heller, who helped coordinate Don's appearance on Lopez.

There will also be a special performance from Tibetan Singer Karjam Saeji.

For more information go to www.dongurewitzphotography.com.

© Copyright 2007 Islands Weekly

Oct 02 2007
Lopez Artist Advance winners to share fruits of their labor

By Colleen Smith
Two Lopez musicians spent their summer recording full-length CDs.

Karjam Saeji and Jean-Jacques Tetu, winners of the Lopez Artist Advance auditions, worked with renowned music producer Ralf Illenberger. The two musicians will perform their work at a CD release concert on October 13, 7:30 p.m. in Lopez Center.

Each artist had the opportunity to work with Lopez resident Lenedra Carroll, a music industry professional who manages singer-songwriter Jewel, among others. Carroll helped Tetu and Saeji with artist development and options for the next steps in their careers. The whole project was funded by Lopezians Michele and Steve Heller.

"I was very inspired by the caliber of talent we had at the auditions. I'm so excited by the resulting music that I intend to help both artists move these CDs as far ahead as we can," said Carroll. Both musicians have MySpace sites and their music will be on CD Baby and iTunes.

"Working with Ralf was such a privilege; he's a gifted producer and I am very pleased and excited about the work he did with my songs," said Saeji, who is a Tibetan singer, songwriter, and dancer. He has titled his CD "Pilgrimage."

"Karjam is an extraordinary singer and writer and it was a privilege to work with him. His awesome voice and music allowed for a lush cinematic production that manages to be soothing, moving and awe-inspiring," remarked Carroll. "I'm thrilled with this CD and want to try to place songs for soundtracks and see if we can get a Grammy nomination for it."

For Tetu, a musician known locally for performing blues covers, the goal was to focus on his own original songs and develop his individual style. His CD is titled "The Lopez Sessions," and expanded from five songs to include six acoustic songs as well.

"Jean-Jacques took to the recording process with such ease, we had time to add the acoustic tracks too, resulting in a very well-rounded, full length CD that provides an excellent sense of the talent of this impressive young artist," said Illenberger.

Carroll commented that "Jean-Jacques has the talent to have an excellent career in music. He has a terrific voice and his songs are full of fire and sincerity. And they are really 'hooky' -- once you hear them, you can't get them out of your head."

The community will have a chance to hear the results during the CD release party. Both artists will perform their new material, and Illenberger, also a well-known guitarist and singer, will perform a few tracks of his own.

CDs will be available for sale, and proceeds from the door will benefit Lopez School's music department. Tickets are by donation at the door -- $10 adults, $5 students.

On Monday, October 8, Carroll will spend time with local artists of any genre who are interested in sharing information and asking questions about furthering their careers in the arts. The session will be held in the music room at Lopez Elementary School from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

© Copyright 2007 Islands Weekly

May 23 2007
Saeji and Tetu win Lopez Artist Advance

By Colleen Smith
When Lopez Artist Advance was founded this past winter, its aim was to create opportunities for career development for Lopez artists of all genres and ages.

After auditions at the end of April, two local musicians have been chosen to work with a top music industry professional as well as record a CD with highly regarded music producer Ralf Illenberger. Tibetan singer Karjam Saeji and blues guitarist and vocalist Jean-Jacques Tetu will enter the recording studio in June.

Lopez Artist Advance (LAA), which was created by Lenedra Carroll, will also provide ongoing mentoring to selected audition participants, present a one-day workshop for any local artists who wish to attend, and hold a benefit concert presenting top musical talent from the auditions. The organization received financial support from Carroll, Steve and Michele Heller, and Illenberger. Lopez School music teacher Ann Marie Fischer "was the backbone of the auditions," said Carroll.

"There were two artists who stood out in every one of the criteria. They were each so exceptional that it was difficult to choose between them. Ultimately, working again with Michele and Steve Heller, we made the decision to procure funds for both Tetu and Saeji to have the opportunity, since LAA is not about only one winner anyway," said Carroll.

Saeji is from Tibet and married to Lopezian Cedar Bough. He will do a recording that includes traditional Tibetan songs, a cappella songs, and his own original compositions. "When I heard him sing, I knew immediately that this was an exceptional talent," said Illenberger. "I am very excited to make a CD with him that takes his recording to the level of his talent."

Tetu, who graduated from Lopez High School and recently moved back to the island with his wife Katie after graduating from college, will also record a CD.

"We'll make a shorter CD of his best songs, with the aim of helping him with songwriting, and fully defining and refining his own sound. He will also work with me to understand the steps for development and career advancement. This young man is really an exceptional local talent and has the potential -- with support, guidance, and opportunity -- to go very far with his career, even to the top. Ralf and I, along with Steve and Michele, wanted to get him started on that path," said Carroll.

Both artists will receive help from Carroll in setting up websites, distribution, and "learning where and how to place their music to create visibility and opportunities for themselves."

All artists who participated in the auditions are invited to be part of the ongoing Lopez Artist Advance Group. "We will look at talent and career development together, and prepare for the community concert in the fall that is also the CD release party. If we can raise additional funds, we would like to do a compilation CD with many of these other participants, and release it at the same time. We'd love to expand the project in that way, since the aim of LAA is to create opportunities for as many artists as possible," said Carroll.

© Copyright 2007 Islands Weekly

Apr 24 2007
Potluck and Tibetan cultural event

In the spring of 2006, The Weekly ran an article about the upcoming pilgrimage that Lopezian Cedar Bough and her husband Karsangjamtso (Karjam) Saeji were planning on the Tibetan Plateau.

The couple began walking from Karjam's hometown in late June, and three months and 1,615 miles later they arrived in Lhasa, exhausted and elated. Hurrying to the most holy site of Tibetan Buddhism, the Jokhang Temple, they performed prostrations on the smoothed stones before looking around for a hotel room.

As they journeyed they were welcomed warmly by communities along the way. Once a twelve-year-old boy came to their rescue as they were descending an almost impassable gorge.

On Friday, April 27, at 6:30 p.m., Karjam and Cedar Bough have planned a potluck, slide show, and live music event at Lopez Center. After sharing food with new and old friends, their loose idea is to have an introduction to their pilgrimage with maps and basic information about Buddhist pilgrimages in Tibetan culture, then Cedar Bough will alternate reading passages from the book she's writing about their journey with showing slides. The slides and stories will be less than an hour in length. Karjam is planning to demonstrate Tibetan traditional dance as well as sing a selection of songs, both traditional and his own original compositions.

They request that people bring utensils and plates or bowls to cut down on potluck waste.

© Copyright 2007 Islands Weekly

May 02 2006
Lopez Native to Walk 2,600 Kilometers on the Tibetan Plateau

In the summer of 2006 Karjam and Cedar Bough Saeji will walk from the geographic center of China, a bit south of Lanzhou, Gansu Province, for three months, to Lhasa, the fabled city on the rooftop of the world.

Karjam comes from a family of nomadic herders, leaving his hometown to became a traditional Tibetan singer and dancer with three recordings. Cedar is a Koreanist (a scholar on Korea) and a photographer. They met in Korea in 2000 and were married in 2005.

Cedar Bough had a head start on preparing for this trip, growing up on Lopez Island. Her parents, Gregg Blomberg and Edi Blomberg, were the first of the "back to the land" young people who moved to Lopez to pursue a more idealistic and natural life. They moved to Lopez in the late 1960s, farmed, raised animals and built their own house. Cedar Bough was born in 1972.

"It will take us three months to walk from Ahwencang, my husband's hometown, to Lhasa, and during that time we will never descend below 3,000 meters above sea level. There will be 5,000 meter high passes to cross, gorges to skirt, and rivers to ford. This will not be easy. There is danger, from the elements, from food and water issues, and even from bandit attack in this vast and untamed expanse. With the exception of the first and last bits of our trek there will be no access to medicine or stores where we can replenish supplies. For the greater portion of the trip, any additional food that we need will have to be traded for from the nomadic people we encounter. There are stretches along this route where we may not meet a single person for five days or more," said Cedar Bough.

Karjam and Cedar Bough have started to search out sponsors, and have gotten a wonderful response from Sierra Designs and Sherpa Adventure Gear. They are hopeful this is just the tip of the iceberg--or should that be the hair on the yak's ears?

© Copyright 2006 Islands Weekly