Loving Life Blog

Spur of the Moment Reflections

Fall Harmonies – Friday Fall Harmonies November 20, 2013

Filed under: Promotion,Swedish-American — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 6:31 am
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Fall Life  Yesterday we, Keeva A Cappella, had the last rehearsal before our concert this upcoming Friday. Friday Fall Harmonies with local guest artist and poet Beryl Baker to warm up the mic. Or is it unplugged? It is unplugged. At least that was the instructions to one of the new songs. And maybe for a reason…

The new song I have in mind is “The Cave” with Mumford & Sons. A newly written a cappella version for our group by one of our new members. Imagine an acoustic, unplugged, in a wine bar version of that song (see/hear below). Although – this time it is at Dolores Park Cafe.

Yesterday I said “What would my last 7 years in San Francisco have been without Keeva?” It’s not to say that it wouldn’t have been great – but this group is a solid contribution to making it more than that. It’s really an awesome group of people, and… maybe come judge for yourself, see how a little bit of this groups music live impact you?!

We won’t give you this version of The Cave – but if you want to be this version of audience – feel free! 😉

Johanna

Friday Fall Harmonies with Beryl Baker and Keeva A Cappella

Come in out of the cold and warm up to the sweet sound of love songs and globally-inspired harmonies.
Local musician and poet, Beryl Baker will serenade you on ukulele and guitar with her acoustic folk, indie-rock and blues-inspired tunes. 
And Keeva A Cappella will treat you to soulful vocal music from around the world.
Come early for Dolores Park Cafe’s delicious food, and to grab a beer and a seat! 
A $5-10 suggested donation is appreciated and will go to Philippines typhoon relief efforts.

Dolores Park Cafe. Friday night September 22. at 7.30pm. 501 Dolores St, San Francisco, California 94110  

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Broadway Next? November 10, 2013

Filed under: Broadway,Swedish-American — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 4:34 pm
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Rönninge Show Chorus, GoldAnd the winner is…. Rönninge Show Chorus, from the Nordic Region! Rönninge Show Chorus won gold in the world championship of barbershop singing, in Honolulu Saturday November 9, 2013.  They received the highest score in history. Keep spreading the news…

Gosh – I am smiling as I see the video from the performance in the final.

1) To me barbershop has always been such an american style of singing – the clothing, make-up, everything around it. And actually, living in the US now, it still seems – a tad different.

2) I’m seeing a lot of faces from the old times 18 years ago – this choir (132 on stage) has members in the age of 16 to who knows 75?

3) It’s a solid musical performance – and what is the theme?????!!!!?!?!?!? Can’t believe it. As it has been my theme this fall.  In the final package shown in the video below from the webcast the choir performs 4 songs. The show-tunes start at 12min 25s.

New York next? Maybe re-joining this choir, would be the quickest way to Broadway. 😉 Not kidding. I wonder if I would make it in the audition for the spot in the middle of the front row again. Imagine the wall of sound coming over you being in the very middle of 150 singers… Pretty amazing.

My vote is: Broadway next.

Johanna

 

Digging Gold in the USA November 8, 2013

Filed under: Inspiration,Swedish-American — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 3:46 pm
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At some point it’s time to stop counting the years… But it’s 18 years ago that I travelled with Rönninge Show Chorus for the first time to compete in the international barbershop contest. 120 of the 150 choir members came along. My mom joined as our medical doctor. The big arena in New Orleans was the stage.

We had trained hard, been coached by the best, and our own musical director was one of them: Britt-Heléne Bonnedahl. Later on she was the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award from Sweet Adeline International. Another one was a male coach who had trained world class golf players. [visualization!] We got judged in four categories: sound, music, expression and showmanship.

One song from the final package was “One moment in time”, originally sang by Whitney Houston. When I hear that song today my mind is still triggered and I have straightened my spine for performance before I realize it is that music playing. Another show tune was “Gräva guld i USA”. The World Cup tune for the Swedish men’s soccer team 1994 – Digging Gold in the USA.

The soccer team came third. The choir came second. This year… may they get the gold. Last but not least in the final tomorrow in Hawaii.

Johanna
(And yes, I shared this on Facebook – so it is a back-date post… )

 

A Taste of Swedish Summer – Limited Edition July 17, 2013

Filed under: Swedish-American — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 2:04 pm
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Marabou Black Swedish Summer

I may not go to Sweden and experience all what it has to offer summertime this year, but I did receive a package in the mail with my favorite chocolate from last year. Only available as a limited edition, during the summer.

Marabou milk chocolate with saltish licorish… to die for.  For those who are curious, or those who are longing for another bite – the Swedish Food Shop for People with Home Longing has it! It also works to call mom. 😉

If you buy enough quantity, you can start elaborating with some of all the recipes that now are available with Marabou Black as ingredient. Chocolate cake with salt licorish…?

Enjoy,

Johanna

Marabou Black / Tommy Nilsson – Avslöjandet from Lucky Punk on Vimeo.

 

Swedish Midsummer for Dummies… June 24, 2013

Filed under: Swedish-American — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 8:53 am
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Happy Midsummer – or Summer Solstice! If you happened to go to a Swedish midsummer celebration and was wondering what it was all about and how to make the most out of it – see this – a practical guide for next time. Swedish Midsummer for Dummies…

Happy frog dancing!

Enjoy the long summer days!
Johanna

 

One Footprint Leads To Another May 31, 2013

Filed under: coaching,Swedish-American — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 1:23 pm
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In the process of writing about Oprah Winfrey’s commencement speach yesterday at Harvard, and a feature of her being one of the most impact ful women who makes a big footprint, I stopped myself. What is most appropriate to say? Making a big footprint? Leaving a big footprint? Expanding the footprint? And yes, it has a double meaning, since we have chosen to feature women with size 10-12 in shoes, for whom LLXLLQ shoes in larger sizes are made. Handmade in Italy.

When researching the terms, I stumbled upon the song “Footprints in the sand”, which called my curiosity. What are the lyrics about? What if the singer of this one has size 10-12 in shoes? It would be so beautiful.

The singer is Leona Lewis, from the UK. She has size 7 in shoes.

The writers of the song are four men, among which Simon Cowell – who you may know as the producer and talent judge in  Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and American Idol – as well as David Kreuger. David you may not know, since he mostly chose to stand out of the spotlight, but you most likely know of his music. Because he does leave a big footprint for your ears to enjoy.

This song below is just one of them.

Just a few years ago 😉 , when I was old enough to go to a bar/club in Stockholm – me and one of my best friends Cissie, often went out together. Monday night was the university student night at “Collage” at Östermalm in Stockholm, that started with a taco buffet dinner and then eventually dancing. The dancing was really what we were there for. The DJ was great. He played great music. He was a great person. He often drove us home after closing. He worked as a DJ at night, and a music producer during the day. He produced Britney Spears debut album 1989 and others with other producers at the Cheiron Studio, founded by Denniz PoP. Since 2000 he has his own music production company: A Side Productions , with another impressive list of artists and songs.

All of which has expanded the musical footprint of Sweden, which is leading me home. Home to Sweden, to David, and his wife – one of my best friends…

Cissie: I won’t be there in a week, but HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY!!! Keep dancing!

Love,

Johanna

What footprint do you want to leave in the sand…?

 

Curious About the Swedes? May 19, 2013

Filed under: Swedish-American — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 12:30 pm
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One of the highlights of the Eurovision Song Contest Final from last night was the program in the intermission: The Swedish Smorgasbord, by Petra Mede, Swedish comedienne, dancer and television host.

This is her presentation of Sweden and Swedes for all those of you who are curious – and Swedes to be entertained. Our relationship to church,  the need of consensus – even at the combat zone, the talent of doing compost, Carola and    many more goodies at the smorgasbord.

Any surprises?

Enjoy,

Johanna

 

We Write The Story

Filed under: Swedish-American — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 11:39 am
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Yesterday The Eurovision Song Contest 2013 Final was held in Malmo, in Sweden.

What I didn’t know was that the Eurovision was created  57 years ago by a group of broadcasters with the intent to unify Europe after world war II through the power of music. It makes total sense. And today the event is bigger than ever.

The event opened with a newly composed Eurovision Anthem “We Write The Story”, written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. and the Swedish DJ, and record producer Avicii. “We couldn’t get ABBA – but ABA”, as Petra Mede introduced them.

A master piece. Here it is. Enjoy!

Johanna

“We have a choice in everything, we write the story…” – what are you making a choice about today? What is the next chapter in your story?

 

Mama Mia! May 13, 2013

Filed under: Swedish-American — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 10:30 pm
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This upcoming Saturday it is time for the Eurovision Song Contest. Hosted by Sweden, since we won last year, with Euphoria. Growing up, that was big. The dream was to stand on that stage. The event is still big. Living in San Francisco, I have found friends who might be even more excited about it than I was before. Saturday night Pacific Time, the recorded version of the event will be replayed. And strict rules for the guests, to be disconnected during the day, not to reveal any results… That was difficult last year, having a dear excited cousin Anna, who send me a text… EUPHORIA – WE WON!!! 🙂

Today, as a reminder about the event, the winning song Waterloo by ABBA from 1974 was shared (see below).  For all ABBA lovers: since last week, there is now ABBA The Museum open in Stockholm. It is part of a larger Swedish Music Hall of Fame.

I am sure it partly covers the impact ABBA has had on it’s fans. I have only in the past two months in San Francisco met one, and heard another, case of women that have learnt Swedish for the only reason that they loved ABBA.

As of me… I was Agneta. And yes, I do have the ABBA music book with me… to San Francisco.

To-de-loo,
Johanna

What has ABBA done for you?

 

Music and Mimosa for Mom May 5, 2013

Filed under: Swedish-American — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 11:28 pm
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Mother’s Day in the US is coming up. My a cappella group Keeva has a concert in the Church of Sweden – upstairs with the view over the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. – bring your mom and family – or just yourself! – after your mother’s day brunch and enjoy some mimosa and music.

Would love to see you!

Johanna

Keeva Spring Concert Flyer

 

 
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