The Santa Ana Zoo is holding its final summer event this Sunday, August 5. There will be treats, and also crafts and collectibles presented by the Orange County Gourd Society (OC Chapter of the California Gourd Society). Admission for Zoo members is $5, non-members $10.
Full article from the Orange County Register. For more information, contact the Zoo at www.santaanazoo.org, or call (714) 704-3777.
Visit the OC Gourd Society Chapter for more information on Chapter membership and meetings.
Santa Ana is located just south of Los Angeles in the heart of Orange County.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Thursday, August 2, 2007
A Griot and his Kora
Duke University in North Carolina is hosting a variety of lectures at the campus this fall, open to the general public.
In November, the University will host a presentation by Mamadou Diabate, a Mali storyteller (griot) and his Gourd instrument, a kora.
A Kora is an African 21-string instrument resembling a guitar or bass, with the main body made from a large gourd.
For more information on the presentation, contact Duke at (919) 684-2823.
In November, the University will host a presentation by Mamadou Diabate, a Mali storyteller (griot) and his Gourd instrument, a kora.
A Kora is an African 21-string instrument resembling a guitar or bass, with the main body made from a large gourd.
For more information on the presentation, contact Duke at (919) 684-2823.
Artists Join Forces to Start a Gallery
If you're having trouble getting a gallery to display your work, perhaps the solution is to create your own gallery. Just as the saying goes, if you can't join 'em, beat 'em at their own game. Or something like that.
Basketweaver and Gourd Artist Joyce Causey combined with other artists to create their own co-op in Bainbridge, Georgia. Read more on this story here (including a video) (WALB.com)
The Co-op Gallery is hosted by the Firehouse Gallery, located at 119 W. Water St., Bainbridge, GA 31717.
Bainbridge is located in southern Georgia near the Georgia/Florida border, 40 miles north of Tallahassee, FL. For information, contact the Gallery at (912) 243-1010.
Basketweaver and Gourd Artist Joyce Causey combined with other artists to create their own co-op in Bainbridge, Georgia. Read more on this story here (including a video) (WALB.com)
The Co-op Gallery is hosted by the Firehouse Gallery, located at 119 W. Water St., Bainbridge, GA 31717.
Bainbridge is located in southern Georgia near the Georgia/Florida border, 40 miles north of Tallahassee, FL. For information, contact the Gallery at (912) 243-1010.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Following the Banjo trail
Musician Jayme Stone, a banjo enthusiast, did a little research to uncover the origins of the twangy instrument, and discovered that they began as Gourd Banjos, originating in West Africa.
Read the full story here... (Canada.com)
Read the full story here... (Canada.com)
The Gourd... A Cure for Asthma?
The Nigerian Tribune reports on interesting natural methods of dealing with asthma, even suggesting that the affliction can be cured.
One of the methods involves gourd juice: "A cupful of fresh bitter gourd juice mixed with a table spoonful of pure honey taken once daily for three to four months depending on severity of asthma, according to natural medicine practitioners would cure asthma and chronic bronchitis."
It's hard to say if this works. There is a great deal of promise in natural methods that may or may not work, depending on the person. As an asthma and severe allergy sufferer myself, I'd look to any possibility with hope, mixed with a certain degree of skepticism.
Stay tuned...
One of the methods involves gourd juice: "A cupful of fresh bitter gourd juice mixed with a table spoonful of pure honey taken once daily for three to four months depending on severity of asthma, according to natural medicine practitioners would cure asthma and chronic bronchitis."
It's hard to say if this works. There is a great deal of promise in natural methods that may or may not work, depending on the person. As an asthma and severe allergy sufferer myself, I'd look to any possibility with hope, mixed with a certain degree of skepticism.
Stay tuned...
Art Exhibit featuring Gourd Artist, Escondido, CA
"Cultural Fusion" and "Weaving Connections" is the title of an exhibit held now through September 30 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, CA. Escondido is located in northern San Diego County, about 33 miles north of San Diego.
Gourd artist Keely Berry-LeBlanc will have pieces on exhibit.
The California Center for the Arts is located in the Escondido Museum, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA. Entry is $5. For more information, click here, or call (760) 839-4120.
Jack's Grains & Gourds -- Going Out of Business Sale
Jack's Grains & Gourds are selling off supplies and going out of business. They're done as soon as everything is sold.
Jack has about 10,000 packets of Gourd seeds available for $1 ea. plus postage. Purchase 1-10 packets for $2; 11-25 for $3; 26-50 for $4; and 50+ packets for $5.
The farm is shown by the green arrow near Durand, upper left corner. Chicago is in the bottom right.
Jack also has about 3,000 dry gourds available for $1 apiece; these, however, will have to be bought directly from his farm (no shipping of gourds available).
The farm is located in far northern Illinois, 3 miles below Wisconsin, 20 miles northwest of Rockford, IL. The address is:
Jack's Grains & Gourds
14105 Rowley Rd.
Durand, IL 61024-9689
The farm is shown by the green arrow near Durand, upper left corner. Chicago is in the bottom right.Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Robert Rivera Limited Edition Book
Robert Rivera is publishing a limited edition book, due out August. Only 500 copies of the hardcover version will be printed, each signed by Robert. The hardcover books are $125 each, and a softcover version will also be available for $80.
Pre-orders are suggested (through the Caning Shop website), as these books are likely to sell fast.
More of Robert Rivera's work can be seen at the Penfield Gallery, Albuquerque, NM.
Pre-orders are suggested (through the Caning Shop website), as these books are likely to sell fast.
More of Robert Rivera's work can be seen at the Penfield Gallery, Albuquerque, NM.
Gourd Events in Mayfield, Kentucky
Mayfield, Kentucky is holding a few different Gourd events this year. Mayfield is located in southern Kentucky, 27 miles south of Paducah and about 150 miles northwest of Nashville, TN.
1. A Gourd Gathering takes place at 1 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month (coming up on August 16th). The event is held at the Mayfield/Graves County Art Guild, 120 N. 8th St., Mayfield, KY. For more information, call (270) 247-6971 or email icehouse@wk.net.
2. September 4 - October 27, 2007: All About Gourds – A Celebration of the Humble Gourd plus Gourd-a-thon Art Benefit. Also located at the Mayfield/Graves County Art Guild.
3. September 15: Gourd Patch Festival in downtown Mayfield. More information to follow...
Mayfield, KY (green arrow)
1. A Gourd Gathering takes place at 1 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month (coming up on August 16th). The event is held at the Mayfield/Graves County Art Guild, 120 N. 8th St., Mayfield, KY. For more information, call (270) 247-6971 or email icehouse@wk.net.
2. September 4 - October 27, 2007: All About Gourds – A Celebration of the Humble Gourd plus Gourd-a-thon Art Benefit. Also located at the Mayfield/Graves County Art Guild.
3. September 15: Gourd Patch Festival in downtown Mayfield. More information to follow...
Gourds and Feng Shui
Gourds and Feng Shui... it only makes sense. According to this article in the Times of India, a gourd in a room's decor brings about healing and longevity, as well as harmony within a relationship.
Another three good reasons to get into gourding!
Another three good reasons to get into gourding!
Maté Gourd + Tea = Financial Reward
In 2005 three friends visited Argentina, and returned to New York with a business plan. They were impressed enough with the tradition of drinking Maté tea (using a gourd bowl, or Maté) that they formed Bombilla Gourd Maté Tea, which is available as a beverage in stores in the Eastern United States (and soon in the West). >> Full article in AMNY.com (Newsday).
Three college students, no business plan, a tea drink from a foreign country, released only in February this year... and projected sales of $1.5 million by this time next year. Crazy.
Three college students, no business plan, a tea drink from a foreign country, released only in February this year... and projected sales of $1.5 million by this time next year. Crazy.
Gourdess of Idaho
Self-proclaimed "Gourdess" Leslie Metzger of Idaho is featured in an article here (Idaho Statesmen).
Metzger mentions in the article that she first found gourds in a craft sale in Boise, Idaho. The Capital City Market is held in downtown Boise on 8th Street between Bannock and The Grove Plaza. More information about the Market (including Vendor information) can be found here.
Metzger mentions in the article that she first found gourds in a craft sale in Boise, Idaho. The Capital City Market is held in downtown Boise on 8th Street between Bannock and The Grove Plaza. More information about the Market (including Vendor information) can be found here.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Christmas In July Craft Event, Mississippi
The Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi is celebrating "Christmas in July," a crafts event that includes gourd crafting and pyrography (woodburning), July 28. It's also an opportunity for folks to shop for early gifts from among the crafters.
For more information, signups or schedule of classes, contact the Guild at info@mscrafts.org or call (601) 856-7546.
The event is held at the Guild's facility at 950 Rice Road, Ridgeland, Mississippi. Ridgeland is just minutes from downtown Jackson, MS.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Background Gourds
In case anyone is curious about the gourds shown in the background... these are the work of Kat Williams (my wife and fellow gourdblogger). Kat is a self-confessed Halloween addict (her favorite season) who decorated these fine fellows with old-style Halloween icons. If you recall the 2003 Fall issue of the Gourdvine magazine, you'll remember Kat's Halloween lampshade on the front cover (with tutorial inside).
Send an email to us here at gourdblog@gmail.com if you want more information about them.
Send an email to us here at gourdblog@gmail.com if you want more information about them.
Native American Powwow Calendar
There are a great many Powwow's throughout the country, where one can see and experience Native American exhibits, traditional dancing, and much more. The gourd makes a regular appearance as either a craft item, utensil, or subject of celebration (e.g. the Gourd Dance). Of course, many native crafts are on sale, from finished pieces to supplies and materials.
The Crazy Crow Trading Post website lists many various Powwow's going on throughout the country. For example, the 14th Annual Frank Liske Park Powwow in Concord, North Carolina takes place August 3-4.
There are many such events listed, many more than can be listed here... for the nearest upcoming Powwow in your area, remember to bookmark the Crazy Crow Events page.
The Crazy Crow Trading Post website lists many various Powwow's going on throughout the country. For example, the 14th Annual Frank Liske Park Powwow in Concord, North Carolina takes place August 3-4.
There are many such events listed, many more than can be listed here... for the nearest upcoming Powwow in your area, remember to bookmark the Crazy Crow Events page.
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