Countdown to this Holiday Season's Events

Hi All!  It's been a while since I blogged what with the move to NY and really understanding why they say being a mom is a full-time job, I am finally now having a moment to tell you what the holidays have in store!  

As usual, there's a taste of art and a spattering of music along with the joy that goes along with my favorite time of year.

After the feasting and merriment of Thanksgiving, Matt and I will be appearing as La Boheme for a musical evening at 
THE STEAMING CUP 
Saturday, Nov 30th from 7-9pm
340 W Main St, Downtown Waukesha

We will be performing music from our CD "Foolish Heart" which is now on sale on CD Baby and iTunes, as well as some favorite standards and even some brand new songs.  I might even convince Matt to do a couple holiday songs - yes, I love them.

Come visit out new Facebook page and like us a lot!

www.facebook.com/labohemetheband

The following evening ...

After the incredible experience Palmyra-Eagle Community Band shared as the guest musicians for our nation's HONOR FLIGHT for Wisconsin on September 27th, 2013, it'll be wonderful to join them, Ed Pierce and my dad, Bob to make more music.  In preperation, here's a very serious rehearsal video of Jackrabbit and I. 

I will be singing with Palmyra-Eagle Community Band  on their fabulous Holiday concert.  This concert is an annual tradition, held once again at the Palmyra United Methodist Church

122 N 5th St  Palmyra, WI

Sunday, Dec 1st 7pm

FREE!

  Please join us!

The next weekend, I will switch gears and join my mom Charlotte Fung Miller in Chicago for a highly anticipated fine arts festival:

CHICAGO ONE OF A KIND

DEC 5-8

The Merchandise Mart

I've heard it's a jubilee of shopping with tons of original gift options.  Along with our paintings, we are now creating some really cute, elegant, artsy, fun items like glass cutting boards and dragon coasters...

You can always find me on Facebook or at www.kimbirdlee.net.  Feel free to contact me if you want more info or anything!

Lotsa love ~

kimbirdlee

Homeward Bound

"Sunset on a Country Road" by Matt Miller

What started out as a last-minute "hey, wanna sing with us" kinda thing with the East Troy Community Band (conducted by Jay Huenink) and Choir (directed by Rodger Trader) last Sunday turned out to be something pretty darn special!  The groups do a yearly concert at the world famous Alpine Valley here in East Troy that is whipped together in a week of rehearsals.  My dad is a regular in both of these groups, so of course I was down for joining them!  I had the honor to sing the solo in "Homeward Bound" and my dad sang the male part in a duet too.  Yay!  The whole arrangement with full band and chorus is downright stirring to the soul!  My brother, Matt, videotaped it but for whatever reason the picture was blurry so I had the idea to set some of his oil paintings of Wisconsin scenes to the music. When I saw/heard how beautifully they went together, I have to admit I was choked up... ok I actually cried!

Here it is if you'd like to see/hear for yourself:

http://youtu.be/m1FpjFjQ9y4

HOMEWARD BOUND

Words and Music by Marta Keen

arranged by Jay Althouse and Brant Karrick

In the quiet misty morning, when the moon has gone to bed,

When the sparrows stop their singing and the sky is clear and red,

When the summer's ceased its gleaming, when the corn is past its prime,

When adventure's lost its meaning, I'll be homeward bound in time.

Bind me not to the pasture. Chain me not to the plow.

Set me free to find my calling and I'll return to you somehow.

If you find it's me you're missing, if you're hoping I'll return,

To your thought I'll soon be list'ning; in the road I'll stop and turn.

Then the wind will set me racing as my journey nears its end,

And the path I'll be retracing when I'm homeward bound again.

Bind me not to the pasture. Chain me not to the plow.

Set me free to find my calling and I'll return to you somehow.

In the quiet misty morning when the moon has gone to bed,

When the sparrows stop their singing, I'll be homeward bound again.

p.s. the baby you hear in the beginning is a cameo by the notorious Jackrabbit!

For another chance to hear this piece being performed along with a whole program of great tunes, come join us in the East Troy Town Square this Thursday, August 1st at 7:30pm!  

for more details:

www.etband.com/

Ice Cream Social Concert in the Park

After moving out of our house in Oakland, stopping over in Wisconsin before a whirlwind house-hunting trip to NYC, then back to California for a couple singing gigs, and finally landing back here to Eagle Springs Lake, WI ...  At last, Jackrabbit and I are enjoying our precious time in Wisconsin while our poor Johnny-boy slaves away at theater camp in Mill Valley, CA.  That brings us up to date!

The 4th of July weekend here on the lake is a wild and exciting time!  It started with the kiddy parade at Eagleville Elementary and an impromptu singing of "God Bless America" by Jackrabbit and I on the 1920's fire engine.

After a slew of BBQs, swimming, rehearsing, and Fireworks, we made it to Sunday, the day of the
ICE CREAM SOCIAL!!!  Ed Pierce graciously invited me to sing again with Palmyra-Eagle Community Band and the Kettle Moraine Blues Band this year and to all our delight, I was able to sing at their largest gathering.  We planned the challenging program over email from Wisco to Cali and selected some of my favorite songs of all time!  The warmth and support I feel from this group and from the audience in Eagle is tremendous, almost over-whelming.  I wish I could bottle it up and take it to NYC.  Maybe I can find a friendly Mr. Ed director out there who wants me to sing to my heart's content with his amazing band and everyone is happy ever after!!!

Here is the poster from the concert:

And now for the live footage from the event!  Click on the links to see the video:

CLICK HERE: Ice Cream Social Concert: Act I

CLICK HERE TOO: Ice Cream Social Concert: Act II

AND CLICK HERE: Finale

My bio:

Kimberly Fadner "Kimbirdlee" is a performing and visual artist who grew up in Hales Corners,WI and lived in Oakland, CA with her husband and 1 yr old son, "Jackrabbit" up until this summer.

"The 40s: A Sentimental Journey" and her ongoing collaboration with PECM marks a special time for Kimbirdlee and her family as they spread their wings and make NYC their home in Fall, 2013.

Kimbirdlee's natural gift as a singer was discovered as a young girl and she was in musicals with local Milwaukee-area theaters at an early age. Her first big roles were Amahl in "Amahl and the Night Visitors" and Marta in "Sound of Music" when she was only 7 years old. She was soon dubbed the singer of the family and sang for many special events, often with her father singing and playing along on guitar.  Kimberly majored in Vocal Performance & Dance at Mills College in Oakland, CA and acting at the American Conservatory of Theater-SF. She appeared in West Coast productions including "It's a Grand Night for Singers" at Jarvis Conservatory in Napa, "Forever Broadway" at Herbst Theater, "Working: The Musical" at ACT-SF, Marin Shakespeare Company's "The Tempest", Berkeley Playhouse's "Cinderella:Enchanted", "Narnia", "Born and Raised" & "Seussical The Musical".  She worked with the Berkeley Playhouse, and 142 Throckmorton as an actress, aerialist, director and teacher for several years. Her performance in "Seussical" earned her a Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Award nomination in 2012 and a guest performance at the Palace of Fine Arts in SF. Kimberly performs and records with her husband Jonathan Fadner and brother Matt Miller in The Kimbirdlee Fadner Trio & La Boheme.  She is a soloist for various churches, as well. Here's to spreading joy and inspiration through music and the arts.

Some extra video fun - Pre-show at Jack's Place!

Thank you so much for visiting Kimbird-Land today and come back often.  I will do my best to make you smile!!!

:D

CLICK HERE: Ice Cream Social Concert: Act I

CLICK HERE TOO: Ice Cream Social Concert: Act II

AND CLICK HERE: Finale

Adventures in Kimbird-Land!

At last!  I have the chance to give you the latest updates from The Adventures in Kimbird-Land!



Last I checked in, I was heading to the Dragon Fest and Not-so-Silent Auction for Garfield Elementary.  It was quite the event!  Located on the border of Chinatown and North Beach, swarming with children and their families', and full of energetic buzz.

My painting of the "Yin and Yang Dragon" went home with a community member named Kitty Kao - amazing name - who wanted to check out the Fund Raiser because she saw the Dragon poster that I designed hanging up at her local laundromat.  Love it!



I had a good feeling that night, thinking about how my mom grew up in Chinatown and pondering the full-circle we have come.  It was there that she learned Chinese Brush Painting, never knowing where it would eventually lead us!  And trust me, I never knew I'd become a professional artist either.

Jonathan and I also taught music for a kids musical theater workshop held at Shotgun Theater in Berkeley on Saturday, April 20th.  We got to revisit the music of "Seussical the Musical" and see some brilliant little actors do their thing.

The last couple weeks have been swamped with Art Shows, first in Walnut Creek, then Mountain View (both through Pacific Fine Arts).  Those shows were fun in the sun.  Lots of people to talk to and share my passion about Chinese Symbolism, the Zodiac and the Elements.  Somehow dragons seem to be relevant in everything!

Last Saturday was a special little surprise - The Glenview Cottage Industry Exhibition - put on by our local neighborhood association and Judith Garland (another amazing name!).  It happened to be right across the street from our house at the Park Blvd Presbyterian Church.

Jackrabbit doing his bit - holding up the tent with all his mighty strength!

It was delightful being out there in my own neighborhood, meeting people, connecting... Only slightly ironic that we are moving now that things are livening up around Glenview.  I never believe in saying goodbye though, and will always have a home here in Oakland!  It's cool to walk through the neighborhood and catch a glimpse of a dragon hanging on someone's wall!!!  :D

This Saturday is yet another festival - the Asian Heritage Street Celebration outside by the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.  It's from 11am-6pm and full of fantastic performances, the World Market (where I will be) and tasty asian delectables!

Come join me in Kimbird-Land and have an adventure!!!

Dragon Fest and Not-so-Silent Auction

Taking place at Garfield Elementary SF ... 

I'm honored to be the featured artist for this awesome and mighty fundraiser for the "Mighty Dragons" at Garfield Elementary on Friday, April 19th from 6 pm to 9 pm for the...

Dragon Fest and Not-so-Silent Auction!

The festivities will take place at 

Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center Gym, 555 Chestnut Street.

This poster design is a collaboration between myself and my dear friend Bridget O'Keeffe.  

She designed the poster with my painting, which now holds a special place in Bridget's home.  :)

Her two boys attend this exciting, bilingual school.   And her baby girl is best friends with our little Jackrabbit.  Love it!

I'll follow this invitation up with pix and stories after tomorrow night!
The Fadner Fam is having a night out in the citaaayyyyy!!!

Little Doll, Little Doll was a poem I wrote when I was 4yrs old...

My poem was published in the local newspaper and I was given a 2-dollar bill that my parents framed with the poem.  If I would've known then that I'd become a doll and sing for a full house in such a beautiful theater with red velvet curtains, I'd have cried with joy!

I had the honor to sing for "It's a Grand Night for Singers" for the second time this year at Jarvis Conservatory in Downtown Napa last Saturday, April 6th.  I sang "The Doll Aria" from Tales of Hoffman (Jacques Offenbach) and the jazz rendition of Gilbert & Sullivan's "The Sun & I" from Hot Mikado.  I was joined by 6 other talented singers.  We were accompanied by the fabulous Richard B. Evans, the pianist, maestro and MC of the night.  

Jarvis was also incredibly kind to have me exhibit my art in their gorgeous lobby.  Being able to share that part of me along with the music was especially magical.  I've searched for ways to merge my two worlds of music and art and am so grateful for this opportunity!

It was also the first revealing of my pearl necklace designed after Elizabeth Taylor's "La Peregrina" - which sold for $11.8 million dollars -  made by Cory Dawson of Wisconsin as a trade for a painting.   I wouldn't put a price on my version, but I LOOOOVE it!  

Teresa Delgado Bozikis of Touch Salon in Montclair Village got me all "dolled-up" before the big night.  We always have a blast.  It was one more thing to make it such a special night, perhaps my last time there for a while since we will be heading to New York this summer!

"It's a Grand Night for Singers" is a precious jewel of an event - I can only pray that I can find something so inspiring and fun out in New York...

Video coming soon (courtesy of Jesse Patrick), so stay tuned, my lovies!!!

Also new - available for purchase - 

"The 40's:A Sentimental Journey" CD

@ cdbaby.com

Episode 1: Artist & Vocalist, Kimbirdlee - #InspirationsTV by Oakland Digital (ODALC.org)

Walking into ODALC in Downtown Oakland, on the border of Chinatown, was a breath of fresh air and a vision of vibrant color.  I didn't know what to expect, but I was excited to be invited as Shaun Tai's first guest for "Inspiration TV".  "Inspiration TV" is a Youtube series that highlights local Oakland-ers who are considered inspiring by the community.  So you can imagine, it is quite an honor for me!  As a singer, performer and artist who runs my own business, and a new mom, I constantly assess and reassess, plan and replan, question, doubt and search for the right path.  I am forever grateful to be living the life I do and to have people like you to share my songs and paintings with!

Year of the Water Snake
2013

http://youtu.be/uStbcO2Qwp8

ODALC is doing great work to reach out to the community.  If you have a chance, you should definitely subscribe to their mailing list and follow the Youtube series!  I can't wait to see who the next guest is!!!

Get Involved --- Stay Connected with Oakland Digital (ODALC)

   

It's a Grand Night for Kimbirdlee

On Saturday, Feb 2nd, I sang as part of a fabulous monthly event in Napa at the Jarvis Cnservatory called "It's a grand Night for Singers".  I sang "Una Voce Poco Fa" from Rossini's Il Barbiere di Sevilla for ACT 1 and "I'll be Seeing You" the 1938 hit by Irving Kahal and Sammy Fain that was the theme song in The Notebook.    

It was a kind of homecoming for me.  The last time I had this honor was in 2010, before all my Saturday nights were booked with musicals.  I was also so proud and completely overjoyed to have my boys there to cheer me on!  Jonathan watched from the balcony with a slumbering Jackrabbit in his arms.  Awwww!!!!  Everything I do and every song has so much more meaning now that it's not just about me anymore.

Christmas Music 2012

This year was especially ringing with the sounds of the christmas and holiday season.  From the  Kimbirdlee Fadner Trio rousing up the streets of Montclair Village, to the reverent and joyous solos I had the honor to sing for some Christmas services, I am so grateful to have these memories and videos to remember this year by!  Click on the titles to see video clips:

Kimbirdlee Fadner Trio - vid

The Montclair Village Association invited us to be a part of the festivities for the Holiday Stroll.  My brother, Matt, joined us and he, Jonathan, Baby Santa and I hit the streets with our songs.  It was super fun.  Wayne at Grille One was our gracious host.  You should go get dinner or lunch there when you are really hungry - the food is sooo yummy and lots of it!  Hopefully we'll have the opportunity to play there again.  Matt just finished his latest CD with me on vocals - it's full of songs that have a latin flair with wonderful words of love and life and love, love, love.  We really want to throw a CD release party soon... any ideas?  More on that soon...

"Rejoice Greatly" from Handel's Messiah - vid clip
I've been the soloist at the Point Richmond Church of Christ Scientist for a few years now.  This year's Christmas service was special (it usually is!)!!!  My family was in town and came along.  Of course, Baby Santa was there too.

Singing Handel brought back my opera chops and reminded me how fun it is to sing fast and really high!  My 60s dress was hand made by Margie (in the photo) from church.    Love it!

Christmas Eve Service - vid clip
For the second year now, I had the honor of joining the choir at the Church of our Saviour in Mill Valley.  Thanks to Stephen Beecroft, who I met doing Hot Mikado last year, this is becoming a tradition too!  I sang the solo in What Child is This and Away in the Manger, as well as the choral service that night.  The director, Daniel Hoggatt, is a great pleasure to sing for!  I know daddy and grandpa had their ears full of crying Baby Santa the entire time, but Baby loves to sing too.

I am always looking to find more opportunities to sing.  If you hear of anything, please send it my way!
Lots of love and blessings for the new year.  xoxo - kimbird