Grateful in New York, New York

It’s Christmas Eve and I’m a long way from home in suburban Sydney, but Christmas in New York has been on my bucket list for some time, and so, here I am. It’s cold outside, very cold, but there’s no snow, yet! With a big day planned I’m taking the night off to watch for the first time the first season of Sex and the City and write this blog. For there is much to be grateful for the past five days in the only city that can make me smile every day, even when I am sick (and inevitably whenever I visit here in winter I always get sick!).

Here’s a few of the things I'm grateful for New York this week:

MoCADA: I’ve been to Brooklyn before, roaming the streets, enjoying the shops  and I loved making snow angels in the park, but this week was the first time I visited the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Art. My time there was spent talking about the Macquarie PEN Anthology of Aboriginal literature to a intimate crowd, including Robin Buncamper, Loida Febo-Garcia and Vanessa Rodd (pictured above). I also enjoyed checking out the current exhibition and the groovy gift shop. I’m most grateful  to Zemmen Kidane and curators Jabari Owens-Bailey (pictured below) for their hospitality.

 FLUSHING LIBRARY: I had no idea that Flushing Queens was going to be the bustling, bright, multicultural minefield that it was when I visited on Wednesday night. I was like a kid in a toy shop, gobsmacked by the lights and colour and energy in Main Street of Flushing, home of Queens Library – and I’m told – the most visited library in the US at 14million library goers a year. That’s half the population of Australia! I was grateful to those who came along to my yarn about Aboriginal literature and am grateful for the opportunity to see yet another lively side of New York. I can’t wait to go back and check out all the fresh produce my driver said the area was best known for.

MoMA: In the middle of this mad town, with over 10,000 cabs, too many skyscrapers, accents from around the world, tourists snapping cameras non-stop and the smells of pizza and donuts wafting through the air, the most peaceful place I found this week was the Museum of Modern Art  on 53^rd Street. I always visit to be inspired and this week blew me away with exhibitions by Sonja Ivekovic who introduced me to Lady Rosa of Luxemburg.  Of course the usual suspects are at MoMa: Matisse, Roden, Cezanne, Klimt and Monet (and there’s nothing usual about the Water Lilies in full scale) but this visit, my fave piece was the Feast of Santa Anita  (1931) by Rivera. No need to guess why!

STICK FLY: At the recommendation of a writer friend in Houston, I got tickets to see Alicia Keys’ production STICK FLY  at the Cort Theatre, and with a provocative, witty, well-paced script, a cast full of awarded actors and a story-line that could easily fit in Australia, it was some of the best theatre I have ever experienced, at home or abroad. I was on a high when I left the theatre, and that was before I got to meet three of the actors Dule Hill (pictured above), Condola Rashad and Tracey Thoms (below). And then, I was simply speechless. I walked towards Times Square feeling incredibly grateful.

MULTI-FAITH/MULTICULTURAL: I’m grateful that in New York people say ‘Happy Holidays’ rather than ‘Merry Christmas’ and the lobbies of hotels and apartment buildings have Christmas trees and menorahs on show. In fact, much is still open on Christmas day because let’s face it, not everyone is Christian. There is definitely something special about being in a city that acknowledges it’s multicultural and multi-faith residents, and at the same time has uplifting public artwork – check out these massive baubles on 6^th Avenue. Love them! I also love the Christmas markets at Grand Central, Union Square and Columbus Circle. Never have I had to restrain myself from shopping as I have this week – but alas the sales will be here in TWO sleeps!

CATCHING UP WITH FRIENDS: There are a LOT of Aussies in New York and the highlight for me this week has been catching up with some of them. On Thursday I headed downtown to Soho, the place I first fell in love with Manhattan, and met up with three deadly diva I used to work with at the Australia Council. They all live here now (I hope to be next!)  They introduced me to Boqueria – the finest tapas bar I’ve ever been to. Oh, the food... I am still full! As you can see above, we were having a great time! Shout out to Dan, our waiter... oh, which reminds me of the waiter I met up on 48^th who whispered ‘your eyes melt me’ and presented me with a piece of cheesecake and ‘prety eyes’ written in chocolate sauce. Now, that’s the Manhattan I am truly grateful for!

I'm grateful in Houston, Texas

WOW! My first visit to the Lone Star state and I’ve had an inspiring few days talking with local authors, art lovers, community project workers and of course a visit to the local Tiffany’s store at The Galleria! Below is just a short-list of moments, events and venues that I am truly grateful for.

BOOKER LOWE GALLERY:  Who would’ve thought that deep in the heart of Texas there’d be an Aboriginal art gallery? Well in Feagan Street there’s the Booker Lowe Gallery- a welcoming house-turned gallery space that introduces some of Australia’s most respected artists. And while I was in town the walls showcased the work of leading central desert artist Alma Nungarrayi Granites as part of the Stargazers exhibition of paintings of the "Seven Sisters”. 

I am deeply grateful to gallery owner Nana Booker – who is also Australia’s Honorary Consul General to Texas – and her team (pictured at top of page) for hosting a Manhattan Dreaming book signing event for me during my visit. The night was attended by local art lovers, authors from the Black Writers Reunion and Conference network (pictured above), students from Rice Uni and ex-pat Aussies.

PROJECT ROW HOUSES: One of the most innovative and inspiring community arts projects I have ever seen is in Houston’s Third Ward. Known as Project Row Houses (PRH) and the brain child of artist and activist Rick Lowe (pictured above), the PRH’s mission is to transform community through the celebration of art and African American history and culture.  The three main programs of the PRH are: Public Art opportunities utilising ten of the original twenty-two shotgun houses, where visiting artists create and exhibit their work; Arts Education Program provides classes across art forms aimed at encouraging kids to develop thinking and problem solving skills through creativity; and Young Mothers Residential Program, which provides a safety net for young, single-mothers between 18 and 26.

THE FOUNTAIN OF PRAISE: Well, after visiting probably half of the states of America, today was the first ever time I attended a church service, and where better to do it than the Bible belt. My authorly friend Nakia took me to The Fountain of Praise church and from the moment we arrived in the massive car park which holds so many cars it requires its own marshals to direct traffic, I was overwhelmed. In a venue with around 1500 worshippers, a choir with about twenty glamorous soul-singers belting out tunes on a stage adorned with glitzy decorations and strands of crystals falling from the ceiling, the service  – with no disrespect intended – was like  spirituality meets musical Broadway. Quite extraordinary, and with gospel singing accompanied by the powerful preaching of Remis Wright I had a lump in my throat, tear in my eye and smile on my face throughout. And yes, I had my notebook out trying to capture what I was seeing, hearing and feeling. I wasn’t alone. The girl next to me was Facebooking, a guy across the aisle was taking notes on his iPad. The experience was infectious, addictive and nothing like I had ever been part of, and what a sense of community the morning provided. Am still processing... more anon!

PINTO RANCH:  Naturally, every city-slicker from Sydney is going to be seeking some deadly boots and maybe a cowboy hat (perhaps even a cowboy!). And if you’re not in town when the rodeo is on, then on down to the Pinto Ranch and check out their amazing gear. Ask for Steve the ‘hat manager’ and he will take care of you with a smile and a sense of cowboy style.  I’m loving the hat Steve (pictured with me above) gave me to try on, and the Gene Autry-like boots they had, but I didn’t think I could pull it off back home... Loved wearing it around the store though, as you’ll see below.

EATING: Seriously, I have to leave Houston because I’m eating TOO much. I don’t need to be lead astray on that front; I can easily feed myself... however I was pleased to be lead in the right direction for some of Houston’s finest eateries, including: 

THE BREAKFAST KLUB: As a rule I don’t queue for food because there are usually plenty of good options for fine or fast wherever I am at home or on the road, without spending valuable time standing on the sidewalk waiting for a table. BUT, there must be an exception to every rule and The Breakfast Klub in Houston, where soul food meets southern hospitality, locals, artists, students and on a good day, the owner Mark will swing by and check you’re enjoying being in his establishment. You MUST, as I did, try their speciality, the catfish and grits for breakfast, or the waffles and chicken wings. And, it was the best coffee I had in this city! Thanks to local author Nakia R. Laushaul  for introducing me to the venue via her blog.

 

HUGO’S: With margarita’s made at the table, and the most authentic menu you can get this side of the border, I was so full after my recommended Enchiladas de Pollo that I couldn’t even consider  the dessert menu, instead I enviously  watched my friends enjoy their churros dipped in hot chocolate. If you have Mexican onlyonce in Houston, make sure it’s at Hugo’s Regional Mexican Cuisine on Westheimer.

 

LE PEEP: Seems like the place to be on Sunday morning’s in Houston is the national chain Le Peep! Must be the massive blueberry pancakes and omelettes that bring people in! I’d show you the photos but I’m still feeling full from them over 12 hours ago! Instead, above is a pic of my brekkie pals conference coordinator Tia Ross http://tiaross.com/ , playwright Bryan-Keyth Wilson http://www.bryankeythwilson.com/  (who also took me to the Festival of Lights in Galveston!) and author Nakia.

** Food warning** Take it from me because I learned the hard way – quite often a small soda or coffee is equivalent to our large size in Australia. And you will be encouraged by invitation to upsize meals at fast food outlets, but just know that if you agree, the result will be you will turn out upsized yourself... just saying!

Review: Purple Threads by Jeanine Leane

PURPLE THREADS

Jeanine Leane UQP 2011 /   ISBN: 9780702238956   RRP: $24.95  160pp

I loved this David Unaipon Award Winning collection of stories from the first page. Not just because the author is Wiradjuri, or because the narrator ‘Sunny’ told me the story of the dog on the Tuckerbox at Gundagai (which I’ve driven past dozens of times). Not even because the tales are full of country humour. But I fell in love with the story of strong, capable women, living without fear on the land, protecting their home and kin, saving young dying farm animals, while offering readers pearls of wisdom told in their own bush English.

Young Sunny (named after the sunshine) was raised by her Nan, and her Auntie’s Boo (Beulah) and Bubby (Lily). Her own mother Petal was the wild sister; the negligent, self-absorbed, impatient mother, still treated like the baby of the family and often favouring Sunny’s baby sister Star. It is the relationship between these women and girls and some of the locals, that drive the stories in this compact volume.

Nan is a staunch Christian, but Aunty Boo gives Catholics a roasting when she can. She also has some good advice for girls, claiming that men can’t be trusted nor trained, and that a good dog is worth all the men in the world rolled into one. And while Aunty Boo loves to swear and read history books, Aunty Bubby much prefers to be buried in a romance novel. Can you see how fabulous the scenes for these characters might be?

Ironically, I read this novel sitting on a rock at Maroubra Beach, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, and immediately found myself emersed in the dry country landscape of central New South Wales:

'The stones that sat in the dry creek beds braced their bleached faces against the midday sun and stared back at the thirsty land. At the edge of the crops on the plain, brown snakes rattled the hollow wheat and the ears clicked eerily in the hot wind. A spark could ignite a huge firestorm of dry grasses and grains that would burn like a furnace.'

Within this landscape are the townsfolk, ‘The women in town sat in their cotton print dresses on cool verandahs of blue-grey river stone and fanned themselves with imitation oriental fans as they drank weak tea from fine china cups… Aunty Boo said they looked like sad dolls.’ And in this readers eye, they do.

Leane's work made me feel good about my roots in country New South Wales, and I’ll be giving the book to others from the area this Christmas who are also city-slickers in Sydney!

Get a copy Purple Threads for yourself as your own Christmas present, and find somewhere comfy with a cup of tea and sit and listen to the Aunties yarn.

Sheryl Gwyther is proFoundly grateful ...

Today, I have the pleasure and privilege of introducing you to my tidda Sheryl Gwyther, Brisbane-based author, illustrator, activist and all-round Fabulous woman. Big on supporting writers and our rights Sheryl is on the SCWBI Australia /NZ QLD Management Teamand was at the forefront of the fight against parallel importation of books back in 2009. 

Aside from her devotion to our book industry (you’ll see below, she’s also an animal rights advocate), Sheryl is clearly devoted to a lot of other significant things (and people). Below, she has generously shared those she is most grateful for... all beginning with the letter F!

Sheryl on being grateful...

Tricky thing, this idea of gratitude, Anita, but I’m glad you asked me because it’s something I suspect most of us rarely contemplate.

I’ve had a lucky life – or should I say, I don’t have any regrets about my life so far. There’ve been a couple of disasters, but I learned from them, so how can I regret that? I’ve learned to stand up for what I believe in, even though I’m no extrovert. I’ve travelled afar and met many fascinating, crazy, interesting, and occasionally, truly dreadful people. So here goes – my F list of FIVE GRATEFULS, hot-off-the-press...

1. FAMILY... who else accepts and still loves you even though you were once a little shit? I’m talking about the teenage years, of course – who wasn’t a little shit back then?

My dad worked for the railways as a guard. My mum never went beyond high school, but has made up for it ever since. They instilled in me and my three sisters the belief that everyone is equal and deserves the same chances in life. And my grand-mother filled my head with stories of Irish ancestors who lusted after Spanish grooms, and who fought in Irish rebellions. No wonder I became a story-teller.

Every day, I’m grateful for my husband, Ross and our son, David (pictured above). They are the loves of my life, the scaffolding and the mortar. 

2. FRIENDS... life would be bleak without friends. I love my friends, those I’ve known for many years, and now those from the writing world. I can’t imagine life without their input, advice and the laughter we’ve shared. Most are women – strong, beautiful, spirited women who light up my life with their passion. Like you, Anita, and Dee White, Angela Sunde and Tania McCartney. There’re others too with special places in my heart, but I’ve run out of room on this post.

3. FREEDOM ... I said gratitude is something we rarely think about, after all, we don’t live in a perpetual war-zone, or under a dictatorship, nor starve to death in Australia – it’s easy to take for granted our geographic and economic luck.

We are all immigrants to this country, why can’t we share it with fellow humans who crave freedom from torture, oppression and instability as well. I’m grateful to those on the front-line who continue to speak out against the misinformed and the xenophobic, in the hope of opening enough Australian minds and hearts to our ethical, moral and humane responsibilities. One day, we will hold our heads high.

4. FURRY CREATURES ... Yes, I’m grateful we have animals on this planet, even the slithery, scaly, creepy ones. (Okay, you caught me out here – I have serious problems with the humane disposal of Bufo marinus).

I’m a proud supporter of animal rights and I’m ashamed that we humans have caused the greatest methodical elimination of animal and insect species since a giant meteorite landed in the Yucatan Peninsula and wiped out dinosaurs.

Animals have always been a strong and fascinating presence in my life – for their trust, I’m forever grateful.

5. FANTASY, or rather, developing an imagination ... for how can we be storytellers without the ability to use imaginations.

I’m grateful for my childhood of freedom, of being able to run, ride and climb around our small sugarcane town – to make cubby-houses with my sisters and cousins in a lantana jungle, pretend to be Tarzan of the Apes in the ancient figs (never Jane), to act out adventures like the Famous Five. To explore, to take risks, and not be cotton balled like so many kids today.

I never broke a bone, a venomous taipan never bit me and I survived eating the entire unripe crop from a guava tree. In the process, I became a storyteller.