Malinka Inspires Soulful Connection & Community

 

Malinka performing at Paschal Winery in Talent, Oregon

The newest craze in the Ashland music scene specializes in a beautiful blend of world folk and gypsy music, hence the name of the band, "Malinka: World Folk".  Spear-headed by the creative talents of Yelena Valerievna, the lead vocalist and guitarist, Malinka has been performing about Rogue Valley in a variety of places from Paschal Winery to their upcoming show at the Black Sheep Pub & Restaurant.

During the lockdown of Covid19, Yelena found herself isolated and in need of some creative expression.  A born and bred Latvian, she found solace in the music from her family's origins,those of Russian folk and Romani songs she fondly remembers singing well into the night at her childhood family gatherings, her uncle on guitar, her mother dancing, and her grandmother's sweet voice echoing down through memories.  Her grandmother, Valerievna explains, had a beautiful voice and talent for many instruments, thus this music is that of Yelena's soul.  So it was this music she found herself learning and playing every night and during the isolation of 2020, she found solace.

However, these songs, she explains, are not meant to be solo, romani music is part of a collective. Therefore, she was led to reach out to others, via online sites such as craigslist, and was first connected with Stephany Smith-Pearson.  Meeting first outside, then later Smith-Pearson came over every week and although sitting outside maintaining the social distance requirements, they still managed to form a warm connection.  

Later on, Tim Kelly discovered them via another online site and the band slowly began to emerge.  Together, the three began performing, discovering the beautiful sounds coming forth from their creations and also realizing how much affection they shared for one another.  From there, their first gig was booked at Paschal Winery.  

Then, a week before their debut performance, Stephany brought in Lawrence Newcomb, a clarinet performer, who joined and the band was fully formed. 

That next Sunday, the four had their first gig, Yelena Valerievna as lead vocalist and guitarist, Stephany Smith-Pearson as vocalist and on mandolin and accordion, Tim Kelly on the upright bass, and Lawrence Newcomb on the clarinet and soprano saxophone.  Yelena is grateful for her bandmates, grateful for their friendship as well as their talents.  Stephany brings such a gift with her harmonies and talents on her instruments, Tim with his classical training is a gem of a bassist, and Lawrence rounds it out with his divine soloist skills breathing life into the the music with his melodies.  

Malinka is quickly being known and loved throughout the Rogue Valley and Yelena believes its due to the need for connection and community which was lost during the pandemic.  Through the music, the history of Yelena's culture and personal family background is shared, with hopes that even though a language barrier, connection of the heart can be reached.  Audience members are encouraged to dance and be lively, this music is to be shared within a vibrant community forming into family.

Yelena believes that a thriving artist is one who continues to grow in their art, something that is different for everyone.  Right now, she feels herself to be a thriving artist, because daily she picks up her guitar to practice, sing, and perform, finding that her songs evolve and are reaching new horizons, and in that deep satisfication of her soul, she finds herself thriving in all areas of her life.

Malinka performing at Water Street Cafe.

For more information about Malinka: World Folk, check out the links below:

MalinkaWorldFolkMusic

https://archive.org/details/zvezdochka_202105

https://archive.org/details/malinka-ochi-chyornie_202107

https://archive.org/details/malinka-kalinka

The Paschal Readings

Focus On Screenplays: Readings at Paschal Invite

Catatonia of The Fairies

by David Hill

I have always known myself to be called, Katie Spears, and that I am the 28 year old younger sister of Janet, the highly successful and beautiful older sister.  Because of this, I never felt as if I belonged in this family, in this world, always felt out of place somehow.  It wasn't until two years ago when I was "diagnosed" as they believe, that I finally discovered the truth about myself and that this feeling of not belonging had been the truth all along.  I discovered who I really am, where I am really from, and that brought such peace that I had yet never experienced.  But also this brought a sense of despair because I still remained in this world, this plane of existence, and had yet to reach fully my final destination and true home.  

Although the world labels me "mentally-ill", I, alone, know the truth about who I am.  I am the queen, the Queen Fairy, and my true identity is Catatonia.  This is the place I find myself in moments of meditative stillness; my ultimate escape and destination.  

Realizing all of this these past two years came when a presence I had long felt with me but never quite understood, who brought himself into fullness of my mind, that of Bumpass, my guardian angel, my higher self, and my King.  It is when no one else understands or sees or accepts, he truly knows and he who has promised to take me home, when the time is ready.

Catatonia of the Fairies is a screenplay written by David C. Hill and will be performed at the Paschal Readings on October 16th and 17th at 7 pm at the Paschal Winery in Talent, Oregon.  The show also stars Mike Vest, Reece Bredl, Martha Thatcher, V. Simone Stewart, Robyn Fichter, and Michael Meyer.  Michael Meyer also directs.

Troubled By Joy

by Diane Nichols

I was invented by Mr. Ted Lawson, an engineer from United Robotronics.  He is most famous for inventing V.I.C.I, or Voice. Input. Child. Identicant, infamously known as Vicki, the robot he adopted as his own child, rather hid away this amazing invention in a closet in his house in the suburbs.  Vicki was an early and primitive version and thus Ted continued to fine-tune his invention through the years.  He eventually realized that hiding robots in his closets was not the smartest thing and also saw how beneficial this technology could be to the world, but mostly to his pocketbook. What the hell was he thinking all these years?  Thus, he began selling his creations, making a fortune, divored his wife of many years, left his family behind, and moved to the Hollywood hills where he dated a string of Playboy bunnies, only keeping Vicki for times when the bunnies couldn't be found.  His life ultimately ended in his Hollywood mansion, alone, with only the hollow, mechanized voices of his many robots, unsuccessfully stemming of the haunting cries of the many he had wronged and realizing the error of his ways.

Small Wonder

Meanwhile, the United Robotronics grew more and more successful, in fact it united the world over, creating the one-world government all the right-wing Christians and the conspiracy theorists warned about and obsessively worried over.  But enough about that!  Did I worry? Did I care? No, I'm a robot.  Not even sharing the factual information about my creator and his demise.  It is no trouble at all.

Troubled by Joy is a screenplay written by Diane Nichols and will be performed at the Paschal Readings on October 16th and 17th at 7 pm at the Paschal Winery in Talent, Oregon.  The show also stars Reece Bredl, Mike Vest, and Robyn Fichter.  Michael Meyer directs.

Two On A Match

by Ray Robison

My name is Danielle Rodgers, the second wife of Michael Rodgers and the step mother of his son, Jimmy.  His first wife died in a car accident due to her excessive drinking brought upon by the depression over her son's ailing and potentially fatal illness.  After her death, Michael went into a tailspin, dedicating his life to finding a cure.  He dated various women, only to test to see if they were appropriate "matches" to save his son, if not, he'd break it off suddenly and without explanation.  Then, he met me.  When I failed to be a match, he attempted to break it off until he saw how dedicated and patient I was in caring for Jimmy.  

So, we got married.  We settled down to care for Jimmy together and to pray for a miracle.  I believed that Michael gave up his quest to save his son, but an offspring's life at risk will prompt some rather dangerous notions in a parent.  Michael was committed to his cause.

Two On A Match is a screenplay written by Ray Robison and will be performed at the Paschal Readings on October 16th and 17th at 7 pm at the Paschal Winery in Talent, Oregon.  The show also stars Michael Meyer, Martha Thatcher, and Reece Bredl.  Michael Meyer also directs.

London Fog For Here

by Mig Windows

Hi, I'm Sam.  I'm somewhere in my twenties, if you're wondering.  I've always wanted to be a barista, until I became one.  Now, I realize its not all its cracked up to be, endlessly making coffee drinks for the faithfully addicted to the 'bean' can become a bit tiresome and make me wonder where my life is heading. 

Still, it has its perks.  For example, members of the opposite sex seem to find all baristas sexually appealing which results in good tipping.  However, there is one boy that I find rather appealing myself.  His name is Sam too, though perhaps not short for the same thing.  Mine is Samantha and his is Samuel, most likely, but who can tell, really these days.  He's cute in that slender like a breakable reed kind of way that makes you want to walk with him in a mighty windstorm just to see...only problem is, he's got a girlfriend or a love interest of some sort.  They come in together and I'm always trying to grab his attention away from her, always.  That's like my main mission in life now that I've successfully procured the barista gig.

London Fog For Here is a screenplay written by Mig Windows and will be performed at the Paschal Readings on October 16th and 17th at 7 pm at the Paschal Winery in Talent, Oregon.  They show also stars Martha Thatcher, Reece Bredl, Robyn Fichter, and Mike Vest.  Michael Meyer directs.

Like us on Facebook: Readings At Paschal

Girlhood Crush!

A little about me:  My name is Jill Summerfield, I'm 29 years old, newly married, and has just achieved my dream of running my own law firm.  Its small but its just beginning, who knows what the future will bring?

My husband, David, is my childhood sweetheart (well, one of them) and the man who got me started thinking seriously about law as a career.  I remain still fairly close with my best friend from high school, Debbie, or as she likes to be called these days, Wind-Passer or no, wait, Wind-Dancer.  (I think that's right.)  We are as close as can be expected with the fact that she lives across the Pacific in Hawaii and I live and work in the beautiful San Francisco.  She works for money in a restaurant and paints, smokes, and who knows what else by night.  I believe she is very talented and just wish she would do more with her life...this is a source of major contention and disagreement between both of us as to what "more in life" really means, and basically, has been since we were teenagers!

When all is said and done, I feel as if Debbie is more a sister than a friend and her involvement in my life is without question.

Debbie and I bonded when we were girls together over our mutual love of music, especially The Beatles.  She patiently stood by while I gushed over the amazing John Lennon and, for that matter, still have the same adoring affections for the man to this day.  Although my obsession has tamed a bit since my youth, I still find myself pulling out my old records and listening to such favorites as "All You Need is Love", "Yesterday", and "Because" especially during moments of stress.

All You Need Is Love

Although the divorce and subsequent marriage of John Lennon to Yoko Ono was shocking, to say the least, I really admire and believe in their message of "Give Peace a Chance" and "Make Love, Not War".  I see these truths as vital to the change we need to make in the world, starting with ourselves first and then allowing that to move outwards.

And, then the shocking news came....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwPI_aalZ8Q

Jill Summerfield is a character from the play, "Loving John Lennon" written by Darlene Ensor which will be read at Paschal Winery on February 28th and March 1st at 7 pm.  The play is directed by Michael Meyer and stars Brittany Bosworth, McKenzie Baratta, Lia Dugal, Kristen Lorange, Diane Nichols, and Becky Durango.  The show includes musical guest, Chiron O'Keefe.  Ten Dollars admission fee at the door.

Loving John Lennon Event Invite

http://www.paschalwinery.com/

The Other Side...of Acting!

Acting, for me, is the best form of therapy.  At times, the most painful yet in the end the most healing to free myself from the past.

In every character, I can find an element of my true self, albeit comedic or tragic, but every now and again, there is a character given to me by more than the director or the writer but, indeed, by the hands of the divine that is in her essence so much of me that she and I become one.  In that way, I lose myself as I bring her to life--her worries, struggles, pains and, yes, hopes and dreams become fused with mine. It was this way with Edna Miles and it is this way with Elizabeth, a character from the short play, The Other Side, written by Bob Valine, which is part of this weekend's readings at Paschal Winery.

I always am humbled when, if ever, I have the chance to meet the writers and always hope that in bringing to life their beloved creations, their characters, their babies, I can do their work justice.  Even though I love all of the work given to me this weekend, it is Valine's Elizabeth that I am most grateful for and that poses the biggest challenge.  It is for this reason some days have passed before writing this.

In this play, Elizabeth has lost her husband, David, in a tragic accident and is trying, failingly to put it behind her.  Similarily, I lost my own beloved first love due to divorce, a death in its own way, even though the right thing to do.

Elizabeth suspects foul play in that David was unfaithful with a "bikini" and I, too, know that feeling in that my ex's "other woman" was, in a sense, his illness.  Like Elizabeth, I try to hold in and deal the best I can with the conflicting emotions of love and hatred for the man I swore to love for all time yet can never be with again; my first love at first sight soul-mate.

Yet there are moments when I wish I could have with him, one last chance, to tell my Billiam that I love him still and for always and that a part of me misses him and will never ever forget...

I am truly thankful to Bob for writing this script and birthing Elizabeth, to Michael for giving me to her to portray, and even my Theatre-Mama, Becky, for sharing this stage with me.

To find out what happens, see you this Saturday, February 15th and Sunday, February 16th at Paschal Winery for the Paschal Readings.  Doors open at 7 pm.

https://www.facebook.com/events/703614122993149/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

http://www.paschalwinery.com/

Bob Valine is a local Southern Oregon playwright.

Don't let life "Pass" you by...

Hi! My name is Angel Seraphina, but a lot of people call me Princess because I wear this funny crown on my head, including the bus driver who drives my bus to school every day.  I like it for a lot of reasons but mainly because it makes me feel good, like how I've always wanted to be treated.  The crown is a reminder of my ability to downgrade myself and as my psycho-shrink says, "it will remind me to find more value in my own worth" blah de blah blah blah.

I was diagnosed with severe depression a few years back, when I was 18, around the time my father had a heart attack.  Life seemed pretty easy going until then, or so it seemed.  There was more lying under the surface that I didn't know about, or didn't want to see, isn't that how it always is?

Anyway, my father used to call me "His Princess" when I was a little girl and drive me around town while I sipped on the best strawberry shake in town.  After his death, I spiraled quickly into a mental breakdown, increased even more by my mother's second marriage.  I started regressing and was put into therapy, which helped me realize my father was abusive sexually to me as a child, which, in turn, caused more regression, as I struggled failingly to hide that truth and return to a more "innocent time".

This brought on the intense depression which then was followed by a suicide attempt which landed me into the psych ward...when I was released from there, I began my life again with school, with promises to continue therapy and take my medications.  Not wanting to go back there, I decided to try...and find my place in the world.

Riding the bus at one point was a source of high anxiety but has now been a victory for me, brought on even more by the friends' I meet who care enough to really see my value and importance, ie my royalty. Case in point, my friend, Tommy, who carries a lawn chair for me to sit in, like the princess I truly am, while waiting for our bus to arrive.

And, so in turn, I want to help them.  Or see if I can...

Find out how I help them this Saturday, February 15th and Sunday, February 16th at 7 pm at Paschal Winery in Talent, Oregon at the Paschal Readings, directed by Michael Meyer.

http://www.paschalwinery.com/

Princess, ie Angel, is based on a character from local Rogue Valley playwright, Cynthia Rogan's play, Pass, showing this Saturday and Sunday.

https://www.facebook.com/events/703614122993149/?ref_dashboard_filter=calendar

Passion...

My old college class-mate, Peter, is having trouble in his marriage so he conjures up an image of me from my younger days, as a fantasy.  I am all too happy to comply and this is why...

In reality, I am Juno, as I said a former class-mate of Peter's from college.  Unbeknownest to me, back then he had a wee bit of a crush on me but due to the insecurities of the twenties never acted on it...to his shame, I would have quickly and swiftly complied.  I was a geek, what men thought of as a 'hot geek', although I had no idea of the hot part, so there never seemed to be a lot action in a certain department, if you know what I mean.  I spent many a Saturday night in college in my dorm room, alone with bon-bons, the tv, and my anatomy book.  (I studied nursing.)

I met my husband, Biff, in graduate school.  He worked in a factory in town and would hang out at the local tavern down the street from the university.  I thought it was quaint and a study on psychology, a course I was taking at the time.  He was blue collar, which fascinated me in a thrilling yet repulsive sort of way, to be smarter and more powerful than my mate was a new thing.  I thought it would always be that way; I would be the one with the high powered career...

In reality, I am now in my early 40's , kind of frumpy but trying to get back in shape (always).  I gave up nursing when I got pregnant and started focusing on raising my children.  I settled, is what I think.

My husband is now overweight, comes home from work, takes off his boots, and sits in front of the boob tube every night with a beer, falls asleep that way.  Maybe once a week we have sex.

In the late evenings, I sit on the back porch, longing for the old days, smoking cigarettes and drinking scotch straight from the bottle (in secret)---

Imagining myself in my former hot "geeky" body...

When I suddenly became the subject of a man's fantasy, if only in the psychic abilities of imagination...

See what happens next Saturday, February 15th and Sunday, February 16th at Paschal Winery in Talent, Oregon.  Doors open at 6:30.

https://www.facebook.com/events/703614122993149/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Juno is a character based on a character from the play, Passion Play, by Catherine Noah.  Catherine Noah is a local Southern Oregon playwright.

http://www.paschalwinery.com/Winery.html

Boobies!

My name is Barbara Jenkins.  I am 34 years old and in the sexual prime of my life, that said, I also have a flair and need for adventure.  (I mean, come on, I work as a legal assistant, which some call, a "glorified secretary".)

Just newly divorced and recently single again for the first time and along time, I am ready to begin again at last, dive into the world of the dating scene again.  If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!

After a hectic day at work,  I'm really in need of a stiff drink.  Stopping at nearby bar on my way home, I run into Bart, an old flame from my roaring twenties, pre-the disastrous marriage.  Bart, a guy I never quite got over.  After a romantic rendevue weekend, I agree to head off with Bart on an adventure to the Galapagos Islands, with visions of warm, sunny beaches with white sand and clear blue water, palm trees, and pina coladas.  Not to mention the big S-word; its been a very long while!

I had some vacay hours stored up so off I went!  Condoms packed!

What I got when we arrived was not what I had bargained for, for one thing, Bart immediately forgot my name, thinking I was some chick named Michelle.  Heartbroken and crestfallen I was with the realization that I wasn't as special to him as he was to me.  Bummer, you win some, you lose some in the game of love!

That was only the first dissappointment and not even the worst; there were no sunny beaches or pina coladas, and the biggest blow...NO SEX!!!

Find out what happens next Saturday, February 15th and Sunday 16th at Paschal Winery in Talent, Oregon.

http://www.paschalwinery.com/

Barbara is based on a character from a short play, Boobies, written by the lovely Diane Nichols, a local Ashland playwright.  In her spare time, she doubles as a daffodil.

https://www.facebook.com/events/703614122993149/?ref_dashboard_filter=calendar

Controller: Or How My Life Went Out of Control!

Hi, my name is Liza and I am a woman in my mid-twenties, a young, very healthy woman in my twenties with some very very basic needs that are currently not being met because...

I feel responsible for the demise of my parents' crumbling marriage, that it is partly my fault for not holding up my end of the bargain as I promised I would.  I feel guilty, as the psychologists would say, for having my own need to develop as an individual apart from my parents.

Thus, I feel the need to make it up to them by giving my dad a place to stay at my house and doing what I can to stop the enmity between them; to save their marriage and to hopefully reestablish my struggling and very hungry libido.

Things come to a head (LOL! She said "head), when I can't even get my own father to come to his mother-in-law's funeral which causes even more division between my folks.  After weeks of trying, I am at my wit's end, heightened even more so by the long absence of personal time with my boyfriend, Jeff (and by personal time, I mean...).

I am feeling very frustrated and in need of a good roll in the...consequently unable to think clearly to plan a good attack.

Enter Jeff, my wonderfully faithful boyfriend with a brilliant plan that just might work!  To find out what, come and see this Saturday & Sunday, October 19 & 20, at Paschal Winery.  See link below for more information!

https://www.facebook.com/events/578985095472463/?ref=2&ref_dashboard_filter=calendar

Routine Procedure

Character: Lucy Kingsley

I am an overworked young mother who is the only "bread-winner" in my family.  I have a young son, Cory, who is four years old, with serious health problems.  Since my husband, Jerry, lost his job, we no longer have the health benefits or the finances to cover Cory's medical costs.  I would do whatever it takes to save my son's life.  Hell has no fury---

I have an eternally cheery disposition and want to appear as if I have a heart of gold.  My personal motto is:  "Be the better person" AND "Kill him with kindness."

See me in action this Saturday, October 19th & Sunday, October 20th at Paschal Winery in
Talent, Oregon.  Be there @ 7:00 pm, or watch out!

Information provided below:

https://www.facebook.com/events/578985095472463/?ref_dashboard_filter=calendar