Hi Folks,

As I sit in front of my laptop, fingers aching because my hands are that cold, eating watermelon, and trying to pretend it’s summer, I reflect on the hot summer days I had a few weeks ago at the Stan Rogers Folk Festival.  It was the best musical experience I’ve ever had.  I had the honour of playing with people I’ve looked up to for a long time such as David Francey, Ron Hynes, James Keelaghan, Garnet Rogers, and many more.  I was so nervous to play with these guys it wasn’t even funny! But I pulled it off with the help of a positive affirmation from a tea bag.

I kept drinking my tea with my shaking hands on stage, trying to read the affirmation over and over to stop shaking.  All I could think is “Oh my god, Ron Hynes is playing.  That means I play after the next song”!

I calmed down after the first song was out of the way. I had so many great comments given to me over the weekend and people really connected to my songs.  It was beyond humbling, moving, and emotional.  Oh and speaking of emotional, Garnet Rogers invited me up to sing his brother’s song “Northwest Passage” with a few other people and played the most haunting and beautiful version of the song I’ve ever heard.  There were a few of us on stage trying not to cry including Dave Gunning, myself, and Chris Greencorn.

Overall, amazing weekend, amazing people, and amazing festival! Thank you beyond to everyone who puts that festival together and to everyone who goes every year and supports it and keeps it going… Can SO!

For those of you who missed it, or missed this particular workshop, here is a clip of the first workshop I did with Ron Hynes, Garnet Rogers, James Keelaghan, and the inspiring tea bag.  This song is a new one called “Hard Times.”

This picture was taken on Canada Day in Canso, just off the festival grounds.

It’s too beautiful not to share with you folks! You may have seen these photos already on Facebook but in case you didn’t I wanted to share them! This photo just hits you on a day like Canada Day.  This is one beautiful country and I feel privileged to be able to tour across it.

I guess that may as well lead into touring which I will be doing a lot of in the next months.  I get to stick around the East Coast all summer playing festivals, house concerts, and other events.  Then in September I head out on a cross Canada tour with a special guest! From September to November, I’ll be on the road, so please keep in touch! I’ll be announcing the dates in the next month so keep an eye on Facebook, Twitter, or the ‘Shows’ page here on my website.

Thanks folks.  I greatly appreciate your support and hope to see you at a show soon!

Kim

***UPDATE – June 30, 8:30am***

I may have told some of you this was happening at 1pm EST. It’s actually an hour earlier, at NOON EST (1pm in the Maritimes, 1:30pm in Newfoundland). If you show up at 1pm EST you’ll be too late

If you follow my Facebook page, you’ll know my head hasn’t been screwed on quite straight lately. Apologies if I’ve confused you too…

Make sure you register for the webinar before noon so you can connect to the conversation right away!

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Hello folks!!

I’ve been asked to do a webinar on the ten things I’ve learned as a woman in the music industry.  As I wrote them down, I realized that they can really relate to any career or goal you’re aspiring to.  Webinars are a great way for us to get together and share ideas between women and young girls across the country!  I hope you check this out and feel free to ask me anything!

Click here to register.

I’m very excited and honoured to be involved with the Light a Spark Campaign with the Girls Action Foundation.  There was nothing more important to me than positive role models and people to look up to when I was young and starting out.  Those people made me who I am today.  I feel very privleged to be a positive role model for a younger generation of women. There is nothing more important than support and community. We need to constantly remind ourselves that we are all in this together and the sooner we support each other rather than compete with one another, the sooner we will be a community that inspires change.

Here are some quotes from fellow Sparks that I absolutely LOVE!

Bonnie Couchie

About Girls Action Foundation and the “Light a Spark” Campaign:

An incredible ripple effect is created when girls are equipped with confidence, knowledge, and mentors. They grow up courageous. They improve their own socio-economic situation and that of their communities. They help build a stronger economy, environment, and society for all.

To make this vision a reality, GIRLS ACTION FOUNDATION is undertaking LIGHT A SPARK, a national campaign that mobilizes women of success to support girls’ empowerment. Our goal is to ignite a movement for change across the country activated through intergenerational events, mentorship, traditional and social media.”

Spread the word…

Upcoming Webinar…

Keeping it real in the music industry: Q&A with singer/songwriter Kim Wempe

Click here to register for this FREE webinar NOW!

When: June 30th

Time: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EST

Presented by: Kim Wempe, singer/songwriter

Language of presentation: English

About the presentation: Have you always dreamed of becoming a musician but haven’t dared take the leap? Are you an aspiring musician who would like to hear about what it’s like to be a woman in the music industry – the joys, challenges and resources available? Are you an established musician who would like to share your experience with others? Kim Wempe is a prairie born, Nova Scotia based singer/songwriter with a powerful voice whose songs often deal with themes of hope, strength and personal growth. She is the 2010 East Coast Music Award Winner for Rising Star of the Year. Kim’s webinar will give you insight into songwriting and working in the music industry in Canada. Participate in the webinar and hear Kim’s story, share your own and join the conversation.

About the presenter: With the release of her new full-length album Painting With Tides (GroundSwell/Warner), Wempe channels her passion into a powerful collection of contemporary Canadian roots music. Born in a small Saskatchewan farming town, Kim lived for a period in Alberta before heading to Canada’s East Coast in 2007. After only three months in Nova Scotia, Kim realized that what once seemed a daunting and unplanned move was actually put in her path for a reason. The change of scenery and people provided the theme of Painting WithTides and nurtured a fresh view on life, home, self, and music. It’s been an unforgettable couple of years for the young singer-songwriter. After battling in the studio for a sound she couldn’t seem to find and struggling for the finances for a full-length album, Kim released the EP Where I Need To Be in May 2009. The EP was awarded Folk Recording of the Year at the Nova Scotia Music Awards in November 2009.

How to register
Click here to register for this webinar NOW!
For more information, contact Elvira at sparks@girlsactionfoundation.ca

SPARKS TALKS webinar series

The SPARK TALKS webinar series features groundbreaking women who are SPARKS in the LIGHT A SPARK campaign.

These one-hour webinars will lead with presentations from experienced, dedicated and inspiring SPARKS. Presentations will be followed by a Q&A session where you get to ask SPARKS your questions and engage in a lively discussion.

Check out the full programme schedule and mark your calendar for your favourites.

Click here for more information about our SPARKS and the LIGHT A SPARK campaign.