The Artistry of Painter Kevin Red Star & Earth Magic Media . . .

The 34th Annual American Indian Film Festival will take place in San Francisco, November 6-14, 2009. National American Indian Heritage Month is celebrated every year in the month of November to honor and recognize the original peoples of this land, and, since 1975, the American Indian Film Festival has displayed over 2000 films providing inspiration and support for Native film projects.

The festival encourages filmmakers to present Native voices, viewpoints, and stories that have been historically excluded from mainstream media; to develop Indian and non-Indian audiences for this work; and to advocate tirelessly for authentic representations of Indians in the media. This year the festival will premiere over 80 new feature films, shorts, public service announcements, music videos, and documentaries from US American Indian and Canada First Nation communities.

A highlight of this year's events will be a 24-minute documentary short on American Indian artist KEVIN RED STAR created by Earth Magic Media, a Canadian film company. It is one of seven half-hour documentaries produced for the From the Spirit series III.

The Kevin Red Star film is the first about a US Native American and the team is thrilled it was selected for festival screening. Earth Magic’s team consists of Raymond Yakeleya, an award-winning Dene television producer, director, and writer originally from Tulita (formally Fort Norman) in the central Northwest Territories; Bill Stewart, a producer, writer, and director based in Edmonton with over 35 years experience in the film and television industry; and Carol Chapelski, production coordinator, with over 12 years of experience in the television industry.

Kevin Red Star, a member of the Crow tribe, was born and lives and paints today in Lodge Grass, Montana. This film traces his journey as an artist from Montana to Santa Fe's American Indian Art Institute, to the San Francisco Art Institute and 1969's Woodstock, and back home to Montana. He works primarily in acrylic, ink, and collage, and, as can be seen by the photo above, creates bold, evocative images (with a contemporary twist) of his ancestral Crow tribe, culture, and history. His work is available in galleries across the western United States (a listing of representatives and many original works and prints can be seen by visiting his website.

The Kevin Red Star film will screen Wednesday, Nov. 11, 7:00 p.m. at the Landmark Embarcadero Center Cinema. Prices are $8 general / $7 students and seniors. For a full schedule of events, go to http://www.aifisf.com/

-- Rosemary Carstens
Carstens Communications

Warm Winter Dreams . . . Mexico says “Hola!”

I don’t know about you, but as I sit here at my computer today, the skies outside are darkening and a winter snow storm is moving into the Rocky Mountain foothills. Brrrrr—I’m not ready! As every year, I begin to dream of warm, turquoise waters, powdery white sand beaches, icy margaritas served in a pool-side cabana, and hot, tropical nights under a vast panorama of star-studded sky. For me, this means it’s MEXICO time!

Among the ideal choices for a resort vacation in the Yucatan region of Mexico are the all-inclusive REAL RESORTS. They have two resorts in Cancun and three in Playa del Carmen, each with its own special vacation options—from family fun to a romantic escape for two, or a well-earned, quiet retreat just for you. What they all have in common is great service, attention to detail, and staff with a genuine desire to please.

In Cancun there is the GRAN CARIBE REAL, a deluxe 5-star beachfront property catering to families and offering a plethora of activities for all ages—all served up in a luxurious atmosphere. The ROYAL offers casual elegance for adults only and romance is on the menu 24/7. Indulge you and your significant other in their outstanding facilities and exceptional amenities—relax, dream, renew.

In Playa del Carmen, there are three resorts to choose from: the 4-star REAL PLAYA DEL CARMEN, a traditional Mexican-style hotel in a village setting; the 5-star GRAN PORTO REAL RESORT & SPA, architecturally reminiscent of a fine hacienda and located steps from elegant shops and restaurants; and the ROYAL PLAYA DEL CARMEN, with all the warm hospitality offered by all of the Real properties plus the spectacular SPAzul.

These five destination resorts shimmer in the sun; each has its own unique character and beckons those who love luxury and fine service. All offer all-inclusive programs and those exceptional qualities that bring visitors back again and again.

Ah, yes—dream on. Sorry, old man winter—guess I’m on the next flight south!

For full information, rates and programs: http://www.realresorts.com/

--Rosemary Carstens
Carstens Communications

Pomegranates and Greek Goddesses . . .

There are times in our lives when we feel restless, without purpose or direction. Often these occur at decade-birthday milestones—most of us remember how OLD it felt to turn THIRTY! We find we are reevaluating how we spend our time, wondering what we should be doing to extend our achievements beyond ourselves to include a spiritual dimension. We question how quickly the years are passing.

In her new book, TRAVELING WITH POMEGRANATES: A MOTHER-DAUGHTER STORY (Viking 2009), Sue Monk Kidd, author of best-selling The Secret Lives of Bees and The Mermaid Chair, has collaborated with her daughter, Ann Kidd Taylor, to write a fascinating memoir and travel journal. Their story explores the power of travel to birth spiritual connections and inspire creativity, and it gives us a generational perspective on a series of events the two experienced during travel to France and Greece over a period of years.

Sue’s journey begins as she approaches her fiftieth birthday and begins to realize she is ending an era as a younger woman and entering a transition period that will move her toward her eldest years. She finds herself seeking spiritual guidance from feminine symbols and icons, hoping for new directions in her work, greater understanding and closeness to her daughter, and a graceful entry into the next stage of her life. She writes about how she came to write The Secret Lives of Bees after years of writing nonfiction.

Ann’s journey is also a period of transition,
one from loss and rejection that culminates in a search for the work she is meant to do, to finding her path amidst many. The icons and symbols that guide Ann are different from her mother’s but in their mutual search they discover each other as adult women and find surprising fresh means of communication and friendship.

Traveling with Pomegranates is an inspiring book, thoughtfully written, and one I very much enjoyed. It provides a framework for seeking transitions and destinations for any woman who wants to enhance the meaningfulness of her years.

For more on the two authors:
http://www.suemonkkidd.com/
http://www.annkiddtaylor.com/

--Rosemary Carstens
Carstens Communications