We’ve covered a lot of ground in our first year in Alberta Avenue home. Opening late November 2014, we set out to create an art space, sacred space and community space in the heart of the revitalization of our neighbourhood. We’ve done that in so many ways this past year, and I’ve learned a lot on the journey.
In a year that included the shutdown of our founding church family and nearly five hundred visitors in one weekend, how could we not learn some lessons?
Here are some highlights from 2015, month by month. Not everything is covered, but like me, you'll find plenty to celebrate on this list. With each month, I’ll share one of many lessons learned, too.
Blog for Bleeding Heart!
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For some (like me) Christmas festivities already get rolling tonight. With the help of the right music, they can get rocking, too. Just in time for your Christmas gatherings, may I present to you The 12 Songs of Christmas - A Very Bleeding Heart Christmas Playlist.
In no particular order, here are 12 songs that swing from deep meaning to deep fun. Some old favourites mixed in with some you might have missed. Even some from friends of Bleeding Heart Art Space. All of these gems would be welcome at a Bleeding Heart Christmas party, with the hopes that someone would track down the host to ask, ‘who is this singing?’ at least once.
Blog for Bleeding Heart!
You have something to say–why not say it here? Email your blog post idea to dave@bleedingheartart.space and let's chat.
Sunday afternoon, just home from church, I’m scraping 60 years of crud from a couple dozen old boards. I like to imagine I am redeeming them. Turning ugly into beautiful. Giving these boards a new home as the backdrop to my creative studio. I hope they appreciate how close they were to the dump.
I’ve always loved the look of weathered wood. Rich yellows fade into walnut greys. Knots and grains pop with the accumulated darkening of decades and dirt. These wrinkles and age spots may be my favourite patina.
Later on, at Blue Christmas, we are speaking of grief. Loss. Pain. I think of my boards.
Blog for Bleeding Heart!
You have something to say–why not say it here? Email your blog post idea to dave@bleedingheartart.space and let's chat.
A couple of weeks back I had the opportunity to sit down with Alysha Creighton and talk about her current installation, WAITING ROOM. It's rare that I share something that has barely been edited, but I wanted to get this out there before we all shut down for the holidays. Expect a more polished version in the new year, but for now, enjoy this conversation in all of its glory!
Blog for Bleeding Heart!
You have something to say–why not say it here? Email your blog post idea to dave@bleedingheartart.space and let's chat.
Looking to escape STAR WARS this weekend? It may be tough, but this hand points in five directions that have absolutely nothing to do with using the Force, and everythign to do with art, faith, hope and love.
And surly elves.
Blog for Bleeding Heart!
You have something to say–why not say it here? Email your blog post idea to dave@bleedingheartart.space and let's chat.
I’m Dave Von Bieker, a singer-songwriter who has learned the immeasurable value of connecting my creativity to my spirituality. I’m looking forward to focussing on both this June in the mountains, and I’d like to invite you to join me
Blog for Bleeding Heart!
You have something to say–why not say it here? Email your blog post idea to dave@bleedingheartart.space and let's chat.
This week I'll help you check the final awesome items of that hard-to-buy-for list AND see some beautiful things along the way.
Blog for Bleeding Heart!
You have something to say–why not say it here? Email your blog post idea to dave@bleedingheartart.space and let's chat.
Where there should be peace, there is a well-curated chaos inside me. Tis' the season.
But it is not that season. Not examined deeply. Not through the ages. It is Advent. A season of longing. Waiting. This Sunday, specifically, we are waiting for peace.
Peace through the dark anniversaries of lost love ones. Peace as a friend processes a cancer diagnosis. Peace as the walls come down and debris gets loaded into the truck and you realize you lost the keys to said truck. Peace as 14 people get shot in an American social care agency. Peace as dozens more are killed in bombings almost daily. Peace through the bad news playlist of radioland.
Blog for Bleeding Heart!
You have something to say–why not say it here? Email your blog post idea to dave@bleedingheartart.space and let's chat.
Karla Adolphe is a firecracker. To witness her ancient, booming voice rising from a young and unassuming woman feels like a miracle. One bellow and Karla Adolphe commands a room–especially an intimate room like Red Deer’s The Space. Karla thrives when connections can be made with her listeners. Her heart beats for creative people and when she performs that heart nearly bursts. With all of this electricity, it’s hard to believe Karla Adolphe has never released a live recording. Until now
Blog for Bleeding Heart!
You have something to say–why not say it here? Email your blog post idea to dave@bleedingheartart.space and let's chat.
This Millennial world of moral floundering is confusing. Frustrating. Especially when it needs to be navigated via faceless texts. Dev is doing his best. His friends are rarely helpful. The sea is vast and the rudders have been removed. These sailors need to build their own rudders, while sailing, with no anchor. No way to stop moving. No land in sight.
We all know where this is headed. We've seen Dev and his friends 10 years down the line on another show. It's called Seinfeld. It is a show about nothing.
Blog for Bleeding Heart!
You have something to say–why not say it here? Email your blog post idea to dave@bleedingheartart.space and let's chat.
