This past Saturday, I was on Crescent Hill Radio for a really great interview! You can check it out in the archives by clicking here! It’s an interview about writing, poetry, how to market yourself, venues, and some of my work. Sheri Wright is a great host and also hosts a monthly open mic called Stone Soup on the last Sunday of each month at the Bardstown in Louisville, Ky.

And I’m super excited that I am the featured artist of the month on Tenacity Radio’s homepage! Check out a video montage and the interview that they did by clicking here!

Coming soon: It’s almost zombie time!! August 29 is the annual Zombie attack in Louisville. Genna Yussman, Austin Woosley and I will be at Role of the Die on Bonnycastle across from Cafe 360 to help you get zombified from 3 pm to 8 pm – Do not wait till the last minute to come down, there are 65 people RSVP’D on Facebook. Cost is $10 -$20 depending on level of degradation, coverage that you need.  The earlier you come the sooner. Better yet, you can RSVP on Facebook, and we will know if we need to add artists.

See the rest of the intro videos from the event by clicking Here.

If you missed this one, Mark your calendars for July 30, the next big event!!

I hope you are all staying cool out in this hot weather!  Here’s some tips for cutting costs and staying cool

Love, Light, and Blessings to send you through your dreams <3

In preparation for Poetry, Pop and Paint, I’ve been on quite a face painting binge!  I’ve been doing my absolute best to look like a freak at every chance I get! Special thanks to my partner in crime Genna Yussman! Here’s a video to show you some of the facepaint used recently for photo and video shoots for Poetry, Pop and Paint. The video includes some test footage of the video that will be projected at the event! The best part of this video was going out to eat in full paint/make up during all the Derby madness.

If you can’t see the video above, you can view it here:

I have found that many times “freaks” have a lot to say that we could all use a good dose of. I have learned many a life lesson from people that have been tossed aside from the majority of others. Often times, people are labelled freak just because the person labeling them doesn’t understand them…and usually because that person lacks the desire to even try to.

I had a great show at Stevie Ray’s in Louisville this past Wednesday, and I was in full freak mode with several different costumes.  One of the numbers I performed was “Broken”. Beverly Frederick recently gave me a copy of some partial video she shot of “Broken” at Artography last month.  You can’t see the video below, you can view that video here:

In sad news, A poet/author who performed at Sub Rosa when it first began recently took his own life. It saddens me that someone who inspired so many and brought them joy felt so alone. He was best known for his one line poems such as “TIGHTROPE: You’d have dropped her, too, if you had to hold up both ends of the relationship the way I did.”  His book “Aha, Aha, Ahum” was a collection of these wise witticisms that made you think as you rolled with laughter.  He gave them out freely to all, and I know that many enjoyed them.   In honor of his passing, I wrote one for him.

Lifeline

I wish you would have known that you could have called me when you were under the gun and didn’t know the answer to the million dollar question.

RIP JP, you will be missed.

(Expressions to: Wellspring or Bridgehaven. Please leave a condolence for the family at www.archlheadyeastoak.com)

I know what it is like to feel alone when surrounded by people and not be able to see how much you mean to them. If you ever feel alone or down, I hope you realize you are not alone, and that all you have to do is let people know how you feel and that there are others who will love and help you without judging you. Please be kind to those around you. You have no idea what they are carrying with them.

On another note of all time freakiness, we often call people who speak out of “conspiracies” or things they see as troublesome freaks: one of these things being people who are worried about police states.  While we may have many freedoms, in this country, I am troubled that I see many things slowly taking place that seem to infringe on the very rights and principles this country was founded on. Indiana recently passed a law that states police can enter your home with or without a warrant, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.  At what point will we begin to stand up and tell our “leaders” what we think and remind them that they are supposed to work for us? Come on, Indiana! Contact your representatives and let them know that this is not ok!!  Tell your friends, talk about it! be vocal! Don’t let these types of things go unnoticed! You never know when it will affect you or someone you care about!

It is for reasons like this that I believe organizations and communities like Mighty Kindness are increasingly important…we must learn to begin to strengthen our communities so that we can lean on each other, become more self sufficient, be able to make a stand  and live in more sustainable ways. We can not just sit back watching our favorite tv shows and expect governments or employers to do everything or  what is best for us.

Love, light and blessings to send you through your dreams.

I missed Thunder over Louisville this year for the first time in a while. I love fireworks. Thunder over Louisville is our Derby opening celebration and a mess of over 800,000 people crowded together for an air show and the really big attraction: a half hour long fireworks show. Some of you might remember that we went to Thunder over Louisville as Space Pirates last year as was captured by the Louisville Eccentric Observer. It was to invite people to our Space Pirate Disco, held Derby Eve. I had some trouble at the time converting the video, but recently came across it again and was able to get it converted.

For those of you that don’t know, Derby is like Louisville’s Mardi Gras. It is when anything can and will happen. One of the most amazing moments of random unity came through at Derby a couple years ago. I was belly dancing inside a hoola hoop as Nick Lehman shouted on a megaphone and John Lewis drummed on a djembe. The crowd outside the bar we were taunting was in total unison and cheering us on…we had people coming from the crowd to try the hula hoop as the entire crowd joyfully praised each person who did…Some guy got so caught up in the energetic moment that he picked up my sandals that I had kicked off and begun beating a store front window in unison with the djembe drummer. The whole crowd was at one with the turning of the hoop and the beat of the drum. Out of nowhere, a stretch hummer limo pulled up and a lavishly dressed forty something year old in a tube top dived out the window, crowd surfed over to us, took the hoop and proceeded to hoop for several minutes until her top fell down and the crowd went wild. She took a bow, crowd surfed back to the limo, dove back in through the window and they drove on. I stood in awe pondering that I may have just reached the pinnacle of my career. How would I ever top that?

Here you go: in honor of the coming derby and from the archives of Subrosa, I give you web lubbin cyber pirates this bit of booty (because nothing says DERBY like a night of sexy pirate gear and dancing/music from outer space):

If you can’t see the video above, you can view the video by clicking HERE

And if you’re feeling really lucky but ponies aren’t your thing, you might want to submit for a chance to win free tickets to Poetry, Pop and Paint!

You can win by submitting a poem, a bodypaint design (Drawing or photography) or by voting on the submissions. Here’s your chance to come to one of the hottest events this summer for Free! Details can be found by clicking here! I look forward to seeing your entries!!

Everyone has worked so hard on it, and we only had a month to put together this full length show – one month to put together the script, the act, the costumes, and the choreography..Prepare to be astounded <3

Check out the staff pick the Louisville Eccentric Observer gave us

We also got to do a fun spot on WFPK with Laura Shine. I had to rush straight from where I was doing costume to the radio station, and then to dress rehearsal, so it was tremendous walking down 4th st live! in the cold wearing an outfit that was barely there from the waist down….All the fellas said hello to me on the way, though. ha! Mike Nusser was wearing his fedora for the show with skulls across the front, so he looked like some kind of pimp. Al Holbrook and Mike got to each play a song on the air, and all I could do was think about how awesome it is to have such talent in this show.

(Speaking of the costume…I am so proud of myself! I do not sew, and I made it myself with the supervision of beautiful Miss Christiane Nicoulin! – Photo below)

This year is only a week old and already it has been fantastic and beautiful, stressful and terrifying, keeping me up nights with it’s desire to feed and grow. I think we’re going to get along rather well, and this year is going to grow up to change the world as we know it <3

I hope to see you at the show tomorrow! Tickets are $20 ..if you can’t make it, I hope to see you at our official cast party at Howl at the Moon! I have tickets for you to get in free, eat for free, and enjoy half price drinks

Also, I just found out that I will be on the radio show The state of Affairs on WFPL with author Karen Abbott to discuss her book “American Rose” and burlesque.

Amidst all this Doomsday Lover buzz, don’t forget to come enjoy magical nights of variety and recharge your batteries at Sub Rosa: The Gypsie Courtyard on Mondays at zazoos in St. Matthews of Louisville, Ky. We start between 7 and 8 pm and it’s all ages until 10 pm (tho rated pg -13 regularly).

Here’s the official information on Doomsday Lover

Buy tickets ahead of time at http://thealleytheater.org/site/?p=990

Even in the End Times, The show must go on!

…When a love affair leads to the end times, Divinity Rose as a Doomsday Lover….to seek out other magical people before leaving the dead behind to seek out more life.

This highly interactive and hilarious post-apocalyptic burlesque stars zombies, showgirls, a reporter and YOU.

Don’t miss the chance to see Divinity Rose and an all star cast of Louisville talents perform like you’ve never seen them before, including a zombie fashion show by Rachel French of Venomiss Designs.

(Darshwood the Conjuror, Jaime Duvall, Jorena Faulkner, Dennis Bell, Dusty June, Mike Nusser, Cyndi Snow, Katie Durham, Ed Black, Va Va Vixens, Cirque Airotic, and others fill out the cast and help keep the dead under control)

Rising starlet Divinity Rose has performed theater, comedy, spoken word, and song in over 15 cities nationally and is best known locally for hosting “Sub Rosa: The Gypsie Courtyard” in many different Louisville venues and “You Can’t Do That on Piano” at Howl at the Moon on Fourth Street Live!. Recently, she stole the hearts of hundreds of audience members as emcee of “Va Va Vintage,” a burlesque show she helped to write at Art Sanctuary and the Alley Theater, and in the show BlackJack that she co-produced with Cirque Airotic.

In March 2010, she released the first of her graphic novels—”Diaries of a Godling: The Promise”— which introduced a storyline that will continue to unfold on stage, page, and the Internet.

The next step in the journey (originally presented in the book) will be taken on Jan. 8, 2011 at Art Sanctuary and the Alley Theater with Divinity Rose as a “Doomsday Lover”— a highly interactive, hilarious, and sexy burlesque variety show/concert set in a post- apocalyptic world. For this show, she will be releasing new original songs with Ohio musician Al Holbrook.

Calling all the Magical People…Buy your tickets today! Don’t be left behind!

Come in costume as zombie or survivor night of show to receive $2 coupon to the bar.
Tables up front in the high action area may be purchased/reserved for up to four people for $100.
Ads may be purchased in program by contacting divinityrose@gmail.com (some levels of advertising include a reserved table).

The upcoming event will also feature an online contest. By joining the street team for Divinity Rose on ReverbNation.com, members will receive instructions on how to win $50, a T-shirt and a copy of her graphic novel.

“People can win by helping to collect magical people for the end times,” Divinity said. “We want no one left behind!”

To enter, please visit http://www.reverbnation.com/divinityrose and click “Street Team Missions” for more information.

This immersive and interactive show starts Jan. 8, 2011 at 8 pm at Art Sanctuary and the Alley Theater at “The Pointe”—located at 1205 E. Washington Street in Louisville. Tickets are $20; however, patrons who come in costume (as zombies, showgirls or survivors) will receive a $2 coupon to the bar. Front row VIP table s

eating can be reserved in advance for up to four people for $100. Tickets can be purchased in advance at http://www.art-sanctuary.com/.

Even in the end times, the show must go on!

Prepare your minds! On that fateful night, Cirque Airotic aerial burlesque troop and I bring you BLACKJACK!

I’ll be dealing up 21 delicious acts that make everyone a winner including singers, dancers, comedy, magic and more Can you beat the dealer at her own game?

Tickets are only $12. That’s a lot of entertainment for less than $20! The imagery on this one is going to be beautiful, and two of the aerialists will dangle amongst the audience!

Va Va Vintage is finally done.The after party was the most fun I’ve had at karaoke in years. It was pretty much entire bar sing along night. Thirty of us sang Bad Romance, Love Shack, Bohemian Rhapsody…all the sappy party songs..but it was a whole bar of friends and strangers at one with each other. It was one of those rare moments of bliss, where everything else disappears. It makes me a little sad as I hear Boyz II Men singing “hard to say good bye” in my head. It was an awesome cast and show. That’s one of the signs I was slated for show business, though. When I was a child, my favorite thing was going to summer camp and being family with everyone for a couple weeks and then moving on. I made some amazing friendships through the production, and deepened some old ones. I also had to answer a bazillion times that Mike Nusser is not my husband, even though we dance together very well.

Speaking of Mike Nusser. He’s one of my favorite beloveds and we often sing together at my weekly variety show Sub Rosa: The Gypsie Courtyard. We decided to release a recording of us singing his song Suicide last Monday with Larry Doyle on harmonica. I was sick, and the recording is live, so it’s a little rough….but that’s real, and sometimes that’s the best part of Sub Rosa: how raw it is. There’s even a fun little bit of banter at the beginning of it. I think Mike was a little jealous that I was in deep conversation with national poet and beloved Truth B. Told, who was also there and I have video to prove it.

The Free track from Nusser and I is available to listen to at my Reverb Nation page. It is free to download and take a piece of Sub Rosa with you if you are a member of my email newsletter! (If you’re receiving this in your email from ReverbNation) If you aren’t, don’t worry. You can go to my page and sign up or you can go to www.divinityrose.com and sign up! (If you’re receiving this email from ReverbNation, there should be a link at the bottom of this email to download it!)

And don’t forget, I have a contest going right now where you can win $50, one of my new T-shirts and a copy of Diaries of a Godling: The Promise (my graphic novel). All you have to do is help me gather magical people for the end times! We want no one left behind!! You can join my street team at my ReverbNation and click on the mission on the right hand side of the page for instructions on how to use the widgets to gather people and be tracked for the prizes.

January 8, 2011, Divinity Rose as a Doomsday Lover. Even in the end times, the show must go on! This hilarious and sexy burlesque is set in post apocalyptic times and stars zombies, showgirls, a reporter and YOU! It is highly interactive and you want to get your tickets before they sell out! You can buy a ticket or you can buy a whole table so you and your survival crew can sit right up front amidst the action. It also features entertainment from some of Louisville’s favorite performers such as Jaime Duvall, Mike Nusser, Jorena Faulkner, Cyndi Snow, and a zombie fashion show by Rachel French of Venomiss designs. Tickets can be bought ahead of time at http://www.art-sanctuary.com

So much news! I know! I am on a busy journey, and I am so grateful that each of you are on the rise with me!! The path our hearts lead us on send us ever upward, closer and closer to the bright star that guides us! Hearing from you keeps me alive and going even when the times get tough! Write to me and let me know how your dreams are progressing!

Love, Light and Blessings to send you through your dreams!

xoxoxo
Love,
Divinity Rose

There’s a lot to share, so I’m going to split it up into a couple posts!

I released Diaries of a Godling: The Promise on March 14, 2010 and have since sold out of the first run.  In celebration of the release, we held an awesome show called Poets, Prophets and Punks and I was tremendously honored and blessed to be able to share the stage with some amazing talent such as Ron Whitehead, Touch Armor Class, Truth B Told, Jimmy Besseck, Huh Robots, Revenge of Ricky Williams, Rhyan Sprague,  Lot 13 and Justin Hilton, and Grant Wallace. I wish you could have all been there! Now you can at least see some of it.  With the help of Matthew Blake Wallace, the video clips are now available for viewing online! Don’t miss the opportunity to see so much amazing talent! Check it out here! (Click “See all” on the right).

Then, all through May, I led a space pirate invasion on Louisville and the surrounding Derby Celebrations. We got down on more than one dimension during our “Space Pirate Disco”. I will upload my performance as soon as we can figure out how to convert the video, but here are some awesome photos

I hope you’re all doing well and pressing ever forward in your adventures to find the treasures that will make up your kingdom Don’t forget to check out the post following right on the heels of this one

Send this post on to family, friends, who you think might enjoy the awesome videos Share the videos on facebook, or other social networking sites

Maybe you’ve seen them in the current Leo, the Courier Journal’s photo gallery or even around town…but Space Pirates have infiltrated the Louisville community and are inviting others to find the treasure buried under all the derby Hype.

Pick up a treasure map from Ear X Tacy, The Great Escape, Spinelli’s, Caufields, Wild and Wooley Video or an array of other locally owned businesses. Seek out the unique treasures that make Louisville a wonderfully diverse place. Participating in the treasure hunt grants you access to The Space Pirate Disco’s at Diamond Pub and Billiards on Derby Night or at Ear X Tacy May 2 from 4 – 6 pm and makes you eligible for a nice variety of awesome prizes from local artists, musicians and businesses, including the Grand Prize: an overnight stay at the beautiful and historic Inn at Woodhaven.

The Space Pirate Disco’s are not to be missed. Performances from indie space band CHAPPO, local party punk band the Revenge of Ricky Williams, and Pop performance by Divinity Rose and her dancing first mates. For more information visit, http://www.louisvillesubrosa.info

Here are some great photos  to check out Hope you enjoy them

Check out this great Photo Gallery on FLikR by Chris Rachel Oseland of Palmyran REbels

(In other news, I’m pretty much out of copies of Diaries of a Godling: The Promise- thanks so much for helping me to sell out of the first run! There are still just a few copies at Ear X Tacy, the Great Escape and Izzy’s Little Creepers.  I’ve also been asked to perform at Fright Night Film Festival and Convention – I can’t wait!)

Before I set sail, I’d like to encourage each of you to hunt out the unique treasures around you that will lift you up and feed your soul….The things that will bring you the most joy are often right beside you or within reach…you  just have to decide to seek them out

And help our community of supporting original art, music and locally owned business to grow by tweeting, sharing this on facebook, myspace, anyway you connect to your friends Thanks so much for all of your love and support!!

I am so grateful for the last year and the many blessings it held.

I realized that with Sub Rosa, we held close to 100 shows, featured over 100 musicians, filmmakers, visual artists, comedians, and poets, inspired the sale of hundreds of dollars in local original art, music, inspired the community to pay more attention to local original art, saved a life, volunteered, created murals, videos, music and more together, witnessed love and the beginning of relationships, held each other through tough times, saved people’s stuff from being lost, helped bring awareness to local businesses, and had members gain more media attention. I am so proud and grateful for everyone who has helped this dream for our city’s art and entertainment industry to unfold!!

You can see some of the awesome people who helped to make it happen at The Sub Rosa web site.

The transition between years seems to have been a rough one. The last couple weeks have been even more crazy than usual.

“Oh Divinity, that’s what you always say.”

No, really. Everything from murder* to setting boundaries to accidental death to finalizing debut dates of my first book and the band.

*by murder, I don’t mean I murdered, I meant it affected a close friend.

Everywhere around me people seemed to be dealing with loss, with change, with letting go..and most importantly..with being vulnerable with each other.

One of the hardest things I’ve had to learn is the strength of vulnerability..to not be afraid to be angry, or cry, or be scared in front of others…It is okay to ask for help.

One of the biggest steps in growth for me was to attend a public open mic (With lots of friends in the audience) and read a letter I had written to my mother. I was terrified signing up, because I knew I was going to break down in the middle of it, and I did..but I made myself do it, and I made myself finish. I got that pain out in a circle of people I knew AND strangers. When I was done, the room responded by rushing the stage and smothering me with so much love, I was buried and had to say into the mic that was still in my hand, “Guys, I can’t breathe!”

Being able to be that naked in front of people is freeing. It’s terrifying, but once you step through that veil of fear, you realize the universe will respond to you and give you all the help/love you ever need (though maybe not from the people you think it should come from).

I am more grateful than ever for the life ahead of me, the amazing things I get to do everyday, and I have found the best motivator of all to be changing the words “I have to” to “I get to”.

The things I get to do now and in the next few months have me so excited, my face could melt.

I get to continue working with my new band, which we have named “Sagun” (pronounced Sah-goon). We are pushing to be ready for our debut March 14 at a powerhouse show called “Poets, Prophets, and Punks” that I am producing. (Tickets on sale at Great Escape, Ear – X- Tacy for cash, at divinityrose.com for cards)
(Core members: Divinity Rose, Rosella Pearl, Kelly Newton)

I get to work on and release my first Diaries of a Godling book, “The Promise”. – Will be released with book signing March 14 at The Great Escape before the show..as having the books before the show will be greatly beneficial…Will also be available at the show.

I get to host a contest to inspire and encourage high school students to write.

I get to start working with a personal trainer to get myself in the shape I want to be in for the show.

I get to host a bunch of AWESOME shows with Sub Rosa including Pin Ups and Hot Rods on January 30, celebrating my dear friends’ Porscha and Pam Newman’s birthdays and the cd release party/mardi gras party on February 13 with Revenge of Ricky Williams and Squallis Puppeteers.

I am so excited for 2010. There are so many wonderful experiences I want to give myself and others. How about you?

Speaking of “Get tos”, Cody and I got to go to and be part of a dark carnival for the cd release party of “Sonic Epitaph”. What a great spiritual journey! Check them out!

Sonic Epitaph!
Pick up a cd and for crying out loud, support these master weavers of mind webs! They’ve worked hard, are super real and nice, down to hand making the signs on the walls of the concert hall…They deserve all the blessings about to pour upon them!

Most of these photos from Awesome photographer Linda Carmella ..email her at sweetestangel13ATgmail.com

In addition to this great news, I’ve been asked to Emcee a film screening during the most awesome Peak Summit music festival! Derby City Independent Film Collective will be showing films on June 2o from 7 – 9 pm, and I will be  hosting! It’s bound to be great fun! Good music, indie film, and good people – at Saint’s in St. Matthews.

It keeps rolling, though – I plan on taking Divinity Rising, the web video show to the Mighty Kindness (give a ) Hoot-enanny! If you’ve not made it to this heartwarming and exciting annual meet of music, arts, local organic farmers, healers and other awesome groups in our community, YOU SHOULD join me! It’s FREE, has KID STUFF, GREAT music, and some of the kindest hearts you’ll ever meet I’d like to ask some of you questions on camera – At Willow park  in Louisville, Kentucky – Check out http://www.mightykindness.org

Later in the month, I am especially honored to join Karma Bums at Diamonds Billiards in St. Matthews for a night of mind blowing music and poetry and all around good karma – come partake, my peoples!!!! May 23 – Mark your calendars!!!!

Speaking of Diamonds,  are you ready?…. It’s a new home for Louisville Speak Easy!!!

And Speaking of the Speak Easy – it’s time for a NEW NAME!!!!!

There’s lots of reasons, but it’s an all around great opportunity to really give our gatherings a name that suit their magic, allure and sparkle

MONDAYS at Diamond’s Billiards, We’re kicking off Sub Rosa – The Gypsie Courtyard!!! Our gatherings at Carly Rae’s on Thursdays WILL continue (under the new name!)

We’re mixing it up with lots of new opportunities to celebrate local wandering hearts of art!!! I’ll be doing paid featured spots at BOTH locations, plus some other neat opportunities etc coming up

Come to the grand opening  May 11 ,  our first monthly showcase there! Let’s make it a huge deal and really start sending out some wonderfully awesome ripples in St. Matthews! I’ll have more on this next week!

And in June – Pick up a copy of The Highlander to read the article Danny O Day honored me with!

I hope that all of you are really enjoying your wanders of wonder….and with all this “Speaking of” let’s speak of wanderers. I’d like share my ode to wanderers. So many people get dogged on for being a wanderer – but would you play any game without first checking out your terrain, resources, strengths, and  collecting useful items? So, why is it a bad idea when playing the game of life?

What’s the good word? Give me at least ONE thing that is pretty awesome that has shown up in your life or that you have given yourself lately. How can you spread the contagious Kind Flu?