Anastasia's Blog

March Break?

2008-03-15T09:17:00.002-03:00

March Break, is that a joke? No March Break for me, work, work, work! That's good though I guess. I am working on this project that I adore. Collecting contemporary Acadian fiddle tunes. Today I am going to Moncton to meet with Megan Bourgeois. I can't wait to hear her tunes and of course to see Megan because she is a good friend! The fiddlecase website is kind of on hold, but if you are reading this and need a tune transcribed, try me!

I am loving the http://www.stumbleupon.com/ website these days. What a fun way to waste time! And I am good at wasting time. I am also still trying to do updates for my own website, but that is a very slow process. I got a little bit of grant money to record a demo next month. I am looking forward to that. It helps to have such great musicians as Mylène Ouellete and Brent Chaisson to work with. I am going to try and get over myself and be brave enough to record a few of my own tunes. We'll see....

Guess I better update!

2007-09-18T10:40:00.000-03:00

I just read the site meter notice and I realized that people actually read my blog...so I guess it would only be fair to update! Lots of news on my end. I have a new job! Yay! Well, hahaha I'm not getting paid yet, but that is supposed to come...soon! I am working on a research project to collect, record and transcribe original fiddle tunes from contemporary Island Acadian composers. I, along with others (Big thanks to Tanya and Monic) have been trying to get this project going for a couple of years now. Finally I am starting! Today I am working on tunes from Marie Livingstone.

Also, it is my fall project to re-work my boring website, haha. I have been working on a totally new look with Microsoft Publisher. I am actually almost done, so expect a new look soon at www.anastasiadesroches.com

My other site, www.fiddlecase.com is also still on the go.

I will still be teaching fiddle lessons this fall, starting the first week of October and keeping up with a few bookings for gigs and workshops!

Send me a message or comment if you have thoughts about the new website or the new project I'm working on. I'll try to update more often...promise!

Easter Weekend

2007-04-10T07:50:00.000-03:00

I thought the snow was finished! We went to Halifax for the Easter weekend. We took my little Echo with all season tires and not the Matrix with four wheel drive and winter tires because it's supposed to be spring now! Wellllll, big mistake. The biggest snowstorm of the winter hits. Crappy drive home from Halifax, but the worst part was when we got to PEI. After almost getting stuck in a drift in a whiteout on the highway, not knowing which lane I was in or even if I was on on the road... We decided that we weren't going to make it home to Mont-Carmel. We aimed for my mom's and dad's place in Wilmot Valley. The Blueshank was fine, but on their road, 2 houses before their house, I got stuck in a drift so big I could hardly open my door. Luckily, the neighbor across the road works for John Deere and he got me out of there. He opened the road and I got my car into the driveway at my parents place. Pretty exciting.

We watched the game Saturday night at Boston Pizza, happy to see my leafs win, but short lived thanks to the Islanders. I'm posting a picture of the bridge before we left PEI (See, no snow) and a picture of the beginnings of the storm in Halifax, Nadine and Vero in front of the Halifax Public Gardens. All in all, a good trip.

What's New?

2007-04-03T12:53:00.000-03:00

I haven't posted in awhile, so I decided that it's time for some updates. I have been "youtubing" today. Lots of fun. I can't believe the stuff that's on there. Type in someone's name and voila! I am going to try to put some videos on there soon. Looks like fun.

I started a new website http://fiddlecase.com where I offer fiddle tune transcription services. How does it work? You send me a recording...or video of a tune, I write out the notes. This is a bit of a passion for me, It all started when I decided I want to transcribe all the tunes from my favorite albums and I realized that there are plenty of people who would love to have the notes for these tunes. So, I decided to start the website. So far, I have had a little interest and I have been introduced to some interesting music! My main challenge is to figure out how to get the word out. I did decide to do a bit of advertising on the fiddlefoum.com website. Anyone have ideas about where I should be spreading the word?

So, that's the rant of the day. Happy Tuesday.........

So it's been awhile...

2007-01-14T15:20:00.000-04:00

No links or pictures today, just a little update on my life. I da have intentions of posting more often, but I never seem to find the time! Well, I did a website update today, it's been awhile for that too. I am going to start selling my CD tracks on my website. I managed to figure out how to put a paypal button on my site, yay Anna!
The big news is that I quit my band, I am not a member of Chiquesa anymore. I am going to miss it very much, I guess it's just a timing thing. I am hoping to keep playing music with the girls on some other projects. So, I'm kind of sad about not being in the band anymore even though I know it was the right decision.
Uhhhh, what else, talk about the weather? Well, very strange for PEI, Jan 14th, hardly any snow, can see most of the grass and the strait is not frozen!!! Ok, enough rambling, tooddles

I TRIED to update my website...

2006-11-12T16:51:00.000-04:00

I was just trying (since it's been far too long) to update my website and I get this message " An error has occured. Management of websites is currently disabled until further notice as we resolve some remaining issues with this service." The Bravenet website, which hosts my webpage seems to have been revamped and I guess there are some issues. I hope it's back up soon.

I am just getting back from having spent a week in Ottawa! It was a really great time and I am happy that I got to spend time with my friends! I had a great time seeing friends! Here are a couple of pictures, Mylene, Robyn, Steff and I on our way out to supper and a picture of the Rideau Canal, in between the parliament buildings and the Chateau Laurier Hotel.

Last Friday, in Wakefield, we got to go see a Cape Breton live show, thanks Eddie and Brent for sober driving! :-) We saw some great music, Troy MacGillivray (Or Troy MacLiverly as Donald calls him), Andrea Beaton and Howie MacDonald just to name a few players!

And now for the link. I had seen this before in an email, but while in Ottawa, The girls and I watched a bunch of these videos. If you haven't seen "tete a claque" before, check this out: http://www.tetesaclaques.tv/video.php?vid=30 If you have a sense of humour like mine, you will find this pretty funny.

That's all for today, I hope to be able to update my website soon, Ciao Anastasia

My Space

2006-10-20T08:44:00.000-03:00

I have been working hard on my computer skills these days, figured out how to make my own little website, I record some music and transcribe some tunes. There is one thing that I find difficult. My Space. I'm not sre why I find it so complicated, everyone seems to use it. Everytime I try to change or add something, it takes me an hour to figure out how. I still have not even come close to figuring out how to move things around or change colors on the page. I added a few friends, but I don't even think any friends have added me :-| I don't even know how to figure that out. Am I the only one who finds this a bit of a challenge? If anyone wants to see where my page is at so far, this is the link: http://www.myspace.com/68770662
I hope that works because when I search my name, I get zero results! Anyone else have these kids of problems, or better yet, have easy solutions?

So, for a picture, how about some of my family members. This picture is of my youngest sister, Lisa and my nephew, Sam. My sister Joanna has 3 kids, Patrick, Sam and Grace. I try to hang out with them as much as I can. Grace, who is 3 is pretty funny. She tries to do everything her big brothers do. Anyhow, ciao for now, Anastasia

So Yeah....

2006-10-10T22:30:00.000-03:00

I was updating my website and somehow, I managed to delete all the tunes after the key of D. Not fun, not good. I had to go back and re-enter all the info and create new links for all the tunes. Still don't know how I did it. Of course I had saved all my canges before I realized what had happened. If anyone noices any missing tunes, please let me know.

I had a really fun trip to Québec for Thanksgiving. It was a beautiful weekend for traveling, on Sunday we went in the woods to Raymond and Phil's camp. They mostly use it in the winter for snowmobiling. It is pretty neat. The first picture is a picture of the cabin.The second picture in this post is of Yoko, the huge "Bouvier Bernois" (I have no idea what that is in English, maybe a Bernese mountain dog?) and Kiwi, the tiny Chihuahua. They are so funny together. They belong to Friends in Saguenay. Yoko is scared of Kiwi and when they are together, it's a pretty good show. Lots of good food and good company.

So for today's link. This one is only useful to the tune players. On a concertina website (concertina.net) they have this thing called a Tune-o-tron converter. The name makes me laugh, but it is a useful tool. You can copy/paste a tune in the box in abc format and it will convert it to standard notation. You can also use this page to hear a midi file of tunes. Kind of neat. Here is the link: http://www.concertina.net/tunes_convert.html

Enough blogging for tonight... Anastasia

Title? Why do I need a title?

2006-10-04T21:18:00.000-03:00

Wednesday, getting closer to the weekend... I am going on a little trip to Saguenay, Québec this weekend for Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to that. I know what to expect on these trips, good food, good company and lots of fun, not necessarily in that order though the food is always particularly good. :-) I'm looking forward to the scenery on the trip up, always beautiful this time of year.

Todays picture is from our "Run for the Cure" show on Sunday. Christine who sings in the band, Tanya our new manager and Caroline who sings and plays piano...and guitar...and accordion.

And now for the link, I warn you, if you have an addictive personality like I do, DO NOT CLICK ON THIS LINK!! You won't be able to stop playing this game. Silly little game really, but lots of fun. My nephews got me hooked on this game site. Here is the link for Curveball . If you like this sort of thing, I also get a kick out of "bash your bank" and "boneless girl". Not super intellectual stuff, but definately good stress-busters. Now remember that you've been warned, the site is called addicting games, beware!

Run for the cure

2006-10-01T09:37:00.000-03:00

Today, some of us girls from Chiquésa are playing and singing at the run for the cure event in Charlottetown. Cancer is a disease that has deeply touched my family and this is a cause in which I truly believe. We are playing a few songs and tunes for the runners as they start to cross this finish line. Then, off to practice, we have a band practice and we are actually (believe it or not) starting to practice Christmas stuff.

Lots of fun last night, musiciand friends of mine, Monique and Andy got married in a beautiful ceremony in Palmer Road, PEI. Everything was perfect!! Todays picture is one of them leaving the church in a horse and carriage. The bride and all her attendants arrived in the same carriage. A great time was had by all.

Now a funny little story before I post my link for today. For those who aren't familiar with the band that I play with, (www.chiquesa.com) we are pretty silly sometimes. One of our running gags (and we have many, we love to laugh) is that whatever gig we do, we have to do publicity for the cottages owned by Caroline (singer/piano player)'s parents. They are called Les Chalets de la Grande Basse. Even though we make jokes, they are really nice cottages, so if you need a place to stay on PEI, close to the beach, relaxing, I could go on, but just go visit the website. http://chaletsgrandebasse.com/ Hahaha, So Jeannita, Marcel, you owe me now..... Or I guess you helped us out enough this summer that maybe we owe you still, plus you let us practice at "les chalets de la grande basse", and it's so relaxing at "les chalets de la grande basse" Oh, and inspiring, "les chalets de la grande basse"........

I want a fun blog too!

2006-09-29T08:24:00.000-03:00

I look at other people's blogs, such as my cousin's, http://www.meanwhilestudios.com/ and find them really well done. I know mine is pretty boring. So, I thought I'd try this: When I update my blog, I'm going to add a picture and a link each time . So the link for today was Troy's website (Meanwhile Studios).
Now for a picture, hmmmmm. Well, I had a look through some of my pictures (for those who don't know me very well, I take a lot of pictures) and I found one from early this summer. I went on a trip with Véro to her mom's place in Pointe-Aux-Outardes, near Baie Comeau in Québec. We went for a four wheeler ride on the beach right in front of her mom's house. She lives on the St. Laurent. This picture is of some little sticks in the ground that had been used by fisherman netting some kind of fish. I thought it was kind of neat.
So today, Friday, yay! I have a little get-together with the girls in my band "Chiquésa" and yes Caroline, the quotations are for you if you happen to read this, hahaha. We are having a supper meeting and then out for drinks. Looking forward to it! Have a great day everyone.

Back at it...

2006-09-27T09:04:00.000-03:00

Here I go again. I am going to start posting tunes on my site more often. I was in summer mode I guess. I had too much going on, then I just didn't feel like doing anything that resembled work.

Summer was great. Looking back I can say I had some great moments. I was a little busier than I would have liked. I had at least 5 or 6 gigs a week, sometimes more, sometimes many more. Then after the long weekend and the big high from the Acadian Festival, there was the big downer. You know, when you realize that all those gigs(as much as I complained about the places I had to work) and fun summer times are over. It took awhile, but I am starting to feel normal again.

Now, trying, TRYING to get organized for fiddle lessons. I am such a procrastinator. I have a zillion phone calls to return (if you're one of those people waiting for a call, I do apologize). I am anxious to teach, just too many students, I can't take everyone and I have to find a way to fit in as many as possible. Don't worry, if you're reading this, you're probably in, hahaha.

Now, my little gem for the day. I just stumbled across this tune this morning. It's Matt MacIsaac playing the guitar. I didn't even know he played the guitar. I'm pretty sure this is the guy who is the piper/flute player in Natalie MacMaster's band. I'm posting a link here, if it doesn't work, will someone let me know and I'll post the full site link. http://www.berzen.se/jimdorans/mattrick_matt_macisaac_wardsJig.mp3

Really worth a listen, one of those feelgood kind of tunes... Have a great day!

Technology baffles me...

2006-08-08T11:51:00.000-03:00

Well, sometimes, I can figure stuff out on my own and I find myself pretty smart, but other times, I wonder why I even try!

So I got my new laptop. I got it for recording music really and I haven't been able to do that yet. Dual core processors are supposed to be so fast and great, but appearantly that is not the case if you want to use Pro-tools. It doesn't seem to be compatible. But, on the other hand, I have a very nice computer shop guy (who happens to be my neighbor) who is trying to help me solve my problems. He had my computer for a few days, so no website updates during that time, sorry! It has been very busy here anyway. Also, I am trying, hoping and wishing for Eastlink to hook me up to their high speed internet. I think it is in the works, but I just can't wait!! My internet is so slow when it does work that updating the site can be a challenge.

Last weekend was the Fiddler's Jamboree and the special guest was Buddy MacMaster. he looked quite frail and I understand that he is recovering from sugery but he wanted to come anyway. His playing was amazing and I think everyone who saw him play was in awe.
There were also a couple of Chiquesa gigs and a Fricot show not to mention the parties.... lots of fun. The next few weeks will continue to be busy, but after that ... Finally some time off! September will be the time for getting some practice done and organizing my fall. I can't wait! Hope summer is lots of fun for everyone so far, take care, Anastasia

Day off, Wooooohoooo!!!!

2006-07-22T09:29:00.000-03:00

Yay, finally a day off. I don't have many of those these days. I guess I had 4 last week, but I went to Quebec and I guess when you travel, it's always so busy that it doesn't feel like you had time off. So today, lots of free time and supper with some friends.
So, all the shows are up and running, too bad we are still waiting for the sound system!! We are using a temporary one for now. Who knows if the new one will be here before the end of the summer. The new lights are in though and our technician Donald had them all figured out for last night's show. It was prety neat.
I just got my laptop last week and I am really excited about that. Just yesterday, I got a desk and chair and now I have my own little office at home. It's pretty neat and I'm glad to have some time today to get all set up. I want to do some recording, but I am having trouble getting pro-tools to work on my new laptop. I think it's an issue with the dual core. Anyone have any advice????
I know I have really been slacking off with my website updates. I guess a tune a day may be too much fo the summer months. I'll keep trying though and I'll put tunes up as often as I can. Hope it's sunny where you are....have a great day, Anastasia

Happy Canada Day!

2006-07-01T08:35:00.000-03:00

Happy Canada Day everyone! I have a gig with Chiquésa today. I am looking forward to that and then we're all (don't go camping Christina) going to Julie's cottage for a party after. They have a band playing there and everything.

* Anna's complaining section*
1. I bought a new instrument stand at Sober's(our local music store) yesterday and it was in a box and everything, but when I got it home and looked at it, it was a used one! Grrrr, there were big scratches on it, and the mechanism to hold the instrument doesn't work properly, oh and the foam is all chewed up on one side. I always say I will never buy stuff there, I never feel like a valued customer, and this just proves it again.
2. My internet provider drives me bananas. I didn't update my website on the 29th because I had no service!!! Nothing to be done. It's ok for a day or 2, then crappy, crappy, crappy. Ugh, nuts, they drive me nuts.
*end of Anna's complaining section*

So, Krista, sorry, silly me. Krista is a Landry if you read my last post and are still left hanging...

Come see Chiquésa play Monday at the Festival of Lights in Charlottetown, mainstage, I think someone said it's free, don't hold me to that though... Have a great day, Anna

It's Friday!

2006-06-23T08:34:00.000-03:00

I have a day off today! I think it's my last one for quite awhile. The shows are coming together, taking shape. Here is a little info on the 2 new summer shows:

1. Le Fricot - Cabaret style show, Caroline Bernard, Julie Arsenault (both in Chiquésa) Krista hahaha, I just realized I don't know Krista's last name.... update will follow on that one, Nick Arsenault and myself of course are the cast members. Director is Sylvie Toupin.
The show has lots of music, some sets of tunes and lots of songs written by local artists. The show will involve lots of audience participation. I think it will be lots of fun.

2. Café Au Laid - Dinner theatre style show with buffet for the meal. The play is written by Raymond J. Arsenault and it is a comedy. We laugh lots at rehearsal, so I hope people will find it funny! Most of the actors play more than one character in the play. There are some pretty whacky characters.... like Phillipe and Victoria and Earl..... The actors are Diane Racette, Raymond Arsenault, Donald Richard, Caroline Bernard, Pierre Poirier andAnastasia DesRoches. :-) As I said we really do laugh so much at rehearsals, I know this one is going to be a blast to do all summer, there is a musical portion in the show too.

So, that's what life is about these days. Gotta plant some grass in my yard soon...lots of mud in the backyard, my new deck is lots of fun, I need to have a deck party soon, who's coming? Off to finish laundry, Anastasia

Busy times

2006-06-19T09:00:00.000-03:00

2 weeks ago, I only had my Chiquésa gigs booked for the summer, now, I have bookings for 5 nights a week plus the Chiquésa stuff. Life changes fast. Now Caroline (from Chiquésa) and I are rehearsing day and night to learn music and text for 2 different shows!

The shows should be lots of fun, I am especially looking forward to the dinner theatre. The other actors/musicians are super talented and we have lots of great laughs! I hope you come to see the show!!

For those who don't already know, I have pictures posted at: http://anastasiadesroches.spaces.msn.com/PersonalSpace.aspx
I have been asked for more pictures than those posted on my website.

A funny story for you.... I USED to belong to a fiddle forum at a website called fiddlefork, but a few days ago, I posted a question about a tune, I asked who wrote it, where it comes from and if anyone knew where I could find the music. Well, the moderators thought that was not a good question so I got booted off the site, hahaha. If anyone from fiddlefork wants to find me, I now hang out at The Session This site has pretty much every tune you could be looking for and lots of friendly fiddlers and musicians to chat with. I'll try to behave so I don't get botted from this one! So, everyone, be on your best behavior today! Cheers, Anastasia

Busy day, busy day...

2006-06-11T07:40:00.000-03:00

Well, I'm kind of glad it's raining out. you know those days when you have a million things going on and you think you'll never get through it? This is one of them. I'm glad I'm a morning person. It gives me a few minutes to myself to gather my thoughts, update my website, etc.

This is what my day looks like. 10:30 am Raymond gets here to discuss the Dinner Theatre that we're doing this summer. 11am, the rest of the cast arrives. At 2pm, I have 2 things going on and I don't know which I'm going to do or in which order. There is a baby shower for my cousin who is having twins and I really want to go, but there is also a concert going on almost next door to my house! It's for my friend Karine, a fiddle player, who is trying to raise money to study in Ireland. Those both finish at 5 and at 5:30, it's practice with the Chiquésa girls!

Lots of things that will be fun, I just wish they weren't all on the same day!!! Then there's the fact that there will probably be a party tonight. There are lots of great musicians around for the concert this afternoon, so everyone will be looking to jam tonight! So it's getting close to 8 am, better get the coffee on........

Anna

June 9th, 2006

2006-06-09T07:48:00.000-03:00

Hello to everyone who checks out my website from time to time. I am trying to be as efficient as possible with the site and the tune postings. Apologies for not having posted a tune on the seventh, but I posted 2 on the 8th! It was year end concert day for my students in Summerside and the day just got too busy. I am going to be making changes to the "Tunes" page.

You will now... or soon be able to link to tunes in groups by type of tune. I'm not posting alphabetically because I like that the new tunes are at the bottom of the list, so if you haven't been on the site for awhile, you can easily see what's new.

I am always open to comments and suggestions here on my Blog, or by email. Also, feel free to sign the guestbook on my site, I have lots of fun reading the entries. I get excited when I have a new post! Look for lots of shows to be posted on the "Schedule" page soon.