Local publishing company, Community Publishing announces the release of their 4th multimedia children’s book: the bilingual offering, Janie and the Hummingbird. The book release is scheduled for Saturday, May 28 beginning at 1:30 at the Cell Theatre. The book release event will include live music, percussion lessons for kids, a petting zoo and other children’s activities. Visit the Event Page for detailed information.
Janie and the Hummingbird is the brainchild of artist/musician/educator Seth Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman, a Wisconsin native, is a Fulbright Scholar having conducted research in New Zealand pertaining to integrating the arts into the curriculum. Mr. Hoffman plays solo and in the Temporary Tattoos. He tours the country regularly as a soloist.
Seth Hoffman has been writing and performing music for more than 17 years. As a college student in Madison, WI, Seth played the local coffee house and folk scene. When he was 21, he backpacked around Europe and was a street musician in Amsterdam, Prague, London, Paris, Venice and Barcelona.
Community Publishing brings local artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as multimedia eBooks while promoting literacy in our communities. They specialize in multimedia books available in digital and print.
What’s that apparatus, for determining our status,
Are we happy and joyous, or does everything annoy us?
What are we expecting, if we’re not really connecting,
I’m just tired of looking at a screen, so tired of looking at a screen.
When you talk for a while, ask folks about their day,
And help each other out along the way,
How can we lift our spirits, does anybody know?
Well you can start by saying hello. Start by saying hello.
Democrats, Republicans, for whichever team you root,
In paint covered overalls or a pristine suit,
We all need clean water, we all need clean air,
Let’s come together everybody everywhere.
Let’s come together everybody everywhere.
Hey there, how you doing? It’s a pleasure to be here,
I always come in peace, there’s nothing to fear.
I traveled all this way to open up my mind,
And see the ways I’ve been blind, see the ways I’ve been blind.
The media paints a picture, to make you a big spenda,
So read between the lines, ‘cause there’s clearly an agenda,
They get so excited, trying to make us so divided,
But I’m not buying that, no I’m not buying that.
Don’t make your decision, from what you watch on television,
It’s different on a screen, most people aren’t really that mean.
When you travel across the land, you start to understand,
That we’re all on the same side, yes, we’re all on the same side.
Community Publishing has published Seth’s bilingual, multimedia children’s book, more info here.
Book Release scheduled for May 28, 2016 1:30 – 4:30, the Cell Theatre, more info here! Please join us!
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Seth Hoffman
Community Publishing has published a Multimedia Book (available in digital and print editions) written and Illustrated by Seth Hoffman titled, Janie and the Hummingbird. Seth is a musician, artist and educator based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Follow his adventures here every Tuesday. Seth returned from a 6 month assignment on a Fulbright Scholarship in Wellington, New Zealand. Read all about his adventures in pursuit of learning/teaching about the integration of the arts into the classroom HERE.
Live every day as if it were the last,
Because before you know it, time goes past,
And life’s just not that long.
Tell all you love that you love ‘em so,
Because even if you do, you might not know,
And one day we’ll all be gone.
Taste the wind, don’t let it blow on by,
Sing songs of love, let the music get you high
And when it’s said and done, you know the sun’ll shine on.
Learn all you can from the folks you meet,
Though they might be strange and sleep on the street,
But in some ways we all are wise.
Give all your thoughts a fighting chance,
Ask your fears and doubts, “Would you like to dance?”
And open up your eyes.
See the world, and let the world see you.
Take the time to love the things you do,
And you’ll hear it when you’re spirit starts to rise.
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Seth Hoffman
Community Publishing has published a Multimedia Book (available in digital and print editions) written and Illustrated by Seth Hoffman titled, Janie and the Hummingbird. Seth is a musician, artist and educator based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Follow his adventures here every Tuesday. Seth returned from a 6 month assignment on a Fulbright Scholarship in Wellington, New Zealand. Read all about his adventures in pursuit of learning/teaching about the integration of the arts into the classroom HERE.
Community Publishing is excited to announce the pre-sale for our next bilingual multimedia children’s book, Janie & the Hummingbird! Written and Illustrated by Musician/Artist/Educator Seth Hoffman, Narrated by Carol Anda, the book will be available in digital and print versions.
In Janie & the Hummingbird, Janie is a little girl with wonderful powers that allow her to communicate with animals. Seth weaves music, mystery and whimsical illustrations into a story of wonder that your children will enjoy every time they experience it.
*****
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Diversity in Children’s Books: My Motivation by Alex Paramo
Community Publishing was founded on a dollar and a dream, or something like that. Well, not exactly. There were two main motivating factors, equally as important: equity for artists of all mediums and the lack of diversity found in children’s books. I will not delve into the former here, suffice to say that it is still a primary motivator.
As it concerns diversity in children’s books, or lack thereof, I have previously written on this topic and will avoid covering the same ground. I must reemphasize the dearth of people of color in children’s books in every facet of the industry: Authors, Illustrators, Protagonists.
Whet Moser’s article, Diversity in Children’s Books Is Hard to Find—But Important, got me thinking about a point I overlooked in my first article which is the fact that, “Picture books are among the first representations of the broader world that we see. And they are introduced at a critical time.” Indeed folks in the publishing industry know the importance and value of a cover.
Independent Bookstores
Community Publishing recently teamed up with the independent bookstore, Bookworks Albuquerque for a celebration of Samuel’s Story, our latest multimedia children’s book featuring an African American Author (Hakim Bellamy), Illustrator (Melvin Mayes), Music Producer (Roscoe Floyd aka DJ Flo Fader) and protagonist (Samuel). As my daughter Marisol (voice of Princess Marisol of Princess Marisol & the Moon Thieves) browsed around the bookstore, I wondered if she see saw lots of faces on the books that looked like hers? Probably not, but this is part of our team – and here is our plan:
Princess Marisol & the Moon Thieveswritten by yours truly (latino/mestizo) featuring a Native American/Chicana/Latina main character with Juancho, Mato, the Wise Woman and Metzli the moon rounding out the multicultural cast. Narrated by Jackie Zamora (Peru) and Music by Matias Pizzaro (Chile) and Juan Carlos Ramirez (El Salvador).
Samuel’s Story features an all African American creative production team, an African American protagonist and multicultural characters in an urban setting.
The forthcoming Janie & the Hummingbird written by Artist/Musician/Educator Seth Hoffman is a bilingual story about a Hummingbird stuck inside a school library.
The forthcoming Bella the Caterpillar is bilingual and was written by a 7 year old girl (Native American/Chicana/Latina). It is set in the Carribean, narrated by Raquel Rivera (Puerto Rico) and including children voice actors, with music by Christian Orellana (Peru).
The forthcoming Places I’ve Been was written by Educator Alexandra Villegas (Latina) and features wildlife from the various states that Ms. Villegas has lived in.
The forthcoming Princess Marisol & the Portal is the sequel to Princess Marisol & the Moon Thieves. features the characters mentioned above and includes Keith Sanchez as the Music Director.
Overall the publishing industry itself is terribly underrepresented. At Community Publishing we pride ourselves in the diversity, our Founder’s are myself and Yvette Sandoval (Chicana), as well as our creative talent and books! Please consider our books, available in digital and print. Together we can make books more colorful/culturally diverse and therefore more reflective of the country and world at-large. Find our books here.
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As the Rail Yards Market’s 2nd Season comes closer to a close we reflect upon one of the many participants of the RYM that make it the wonderful event that it is: our Growers! Sunday, Oct 18 they celebrate the Harvest, focusing attention to the crucial service our local food growers play in our community. Here is a quick rundown of what they are doing:
STEAM Zones:
In the Live Art Zone the folks at Erda Gardens will have a presentation on how to make seed balls.
Also in the Children’s Zone, kids will participate in a seed matching game where the kids have seeds, produce and pictures of plants and the kids try to match them and find all three stages of growth for the same fruit or vegetable.
Main Stage entertainment will be lead by Doug Hoelbinger. Also the Tap City Kids of Albuquerque, Sazlar and Seth Hoffman with The Temporary Tattoos.
We have met many wonderful folks from all walks of life at the Rail yards Market. We hope that we have touched you the same way you all have touched us with your generosity, caring, support and friendship! I hope you join us in planting the seeds of kindness into all of our community members. See You Sunday!
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Community Publishing brings local artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as Multimedia Books while promoting literacy in our communities.
It has been said that, “children, marriages, and flower gardens reflect the kind of care they get” (H. Jackson Brown). When it comes to kids too many folks spend their time planning for tomorrow rather than attending to today. A child lives in the present, they are the ultimate receptors and have a natural inclination for stimulation.
At the Rail Yards Market, they are committed to building the future by appreciating the present moments with our kids. Therefore we have plenty of exciting, stimulating activities and entertainment planned for you on Kids Day at the RYM!
Kids Powered STEAM
In the Kids Zone will feature the fine folks from the Fractal Foundation. They will be teaching kids (and adults) about what fractals are, what they are used for, and how they are made. Come on down and make your very own fractal!
In the Arts Zone they will feature Dara Saville who is the founder and primary instructor of the Albuquerque Herbalism bioregional herbal studies program. She is also the founder and director of the Yerba Mansa Project focusing on restoring native plants to the Bosque and providing educational outreach about the Bosque’s ecological importance to native plants and animals. She has an MS in Geography of the Southwest and is a graduate of Dr. Tierona Low Dog’s Foundations of Herbal Medicine Program. Find out more at www.albuquerqueherbalism.com.
Entertainment
Sweet sounds will be emanating from the Main Stage of the Rail Yards Market featuring the multi-talented Educator/Artist/Writer/Musician Seth Hoffman. Community Publishing will be publishing Seth’s bilingual multimedia book titled Janie & the Hummingbird (click link for more info). The book will feature music, art and literature from Seth’s imagination! Seth’s eclectic sounds and positive vibe is appropriate for kids of all ages: take a listen!
For the Rail Yards Market complete entertainment schedule please click here and use the calendar to navigate.
“What day is it?”
It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
My favorite day,” said Pooh.”
— A.A. Milne
Be present, be there with your kids in the trenches of their messy bedrooms, playing with them as they sift through their limitless imaginations. They are our best chance to truly change the future in a positive way! See You Sunday!
*Winnie the Pooh image is the property of A. A. Milne via the Disney Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
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Community Publishing brings local artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as Multimedia Books while promoting literacy in our communities.
Community Publishing proudly presents Janie & the Hummingbird, a bilingual (English and Spanish) multimedia book by Educator, Artist, Musician and Poet, Seth Hoffman. In this story, Janie is a little girl with wonderful powers that allow her to communicate with animals. Seth weaves music, mystery and whimsical illustrations into a story of wonder that your children will enjoy every time they experience it.
Sign up for our mailing list at below for release dates, giveaways and more!! #DiversityInChildrensBooks. Community Publishing brings local artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as Multimedia Books while promoting literacy in our communities.
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Over the past month I’ve had the good fortune to be a part of so much music. It’s been my experience that music can do a world of good. I’ll begin by telling about what I’ve been doing in the schools here in Wellington.
Sometimes I visit a class or school only one time. I ask about their connection with music. “What’s your favorite song to hear?” “Does anyone in your family play an instrument?” “Do you like to sing?” “Who is your favorite musical artist or group?”
Music Conversations
We may go off on a brief tangent on any of these topics, and then I start playing a song. Often times I begin with “The Color Song.” The first part of this song I sing to them. Then, I sing the song again, and everybody helps create new verses.Finally, we all sing the new song altogether. I tell you, and it’s good fun, and it can really bring the room together.
Sometimes I play “The Color Song” on the Strumstick. I then give a brief background about myself, and the role music has played in my own life. I share how I used to be very much an introvert. I was quite shy, and I did’t connect easily with people or new situations. Music has helped me come outside of my head.
I share about how music takes down walls. Normally when we walk down the street, we typically don’t interact with strangers.
It might even feel a little bit strange or threatening if a stranger strikes up a conversation with you out of the blue. When we add a musical instrument into the equation, that wall often comes magically down.
Instrumental Role Playing
I do a role playing activity where I have one student pretend to walk past another another down the street. First, this is done with no instrument. Then they repeat the same activity where one or both will have an instrument.
Music has been part of almost every culture since the beginning of time. It’s not surprising that it “resonantes” with so many people. We talk about the different parts to a song. We listen to a song and identify the:
Next, I demonstrate building a song using the loop pedal. I start with a beat to set the rhythm. Then, I add a basic chord progression. Next, I add a simple melody. I might add some different sounds and layers to give the song texture and set the mood. Finally, with the help of the group, we add some words.
Here’s a video of me doing some song building in a bar in Wellington. I do basically the same thing in classes, though the song topic and lyrics may vary.
Collaboration
I am so impressed at the way that students are able to work together, collaborate, listen to each other, and present their creations. Some students who don’t typically get to shine became the stars of the class. Students who might not normally work together discovered that they could make incredible sounds together. Everybody got to be included, and everyone could participate in a way they felt comfortable and successful.
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Seth Hoffman
Community Publishing will be publishing a Multimedia Book written and Illustrated by Seth Hoffman titled, Janie and the Hummingbird. Seth is a musician, artist and educator based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Follow his adventures here every Tuesday.
I’ve been a busy fella here in Wellington. I’m going to try and sum up the past few weeks in this entry. The focus of today’s blog entry is “connections.” You never know where, what, or who one connection will lead to. When I first arrived in Wellington, I was lucky enough to stay in the apartment of Fulbright Alumni Malcolm McKinnon.
Through Malcolm, I met his wonderful friend Keith. After telling Keith that I am seeking out musical outlets and community, he connected me with his friend Patricia, who is part of a ukulele club. Here is a little clip of the magic that happens here.
This group is facilitated by the talented, hardworking, encouraging, and inspirational Shane McAlister. He is a musical soul brother of mine. He spreads joy through teaching and performing music to the world.
Check out his sweet ride.
Now that’s what I call arriving to the gig in style.One day I was walking down the road to find a nice place to do some busking (playing music on the street).
I found a nice place to play by the water. This lady approached me and told me I could not play there. She pointed to some places not far away that I was allowed to play music. I thanked her, and we got to talking. She detected my accent (yes I have an accent, I was quite excited to learn this) and asked what I was doing here in New Zealand. I explained that I am here to look at the role of music and the arts in education. She told me about her son and his work with teaching Maori and Kapa Haka.
Kapa Haka
Kapa Haka is the term for Māori performing arts and literally means to form a line (kapa) and dance (haka). Kapa haka is an avenue for Maori people to express and showcase their heritage and cultural Polynesian identity through song and dance. So, I connected with her son Matiu. I contacted Matiu over Facebook and explained who I am and what I’m doing (and that I met his mother).
I asked if I might sit in on some of his classes. He told me to meet him outside the Paekakariki train station a few days later, and I could accompany on a full day of teaching.
Ticket to Ride
I got my train ticket to Paekakariki (about an hour ride north of Central Wellington). As you may know or remember about the “hongi” from my earlier blog entry: A hongiis a traditional Māorigreeting in New Zealand. It is done by pressing one’s nose and forehead (at the same time) to another person at an encounter.It is used at traditional meetings among Māori people and on major ceremonies and serves a similar purpose to a formal handshake in modern western culture, and indeed a hongi is often used in conjunction with one.
In the hongi, the ha (or breath of life), is exchanged and intermingled. The breath of life can also be interpreted as the sharing of both party’s souls.
He taught hongi to some students. The students are very respectful and the connection they have with each other is beautiful. It was powerful to see these kids doing Kapa Haka.
Between classes, I met the school principal who told me to feel free to walk around and check out the campus. He encouraged me to look at the school garden. I was curious to see how it compared with our lovely garden at Mountain Mahogany Community School.
I met these great kids who gave me a tour of the garden. They snacked on various plants (just like the kids at MMCS). After a full day of teaching students,
Matiu was asked to present at the staff meeting to teach some Maori to the teachers. The teachers and principal really wanted to improve their Maori pronunciation and understanding.
This man is a hard worker, a talented musician and teacher, and he is really passionate about what he does.
These schools are truly fortunate to have him working with their community.
Connecting Opportunities
My Fulbright host family is the couple Bill and Sally Barrett. Sally happens to be the wonderful principal at Wadestown School. She welcomed me to do some musical activities with some classes here.
Another connection I made is with the advisor or my fellow Fulbrighter, Shahnaz. His name is Bruce Carey. He’s not only a great professor, but he’s also a great songwriter and performer.
Through Bruce, I met this other talented singer/songwriter/guitarist Chris Moses.
Bruce is the person who told me about the great open mic at The Fringe Bar, which led to my first New Zealand gig. Both Bruce and Chris opened for me at the Fringe Bar on Friday March 13th 2015.
I’ll end this entry here for now. Stay tuned for some more photos and video clips of the culture here in Welllington, New Zealand. I’ll be visiting several more schools these next couple weeks.For now, won’t you join me in some delicious gelato?
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Seth Hoffman
Community Publishing will be publishing a Multimedia Book written and Illustrated by Seth Hoffman titled, Janie and the Hummingbird. Seth is a musician, artist and educator based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Follow his adventures here every Tuesday.
Curated by Mary Ann Gilbreth, Ed.D., Department of Teacher Education, Educational Leadership and Policy, at the University of New Mexico. This collections includes the work of her students from several of her Reading Methods Classes, promoting cultural diversity in the classroom.
Local publishing company, Community Publishing announces the release of their 4th multimedia children’s book: the bilingual offering, Janie and the Hummingbird. The book release is scheduled for Saturday, May 28 beginning at 1:30 at the Cell Theatre. The book release event will include live music, percussion lessons for kids, a petting zoo and other children’s activities. Visit the Event Page for detailed information.
Janie and the Hummingbird is the brainchild of artist/musician/educator Seth Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman, a Wisconsin native, is a Fulbright Scholar having conducted research in New Zealand pertaining to integrating the arts into the curriculum. Mr. Hoffman plays solo and in the Temporary Tattoos. He tours the country regularly as a soloist.
Venice and Barcelona.
This group is facilitated by the talented, hardworking, encouraging, and inspirational Shane McAlister. He is a musical soul brother of mine. He spreads joy through teaching and performing music to the world.
Kapa Haka is the term for 
Matiu was asked to present at the staff meeting to teach some Maori to the teachers. The teachers and principal really wanted to improve their Maori pronunciation and understanding.
