Tamara Podemski: journal

i've been terrible with the updates, i know. i should write more, especially because it helps me log all the special moments that sometimes fly by so quickly, i don't take enough time to savour them. last month, my EDWARD CURTIS family and i celebrated 7 jessie richardson theatre award nominations, including one for "outstanding performance by a female in a lead role" for my portrayal of tormented journalist, ANGELINE. we walked away with only 2, but it was so nice to be recognized for the heart, soul and imagination we put into that piece. you can check out the PHOTO GALLERY for pics from the show.

you can also check out the CALENDAR for upcoming concerts in los angeles and santa fe. i also have a CBC comedy special appearance coming soon, another dance piece in toronto, and some more fun stuff in the future, so i PROMISE to update the site and keep you posted.

happy summer!

xo

yes, i know. i suck at this regular entry thing, but, my heart is in the right place. the good news is that i'm in creation mode. making music, writing stories, choreographing pieces, but unfortunately my creation mode keeps me somewhat hidden from the world. hence, the long absence. so, here i am re-connecting and letting you know that i have concerts coming up in new mexico and some play readings coming up in LA. check out the CALENDAR for more info. xoxo

guten tag! i am so happy to be back in germany, continuing my native american workshops and sharing FOUR SHEETS TO THE WIND and DANCE ME OUTSIDE with more audiences. check the CALENDAR for venue details and program information. tchuss! tamara

i feel like an apology is in order. it's been way too long. almost 9 months to be exact. so much news i don't know where to begin. all i know is that i am finally catching up. finally updating my site. finally reconnecting. i hope you enjoy all the new editions - the look, the info, the multi-media. it took a long time to put together, but i wanted to give you a more entertaining experience, rather than just a place for news updates. a big newsletter is coming out shortly. stay tuned... as always, peace & love! t

After 3 months on the road, I'm finally settled back in LA and it actually feels good to be home. Especially after catching the big storm in Southern Ontario in November. Ah, winter! Well, I can't give too many details, but I will say that I have a very exciting project in the works. A ballsy show that I created with my sister, Jen. So, I'm just writing away, saying my prayers, and imagining success for our little project! Power to you all, wherever you are... T

I don't read reviews, but someone told me that the show had received some nice words. http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/515314

So happy to return to Toronto and be able to resume my dance classes and reunite with all my dancers (who have been dancing, non-stop since I left, right?) We have a great new studio this season at Dancemakers Centre for Creation. So come out, dare your body, challenge your mind, lift your spirit and DANCE with us!

Visit the website for more details:
http://homepage.mac.com/tamarapodemski
Or, join the group on FACEBOOK by searching for BODY ALIVE DANCE STUDIO.

Hope to see you on the dance floor!

T

After a long, weird pilot season in LA, I am ready to return to the stage (and Canada) to sing my heart out. Check out the CALENDAR for Ottawa and Yellowknife concert dates.

I'll be singing with a new bandmate, Jason Paige, who is lighting up my music with his crazy vocal tricks and beautiful energy.

Hope you enjoy the new sound...

T

I'm only in the first episode, so if you want to see me playing a Lene Lenape Medicine Woman in this new cop drama series, check out Global TV at 8pmET or FOX TV at 9pmET.

Enjoy!

I'm days away from the Spirit Awards here in Los Angeles. After what seemed to be the worst possible time to move here (due to the writer's strike), I am confident that I made the right choice. Nominations are really reassuring that way, I guess. Even with the hecticness of it all, I am enjoying the butterflies in my stomach every day. So grateful...

Here are some good links to check out about the awards:

http://filmindependent.org/spiritawards/index.php http://spiritawards.ifc.com/
xo

I'll be teaching ONE CLASS ONLY during my holiday visit to Toronto.

Sunday, December 23rd, 1-3pm
585 Yonge St, 2nd Floor
(N of Wellesley, E side of Yonge)
$15/class

I know there's other stuff going on in my life, but I"m still reeling from my Independent Spirit Award Nomination. Check out the website for more info:
http://www.filmindependent.org/spiritawards

Although I've been in Denver airport about a hundred times, this was my first time in the actual city and what a time to do it - during the National Congress of American Indian Conference. I just wanted to send a big thank you to Native Voice Film Fest for bringing me out there and an even bigger thank you to my new audience who showed their support through CD sales. Always a nice way to show love...Meegwetch!

On my way to San Fran (secretly, one of my favorite cities...do i say that about every city?). Anyway, I love this film fest - the AMERICAN INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL. I have been coming here for years and I always have a great time. Hope you can partake in the festivities, if you're in the Bay area.

xo

Too many sunny LA days have made me yearn for the cold wind of Canada. Luckily, I will get my relief this week when Karen and I perform a series of 3 concerts in Winnipeg. Check out the Manito Ahbee Music Fest http://www.manitoahbee.com. So many amazing artists, activities, celebrations. Hope to see you there!

xo

So great to go back to TO and show my director, Sterlin Harjo, why our city rocks. 815 people packing into a sold-out Bloor Cinema on opening night of imagineNATIVE!!! holy!!! winning BEST FEATURE FILM didn't hurt either.

so nice to feel that kind of love. that goes down as my best festival, yet. i know...i'm biased, but i don't care. that was wicked, toronto. thanks!

xo

I failed to write about my Santa Fe trip (which someone reminded me about in the guestbook), so I thought it best to pay tribute to Santa Fe as I traveled for my second time to the Southwest.

I think it was due to the amazing response I received at Native Rhythm & Roots Festival in Santa Fe that I sparked the interest of the Heard Museum folk. If it hadn't been for the greatest audience ever (especially the show at the Amphitheatre), and the eager buyers who made me sell out of my CDS, I don't think I would've snagged that next gig in Phoenix.

So...Santa Fe, I thank you! And thanks to the Heard Museum Folk (Wendy, in particular) for noticing.

As I leave the cactai behind and return to Toronto for the imagineNATIVE Film Fest, I cross my fingers and hope that someone else noticed and will want to bring me back to this beautiful desert.

xo

Finally, the two cities that I call home will finally get a chance to see my film. Check out the CALENDAR for more info.

There are still about 3 months left of touring with the film and then it will be released on DVD in December so the rest of the world can experience the magic...haha!

Aside from the triple-digit weather we just had here in LA, I'm still loving it and happy to call it home.

Hope you're enjoying your summer!

Tamara

Words cannot describe the beauty and love and generosity that I just experienced at the Hawai'inuiakea Film Festival in Honolulu. A baby festival, only in its 3rd year, but I hope to be a part of many more festivals to come. Or, I may just have to move there...lol.

Thanks to all who supported the films and the music.

xo

I am now a Californian! Happily so, but of course missing all the wonders and quirks of Toronto.

The Canadian in me can only deal with so many hot, beautiful days in a row, so I'm sure I'll be up north, sooner than later, to get my fill of rain and humidity.

There's already some stuff in the works, so stay tuned to the website for more Tamara-in-TO info.

xo

I'm happy to report that my band and I made a great impression at Mariposa and I managed to snag the front page photo of the "Orillia Packet & Times" from our Mainstage performance on Friday night. I also managed to mark a first for a debut artist, by breaking into the top 3 sellers for album sales that weekend. Thanks to all who came out for our very early concerts and who showed their love through CD sales. Your support is much appreciated!

Hope to do it again, next summer!

Hope to see some familiar faces this weekend at Mariposa! It's my last concert in Canada before my move to LA LA Land, so I'm gonna be singing my heart out!

Have a wonderful weekend wherever you are...

Peace & Love,

Tamara

After a month abroad from New York to Israel to Munich, I am finally returning home for my last concerts in Canada (for a while) at the Mariposa Folk Festival. Check out CALENDAR for dates/times.

Also, pick up a copy of Toronto Life's "Ultimate Guide to Summer Fun" for a very candid interview with my sister, Jen, and me.

More pics from Munich Film Festival to come...

the time has come and i'm leaving my favourite city in the world...my birthplace...my home. (what a sentimental suck i am!)

i feel great and i'm ready for the next chapter of my life. check out the calendar for my last canadian concerts at the MARIPOSA FOLK FESTIVAL in july, as well as my last BODY ALIVE class on the links page.

The FOX pilot I shot, NEW AMSTERDAM, got picked up and is part of the fall network line-up. Yay! I'll send details later about broadcast dates and times. Also, FOUR SHEETS TO THE WIND was accepted into the Munich Film Fest, where director, Sterlin Harjo, and myself will be in attendence. AND...I have my first NY concert in 2 weeks, so check out the calendar for details and come see my new NY band!!!