Magda Hiller: News

Hi there,

It's obviously been a while since I've updated my journal here. Where's my assistant? Help.

I've been performing at some choice festivals of late and more intimate listening venues and house concerts. Good times, seriously.

Between the music & performing I have become slightly obsessed with making recycled bottle cap necklaces. I have many scanned on my Facebook page if you'd like to see more. The inspiration is endless, I am a pig rolling in the proverbial mud pit from hell. Yee ha.

All is well, I am the luckiest person to have such wonderful family and people in my life. Now, if I could just learn how to be organized!

Love ~

 

My sister, superior cabinet maker, artist, writer, animal lover and humanitarian Nancy R. Hiller is in town (DeLand) and will be giving a lecture at Stetson University on Monday Feb. 22nd at 7pm. here is the press release (and I hope to see you there):

 

The Women and Gender Studies Program is pleased to announce “Sex in the Kitchen: Gender and the Development of Kitchen Furnishings in the Twentieth Century,” a lecture and conversation with professional cabinetmaker and writer Nancy Hiller. Hiller will speak on Monday February 22, at 7pm in Room 25 L at Stetson University. All welcome. Refreshments will follow. Cultural credit available for Stetson students. 

This illustrated presentation will discuss the origins and historical background of the contemporary American kitchen, considering how gender, advertising, and other influences have shaped its development. Hiller will also talk about her experience as a woman in a field traditionally occupied by men and will present several examples of kitchens she has designed for houses of various period styles, including Queen Anne, Tudor and Georgian Revivals from the '20s and '30s, and a mid-century modern ranch.

Hiller is based in Bloomington, Indiana. After earning a City & Guilds of London certificate in furniture making in 1980, she was employed by several custom woodworking shops in England and the United States. Since 1995 she has operated NR Hiller Design, Inc., a custom furniture and cabinetmaking business that specializes in period-authentic kitchen cabinetry, in addition to built-ins for other rooms. Her writing, furniture, and cabinet work have been published in several national periodicals, among them Fine Woodworking, Fine Homebuilding, American Bungalow, and Old-House Interiors. Her book, The Hoosier Cabinet in Kitchen History, was published by the Indiana University Press in 2009.

I hope this letter finds you in great spirits. 

I started the new year by losing my sweet friend, protector and dog of 14 years, Beaner Hiller Wilson, aka Beanie Wheenie Peepolini (his Italian name). 

I first saw Bean and his mom Nellie in Miami's design district, hairless, walking the streets. Nellie barely approaching people, begging for food with her eyes and cowering body, Beanie following behind, visibly afraid. I thought about them for 2 weeks and then returned to the design district to visit my friends Michelle and Steve at their photo gallery. There were Nellie and Bean on the street, I told Michelle I was going to take them home. 

Two hours later, after pinning Bean under a car to catch him and Steve rigging a comedic trap in order to catch Nellie, I had my two red mange and flea infested, hairless dogs! Yippee. 

They stayed at the vet for a week or so and then came home. I recall sitting in the garage with them staring at me, mess everywhere, thinking, "What the hell have I just gotten myself into?" I cried and called my mother saying, "It's like I have two children!" I would walk my hyena looking Nellie and giant eared Beaner in the upper middle class Skylake neighborhood, nervous that someone would haughtily ask what kind of dogs they were. I finally decided that Nellie would be a very rare 'Mongolian Hairless', (my own breed). 

They tore up all the plants in the back yard, dug holes, drove my boyfriend crazy. They grew hair and Nellie was gorgeous, with a long gold/red coat.

They lived on Drayton Island with my parents for some years while I did some touring, then back with me. I moved to St. Augustine and they were in heaven. We had a wonderful time, the three of us. Going to the soccer field near my apartment downtown, the dogs chasing each other, smiling, I can see both their faces. 

On one of my early dates with my husband Chip I was returning from a couple performances in South Florida and had the dogs with me. Chip let BOTH dogs sit on his sofa and I almost fell over. He scored out of the park with that move.

Neither dog ever showed much affection to anyone other than myself or my mother and father but during his last couple years Bean would actually walk up to Chip for a scratch. He even walked up to a very few select friends. Nellie died two years ago, they were wonderful dogs.

I can't believe how much I miss them. 

(Please excuse any grammatical errors)

 

I am venturing back to the bowels of South Florida for one show in February! It will be on Valentine's Day at The Downtowner in Ft. Lauderdale (ok, not quite the bowels). More to follow!!

Peace

 

Happy * Healthy * Prosperous * Calm * Organized, (please Lord, let me learn the fine art of organization) New Year to you all!

 

Love,

 

Magda 

La la la la la la la la....it's getting cooler.....la la la....please look at the Calendar page for what's goin on in the world of Magda!

Caliente baby!

I have been making bottle cap jewellery like a mad woman and slightly neglecting my internet duties...

That said, please check out the Cap Jewellery page and you'll see what I've been doing. The creative juices are overflowing.

Now that Chip, John, Dave, the Woodnight guys and I have redone the front porch, I can get go outside, prop open the case and start writing again. It is the most beautiful setting.

My 7 year anniversary to Mr. 'Fabulous' Chip Wilson has just passed. We're still locking each other out of cars, houses and supermarkets, so all is well. Wyatt is growing like a weed, her incredibly long legs have nothing to do with her mother, that's for sure. She is a great reader, artist and friend and is one stripe away from her 3rd belt in Kid-Jitsu!

Off to the next!!!!

Smile and say something nice to someone. You could make their day and yours when you see what it does.

Peace, love, health & happiness,

Magda

I wish you all a most healthy, happy, safe and prosperous year.

A few choice performances up and coming this year and more to follow...

I've started putting photos up of my bottlecap necklaces. Prices range from $15 ~ $30. I can do custom with photos of family, pets, anything! I am having the time of my creative life between making music and necklaces.

Love,

Magda

I'm sliding in here like a dog on ice.
October is travel month pour moi; Indiana for a long overdue sister visit and then California for Love Ride. Check out the Calendar Dates page for Love Ride info and check out www.Magdaphanalia.etsy.com to see another of my creative outlets. I am in the midst of uploading photos of my recycled jewelery which was a hit at my 1st craft show 2 weeks ago!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Love,

Magda

Please hug your loved ones. Google Dancing Matt, he will make you smile. Watching this guy made me sit back and breathe. A little something to take you away.

And now, about ME. Been doing more voice-overs lately than performances so am very excited to be back at The Mill Top this month. Come on over to St. Augustine and have a few cold ones, hang out and listen to your favorite Magda Hiller tunes!

July is for celebrating some family /friend birthdays, reordering all cd titles and writing...

Happy Birthday!!!

Nancy Hiller (www.nrhillerdesign.com)
Herb Hiller (www.floridaattheedge.com)
Frank Carmelitano
Bernard Hiller
Polly Wilson
Carly Gibran
Lisa Grant

...and all of you July birthdays

Summer's here and the time is right....(think of the tune)....

I hope you are enjoying your summer.
Been working a bit on some live tunes/living room video with Mr. Jack Shawde and hoping to have the last House Concert with Diane Ward, Jack and myself available on DVD in the not too distant future.

Love to all,

Magda

Hola,

My Mother.....(regarding Mother's Day), I think my Father put it best when he dedicated his last book to her, "For Mary Lee, without whom
nothing happens". How could he possibly have nailed that so well? She fixes the toilet or replaces the whole thing if need be because she
can, she is an amazing welder (this from many a man) and artist,
tackles electrical problems, cooks like a trained chef, drives a bush
hog and is a supreme Grandmother. I could say so much more but time is slim pickins right now, so much for the internet.
I am the person I am because of my Mother (and Father who believes
that these holidays were created by Hallmark) : )

Happy Mother's Day

Hello!

I cannot tell you how wonderful the people and settings of these past performances have been. March was one of my favorite months for new folks and venues. Clay Gallery in New Smyrna Beach * Gronto Springs in Dixie County performing for Paddle Florida (what an amazing experience) * The Larimer Theater in Palatka and the 1st Annual SteveFest (honoring late, great Steve Blackwell) at the beautiful Bayshore Live Oak Park in Charlotte Harbor - what an inspiring extended family.

And now...ta da ~ APRIL!


Saturday, April 5th, 2008
Will McLean Folk Festival
Magnolia Stage - 6pm
Withlacoochee Campground
Dunnellon, FL
United States
352-465-2167
Price: check http://www.willmclean.com
Duo performance with the awe inspiring Jack Shawde (http://jackshawde.com) on guitars. This festival is sweet* sweet* sweet* honoring "The Father of Florida Folk" Will McLean. Performers include Bill and Eli Perras, Grant Livingston, Doug Spears, Jim Carrick, Still Friends, Ashley Gang, Frank Thomas, Lis Williamson, Mindy Simmons, Amy Carol Webb, Rod MacDonald, Valerie C. Wisecracker James Hawkins, Peters Road Swamp Blues Band, Bob Patterson...this is a smidgeon of the fabulous talent showcased here at the new location in Dunnellon.

Sunday, April 6th, 2008
Will McLean Folk Festival
Cypress Stage - 1:30pm
Withlacoochee Campground
Dunnellon, FL
United States
352-465-2167
Price: check http://www.willmclean.com
Duo performance with the awe inspiring Jack Shawde (http://jackshawde.com) on guitars. This festival is sweet* sweet* sweet* honoring "The Father of Florida Folk" Will McLean. Performers include Bill and Eli Perras, Grant Livingston, Doug Spears, Jim Carrick, Still Friends, Ashley Gang, Frank Thomas, Lis Williamson, Mindy Simmons, Amy Carol Webb, Rod MacDonald, Valerie C. Wisecracker James Hawkins, Peters Road Swamp Blues Band, Bob Patterson...this is a smidgeon of the fabulous talent showcased here at the new location in Dunnellon.

Saturday, April 12th, 2008
EUROPEAN STREET CAFE - http://www.europeanstcafe.com In The Round - TBA
5500 Beach Blvd
Jacksonville, FL
United States
(904) 725-3929
Price: TBA

This is a first - Don Oja Dunaway is performing In The Round with Larry Mangum and yours truly - I CANNOT WAIT, this is going to be such a wonderful evening of entertainment GUARANTEED!

Sunday, April 13th, 2008
VFW Post 4250
Relay for Life - 2pm
TBA
New Smyrna Beach, FL
United States
Price: TBA

Relay for Life Cancer Benefit. Please come and support these wonderful folks who have fought for our country, as they raise money for the fight against cancer.

Friday, April 18th, 2008
MIll Top Tavern - http://www.milltop.com Solo Performance - 9pm
19 1/2 St. George Street
St. Augustine, FL
United States
904-829-2329
Price: $2

Back at 'The Top' in the oldest city in the US - St. Augustine!

Saturday, April 19th, 2008
MIll Top Tavern - http://www.milltop.com Solo Performance - 9pm
19 1/2 St. George Street
St. Augustine, FL
United States
904-829-2329
Price: $2

Night #2 at 'The Top' in the oldest city in the US - St. Augustine!

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008
Blue Spring State Park
St. John's River Classroom - Entertainment - evening
Blue Spring State Park
Orange City, FL
United States
386-467-8223
Price: Please go to: http://www.stjohnsriveralliance.com for details or call the number listed.

Solo performance on the 2nd evening of the Inaugural St. John's River Classroom April 22-25, Blue Spring State Park Orange City, FL.

Happy Spring

Happy New Year!

We're rockin and rollin here making things happen! New cd coming, new fun swag; my friend Matt has dubbed 'Magdaphanalia', I laughed and continue to do so : )

Please check out the calendar dates page, there are some interesting performances upcoming. Including one with my father, acclaimed travel writer Herb Hiller on January 19th.

Be safe, healthy, happy and say something nice to the person behind the counter : )

Love,

Magda

New adventures abound though I still have a huge problem with procrastination. I will update as soon as I have the appropriate info on January and beyond. Soon!

Happy New Year to you.
Drive safely, be happy and say something nice to the person behind the counter : )

My my my, where to begin?

First I must start with a big HELLO to all the new folks from
Washington State who signed up on the list! You are insanely cool people with giant hearts who know how to have fun. I loved my time
with you and my Menzels at Seabrook (I'm looking at a picture of
Darci, Robin and Holly). The hiking, the beautiful beach, the fire pit, leftover seafood from your amazing 4th of July bash, Mr. Wacky, and all of the wonderful families. Thank you for returning the Menzels to us, the neighborhood just isn't the same without them : )


Chip, Wyatt and I just returned from Jamaica where we had the best of times at the FDR in Runaway Bay (www.fdrholidays.com). It could not have been better. Some pictures are already up on the web site and more will follow.

Happy summer, be safe, courteous and healthy.

Love,

Magda

Julio's niece Aris Julie Home was found! Thank you for passing on the info and contributing to this fantastic outcome!

JUNE

To the tune of "South Park" -

'Goin out to Washington gonna have myself a time...on the plane, havin fun with Linden, stuffing guitars in the overhead. Goin out to Washington gonna leave the fam behind...better make sure I find a pink kitty and a funky t.shirt from Wacky's Warehouse.' Doesn't work you say? I tried.

Please check out the gigs and meet me out there!

Peace,

Magda

My friend Julio has sent out an e mail to please keep an eye open for his niece 'Aris Julie Home' who has been missing from Royal Palm Beach, FL since April 24th, 2007. I am posting her flyer on my photos page as well as on my myspace photos. Please check it out and pass it on if you would.

I hope you all have a safe and beautiful month.

Love,

Magda

Folks, I was just flicking through the site, adding a new bit of press and clicked on this 'news' page and was horrified. November '06 was my last entry! "Yee Gods", as my ex brother-in-law used to say.

Here we are in April (half way through) of 2007 and so many fab stories have slipped by the wayside. The most recent being last weekend's South Florida performances. The Luna Star Cafe on Friday the 6th was a complete blast, even with the a/c on the fritz. Jack was so smoking on the guitar that night that the heat in there was trippled. Diane's drumming and percussion were perfect and every time she chimmed in with harmony vocals it was like angels had come down from heaven (and I am not the uber religious type). I saw people I hadn't seen in many (many) years and Robert Stolpe was there, snapping like the wild man he is with that gigantic camera. This was his post Who concert 'gig for fun'. The guy is amazing and I am really looking forward to his shots.

Saturday night was magical with the reunion Songwriters-in-the-Round with Diane Ward, Marianne Flemming, Jack Shawde and myself. Dave Cambest from Glades Edge House Concerts really went all out, it was super sweet. It's amazing how you can remember harmonies from 10 years ago just like you'd sang them yesterday. There were many times that night that I was completely taken away by the music and what everyone was doing. We made a lot of new friends.
Have to run...Miss Wyatt has just awakened from her nap.

There is so much more so I must hope to come back and keep this thing going!

xxx Magda

Here we are in November and the below 80 degree weather has now set in, it's chilly.

The nice folks over at Songwriters Showcase of America have bestowed upon me the award for 'Best Female Solo Act 2006' so I am passing this news onto you! Also Music DeLand named me 'Artist of the Month' for November! That's the most recent excitement here other than some pretty sweet upcoming performances. Please check out the calendar page.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families and thank YOU for checking in and for your support.

Love,

Magda

Hello Folks!

It is the 1st and here I am writing within the acceptable time frame.
This is going to be a superb month, I can feel it in the air. As my father would say, "I felt the first zephers of fall." How Floridian of me to say that 80 plus degrees is quite comfortable when there is a light breeze.
I have some very exciting performances coming up with my favorite players Jack Shawde (jackshawde.com) and Diane Ward (dianeward.com). Please check the 'Calendar' for details about A Third Place and the Daytona Beach Bandshell and definitely check out Jack and Diane's web sites, these two are most impressive.
Also the Thursday night Open Mic at Caffe da Vinci is swinging hard these days with some super acts so come on out and participate or see what's going on in downtown DeLand.
Be safe and I look forward to seeing you out at a show.
xxx Magda

It's already started with a bang and some wildness left over from July.
I have some really sweet upcoming dates to share, including hosting Central Florida's hippest open mic at DeLand's own eclectic and soulful Caffe da Vinci every Thursday. I'll be at the Mill Top Tavern in St. Augustine, FL as well as Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, GA and coming in September the Daytona Beach Bandshell and A Third Place in Eustis. Please check out the Calendar page for complete information.

Wishing you a great month,

Magda

Happy birthday to you............. sister Nancy, father Herb, uncle Bernie, Frank Carmelitano (like brother), sister-in-law Polly and....friend Lisa Grant.


The news thus far is that hurricane season is upon us (did I mention that last month?) and I keep purchasing supplies but have a problem keeping them in the house. Oreo cookies, chips, bottled water, I dunno it's just really hard to keep it all in the 'Hurricane cupboard' where it belongs. Maybe it's because those items are not normally found in this house, thus our child-like little hands can't keep away. Now, the batteries are all here and accounted for but that's about it.

Please check out the calendar dates page for the upcoming shows and if you haven't yet purchased a copy of the new cd "Icing on the Cake" please feel free to do so from this very web site! The cd is doing really well and the response has been fantastic.

Happy July and safe travels please,

Magda

Hello there all,

A minimal month on the performance front here...however

Happy Birthday to:
Marianne Flemming! Dede Hubsch! Chip Wilson!!! Maidel Barrett! Magda Hiller!

Other than that, thank you in abundance to those of you who showed up and supported the cd release of Icing on the Cake - it was a complete success!!! Hope to see you at one of the upcoming shows.