Interview: Christmas Romance/Hallmark/Ion Movie Writer Joany Kane - Hear About her Inspirations, On Writing Christmas Movies Before they Were Popular and Her Advice for all Aspiring Christmas Movie Writers

 By Suzanne Ordas Curry

As I am HUGE fan of Christmas movies, I had a lot of questions for prolific writer Joany Kane, whom I met after she gave a presentation at Christmas Con (by That's 4 Entertainment)  a few years back. I ask her about how she got started, about her very popular movie The Christmas Card and how she keeps churning out scripts that we all love to watch. I was fascinated to get inside her head to see what gets her going and after reading her memoir, I got to learn how she landed where she is now. And I must add that it was quite a joy to get to know her, it's no surprise that someone who writes movies with happy endings has a positive, rosy outlook on living life and was a joy to interview.

Suzee: We all love Christmas movies!! Tell me how you got started writing Christmas movies. 

Interview: Author Kelly Caleb Talks about Her Newest Children's Book Now Cow Helps Fighter Spider, and the Experience that Inspired this Series of Books to Help Children Be More Mindful

Kelly Caleb,  LCSW, MCAP is a licensed therapist and author on a mission to help children, Her book series, Now Cow, shows situations in life which help children deal with different and difficult decisions and choices. Read on to find out about her tragic life incident that inspired the series and about her newest book.

Suzee: You had quite an life experience that you turned into a positive. Tell us about how that inspired you to write this book series?

Artists/Creatives: Need some Motivation for 2022? Free Zoom Webinar by Life Coach Beth Handel with Actress Alysia Reiner will Give you the Boost You Need

A coaching and career workshop for creatives and artists by Life Coach Beth Handel with Actress/Producer Alysia Reiner will be held on January 20th, from 4-5pm via Zoom. Reserve your FREE spot here! THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED. Check her website for future events. 

Let’s face it -- life right now is STILL disrupted. Productions are being forced to cancel shows and go on hold, and personally dealing with the reality of what it means to work, parent, and live during a (what feels like never-ending) pandemic. Join Beth Handel (Executive Life Coach, Co-Founder of Handel Group and Inner.U) as she teams up with her client Alysia Reiner (SAG award winner for Orange Is The New Black, Better Things, upcoming Shining Vale), for a free no-holds-barred workshop designed to free you up and get you living your dreams, STAT. 

Sundance Film Festival is Virtual This Year: Get Your Tickets Before They Go

There's nothing like Sundance Film Festival in person, in the cold, in crowded but exhilarating Park City UTAH in the middle of winter. But, given the situation we're in now, it's virtual this year. This means, anyone can experience the excitement and culture of it online. Here's how to get tickets:

Emmy Winner Cady McClain Helms New York's Axial Theatre as Artistic Director, Taps Star Trek’s Darlene Tejeiro, Bosch’s Ingrid Rogers and True Detective’s Jon Lindstrom for Cactus Flowers, A Free Play Reading Jan 23rd, 2022

Three-time Emmy© winner Cady McClain has been tapped to be the new Artistic Director at Axial Theatre - a Westchester, NY based theatre company founded by playwright Howard Meyer known for developing and producing original plays in Westchester for over 20 years.  

Gold Standard Film Festival in New York City Hosts Kickoff Party with Richard Kind, Judy Gold, Mario Cantone, Brenda Vaccaro and Special Guests - Feburary 16, 2022 In Person

The Gold Standard Arts Festival will hold it's Kick-Off Party on February 16, 2022 at the Bernie Wohl Center at Goddard Riverside in New York City  at 6:30pm. This party launches the inaugural Gold Standard Film Festival. Scheduled to attend as special guests are Mario Cantone (Sex and the City, And Just Like That), Brenda Vaccaro (And Just Like That), Judy Gold (Awkwafina is Nora From Queens, Jim Gaffigan Show) and Richard Kind (The Goldbergs, Curb Your Enthusiasm).

The party will feature cocktails, light bites, an auction, music and mingling. It is hosted by Festival Directors Caytha Jentis and Eileen Katz, in partnership with Goddard Riverside's Community Arts Program. 

ONLINE AUCTION IS OPEN:
https://events.readysetauction.com/goddardriversidecommunitycenter/gold

Interview: American Master StoryTeller Jonathan Kruk - From The Legend of Sleep Hollow to A Christmas Carol and Everything In Between

Interview by Ashton Samson

Jonathan Kruk has become a legend in the tri -state area in his own right for his master storytelling of such legendary works as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and a Christmas Carol. Read on about how this former English professor became a sought-after storyteller in this time of electronics and bells and whistles. His style and exuberance captures the viewer's attention and leaves one asking what's next. Find out why.  

Ashton Samson: I understand that you grew up in Westchester County (a suburb of New York City).  Growing up in this area, what legends, stories, or surroundings might have inspired you to pursue your present career?