Neil Gaiman Auidobook contest : Help me win*

Well Lovelies I have been on an extraordinary adventure but I return back to the USA next week and am already gearing up for new projects.

I could really use your help on this one!

Please vote for me to be the voice for Neil Gaiman's Audiobook "American Gods." Everyone can vote 1 x per day and I only need 400 more votes to be in the finals.

Help me out*


Username:snapdragon

Thanks so much*

xo

-=ali*

Jupiter

I feel like a wave pulling my gown of sea tendrels from the bottom of the ocean so that i may step up these stairs and then release it to the ground. Release and let go of any uncessary rubbish, to stop holding all things as treasures, minimize, seek openess.

Walk into uncharted territory of my own existance. Explore inspiration and create a holding space for the new. A mental upgrade. A moment in time. A glimpse to the future. An homage to the past.

LIfe in the City of Life

My adventures keep me busy. Far flung and starry-eyed I explore the world one step at a time. From swirling whirls of vision to white blanketing clouds of dust Ive been ingesting the land one hue at a time.








I feel honored to have kept the best company in the passing year of 2010 I feel like I found a secret level on this video game of life.

Ali is performing Fire with Copal at Lost Circus this Saturday night!!

Come Join us for the dark cabaret steampunky fun!!

Mermaid Lagoon: A Benefit for The Oceanic Preservation Society & The Gulf Coast

Once upon a time, in a blue lagoon not so far from New York City, there lived a village full of beautiful Mermaids. Famous for their dangerous beauty and bewitching songs, these mermaids were known the world over for their charms and talents used for pulling sailors to their doom beneath the waves. Legend tells that for one night in the deep of summer their lagoon is safe for mortal travelers. They ask only that you make an offering to The Sea, and dance with them...

On Saturday, July 24th, an alluring and eclectic group of all-female performers will come together for one night only at The House of Yes for the "Mermaid Lagoon" ocean benefit. Funds will go directly to The Oceanic Preservation Society (creators of the Oscar winning documentary "The Cove”) and to Gulf Coast clean-up efforts.
Kai Altair will perform songs from her solo EP release: Star of The Sea, and the night will also include spellbinding performances by burlesque beauty Veronica Varlow, Ali Luminescent (Coney Island's Best Mermaid 2009), tribal belly dance by Desert Sin, and sea-themed aerial and glass walking performances by members of Lady Circus. The evening will feature a bio-luminescent lagoon full of bellydancing mermaids and handmade tropical drinks, with DJ Joey Nova spinning a special cocktail of new wave and electro-bellydance all night long.

Those who cannot attend are encouraged to send donations HERE. http://tinyurl.com/mermaidlagoon
Donations over $10 will receive 5 tickets to the night's raffle.


Date: Saturday, July 24, 2010
Time: 9PM
ALL AGES

Venue:
The House of Yes
342 Maujer St.
Brooklyn, NY
Subway: Take the L Train to Grand St.

Performers:
Kai Altair
Veronica Varlow
Cassandra Rosebeatle and Ali Luminescent of Lady Circus
Desert Sin

Luminescent Underwater Life Installations by Gregory Skolozdra
Music by Joey Nova

Tropical Mixology by Love Girl

Dress: Sea Siren, Pirate, Glow-fish, Water Nymph, Sea Captain, Dolphin
Tickets: $15/advance $20/door
Buy Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/116650

http://www.facebook.com/lamiadesign#!/event.php?eid=126873827350172&ref=ts

A Benefit For: The Oceanic Preservation Society (http://www.opsociety.org/ Creators of Oscar winning documentary "The Cove"), and Gulf Coast clean up efforts.
**Mermaid Lagoon is not affiliated in any manner with the Oceanic Preservation Society or any of its programs, projects or websites


--

Honored and excited!

This past weekend I had the honor of getting to meat Mark Ryden (pun intended) at his opening of The Gay 90's Old Thyme Meat Show.

Above photo from Butterfly of Juxtapoz Magazine and I also received a sweet lil write up from W Magazine http://www.wmagazine.com/w/blogs/editorsblog

So much fun!!

The following night I had the honor to show for Papusza Couture. . . on stilts. . . on a trapeze! Her work is hauntingly beautiful. If you havent had a chance to check it out by all means go see http://www.papuszacouture.com/




Photo by Ali Schmitz

And Wow it has been a busy year thus far my goodness. I had a really great time working with Zine Brown of Thousand Names Productions being an Earth goddess in his upcoming release "Hidden Sister" which Miss Kai Altair (www.kaialtair.com) sings on as well. Joined by super rockstars Sera Solstice, Nicotine, Abby Hertz, Veronica Varlow and Anya Sapakovnova. Cant wait til this one comes out folks. It will surely be a treat.


Photo By Justin Aubuchon, Costume by Kae Burke


Yay much love and creation*

-=ali*

End of an Era

Here i sit closing down St. Vincent Hospital with dreams of Indonesia washing in and out of mind. Not quite as intended it to go, never is, but truly excited for the time, availability, possibility, and adventures that lie ahead.

Already choregraphing new numbers to skills i havent even acquired yet for songs ive recently fallen in love with. Cant wait for what the future holds.




xoxo

-=ali*

Brian and Wendy Froud at Books of Wonder

Wow. That was quite incredible. To meet Brian froud a man that so vividly shaped my ability to believe that there is so much more than meets the eye. Super magic time. Beyond belief inspiration growing from seeds spread so far and wide. A man so willing to indulge on the insurmountable attempt to describe the energy around us everyday. Totally moving buzzing goose bump inducing as he looked at both and kai at the same time--an eye on each of us. So incredible. So foward thinking so surprised by his own answers it was tickling to watch him surprise himself and wendy's hair glistened and sparkled In the most brilliant way as she kept a close eye scheckobg to see if she should reel him in a bit. Precious. Outstanding. Powerful. Influential. And enlightening.

 I must say, I do believe. 



Xo

-=ali*

The Wonderneath- Presale Tickets on Sale Now

With the new year comes new ambitions! Please join us for my newest project*

The Wonderneath- A Circus Theatre Adventure


Ali Schmitz, the creative force crowned Coney Island's Best Mermaid 2009, presents her newest creation, "The Wonderneath," featuring the charming Kai Altair and powerful jazz and blues stylings by Tin Pan.

“The Wonderneath” is a triumphant tale pushing the boundaries of imagination and circus skills (aerial acrobatics, fire performance, puppetry, dance, and more) to complete a story of curiosity and possibility. Set in turn-of-the-century New York City, “The Wonderneath” explores the otherworldly lair rumbling below the city's surface, where steam energy has seeped through granite and crystal, fractalized, and created a dimension where all that is wondered comes to be.

Watch this magical world be discovered and brought to life by Hailey, played by Kai Altair, as she brings the audience with her deep into the Wonderneath and along for the ride of this turbulent adventure. From a fiery soothsayer to man-eating snapdragons to the high-flying queen of the underbelly, this tale has a little something for everyone.

Be dazzled by performances from Claire de Luxe, Jordann Baker, Ali Luminescent, and Ellie Mio of Lady Circus, Ateles Aerial, Renata of Desert Sin and Alchemy Dance Theater, Bex Fabulous, and Flaming Jewel.

Feb. (fri/sun) 26, 28
March (thurs/fri/sat) 4,5,6

Presale tickets $15 at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/97218 // $20 at the door
Event Listing: http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=wonderneath&init=quick

Doors at 8pm show at 9pm

Come early for snacks and surprises
plus an additional matinee show on march 6 (closing day) time tbd

House of Yes
342 Maujer St
Brooklyn, NY
L to Grand
(Between Morgan and Waterbury)
www.houseofyes.org

. . . : : : Expect magic, mayhem, sparkles and more : : : . . .

http://www.alischmitz.com
http://www.KaiAltair.com
http://tinpanbluesband.com/
http://www.ladycircus.com
http://www.desertsin.com
http://www.artevolve.org

Day to Day

Hello folks in the day to day I have been dreaming up new ways to make a name for myself and most notably, pay my loans from graduate school quicker. It has turned out that despite it awarding me a life of fun and amazing adventures. .. i do actually feel burdened by the amount of digits following the dollar sign on my monthly statement.

Sooo I have resolved to start busking. I will be busking a few times a month in public parks and I hope to see you there. I also hope this will inspire me to have new costumes, exciting ideas, and big connections.

I am also working on some small musical projects and looking for collaboraters.

Much love and excitement.

-=ali*

Playa dreams actualized

Made it back safe and sound from a land far away out in the dessert. I dreampt up sunrises and sunsets and golden dragons with killer sounds and glitchy lovely beats to carry me through duststorms and mimosas with style and peace.

Footsteps, fire blasts, flame throwers and more. Catchin up with old friends galore.

Adventures never seem to cease, from west coast to east.

Thank you to my friends new and old for the love and amazingness our minds can hold.

xoxoxox

-=ali*

Catch Up

Sooo life has been in hyperspeed for the last few months. All is well and exciting. I began showing my photography again and it went quite well have 6 pieces up in a show in brooklyn and 2 pieces up in a show in Manhattan. They were from my collection taken in my home town after Hurricane Ike.

You can preview the prints here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/luminescent/sets/72157614774181230/

But I must say they do look even more lovely printed on vinyl and blow up to 32 X 40

I will be showing them one more time before the year is out so I will keep you posted*

I am still performing Circus Theatre and Spectacle with Lady Circus. We were booked and sponsored to perform at Bonnaroo this year in Tennessee with the Mickey Western Band and it was such a blast! We made the front page of the Bonnaroo News Paper in true Lady Circus fashion! There is a beautiful video with Mickey and friends here on You tube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isW8u0nB6ms

Lady Circus was also in amNY yesterday morning for their weekend edition. You can check out our website at www.ladycircus.com

My favorite gig as of late was as a stilting back-up dancer for T-Pain at the Nokia theatre in Times Square



Photo by Chris Carr (C) 2009

Kaleidoscope 2.0 did happen indeed and was soooo lovely and beautious. About 400 people ran through up over and through the boroughs of NYC, pinwheels in hand, riding trams having picnics, performing amazing aerial off of fire escapes, spinning fire on the water in Dumbo and catching a chartered ferry to governors island. It was quite an unraveling of events throughout the evening. Full of suprise and wonder.

Photostreams can be viewed here:

http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=kaleidoscope+nyc+2009&m=text

Next up on the -=ali* adventure is that Im going to Portland next weekend for my good friends Paul and Moira's Wedding. Congratulations guys! Im really excited to see their blossoming (you should see their garden) new life of love and nature out in Oregan!

Then Miss Black Rock City 2007 will be returning to her home on the playa for a few a days, with a short stint in sf and a day in Tahoe hopefully, along the way! Im soo excited to see new friends and old and enjoy these last moments of extended summer.

Much love folks and Ill be updating more often with details, pictures, poems and love.

xoxoxo

-=ali*

strengths and weaknesses

I have always been the type of girl to jump right in. I am not shy. I do not hold back. . . most of the time anyhow. I often feel that I am more ahead of my game than I should. . .this is both a strength and a weakness as it encourages me to rush through the moment I am at to the point and goal I initially perceived. This is quite possibly the mindset that allowed me to reach through my differences growing up, to see beyond them and move past them, before they entirely paralyzed me. However, its also the same mentality that skips the "journey" part of each lesson and task. Which is not the best idea. . . like i am so not into starting at beginner level things. . . even when I am in fact. . .a beginner. Then i get to the end and dont know these basic elementary points. . . and its because. . .duh duh duh!! I skipped them all. Silly girl.

Soooo Im just taking a moment to own up to that as it washed over me yesterday and i was quite enlightened by it. . and realized that i need to put more work into the moment. . . into most moments. . so as my talents and strengths grow i will be present for the work it took to get ther and in the end will have a fuller, richer, and more long lasting impression.

Much love and creation~

xoxooxxo

-=ali*

swimming in mucous

standing swaggering starry eyed and dizzy on the busy street corner stragling myself to work. The mucous mostly mistifies me mocking oxygen and taking its place.

Strategically stumbling slowly thru morning rush hour traffic, myself and my lovely chest cold drag ourselves to work.

opportunities pass unseen, promotions handed onward past me, i continue to show up and report for duty despite how fooey i feel.

sabatcles stain my future vision with travel in light of this morning commute.

spirtual enlightenment requires foreign shores of mist and beauty. yes how truely i feel.

may your work day be more savored than mine today.

oxxoxo

-=ali*

Trials and tribulations of a working professional and a techno fairy

what to do what to do when you cant do both at the same time or the latter doesnt pay enough to pay your loans.

First Flurries

First flurries flutter freely from the sky. Buildings stand tall as the individual flakes float and fly in swirls down the streets.

Yay Winter!

oxoxxo

-=ali*

Coconut. . is the answer

But what is the question you may ask. .. EVERYTHING.

I dont depend a lot on product. .. .but every winter since moving to the east coast I have always treated myself to the nicest facial moisturizer I can find. . to avoid my face becoming reptilian and peeling away from the dryness.

This year. . the product was 10.99 came in a jar of 16 ounces and is organic and natural. . It is virgin coconut oil!!

I use it in my hair like hair mud, i use it all over my body as lotion, i use it in my mac n cheese as a butter subsititute. I drink coconut water to feel refreshed and hydrated and it really is the best thing these days i have decided.

During WW II and still to this day in countries where necessary medical equipment is in short supply they use coconut water intravaneously.

"The researchers report that coconut water is high in potassium, chloride, and calcium, and might be indicated in situations calling for increases in these electrolytes. So even though money doesn't grow on trees, medical supplies sometimes do."

So if you are ever pondering the answer. . . know that perchance it truly is COCONUT!!

fall

Wow I was walking to work today and the orange fall leaves on the ground were spray painted red. So cool.

xoxoxo

-=ali*

-=ali*'s sunset hoop cruise

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ5J1b7iIuE

autumns return

on my way to work i coasted through two movie sets, spiraling leaves blown from trees, and an extraordinary wind storm.

I watched a taxi creep along side this girl trying to get to school . . . and continued to pester despite her swatting him away. I made up several stories to go along with this scenario one being that the driver pissed her off and that she jumped out of the car sans payment. Who knows.

It brought forth memories of shady taxi drivers that i have had to deal with in the past. You can never be too careful.

Regardless, the real point behind this post is that fall has started. The leaves are changing, the sun is hiding behind buildings hours earlier, and the slightest chill can be felt on the wind.

The autumnal season has begun.

Yay**