The Abbey Studio

08/16/2024

Recorded at the Abbey Studio ❣️

Unstained by Ultraviolet Oscar Robles Diaz - U10 Touch GuitarBrittany Christina Bowman - bassBeau Stocker - drumsRecorded live at The Abbey Studio in Cumberl...

08/13/2024

07/26/2024

A hair raising, sound immersion in the best way ⚡💗 thank you Kenton Loewen , Tony Wilson, Russel Solberg and Tyson Naylor 🙏

07/22/2024

06/21/2024

Seasonal changes in Baba Yaga's House of Mysteries. Happy Summer solstice 2024 🌞

06/07/2024

Climate Change Action Theatre & The Forest Story Project 💚👏 Bravo

06/07/2024

Climate Change Action Theatre & The Forest Story Project now. Enter on Penrith

06/04/2024

Veda Hille~ Abbey Studio 20 Year Anniversary was a dream come true and wow, what a show!! Incredible artist, funny, smart, so present and unique. We are luck lucky luck🌟 Feeling grateful 💗

06/02/2024

Digging through the archives getting ready for the 20 year anniversary show tonight ✨

05/06/2024

05/01/2024

May Day greeting from The Abbey Studio 🐦🌞

04/19/2024

SAT April 20th at The Abbey Studio

Woodstove Music & Arts Festival and Cumberland Village Works present an intimate live show with Sophie Lukacs at The Abbey Studio on Saturday, April 20th.

04/19/2024

The Abbey Studio is ready for shows tonight and tomorrow night https://www.facebook.com/share/p/avKwMdrYdM8xhev1/?mibextid=oFDknk

02/02/2021

In case you are wondering what's going on in here these days, we have been making some dance videos and music recordings for virtual Wood Stove Festival. Nice to see the Abbey all gussied up, Caresse Nadeau created this fabulous backdrop for the recordings.

09/14/2020

An update about future use of Abbey Studio~

Finding ways to adapt and keep dancing at the Abbey Studio

The Abbey Studio will not be hosting any public events or rentals for a while, perhaps 1-2 years. I will continue to maintain this unique historical building as a creative hub and but it's time to change things up. In order to create some income from the space and keep the creative energy flowing, the studio will soon become shared practice/workspace with an artist in residence on one side. My new roommate/studio mate/collaborator Caresse Nadeau is a dancer, aerialist, multi media artist, costume designer and musician. Caresse and I have worked together on many creative projects and community events in the past. We both plan to offer private classes, small workshops and micro presentations in the near future. I’m seeing this as an opportunity to lift the veils, grow as an artist, complete unfinished projects, learn to adapt and collaborate better, and find new ways to play and connect. Also, looking forward to outdoor community events and performance opportunities this Fall/Winter.

If you are interested in custom private lessons or small group workshops (mixed media art, mask making, dance and yoga) contact me at [email protected]. Also, if you did not receive an email from me and you have credits from unfinished Spring 2020 session, please let me know.

Love and shimmies,
Cathy

08/31/2020

Many of you may have noticed that the big sequoia tree that once stood in front of the Abbey Studio at the corner of First and Penrith Avenue has been cut down. The descion to remove this beautiful tree was not made lightly. As a self proclaimed tree hugging dirt worshipper I have agonized over this decision. After much contemplation and consultation from several local tree experts, I came to the conclusion that cutting down the tree was necessary. When I saw the photo of the tree taken in 1996 (see photos below) I realized I could no longer put off this decision. Sequoias are extremely fast growing soft wood trees and although they are uncommon in this area they are not native or endangered. It was a bad decision to plant such a large fast growing tree next to a building on that corner. The tree root system had begun lifting the sidewalk around it and damaging the Abbey. The choice came down to the tree or the building. With all respect to the tree, the Abbey is a significant heritage building that I strive to maintain structurally and creatively. A tall stump has been left and the plan is to have it carved into a little free library, conveniently located across from the community food pantry.

08/31/2020

Sweet video filmed in the Abbey Studio.

04/24/2020

Bridget Salas dancing at the Hafla December 2019. Photo by Catriona De La Torre. There she is again, the lady in the painting dancing along. Love how their arms line up.

04/24/2020

Viva La Revolucion! Beautiful and potent words by Moargan Callison.
I want to give some back story on this image. This painting sits on the piano at the Abbey Studio in Cumberland. I love the way the light shines through the painted glass windows in the afternoons. The lotus sits is in a pot I that brought back from India 10 years ago. On several occasions I have danced with it on head. The painting is by Carley, a lovely, wise and creative young women. I don't know Carley's last name, she is no longer living in Cumberland but used to work at Riders Pizza and sometimes took my classes. I came across the painting for sale at a local pop up shop at the barbershop where Carbon Hair is now. I made arrangements to buy pretty much the moment I saw it. Carley was not there, her friend was selling it for her. Since then it has lived in the Abbey on the piano, dancing with us. Later Carley told me that she thought of me when she painted it and envisioned it living in the Abbey Studio. There she lives all watery, dark, mysterious, fluid, strong and statuesque. If anyone knows Carley I would love to credit and share this with her.

we are in the midst of a revolution.
it is a quiet revolution.
it is a peaceful revolution.
it is a revolution of the soul.
It is a revolution of the heart.
it is a revolution of the human mind.
it is a revolution of the universal spirit.
every single person has a role to play.
this revolution will have polarities.
this revolution will have forces of both light and dark.
this revolution will have space for any and all to occur.
we are in the midst of a revolution.
this revolution comes from within.
and it comes from without.
it bubbles up from depths unknown.
this revolution leaves nothing unturned
as we collectively wake up to the inequality in the world.
this revolution has been happening for a very long time.
slowly and quietly -
many of us were not listening -
many of us were not paying attention -
many of us did not care to participate because we were’t affected.
this revolution carries messages from the land.
this revolution is about honouring the wisdom of our ancestors.
this revolution is about clearing the pain of our ancestors.
this revolution requires acknowledgment of suffering -
acknowledging generations and generations of pain and trauma.
we will not heal until we acknowledge the pain that is present.
we will not move forward until we recognize the vast & massive inequality in the world -
and as we recognize this, we will have to acknowledge our part in the suffering of others.
through our recognition of this we can humble ourselves to learn from those who have been on
this revolutionary path for eons.
this revolution requires that we recognize our privileges
within a system that was built to benefit only a few.
this revolution is about being in the truth of who we are.
it is about stillness and gentleness and quietness.
it is about remembering our place in nature.
this revolution is mild mannered and wild all at once.
this revolution looks different for everyone.
in this revolution there is space for alternate perceptions.
in this revolution there is space for conflicts to be worked out with care and compassion.
this revolution is one of a fiery heart.
it is bold.
holds no-one to blame.
requires no shame.
this revolution is one of integrity.
this revolution is one of accountability.
we are in the midst of a revolution.
have you found your place within it?

04/10/2020

Digging deep into the archives. Jesus Christ Superstar sing-a-long spectacular at the Abbey Studio 2005 and 2006.
*photos here from 2005

04/09/2020

The studio has been getting some love; thoroughly cleaned, dusted, painted and rearranged. I look forward to a time when we can gather together to create, learn, dance, play celebrate and perform again in this beautiful space. Be well 🙏💗

03/18/2020

No Life Drawing tonight. All classes and event rentals at the Abbey Studio are cancelled until the end of March, perhaps longer.
Going with the flow, flattening the curve, will keep you all posted.
Be well 💗 Keep moving and dancing

02/12/2020

Two classes today, 11:30AM-1PM and, evening class from 5-6:30PM.

Yamuna® Body Rolling uses specially designed balls in specific routines to combine the release of massage with the strengthening and toning of exercise, providing a gentle stretch and a workout. The ball applies gentle traction that frees connective tissue, re-educates muscles to fully release, and de-codes negative holding patterns. You will feel more space and balance in your body and a sense of effortless alignment. Learn the basic ball routines for self care and self healing. Wear tight fitting and stretchy clothing. Equipment provided for class and available for purchase for home practice. Suitable for all including pre/postnatal and limited mobility.

Yamuna® Body Rolling

When: Wednesdays 11:30am – 1pm

Starts: January 15 – February 19, 2020

Investment: $80 for 6 week session or $15 drop in. Register to reserve your spot. Etransfer accepted beforehand or cash/cheque at start of session.
Yamuna® Body Rolling Intro Session

When: Wednesdays 5 – 6:30pm

Starts: January 15 – February 19, 2020

Investment: $80 for 6 week session or $15 drop in. Register to reserve your spot. Etransfer accepted beforehand or cash/cheque at start of session.

Where: The Abbey Studio 3273 First St, Cumberland, BC

01/27/2020

Winter/Spring 2020
Weekly ongoing classes at the Abbey Studio~

12/06/2019

Train Song

Cd release party tonight!

An instrumental song about my train ride to BC.