The latest installment of the comedic documentary series, “Stories” explores underrepresented works of the first women composers. 

DALLAS - When not singing the praises of God, Teodora Ginés, a former slave turned church musician, would sneak out to provide music at parties to the extent the Church authorities allowed… or knew about.

With a musician shortage in the New World, she was able to make her mark on Caribbean music as it is known today. However, there is little evidence surrounding the details of her life and work. This documentary, modeled after the 1990’s television show Unsolved Mysteries, explores the various possibilities that might explain this unlikely success story. 

Dallas, Texas soprano Erica Vernice Simmons portrays Teodora Ginés and performs her iconic work “Son de la Má Teodora”. She is joined by Lewisville, Texas actress, Raven Thurman, who plays her sister Micaela. Simmons commented, “Teodora’s piece sounds like a vacation at the beach. Who would imagine that music from 1562 could be so much fun?”

Phillip Thompson, new to Lumedia’s Stories, narrates the documentary in the style of Unsolved Mysteries’ Robert Thack. Joining the Lumedia Stories team are art historian R. Jenai Talkington, screenwriter Douglas Bankston, and musicologist Billy Traylor. Artistic Director Julianna Emanski directed and edited the film. 

On February 3, 2023, Stories: Teodora Ginés will be available to watch at no cost through the nonprofit’s website. Register to watch this episode at https://tinyurl.com/Lumedia-Stories

This season’s Stories are generously underwritten by The Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation. Donations support the nonprofit’s mission to bring early music to life. 

Lumedia performs live concerts in Dallas, and maintains a digital presence via short films and documentary series. Short films have won numerous awards at film festivals in the U.S. and abroad, and are distributed as in-house television programming to hospitals throughout Texas and the United States. The documentaries are freely accessible online, and taken to DFW senior centers as interactive presentations. Other installments of  Stories series are available on Lumedia’s website at https://www.lumediamusicworks.com/stuff-for-nerds.

Release Date: February 3, 2023

Time: 7:30 pm central time

Location: online 

Register to watch: https://tinyurl.com/Lumedia-Stories

Lumedia Musicworks performs live in its sixth season with a short film launch party on Thursday, October 13, 2022 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $25. 

 DALLAS - Lumedia Musicworks presents both sides of its mission in this multi-media event as it brings early music to life through captivating live performance and short film. The ensemble will perform live, and premiere their new short film titled Have Harpsichord, Will Travel…in F Major: A road trippin’, coffee sippin’, gas suckin’, string pluckin’ concert expedition.

“The source of inspiration for the short film came directly from Francois Couperin’s Tic-Toc-Choc ou les Maillotins, a perpetual motion piece for solo harpsichord,” said Molly Hammond, harpsichordist and Assistant Director. “Suffice it to say that travel is involved, something working harpsichords and their players do on a regular basis.”

The ensemble performs on instruments made to look and sound like those used during the 16th-18th centuries. 

Julianna Emanski, Artistic Director, elaborates, “We used the subject of the film as a basis for a short concert at the event. The harpsichord is featured as a solo instrument, but will also be accompanied by violin, traverso (Baroque flute) and viola da gamba. Expect lively works by Pachelbel, Daquin and Rameau. We also welcome back Liquid Courage as the generous wine sponsor for the event.” 

Lumedia Musicworks is a 501(c)3 non-profit performing arts organization committed to presenting early classical music in creative ways. Lumedia produces short films and live concerts among other mediums. Its short films have won national and international awards. Lumedia attracts fans from as far away as Europe, South Africa and Australia.

Date and Time: Thursday, October 13, 2022  7:30 pm

Location: event1013, 1013 E 15th Street, Plano, Texas

Parking: Street and nearby parking lots are free. 

Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/ShortFilmEvent

Website:https://www.LumediaMusicworks.com

DALLAS - Lumedia Musicworks receives a $20,000 grant award from Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation to launch the organization’s 2022-23 season of STORIES. This comedic documentary series is released online and shared as interactive presentations to area senior centers.  

STORIES are based on the lives and works of early female composers. Each episode is researched, written and directed by Jendi Tarde, a resident of Plano, Texas. Lumedia’s ensemble records and films a specific work written by each composer, which serves as the primary musical example of the documentary. A team of actors, videographers and narration bring each composer’s story to life at On-Air Media in Dallas, with final editing completed by Artistic Director Julianna Emanski, a resident of Frisco, Texas. 

Episodes completed and ready for distribution to senior centers include composers Élizabeth Jacquet de la Guerre, Wilhelmina von Bayreuth, Barbara Strozzi, Garsenda and the Trobairitz, and Belle van Zuylen. New episodes under production throughout the 2022-2023 season currently target the lives and works of Teodora Ginés, Anna Bon di Venezia, and Hildegard of Bingen.

Lumedia collaborates with Elaine Scholly, a community educator and advocate for dementia and Alzheimer's awareness, in the presentation of STORIES to seniors. These interactive programs include the film showing, a baroque instrument demonstration, a performance and a question-and-answer session.

Since 2017, Lumedia Musicworks has displayed an equal presence in-person with live concerts, and online, building an international audience. In addition to STORIES, the ensemble’s digital productions include cinematic film, historical film footage, poetry and creative use of venues. Past episodes of STORIES are available to watch at no charge at https://www.LumediaMusicworks.com/stuff-for-nerds .

Short Film Release Party: School Car Line - A Survival Guide

Lumedia Musicworks partners with Veritas Wine Room in Dallas to launch its latest short film, School Car Line - A Survival Guide, on Sunday, April 24 at 5pm. Tickets start at $30, includes first glass of wine, and supports the nonprofits work.  

DALLAS - Surviving the school car line requires a battle plan, and Lumedia Musicworks captures the experience in signature style with its latest short film School Car Line - A Survival Guide. The short film launches at Veritas Wine Room, an award-winning vino-pub featuring a wide selection of wines, charcuterie and cheese boards, and handcrafted chocolate. The ensemble will perform prior to the film in a short concert connecting to the film’s story. Members of the cast and crew will also be on hand to meet the audience. 

The story is one every parent or grandparent can relate to: the endless line of cars, the long wait, the cell phone ban. Jendi Tarde of Castle Hills stars as the main character, a new mom to the experience. She survives the learning curve with the help of a handbook and careful supervision by a stern crossing guard, portrayed by Jeff Burleson of Dallas.  Recorded by the Lumedia Musicworks ensemble, the soundtrack juxtaposes 18th century French music written for the viola da gamba, and includes footage of Dallas’s own Christopher Philpott performing on an historical instrument.

“Relatively few viewers will be familiar with this enchanting music,” explains Lumedia Musicworks artistic director Dr. Julianna Emanski. “But most, if not all, will relate to the subject matter which has many humorous moments.” 

The short film release party reveals another creative side to the nonprofit.  “We had a lot of fun imagining the live performance portion of this event,” said Lumedia Musicworks lutenist Hector Torres. “It’s got a script of its own that connects us to the audience and provides continuity to the film.”

The short was filmed at Great Hearts Upper School in Irving, Texas. “This was Lumedia’s first time working with school kids,” said Lumedia Musicworks short film director Derrick Robert Brown of Dallas. “We filmed over spring break and they had a blast! It was a great opportunity for them. They loved experiencing the filming process.”

The Short Film Release Party takes place on Sunday, April 24, at 5:00 pm at the Veritas Wine Room in Dallas. General admission tickets are $30 and available for purchase online at https://www.lumediamusicworks.com/shortfilms

Ticket purchases support the Lumedia Musicworks 501(c)3 non profit performing arts organization, and assist in their mission to present early classical music in creative ways. Lumedia produces short films and live concerts working across multiple mediums. Their short films have won multiple international awards. Lumedia boasts fans from as far away as Europe, South Africa and Australia.

Date and Time: Sun, April 24, 2022, 5:00 PM CST

Location: Veritas Wine Room, 2323 N Henderson Ave # 103, Dallas, TX 75206

Parking: On-site parking lot, free.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/short-film-launch-party-tickets-310826830417

Website:https://www.LumediaMusicworks.com