Well, it's countdown to show time!  Ticket giveaways are now in order.  Online and radio stations have started.  Tune in to the following stations for details:

“Blues Connection” at Radio Rock Cafe with Boogieman, Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:00pm

“And you thought you didn't like Jazz?” at Mohawk-Radio with JP Rassam, Wednesdays from 7:00 to 9:00pm

“Double D” at Mohawk-Radio with Darragh Hemmings and Daniel Kirby, Saturdays from 11:00am to 1:00pm

"Hiioman Morning Show" at Mohawk-Radio with Hiio Kirby on Monday morning August 24 from 7:30am to 9:30am

CKUT (90.3FM) will be announcing it on various shows as well.

I am very happy with what's been happening.  Rehearsals are going great. It's really neat to see my colleagues enjoy working with me and the music I've created with them.  It's a real trip!  To think that just a few years ago, I didn't have the confidence to put pen to paper and write the songs.  Now, the songs are getting airplay and continue to get positive feedback.

Stuff has been happening on the Theatre and Acting side of me as well, but I'll get back to you on that soon enough.  Right now, I'm just riding the wave and having lots of fun with the music.  It's quite exciting to finally give out what I've been holding in. See you at the show!

...oh and ladies, I've been designated the official wing-man of the group.  It would be my honor to introduce to you the single (and eligible) members of the band. LOL

July brought my voice back, so to speak.  Having had 6 weeks of silence, there were moments where throwing myself into planning of various activities was the only way for me not to fall into a state of self-pity and depression. I have to admit that it has been quite difficult. My voice is back although not at 100% it is definitely on the mend.  Singing-wise my mid and lower ranges are back, just waiting for my high range to re-establish itself.

But onward and forward …

Wednesday, August 26 will be my return to the blues onstage. I’ll be up with my full band at Le Petit Campus. The show will be hosted by BeN of the online radio station, RadioRockCafe.com and the opening band will be “Ain’t Done Yet”. I have to tip my hat off to the good folks of RadioRockCafe.com.  They have been supporting me through think and thin.  I look forward to having them watch my back during the show.  As for the opening band, "Ain't Done Yet", they'll be doing their renditions of classic blues/rock songs to get you dancing.

It will be a great night but I am anxious about the show.  This is the CD launch party that was supposed to have happened right after the play.  Better late than never.  Crossing my fingers that all you out there who were disappointed at the canceled music gigs will be at Le Petit Campus.

Next week will be quite busy for me.  I have 2 movie shoots for a couple of French productions and a live gig with John Cleese at the Just for Laughs Gala.  For the French productions, I will be playing – what else? The Asian maid/housekeeper - yep, the domestic worker.  Stereotype maybe?  It’s a job and it pays.  I am looking forward to the live show with John Cleese. The Gala is sold out and I know that I will not be playing a stereotyped role.  I’ll be an old woman.  How’s that for some reality roles?  LOL

My wish would be to get a juicy role.  The bad guy role, the sneaky, conniving, manipulative character who you thought was the good guy from the start.  It’s coming, I know it is.  Some writer, producer has that script out there that needs to break the standard look and feel of the protagonist.

More projects are on the way but I have to be careful and pace myself.  Although my mind is quite on the ball, my body can’t seem to follow through yet.  I guess it’s the left over from the last month.  I’m still healing, no rush, just breathing and doing things one at a time.

Peace and see you at the show!

So here we are, moving onto the 4^th week of laryngitis.  Yes, you read right! Laryngitis – week 4!  Sadly, I’ve had to cancel my music gigs for the summer.  I’ve been to the doctor at least once every 2 weeks but there’s nothing she can do.  So I went to the acupuncturist for the first time in my life and you know what?  I really feel the healing process happening.  Some say that losing my voice “is a sign”; others say “you’ve pushed it too far”.  One way or another, I am writing new material for the next CD…a full CD with 12 or 13 songs.  There are already 3 songs ready but all it needs is my voice.  So in the meantime, I write more songs and wait, and hope, and pray, and go out to the Fringe Festival to check out some plays (actually, about 25 plays in 2 weeks as I was honored when asked to be part of Centaur Theatre's Jury - we decide which plays should be invited to join Centaur's Wildside Festival in January)...oh, and sometimes I do stop to smell the roses.

On the theatre round, our production of Death and the Maiden got mixed reviews from the critics but we actually made profit from this production.  We got those “bums in the seats” and happily, it wasn’t the theatre community.  The one thing I do appreciate is when the general public takes the time to come out to see an independent production.  Don’t bite me but as much as I am thankful for my theatre colleagues’ support, I work/produce/perform for the general public, not the inside crowd.  As a matter of fact, I am still getting emails from the general public expressing their gratitude and asking about the next production.  There aren’t enough words to describe how thankful I am for those emails.

The same folks who came to see Death and the Maiden also inquired when the next singing gigs will be.  A few actually came out to the Bourbon Street West gig that I couldn’t perform in because of the laryngitis.  Although they were disappointed that I wasn’t able to perform, they did understand the situation and was pleased that I came out to shake their hands and bought them a round of drinks.

Well, it’s no secret now; the next production is Bent by Martin Sherman in November.  The cast has been chosen; I have a brand new crew and am looking forward to directing the play. I’ve also started pre-prod on a Children’s show in 2010.  It’s a slight deviation from Altera Vitae’s normal programming but hey…it’s going to be interesting.  I can’t say much about it now except that auditions are currently underway.

I just got news that 2 of the films I worked on will be shown in this year's Fantasia!  Pretty neat!

As for singing…well, I doubt that I will be able to speak normally and sing properly in July. If I do get my voice back by then, I will have to warm it up and “re-educate” myself to sing and speak properly again…that will take some time. I tried acupuncture for the first time and it seems to be working. I am crossing my fingers that I get my voice back in time for August or September. 

In the meantime,  please send me your good vibes and continue your requests for my songs on Radio Rock Café where my song “Indigo Heat” is lingering on the top 5 requested songs, 97.7FM CHOM’s Black Cat Alley – Randy Renaud seems to like it too, 91.9 FM Planete Jazz likes “Trumpet Man Blues” and anything goes on Mohawk-Radio…or even better, get your own copy - CDs and downloads are still available on CD Baby and at Archambault Musique on Ste. Catherine/Berri, in the blues section under "F" for Carolyn Fe.

Ohhhhh, how I miss singing!

I am about to disappear into that quagmire called “Theatre”.  We are opening, Death and the Maiden, on Wednesday (May 14).  I’ve been running around getting the last minute details tied up: getting props, touching up the costumes and set, purchasing items that the technicians require.  Media interviews have begun with radio & print media.  It’s busy, very busy. I hope that the TV will be able to make it. I hope that lots of people will come and see it. 

It has been awhile since I’ve been onstage as an actress. Last time was February 2008 when I took on the role as Berta, the Maid, in Mainline Theatre's production of Hedda Gabler.  Between music, producing the CD and 2 plays (‘night, Mother and Almost Blue); it does feel like centuries since I’ve worked the acting side of me.  So here we go, I throw caution to the wind and will step up onstage as Paulina Salas.  All that said and simply put, I am nervous.  I am anxious.  I am afraid.  I am feeling all sorts of emotions all at the same time but I am having fun regardless of the challenges faced during this production.

Music will be on hold for 2 weeks while the play runs.  However, I am still getting great feedback from the radio stations!  Radio Rock Cafe mentioned that “Indigo Heat” is 4^th on their top 20 list! CHOM FM’s Black Cat Alley sent me more feedback following their airing of “Indigo Heat”, check out the comments:

Some old blues man once said "ain't nothing but the blues that can chase your blues away". I just moved back home to Montreal …. It's been a really long time since I've listened to Black Cat Alley and let me tell you, with this recession and job cuts happening everywhere, a good does of the blues really chases the clouds away.  I'm sitting here in the middle of a mess of boxes and cannot get a tune out of my head. I checked CHOM's website and playlist.  Indigo Heat, by Carolyn Fe is an amazing song.  This lady has a haunting voice.  I hope you play more of her songs in your upcoming shows.

- Alison 

 Excellent show tonight. The last song you play was very beautiful.  Indigo heat?  Please put it on again next week.

- Audra

I saw this lady play live a couple of months ago doing an acoustic gig at a small bar on Bishop Street.  She has quite a stage presence and pipes to back it up.  It's a pleasant surprise to hear her on air.  Please keep playing her songs.Long Live CHOM's Black Cat Alley!

- Max

- Mélanie

I have to say how grateful I am for all the support! There is no money in the world that can compensate for the feelings and experiences I am living just by following my instincts and finally doing what I really want.  It’s not an easy road, I have had to make a lot of sacrifices but it is certainly most rewarding. See you at the shows!