Donna Williams' Blog » Poetry

Donna Williams’ upcoming events for 2010

donna — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:25:01 +0000

Here’s my upcoming events so far….

Ringwood, Victoria – Monday 12th April 2010

WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH EVENT

Donna Williams presents Jam Jar; the classic 1995 autism UK TV documentary. It follows Donna in her daily life with her first husband, a man on the autistic spectrum. Donna becomes our tour guide showing us the person beyond the labels on the ‘jam jar’. Poetic and artistic, the film explores Donna’s meaning deafness and meaning blindness in the context of autism and the social, emotional and communication bridges she uses to navigate with the world showing us the person beyond the labels on the ‘jam jar’. Jam Jar went on to be nominated for the UK’s Mental Health Media Award, and was captured in the book, Everyday Heaven.

The film will be followed by a Q-A session with the audience.

WHERE: Ringwood Library, 4 Melbourne Mall, Eastland Shopping Centre (Melways Ref 49H8)

COST: Free

TIME: 7pm-8.30pm

ENQUIRIES: bookings(at)donnawilliams.net

Eltham, Victoria – Wednesday 14th April 2010

WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH EVENT

Donna will give selected readings from Nobody Nowhere and Somebody Somewhere and selected poetry together with a Q-A session with the audience and perform as a duo two pieces from her rock musical, Footsteps of a Nobody, accompanied by Aspinaut, Anthony Julian.

WHERE: Eltham Library, Panther Place, Eltham 3095

COST: Free

TIME: 7.00pm – 8.30pm

ENQUIRIES: bookings(at)donnawilliams.net

Greensborough, Victoria – Thursday 15th April 2010

WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH EVENT

The film will be followed by a Q-A session with the audience.

WHERE: Kalparrin Early Intervention Centre, 1 Kalparrin Ave, Greensborough, 3088

COST: Gold coin donation

TIME: 1-3pm

ENQUIRIES: bookings(at)donnawilliams.net

Note: sorry no childcare provided except to those in the Kalparrin community

Nth Fitzroy, Victoria – Saturday 24th April 2010

Footsteps of a Nobody is a powerful one woman rock-musical written, directed and performed by Donna Williams, author of the international bestseller, Nobody Nowhere; Autobiography of an Autistic Girl and musically accompanied by Jean-Paul D’Aubbonnett. Through characterisations, gestural signing, evocative spoken word and song it traces Donna’s pivotal experiences from a meaning deaf, meaning blind feral child to homelessness and on to her ultimate fight to claim a place of equality among others.

Disabled access is available. Show is suitable for teens and adults. Question time available after the show.

REVIEWS OF DONNA WILLIAMS’ WRITING:

She allows us to understand our own perceptions as never before.
NEW YORK TIMES

Powerful and unique.
DAILY TELEGRAPH

Deserves every superlative a reviewer can muster.
THE GLOBE AND MAIL

Powerful enough to make one reassess what it means to be human.
MODE

By turns fascinating and harrowing…
PEOPLE MAGAZINE

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THE FOOTSTEPS SHOW:

“The show was outstanding; you are very talented. The Q & A at the end was a great surprise. Thank you for a great night, fantastic performance, amazing music and wonderful conversation provoked afterwards!”

- Kelly O’Brien

“I found your performance last night extremely moving. You have a beautiful voice and your poetry and song lyrics are amazing! Thank you once again for your inspirational show Donna”.

- Jill Young

WHERE: J Studios, 100 Barkly, St Nth Fitzroy

(public transport: St Georges Rd Tram or Rushall train Stn)

COST: $15 Full price, $10 Concession.

As part of International Autism Month, 10% of all proceeds will benefit DEAL Communication Centre, which brings augmented communication to speechless adults and children
TIME: 8-9pm

EMAIL: bookings(at)donnawilliams.net

TICKETS available at the door but you can email Donna to reserve tickets or book online below.

Nth Fitzroy, Victoria – Saturday 24th April 2010

WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH EVENT

KIDS ROCK MUSICAL – BALOOMBAWOP

Once upon tough time, there were Grumpy Gallumphies who didn’t like strangeness it made them quite grumpy. Then a magical train arrived from a dream and those who could dare, they had dared to get in. It was off to Baloomba-wop where they had purple rain, and a shop that even sold new replacement brains!

They would meet Charlie Warmton whose best friend was a blanket, and the Brookenstein Fox who lives up on a shelf, and Bluster-McFluster with his technical gadgets and the Gimmety-Gimme with everything for herself. They’d meet Booger-Looger who picks his nose to perfection and the Whirly-twirl-girl who lacks any direction. And not to mention the Gadoodleborger who runs a magical shop which just happens to be where the train is to stop.

But deep in Baloomba-wop, a Grumpy Gallumphy, the notorious Dame Grumpty- Doobee-the-Fourth, she doesn’t like strangeness at all so she wants to make everyone so very ’normal’ of course. She is looking to change Baloomba-wop for forever. She’s determined to make all these weirdoes quite plain. Will she be stopped before everything’s ’normal’, I wonder. Or succeed making all be exactly the same?

Promoting diversity and challenging fear of difference, Baloomba-wop is an interactive, off the wall, musical adventure for kids and kids at heart. Written, produced and performed by Donna Williams it is accompanied by Jean-Paul D’Aubbonnett. Baloomba-wop runs for an hour and should appeal to fans of Dr Seuss, Lewis Carroll, Roald Dahl. Audience members are invited to actively participate throughout.

WHERE: J Studios, 100 Barkly, St Nth Fitzroy

(public transport: St Georges Rd Tram or Rushall train Stn)

COST: Children $5 Adults $7.50

(10% of proceeds will go to Autism Victoria)
TIME: 5-6pm

EMAIL: bookings(at)donnawilliams.net

TICKETS available at the door but you can email Donna to reserve tickets or book online below.

Box Hill, Victoria – Saturday 1st May 2010

WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH EVENT

The film will be followed by a Q-A session with the audience.

WHERE: Box Hill Library, 1040 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill, 3128

COST: Free

TIME: 2-3pm

ENQUIRIES: bookings(at)donnawilliams.net

Wantirna South, Victoria, Saturday 8th May, 2010

Knox City Council presents AUTISM FAMILIES TOGETHER weekend

featuring Donna and The Aspinauts performing as part of the opening this great event.

WHERE: Knox City Council, 511 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South, Vic, 3152

TIME: 9.30am

ENQUIRIES: Jacquie Moffat Ph: 9758 7747

Aspendale Gardens, Victoria, Tuesday 11th May

Walking in Autistic Shoes: An autism presentation and question-answer forum with renowned author, lecturer and autism consultant, Donna Williams.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY:

“The “feel good” feeling you get after the event is amazing. My manager found it the best lecture she had attended in her whole career!”

“Donna Williams’ talks are spell-blindingly powerful. I regard her as the preeminent speaker on autism, from a powerful inside-out perspective”.

“Donna not only changed the way I see people with autism; she changed the way I see everyone”.

“Donna shares her knowledge with her audience in a way which makes it one to one, when in a room of hundreds. I would recommend her as a ‘never to be missed’ speaker”.

WHERE: Aspendale Gardens Community Services, 103 Kearney Drive, Aspendale Gardens Vic, 3195

COST: $5

TIME: 7.30-9pm

Bookings are essential
Phone Gina Ullrich on 9587 5955

Ballarat, Friday 21st May, 2010

WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH EVENT

Footsteps of a Nobody is a powerful one woman rock-musical written, directed and performed by Donna Williams, author of the international bestseller, Nobody Nowhere; Autobiography of an Autistic Girl and musically accompanied by The Aspinauts. Through characterisations, gestural signing, evocative spoken word and song it traces Donna’s pivotal experiences from a meaning deaf, meaning blind feral child to homelessness and on to her ultimate fight to claim a place of equality among others.

Disabled access is available. Show is suitable for teens and adults. Question time available after the show.

REVIEWS OF DONNA WILLIAMS’ WRITING:

She allows us to understand our own perceptions as never before.
NEW YORK TIMES

Powerful and unique.
DAILY TELEGRAPH

Deserves every superlative a reviewer can muster.
THE GLOBE AND MAIL

Powerful enough to make one reassess what it means to be human.
MODE

By turns fascinating and harrowing…
PEOPLE MAGAZINE

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THE FOOTSTEPS SHOW:

- Kelly O’Brien

“I found your performance last night extremely moving. You have a beautiful voice and your poetry and song lyrics are amazing! Thank you once again for your inspirational show Donna”.

- Jill Young
WHERE: Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts, Howitt St, Wendouree, Ballarat.

COST: Full Price $20, under 18s $5.00

TIME: 7-8pm

BOOKINGS: Phone Bookings & payment direct to Booking Office -03 5338 0980
Hours- Tues-Fri -9.00am -1.00pm and 2.00 – 4.30pm

ENQUIRIES: contact Kris on kks(at)netconnect.com.au

Disabled access available
Suitable for teens and older children
Question time available after the show

Proudly sponsored by: Ballarat Autism Network

Singapore, Thursday, 3rd June

Co-Occurring conditions – Addressing ‘Fleas’: Mood, Anxiety and compulsive disorder on the Autism Spectrum.

An screening of an autism presentation by Donna Williams followed by live question-answer forum via video link up.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY:

“The “feel good” feeling you get after the event is amazing. My manager found it the best lecture she had attended in her whole career!”

“Donna Williams’ talks are spell-blindingly powerful. I regard her as the preeminent speaker on autism, from a powerful inside-out perspective”.

“Donna not only changed the way I see people with autism; she changed the way I see everyone”.

“Donna shares her knowledge with her audience in a way which makes it one to one, when in a room of hundreds. I would recommend her as a ‘never to be missed’ speaker”.

WHERE: Autism Resource Centre, 5 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, Singapore 569739

TIME: 2.30pm to 3.30pm

ENQUIRIES:

Goh Boon Keng (Ms)
Training Director, Autism Resource Centre (S)
5 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, Singapore 569739

Tel: (65) 6323-3258
Fax: (65) 6323-1974

www.autism.org.sg

Etham, Victoria, Saturday, 31st July

New Voices Writer’s Festival.

Donna Williams, together with award winning Aussie poet, Sandy Jeffs, will give selected readings from their most recent literary works and chair this exciting opportunity to hear from newly published Australian authors.

WHERE: St Margaret’s Church on Pitt Street, Eltham, 3095

TIME: TBA

ENQUIRIES: Meera Govin, Eltham Bookshop.

Ballarat, Wednesday, 8th September 2010

Brainfood 2010 Conference

“Flow of Knowledge” Stimulating individuals to actively contribute knowledge sharing

The film will be followed by a Q-A session with the audience.

WHERE: TBA

TIME: 6.15-7.15pm

ENQUIRIES: Kay Vrieze kayvrieze(at)aanet.com.au

Wellington, New Zealand – Sept 10th to 12th 2010

Topic: 2010 Autism New Zealand conference
Details: TBA

Donna Williams will be a key note speaker at the 2010 Autism New Zealand conference.

This item originally posted here:

Donna Williams’ upcoming events for 2010

When I was a homeless girl

donna — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:44:24 +0000

When I was a homeless girl

I had yellow teeth with holes,

Big enough to fall through.

Twenty six years of antibiotics

written on my enamel.

I got famous, got veneers,

I felt so guilty,

people were starving in Africa

and I wanted to smile

without shame.

When I was a homeless girl

I had favorite knickers.

They’d done time.

Their sides held with safety pins

on a dyed blond punkette

but they were mine.

I got famous, bought lingerie,

I had a bra from a shop that smelled of newness

I had knickers you could frame on a wall

And I wondered how much a girl in China

Had got paid for each pair.

When I was a homeless girl

I fought with a druggie over a fifty cent sweater

it was cable knit, wool, shrunken and tatty

but it looked so alive in the dead of winter.

And he won, after he slapped my face.

I got famous,

bought the best sweater in the op shop

a whole five dollars

with a no-name label

and the knowledge it was mine.

Donna Williams, Dip Ed, BA Hons.
Author, artist, singer-songwriter, screenwriter.
Autism consultant and public speaker.

http://www.myspace.com/nobodynowherethefilm
http://www.donnawilliams.net
http://www.aspinauts.com

This item originally posted here:

When I was a homeless girl

Melbourne House Concerts – Donna and The Aspinauts

donna — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 06:06:43 +0000

The Aspinauts are known for their mixture of theatre, spoken word and catchy, evocative songs with meaning. Having played small independent theatres, we like to connect with the audience, create an intimate atmosphere. So the concept of house concerts really appealed. So what is a house concert?

To quote from http://houseconcertsaustralia.ning.com/

House Concerts are one of the most important trends in independent music today – and they’re popping up all over the world!

A house concert is a chance to experience music in a warm and intimate environment. It’s when someone opens up their home and invites you into their living room to share in a performance by one of their favorite musicians. There’s just something about house concerts. For musicians, the intimacy allows for a deeper connection to the audience, which often leads to strong merchandise sales and lifelong fans and for hosts, it’s a chance to meet the performers and get them to sign their CD. A house concert is also a great social evening of friends and neighbors.

Who pays the artist?

Many house concerts have a door person to collect fees, some hosts are uncomfortable charging their friends, especially for a first concert, until they understand the process. If this is the case, then simply place a jar by the entrance with a visible sign that says:

How long do artists play?

Artists normally play a 45 minute listening set (house concerts are not parties; people really sit and listen – up close and personal) and then take a 15-20 minute break for socializing, selling CDs and refreshments. Then, one more 45 minute set and that’s a wrap.

What might you expect from Donna and The Aspinauts?

Here’s some reviews:

“I thoroughly recommend an audience with a Donna and the Aspinauts event if you are ever given the chance. Each of your five senses will be buzzing before the end of the first song, and by the end of the show, you’ll be definitely Aspi-fied.” – Heidi Everett

“The Aspinauts stage presence is one no other band can contend with. I was taken on a wacky rollercoaster ride that spat me out at the end feeling empowered and inspired. This band explores world issues, personal conquests and how difficult it is circumnavigating the social world. A must see band for all!” - Adele Kristens

“The lady is a true entertainer. She told amusing tales of life on the edge of society and made me envious I didn’t join her there. Tongue-in-cheek? It cannot be genre-defined.” - Jo Robinson

How much would it cost?

RATES

4 piece band (drums, lead, bass, vocals)
(or $15 per person if 30 people).

3 piece band (drums, keys, vocals)
(or $10 per person if 30 people).

Duo (keys, vocals)
(or $8.50 per person if 30 people).

email us: bookings@donnawilliams.net

This item originally posted here:

Melbourne House Concerts – Donna and The Aspinauts

The dance with immune deficiency

donna — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:20:08 +0000

THE DANCE

Grizzle, grizzle, grizzle grump.
Sore throat you woke me like a broken record.
“But you sounded so good…”.
And I remember myself like a poster glossy and shiny
shredded overnight in my interrupted dreams.

We’ll fingers crossed, hey?
We’ll hope like hell.
‘Cause Jesus ain’t waiting in the sunlight with fairy dust.
and positive thinking won’t buy me a Mercedes
(or an immune system).

Click your heels Dorothy.
Hope ’til your nipples fall off.
My body doesn’t wave magic wands.
‘Oh well, we’ll see’ works fine for me.

‘If you just had thought…’, ‘if you just had…’
‘if you’, ‘if’, ‘ifffffff… ‘
OCD loves magical thinking and all the ‘just believes’.
It pops my ear tubes to create magical perfection
80% of my waking hour
until I wonder where’s the knife to cut my head off.

Bugs don’t give two shits how I look.
Immune boosters make me glow a million bucks (and almost cost the earth).
My immunity thumbs its nose like a cheap whore
and says, with a wink, ‘check mate’, what’s you’re move’?
And I quickly fumble in my pockets for loose change.

Donna Williams, Dip Ed, BA Hons.
Author, artist, singer-songwriter, screenwriter.
Autism consultant and public speaker.

http://www.myspace.com/nobodynowherethefilm
http://www.donnawilliams.net
http://www.aspinauts.com

This item originally posted here:

The dance with immune deficiency

Weirdos Like Me

donna — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:52:53 +0000

Three years ago I began an interactive poetry challenge on my blog. It involved the public sending me 1-2 word titles and I had to send back a poem to each title within 48 hours.

Ranging from surreal, to grungy, from romantic, to funny, from political to symbolic and everywhere in between, the poems were as diverse as the titles sent in. I gathered them into a collection called Weirdos Like Me. It’s a collection of poetry, art and surrealism. Amidst the poetry are also song lyrics to songs by Donna And The Aspinauts with whom I am the lead singer and main singer-songwriter.

As a author, singer-songwriter, artist, sculptor, screenwriter, each element of my ARTism and my journey from autism into ARTism involved a series of mentors. In poetry, my mentor was the man who barely got to see it, my father, John Williams, who I knew as ‘Jackie Paper’. Sometimes ghosts make great mentors. I hope my works haunt you in a good way and take you to other places and spaces as art should.

Thank you.

Donna Williams

Ever The Arty Autie

http://www.donnawilliams.net

http://www.myspace.com/nobodynowherethefilm

http://www.aspinauts.com

This item originally posted here:

Weirdos Like Me

V-day

donna — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:18:49 +0000

Oh Valentine, forgive me not.

Was it whilst I blinked, you stole my heart?

A potted plant, upon my porch.

It sits in bloom, for now.

Perhaps a possum will devour it

before it showers next.

Perhaps a windy day will blow its petals

far and wide.

And, here, inside,

I’ll stay, perplexed,

that love can live despite the many so creative ways

we hide.

The words we never say,

fade to a whisper

stifled by the adult self

we’d let rule us from day to day.

Donna Williams, Dip Ed, BA Hons.
Author, artist, singer-songwriter, screenwriter.
Autism consultant and public speaker.

http://www.myspace.com/nobodynowherethefilm
http://www.donnawilliams.net
http://www.aspinauts.com

This item originally posted here:

V-day

Snow

donna — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:01:17 +0000

This week, I released my new book, Weirdos Like Me. It’s a collection of art, poetry and surrealism. And, so, dedicated to all of you living with snow up to your eyeballs, here’s one of the works from the book, entitled SNOW.

SNOW

Confetti soft, it fell, calling me, the girl from a land of sun.

From the window it took my heart.

My feet ran me down the stairs.

I turned, music box dancer in a world of falling sky

And I knew snow.

The dawn was dark, against the night.

White soot fell from black sky, around bare feet.

For the first time? Of course.

Snow virgin.

The prostitute stood pure in the snow.

It entered, holy into boots, and plastic bags, they crunched,

Binding homeless feet, and shoes with sole,

The snow came through the doors,

And all I could do was smile,

In this magic world.

Snow, do you not know, these dirty hands?

This mouth of sewer words?

These feet have wandered gutters of such privileged lands.

But here, you fall upon me, clean and bright.

Your frosted lips they kiss away the footprints

of a thousand dirty nights.

And laugh, is all a fool can do

as you, ignore my inequality,

pretending like no humans do

that I’m in fact an equal

in this crazy human zoo.

Donna Williams, Dip Ed, BA Hons.
Author, artist, singer-songwriter, screenwriter.
Autism consultant and public speaker.

http://www.myspace.com/nobodynowherethefilm
http://www.donnawilliams.net
http://www.aspinauts.com

This item originally posted here:

Snow

An Autie Merry Christmas from Donna Williams

donna — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:04:53 +0000

Some of you may remember the Autie Christmas Poem I did on YouTube a few years ago

Well, it got turned into a song called “Merry Christmas” over on

http://www.aspinauts.com

There’s a sample MP3 there for you all to have a listen to. The full length version will appear on our upcoming Aspinauts album. We’re literally finishing it off now. So look forward to a January release.

Enjoy. Hope you all have a fab season and that the new year holds wonderful adventures for you.

Warmly,
Donna *)

–
Donna Williams, Dip Ed, BA Hons.
Author, artist, singer-songwriter, screenwriter.
Autism consultant and public speaker.

http://www.myspace.com/nobodynowherethefilm
http://www.donnawilliams.net
http://www.aspinauts.com

This item originally posted here:

An Autie Merry Christmas from Donna Williams

Win Win

donna — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:58:14 +0000

Win Win by Donna Williams 09

Compete, compete, I watch my feet, I watch my back, I watch the cracks.

Delete, delete, me from your Facebook, behind the curtain, steal my jacks.

Should I take that sugar coated? The frosting seemed to give tooth ache.

I’m looking for the substance but seems Everest itself is fake.

I’m watching, watching, like a movie, just too groovy to jump in.

The tidy boxes taught me black and white but look at this, win-win.

Press this button, move that screen, connect the dots mosaic dream

Imagine that, imagine this, imagine I could make a wish

Keep em one hand in the pocket, keep em buying, keep em busy

Keep em tied to corporate logos, make sure all their drinks are fizzy

I’m watching, watching, like a movie, just too groovy to jump in.

The tidy boxes taught me black and white but look at this, win-win.

Join the queue, just don the mask, we’ll do the operation fast

A simple job, no-one will know, remove your soul then off you go.

And somewhere once upon thought, stood the thing no-one had bought

Intangible and out of style, upon a shelf, a real smile.

Donna Williams, Dip Ed, BA Hons.
Author, artist, singer-songwriter, screenwriter.
Autism consultant and public speaker.

http://www.myspace.com/nobodynowherethefilm
http://www.donnawilliams.net
http://www.aspinauts.com

This item originally posted here:

Win Win

Inter-arts, Wodonga, Wonderland and The Aspinauts

donna — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 12:44:56 +0000

Just got back from doing the Footsteps of a Nobody show in Wodonga at the Wodonga Civic Centre. It was hosted by Cooinda who did an incredible job flying 5 musos from Melbourne to Wodonga, sorting out all the equipment, theatre, ticketing, accommodation, transport, food, hospitality. And the show was really well received with a good turnout.

I performed the show on the stage but came down the central stairs and into the audience several times throughout the show, delivering the Shakesperian spoken word and songs directly amidst the audience. I spoke to participants after the show. There were men who had been crying. There were people gobsmacked having seen nothing like this in their lives. Mostly people were so enthused. I seem to hear again and again that whilst they’re deeply rocked by the show (pardon the pun) participants seem to feel they were watching their own lives being played out up on the stage. As a writer, actor, singer, performer, that is really nirvana, to take them to that space.

The Footsteps of a Nobody show is what is called inter-arts, or multi-arts, so it’s a really hard beast to label. It’s a mixture of signing that at times might resemble deaf theatre. It has characterisations of satire, comedy and Marcel Marceau, Shakespearian meter but the monologue shift into raps and break out into songs musically supported by The Aspinauts. It has story and acting akin to a play yet it leaps in time and place like a trip with Alice down the rabbit hole into Wonderland. The story takes people from surrealism to pathos, to comedy and a powerful shared humanity that seems to link up all present.

Donna Williams, Dip Ed, BA Hons.
Author, artist, singer-songwriter, screenwriter.

http://www.myspace.com/nobodynowherethefilm
http://www.donnawilliams.net
http://www.aspinauts.com

This item originally posted here:

Inter-arts, Wodonga, Wonderland and The Aspinauts