Femme Chakra Productions

Mexico – Allegro Playacar Hotel

2026-10-13T14:54:53.115-04:00

I hope if there is anyone reading, you are having a great day! I am relaxed and ready to go! Just got back from Mexico, we stayed at the Allegro Playacar, a 4-star rated hotel. I really enjoyed the place. I appreciate small bungalows, 2 stories, no walking, everything is right beside you. The food was good, the staff was pleasant, the beach was a beach, drinks were good and the shows were entertaining. I love when a hotel has a bar! Got my jiggy on twice and got to sing! It’s very close to a small marketplace as well as being only 10 minutes from Playa Del Carmen so that was great. All in all, for the price, it was a really good time. It’s a good deal especially if funds are limited and you want to spend your money on going out to visit.

I have already visited the Chichen Itza pyramids but as we did not go last time, I really wanted others to appreciate them. I love Mexico for its ancient culture, architect as well as it’s history. There is something surreal standing next to a monument that you know help shape civilizations. It’s a profound feeling.

We visited Playa del Carmen; it’s a nice city always full of stuff to do and see. If you enjoy caves and water as much as I do, the Rio Secreto is a wonderful experience especially if you are a fish like me. It’s a naturel reserve in Playa Del Carmen where you can walk and swim in chambers. Not something you do everyday!

My favorite excursion was by far the submarine excursion. I know it’s crazy but only 1% of the entire population will ever do what we did. A once in a lifetime bucket list experience. It will never look like what I saw but you can get a glimpse on the video on my YouTube Femme Chakra Travels. If you are ever in Cozumel, think about it.

A great trip surrounded by awesome people, the sun shining and a lot of fun and Zen. That’s why I love vacationing.

Coming up! My Tube Femme Chakra will be going back in time every Tuesday! I hope you enjoy reliving my 20-year experience! Even if I thought I was not good enough then, I am proud of what I accomplished today. To all the artists that participated in the many videos, thank you for being part of my journey. At one time or another you believed in me and for that, I am grateful.

20 years on You Tube!

2026-09-15T11:44:12.040-04:00

In 2027, my YouTube Channel will be 20 years old! That’s crazy! 20 years I have been posting and watching on YouTube! For me, YouTube has been an essential means for me to express my creativity. I have been the watcher as well as the one being watched.

Being on any platform is hard work and dedicating all your time on it is a full-time job. Either you become a videographer or you are the one being filmed. That’s what YouTube is about, it’s about videos.

Let’s say you are watching the movie “The Last Wives Club” and you cut the movie into clips and disappear. All you will have are clips of a movie. It will not tell a story but a fragment of the story. That’s what I did on YouTube. I posted and I deleted. If you read a lot of my previous posts, you will get a sense that my lack of confidence has always been an issue for me, the videos were never good enough. Posting videos on YouTube as a woman I think made it even harder. The constant pressure to be slimmer, taller, skin to perfection, perfect teeth and so on, it was mental craziness. Always thinking, should I say this, I shouldn’t do that, it really was exhausting. In the end, I just stopped posting my music.

After 20 years, I am ready to tell my story. I do hope you join along on this new but old journey because this time, it will be the whole story about Femme Chakra. All you must do to do is subscribe.

I do have a Femme Chakra Travels YouTube Channel. I had created other videos of my vacations on Femme Chakra but officially opened it 2022. I really do enjoy the peace that comes with vacationing. The ability to let go for a week or two and enjoy the moment. I believe these memories are worth re-living; you can read about it under Femme Chakra Travels.

I am also opening a new YouTube and Facebook soon! We have a few new projects that we have been working on that I would like to share. They are works in progress but nevertheless they are who I am today and it’s time that I be happy with myself. I work hard on every project I do just as much as I worked hard the last 20 years becoming Femme Chakra.

I never got that many views, subscribers and I was not shared a lot, but I did have 15,000 views. That does not sound like a lot today, but I still appreciate everyone that took the time to listen to my music. Thank you and see you soon!

Panama - Grand Decameron Hotel

2026-02-04T12:00:00.000-05:00

For the first time in Panama, I was surprised to see how well modern and history can combine so well together. I never imagined a large modern city could be surrounded by a paradise of lust forest, vegetation and exotic animals. If I had not visited Panama City, I would have assumed it was much like many all-inclusive resorts, but it was very different.

We stayed at the Grand Decameron Beach Resort which is conveniently only 15 minutes from the airport. I would highly recommend it for families and 50+, it is a very quiet and relaxing place. It has a beautiful ocean view, the beach is long, clean and sandy white. The weather was beautiful and the sun is always shining. The food was great with a lot of variety, and the staff was courteous and helpful. The Grand Decameron came highly recommended to us and to be honest, we were a little disappointed. The Plus Side of the hotel was undergoing renovations, so I believe that we did not get to fully enjoy the experience at the resort. It is reopening this week for those that are going and I would recommend enjoying all the privileges of the Plus Side. All in all, it is a wonderful resort, and I will not complain as I had the opportunity to enjoy 35-degree weather for a week. If you are fan of golf, my husband said it was absolutely worth the money and that it was a beautiful course.

I highly recommend visiting Panama City and the Canal with the Decameron Tours. Our guide was funny and informative. Panama City is a wonder between the new and the old. I loved the old Panama, the old buildings and design, the relaxed atmosphere and small shops. We did not go into the new city but will go if ever we go back. The Imax Experience really gives you a full-length picture of the history of the canal, very interesting. It was a great day!

Starting 2026 visiting a country as spectacular as Panama is a great start to the new year. You can watch the video on my You Tube channel Femme Chakra Travels - Thanks for watching and subscribing, I appreciate it.

Update 2026

2026-01-22T23:15:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone reading this blog had wonderful holidays and that your new year is starting off in the direction you hoped. Wishing you health, happiness and fun in 2026! I had wonderful holidays, celebrated with friends and family. A relaxing end to a year that I am glad is over. 2025 will not been on my top ten list. Staying positive, 2026 will be better.

I really did enjoy performing with the band in December and thank you to the Paroisse St-Jean Baptiste in Roxton Falls for inviting me to sing some Christmas cheer! I grew up listening to these songs and they always put me in a good mood. You can check out the video on my YouTube channel. Going to do this again next holiday season 2026!

I love the dancing scene, the cabaret, the costumes and all the productions that I have created and who knows, maybe one day they will intertwine. For now, I am content to see where things will go.

I have not written in a while. When something unpredictable happens, you must deal with it. Although I was motivated to write, there is only so much time in a week and when you are dealing with other priorities, time becomes an issue. I hope I get to spend more time in 2026 writing; it clears my head.

Heading to Panama tomorrow! Looking forward to visiting with my husband, family and friends a new country and a new culture. Zen, water & sunshine with a mix of music, dancing and fun. Bringing my camera along, looking forward to the next memory on Femme Chakra Travels.

That’s my update! I wish you all a great end of January and hope to see you soon. My motto this year: Be better, wiser, have fun and don’t overthink, be you!

Riu Yucatan Hotel - Riviera Maya, Mexico

2025-09-25T10:50:00.002-04:00

Riviera de Maya in Mexico was the first plane trip I ever took 20 years ago. I decided that I wanted to learn about a different culture. I specifically chose Mexico for its monuments and history. I was fascinated by their pyramids and went to Chichen Itza and Tulum. They are a must see if you go. I jeep rode in the jungle, zip-lined across rivers, swan in cenotes, tanned, ate well, partied, drank and danced. It will forever be one of the most memorable vacations of my life. I do have a soft spot for Mexico.

We stayed at the Riu Yucatan in Riviera Maya. I have really nothing negative to say about this hotel. We ate like a king and queen; the food was delicious and the a la carte restaurants were unlimited and amazing. The hotel is very clean, the lobby and cleaning staff were attentive, polite, accommodating and very helpful. I have not seen such great entertainment talent since going to Santiago in Cuba. The nightly shows were awesome and the weekly Riu party is a must go as it’s incredible. What a night! The extra bonus is that if you love animals, they have a monkey refuge, and you get to see how they coexist without bothering anybody.

I once rated a video of mine on my YouTube channel and still feel bad about it today. When you stay at a hotel or resort, you must know what you like before you go to the place. Some people enjoy the sun, the beach, the food, the amenities, the pool, the excursions, the entertainment, the shows, the disco, each person has their preferences. My experience may never be your experience and vice versa, so why criticize anything. My only negative and it is not Mexico’s fault; the temperature was a constant 40 to 45 degrees all week as it was the month of August, so it was a little less pleasant to do the excursions. Even hot, the Xcaret Park is an amazing place to visit.

If you like great food, sun and heat, water and great entertainment, you should visit the Riu Yucatan. I would not hesitate to recommend it.

You can view the video on my Femme Chara Travels YouTube Channel

Femme Chakra Travels

2025-09-16T14:54:00.001-04:00

I believe it is a privilege to be able to visit a different country. I have only visited 5 countries, some numerous times, and every time I do, I think how lucky I am that I get to have those memories. For me, those memories are worth more than a new car, a better wardrobe, new furniture and anything else that people work hard to make a priority. You must have a passion for traveling if you really want to experience it,

For me, voyaging is the ability to live in the present moment. No phones, no texts, no e-mails, nothing. Well maybe a little but in general I can relax and enjoy myself. I understand that some people fall in love with a country and want to go back all the time. I love experiencing new places. Although I have been to same countries numerous amounts of times, I try to never stay in the same city and never at the same hotel. The thrill of living something new, adventurous, educational, emotional, it’s for me, a once in lifetime experience.

I have been making videos for over 20 years. I still have some on VHS. I enjoy filming and it has been a useful tool for me throughout my artistic & professional life. Editing is never fun, but the end project always gives me a high. When I bring my camera on vacation, I want to remember everything I did, saw or experience as I will not live it again. These are my memories that I want to recall when I am old and gray. It’s great taking photos and videos but if you don’t do anything with them, they will just be photos and videos in a phone.

I tried to be as exact as to what I saw, I hope you enjoy some of them. Don’t hesitate to let me know what you think and if you have been to any of the places, please feel free to let me know. We just got back from Riviera Maya in Mexico, looking forward to sharing our vacation with you. Thanks for subscribing and sharing.

Visit Femme Chakra Travels: Femme Chakra's Travel - YouTube

Losing someone to Alzheimer’s

2025-09-08T16:29:00.001-04:00

We cannot stop time. In my 30’s and 40’s I never thought about death and dying in the context that it would ever happen to me. It was a thought in a far away place that was only going to happen in a different space and time. As I just turned 50, which is old to some and young to others, I don’t look at it that way anymore. I worry, which is something I never did before. It’s inevitable that we will all get old someday. I want to get older, but I want to be healthy otherwise what is the point.

The people that have a naturel desire to be healthy amaze me. They do it with such ease, they eat right, exercise, limit their alcohol and they don’t smoke. After spending years doing just that, they still may end up with Alzheimer’s. If you did not know, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. It progresses leads to loss of ability to carry on conversation and respond to the environment. It is a slow process, and it is an anguishing to have to live.

I, in turn have seen the devastation that it can cause. How an awesome caring man goes from strong, hard-working, reliable, and outgoing; to feeble, dependant, anxious, frustrated, and unhappy. If it can happen to him there is a chance it happens to me or someone I know. There are over 55 million people worldwide living with dementia. These patients are the most vulnerable.

The next time you hear someone mention that their father, mother, friend or loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s, read about it. Take the time to understand what they are going through. The 40- and 50-year-olds will see only see the numbers get worse and in the next 15 to 25 years, it will be our turn. The younger generation will still be living in that far away place in a different space and time. Hopefully your children will take care of you but if they don’t, we will be the ones that will have to deal with the situation. I worry.

Coming Up in September!

2025-09-04T16:14:00.000-04:00

For those that don`t know, me and my husband have been in the entertainment industry for a long time. I (www.femmechakra.com) focus more on the producing, singing, dancing side while he (www.francoquebec.com) has always focused on the producing, Disk Jockey, Sound and Equipment. We are lucky to have done so many events. It was rough year this year with the passing of his dad, but we will slowly get back to the beat of things for 2026.

We will at 2 benefit shows in September for great causes. You can join us in Acton Vale for the Casino Night benefiting the Centre de Benevole D`Acton Vale on September 20 or in Roxton Falls with the tribute band to AC/DC on September 26 with Christian benefiting the Project Espace Roxton.

The CBAV in Acton Vale is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote volunteer action; to support and assist individuals and families in the community through assistance services, to meet essential needs, with the aim of improving their quality of life. The Casino night on September 20, 2025, will be a fun night with some gambling (a lot of great prizes to win), dancing (DJ and live music) and you can come and listen to me sing!

Project Espace Roxton is a non-profit organisation which aims at restoring the Saint-Jean Baptiste Church in Roxton Falls. Christian will be doing the sound for the band Razor Back a tribute to AC/DC on Friday, September 26, 2025. Everyone is welcome! If you can make it to both or only for one night, then you are helping to support a great cause. Hope to see you there!

I'm Back 2025!

2025-08-19T09:09:00.015-04:00

Well, I’m back! I have been feeling a lack of motivation for a while and I think I need something new. I opened this blog in 2010, and it has been at times, a great experience for me. Some people are great at marketing themselves. I admire the Twitters, the Instagramers, WhatsAppers, TikTokers and all the social platforms, I’m just not very good at it. I’m a Facebooker and a You-Tuber at very best and I would not consider myself great at it. Although I know that reading is not as popular as it once was, but I like writing. Although I appreciate Facebook and YouTube for so many reasons, it does not let me express a story. I miss being able to express myself properly.

Once I start talking, I never shup up but I figure if there are people that are interested in my knowledge, my ideas and getting to know me, then they can find me here. Instead of wasting my time posting irrelevant stuff, why not take the time and be real.

To all my wonderful French friends, I wish you could all read English. I wish I wrote as well in French as I do in English, but I don’t. I do not want writing to become a job, a responsibility or tedious and translating my feelings, thoughts and/or ideas it is just too hard. Maybe one day! I do have the translate button if anyone wants to try it.

I want to post once a week and see where it will lead me. I want to find my discipline. I do hope you find it interesting but if you do not, that’s fine too. I think I am interesting and maybe one day what I write may have a positive impact on someone else. That would be wonderful!

As for my old posts, they are part of projects I worked on, things I did, my thoughts, shows I saw, artists I met, opinions, my music and parts of my life. Please feel free to read them although they do not represent Anne-Marie in 2025. I believe people do change; we can learn from our mistakes and grow. With all my growth I am not the same person. I’m stronger, wiser and I aim at being the best I can be.

Thanks for listening and please feel free to comment. I would love to meet similar people that may have the same interests, ideas, or projects. See you next week!

2020 The Covid Year

2020-06-20T13:47:00.053-04:00

It took me a while to decide how I was going to start this blog as it has been so long since I have written that I did not want to start on a negative note. That is a little hard as this year in particular has started out not like any of the others. Myself and Franco Quebec Productions worked really hard in the last 2 years to produce and create a business that we thought would amount to something great this year. We had bookings (weddings, corporate events, festivals) planned this summer as well as a 7 week run (14 shows) in Rougemont in September to promote the show Cabaret Pastiche. We had worked hard to promote our classes which in turn were also cancelled. Needless to say, we are rather disappointed that it did not work out.

To all the artists that participated in the Cabaret Pastiche in February, we thank you for all your hard work. That show in particular is on my list of one of the top ten shows I have done in my career. It represented a small version of a grand plan that I believe would have led to the type of production I hope to one day achieve. If you missed it you can take a look at https://www.youtube.com/femmechakra . I know this year will be hard for all the artists that rely on their art to survive and I can only hope that you are all finding creative ways to keep busy as we all know that life without the arts is intolerable. Be safe and my thoughts are with you. We are still working hard to promote and hopefully 2021 will be a very different year.

On a positive note, the website for Franco Quebec Productions ( https://www.francoquebec.com/ ) is finally done! We are still looking for talent so if you are a band, duo, singer, dancer or have a distinct talent we want to hear from you. We are hoping to evolve and promoting great talent is one our goals. Please don`t hesitate to contact me femmechakra@gmail.com.

Although 2020 did not start well I am grateful that I am healthy, safe and sane. This is just another diversion from the route that I set sail a long time ago to journey. Hopefully the rest of the year will be smooth sailing. I wish you all good health, love and happiness. I missed so many of you in the last few months that I cannot wait to finally see you.

Looking for Talent / Recherche du Talent

2018-07-09T18:17:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone, hope you are having a wonderful summer as of date. Not that I did not want to write a blog in the last 6 months, but I figured if I have nothing interesting, educational or positive to say, what would be the point! Between the winter blues, the battle of the wits and working hard, I`m glad the summer is finally here. I have no plans this summer except to relax, get back some Zen and hopefully enjoy Montreal and it`s surroundings.

As September will eventually arrive, I wanted to mention that I am looking into doing something different this Fall. In conglomeration with others, we are looking for Montreal and surrounding talent: *Singers, dancers, bands, troupes, comedians, DJ`s and MC`s, all ages are welcome.

If you have talent I would like to know. Please send any promotional clips, videos, CV`s or if you don`t have any promotional tools please contact me as we may hold auditions. There are no costs involved, the focus is to build a new show as well as to help local talent with booking opportunities. You or your agent can send all material to femmechakra@gmail.com. We are looking for both English and French performers (SVP me contacter si vous avez besoin l`information en Francais) and/or if you have any questions. If there are any artists that I have previously worked with that would be interested, please feel free to let me know. This is a great opportunity for upcoming artists as well as professional artists as the aim is to promote and support Montreal and surrounding talent. Please share this if you may know someone or a group that is looking to join a great team of dedicated artists. Applications will be taken until August 20, 2018.

I hope everyone has a great summer and that the weather is beautiful. I will hopefully be next to water, enjoying the fresh air and/or enjoying great company this season. Cheers to you!

*Qualifications:

Singers: Looking for solo lead male and female lead singers, cover or original. Style may range but at this time we are not looking for hard rock or metal performers. For cover music artists, we are looking for Pop, Hip Hop, Latin, Jazz, Blues and/or 50`s to today versatile artists. For original music, please be sure you have all the rights to your music and/or specify what studio, producer or agent you have. Auditions may be open for beginner singers, but you must have photo and CV.

Back up vocalists: Looking for female back vocalists preferably with some dance experience.

Dancers: Currently, we are only looking for solo male and female dancers with a background in ballet, jazz, tap, Latin, social, swing, and/or couples dance. We are also looking for solo Oriental and Belly Dancers. Couples and Oriental/Belly Dancers must have 3 to 4 choreographed routines already prepared.

Bands: Looking for cover bands. If you are a duo or trio, you must have at least 50-minutes of material already prepared. Full bands (4 or more), a 2-hour full length show is required.

Dance Troupes (Must consists of 6 or more dancers): Looking for International dance styles, Hip Hop and New Age troupes. Must have 3 to 4 choreographed routines already prepared.

Comedians: Clean programs with a minimum of 15 minutes of performance.

MC`s/Hosts: Experience in public speaking or MC work, very comfortable with small and large groups.

DJ`s: If you are an experienced DJ (more than 3 years) having worked at weddings, corporate events, festivals and such, please get in touch.

Starting the year off with a smile!

2018-01-13T18:06:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! I was going to start the year off by doing a video for my Montreal Art & Fitness, but life can get busy quickly, so I decided a blog would be the best way to start 2018!!!

I`m feeling lucky this year as like everyone else I try and make better decisions for the New Year by setting goals and trying to obtain them. I really think it is easier when you have something that helps you to stay motivated. On January 28th I will be performing for Les Productions Pierrette Dubois along side Jacques Vallée for a cabaret show. I have not done the whole cabaret thing with dancers and costumes in a while, but I thought it would be a challenge to change it up a little this time by adding some of my original songs, some back vocals and some fun new cover songs. Never would I have thought I would be doing Cher but I`m excited to try something new and it`s great that it is in January as it`s usually a very quiet time for artists. The show is a bilingual show and Jacques is doing some of his originals as well as some French classics like Les Classels, Jeunesses D`Aujourd`hui and Nuit de Montréal. It is really nice to be back in a group setting and working as a team. The show is in Montreal and if you are interested please don`t hesitate to let me know, the tickets are $20.00.

The great thing about it is that I am training again and hopefully this will set the tone for the rest of the year. I`m not sure if and/or when we will perform again along side but it`s definitely motivating. I am hoping to film the show and if all works out it should be up in February on My Music YouTube Channel. A heads up to all the artists I worked with, all my shows are now on My Music channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCabV75B6Jq_3mgSExrQIMBQ, check them out, it is super fun going down memory lane.

So that`s my update, I really do hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is starting the year on a positive note. Again, I wanted to thank everyone that watched the latest interviews with local talent, it really was meant to help support and hopefully next September I can introduce you to a few new and creative hard-working artists. Thank you for subscribing to My Montreal Art & Fitness https://www.youtube.com/femmechakra and coming up, I am hoping to catch a few clips behind the scenes.

I hope everyone has a great January, stay warm and see you in February!

My Montreal Art & Fitness 2017

2017-10-24T15:42:00.000-04:00

I really hope everyone had a wonderful summer and that the school year has started out well. I must say that 2017 has been quite rewarding as well as full of change so far. It started with a well-deserved vacation to Cuba which was long overdue and quite the experience as it was my first time vacationing alone (You can check it out at https://www.youtube.com/femmechakra).

I finally managed to upload a lot of my songs and old shows on my new YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCabV75B6Jq_3mgSExrQIMBQ which was fun and brought back many great memories. As I am the queen of the delete button and although it still needs some work, I am proud I put them up and will keep them up.

If you missed my last post, I did manage to take all my poetry and short stories and self-publish my book, A Life of Understanding. It`s more of a memoire of thoughts that I felt would be something I would like to remember in my old age but you are welcome to read it and give me your thoughts (Link amazon on https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B072N3GPLL and on Blurb at http://www.blurb.ca/b/7998143-a-life-of-understanding ).

You can of course keep up to date with everything I do on my website www.femmechakra.com which I finally changed from Flash so it is available on cellphones. You can purchase my book and music, view my bio as well as other resources regarding My Montreal Art and Fitness.

The last half of the year was focused on my artistic venues, coming up, I will be focusing on having you get to know a few new artists. As October 31st will be the 3rd anniversary of My Montreal Art and Fitness, every Tuesday, from October 31st to December 12th please help support local talent by watching their interviews and getting to know them a bit better. One of the goals for me doing this project had everything to do with helping others and encouraging art in Montreal so I do hope you will find an artist that you can relate to or one that may inspire you. You can view all the interviews on My YouTube Femmechakra. A huge thank you to all the artists that took their time, it was wonderful either seeing you again or getting to know you better.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Fall season and a Happy Halloween, hopefully the weather will hold out as long as possible and the winter months will not start too early. Wishing you all love xxoo.

My New Poetry & Short Story Book - A Life of Understanding

2017-06-29T19:35:00.000-04:00

I am proud to announce that I finally published some of my poetry and short stories. Over the last few years, some of my friends have received my poems as gifts for special occasions as many of them are positive and in celebration of the many people that I cared for a great deal.

I started writing them when I was 11 years old and above each published story or poem is the year that they were written, over the years the writing changes a great deal in style and format. I was reluctant at first as a few of the poems are reminders of hard choices, pain and loss but I am who I am today because of those moments and decisions. It puts into perspective the girl I once was to the woman I strive to be.

I do hope some are motivational and / or people find a reflection in themselves having experienced or felt a certain circumstance or feeling. I`m grateful to have loved, cared and respected so many people and because of them, I was able to create these memories. With all it`s good and bad it does capture a piece of me.

If you would like to purchase a copy you can visit my website for all the links www.femmechakra.com.

The preview and soft cover are available on Blurb and/or you can purchase it on an E-reader at Amazon. Thank you in advance for the support and please do not hesitate to let me know what you think.

New Thoughts, New Ideas and a Positive Attitude

2017-06-20T09:57:00.000-04:00

Life is full of ups and downs and some years carry more burdens and hardships than others. I have and always will be a person that strives at being positive. I believe that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel but sometimes taking a break, removing the clutter, re-evaluating directions can make a huge difference. When dramatic life changes occur, it is easier to just move ahead, not concentrate as it`s too hard to feel but in that midst, you can find that the experience will lead to new beginnings, new hope and clarity. That is what I am looking forward to for the rest of 2017.

As an artist and one that is constantly changing, learning and evolving, I have been told numerous amount of times to pick one direction and go with that as a Master is someone that concentrates on one discipline as oppose to many. For me, that would not be possible. Life is meant to be an experience and although it would be much more lucrative to focus in one area, I love change. I am and have been throughout my life a professional dancer, choreographer, singer, producer and writer. Dr. K. Anders Ericsson of Florida State University, as well as other researchers, have found that it takes around 10 years or 10,000 hours of practice to master something. In that context by the time I am 60 I should have 5 master degrees..lol. My point being that I am always going to be a versatile artist as without Art, life would be intolerable.

On that note, I have been told that because I focus on many projects and different venues, people don`t really grasp what I have done, what I am doing and what are my projects. As I have never been good at self-promotion, I have not really put my work into perspective. Hence why I updated my website www.femmechakra.com. This will be my target website as it will be kept up to date. Presently you can listen and buy my music which has been a very long time coming, you can view some of my video productions from my YouTube Channel and get an idea of what I am currently doing. My social links are also available for those specific projects. In general, I am trying to make it as simple as possible to follow. Thanks to those that take the time to read, watch, listen and/or subscribe, I really do appreciate it. I could be a private artist but what fun is that if you can`t share it with someone.

I have a few new projects that I am currently working on that I will be sharing soon and I hope in the coming months to find some new and interesting ideas. Thanks again and if I don`t see some on you over the summer, I hope it is a great one. Hopefully Mother Nature will be kind to us.

Missing Mom, FECU and Happy Mother`s Day!

2017-05-14T16:33:00.000-04:00

It`s hard to believe it`s already been a little over a year since my mom passed away. I will never forget how the experience changed my life in so many ways. I`m sure it`s not the same for everyone as not everyone get`s to experience the closeness I had with my mom but at one point or another, if you ever truly love someone and lose them, it can be life altering. I miss her everyday. The phone calls that so frequently annoyed me when she was around. The bond that we had of understanding, accepting and caring. The laughs, the cries and the friendship. The one person that loved me unconditionally, was my biggest fan and that never judged me. Even in death she taught me so much. Never take life for granted as from one day to the next you never know what can happen and be sympathetic and caring when you hear that someone has lost someone as you should never forget how you once felt. I am so grateful that I got to spend so much time with her in her last years and although she is not here, her presence is constantly felt and remembered.

She would have been happy to know that I attended the fundraiser for the FECU, Foundation for the Education of the Children in Uganda. I find it unfortunate how in 2017 children still cannot pursue education. Whether it be here, Uganda or Internationally, all children should have the right to basic education. The FECU mission is to do just that, enable underprivileged children to pursue secondary education. Fr. David Kiyingi, a 24 year Montreal retired High School teacher was born in Uganda and has dedicated his efforts to address such issues. A huge thanks to Nada for inviting me and of course seeing all the old team from Dynamic Entertainment. The singer, Eddie Laudi, was absolutely wonderful. I love the 50`s classic and his charming vocal energy and style fit the occasion perfectly. I met some new and friendly people and spent time with familiar faces, had a great meal, entertainment and all for a good cause! If you would like to support or become a member of this foundation please contact Fr. David Kiyingi at 514-426-5593, (cell) 514-213-5778 or kiyingi.fr.david@gmail.com.

Although my mother is not here to celebrate I do have many people I care about that are doing their best at being the most fantastic mothers they can be. In that regards, I hope you all have a wonderful Mother`s Day as you all deserve it, big kisses!

Into the Woods, Allo Sherbrooke and Happy Easter!

2017-04-16T17:52:00.000-04:00

Well it has been an interesting few weeks. Venturing from one part of town to the other, I started by catching the closing show of ``Into the Woods`` on March 26th at the Hudson Village Theatre. I really do love going back and seeing the productions by the Hudson Music Club as it brings back some great memories. It`s already been 4 years since the production of Oklahoma and yet I still feel privileged having met and worked with so many great artists. John Wilson, an all around great guy and friend who still gives a great performance every time I see him on stage and Dan Wheeler whom I have seen in numerous amount of productions just seems to get better each time! Each time I see Gail Marchand perform she still makes me laugh and those costumes, absolutely stunning! A huge congratulations to everyone in the show as it was really well produced and to a few of the artists I had never heard or seen, awesome job! Looking forward to next year`s production.

As much as enjoyed watching a show I can`t say I felt the same way about performing in one..lol. I headed to Sherbrooke last Sunday to perform along Jacques Valley as he was celebrating his birthday and invited me to join him on stage. It had been well over a year since I had performed and I was really nervous doing a show that I would be on stage straight for 40 minutes. I was disappointed with myself as vocally I should have been better prepared but it was nice to see some familiar faces and receive some appreciation by those that did enjoy the show. I was also angry at myself for not owning my weight. If you don`t know, in the last few weeks I have been trying to slowly get back into shape and instead of just accepting that fact, I chose to try and hide it. I wore a large top trying to hide the fat and instead it made me look like I was 6 months pregnant. We live and learn and next time I will know better and hopefully in time, working on my flaws, it won`t be an issue for me. It was nice performing along side Jacques as I think he has evolved into a great entertainer and hopefully one day in the future we will get to perform side by side once again.

I am slowly getting around to posting all my old shows on my Music YouTube Channel which has been really interesting as I get to go back and relive the moments. 15 years is a long time to have performed professionally and I am proud that I got to live such fabulous memories. You can catch them on my channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCabV75B6Jq_3mgSExrQIMBQ

Well I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend filled with happy memories and great family and friends moments. I spent some time in Magog this weekend and have to say, it is a beautiful place to visit. A huge thanks to my Bestie for inviting me and hopefully I will venture out there again during the summer. Wishing you all the best and hopefully see you soon, Happy Easter!|

My Fitness Journey, One Month Already!!!

2017-03-12T17:58:00.000-04:00

Time really does pass fast. I started dancing (or training depending on what you call my work out) and it has already been a month. I know I should be disappointed that I managed to get myself into this mess again but I am still pretty proud of myself. Anybody that has stopped and started training again knows how much it can hurt and how hard it is to get back on the boat and start again. To all of those in this same boat, cheers to you! Yes it is smarter not to stop and start but it`s nice to know I can still manage to get back up once I fall.

I started my music channel last year and although I have loaded most of my songs I have not been doing too much in that category. I prefer right now to practice at home where only my neighbors can complain, lol. I sing and write all the time so although it`s nice to have a public, I enjoy it just as much in my own little bubble. However for years I have put up and taken down all my shows (which is almost as crazy as starting and stopping exercise ) this time I am putting up all of them. I started this week with My VHS Years which is pretty cool because although it makes me feel a tad older it reminds me of some pretty great years and performances. I still don`t completely understand how I managed to produce, film and pay for all my demos and yet never had the courage to keep them up. Was it a lack of self-confidence or fear of rejection, maybe but today I am just as proud of them as I am of my fitness choreographies, my interviews and all the work I have done on my channel. It won`t be appreciated by everybody but it`s nice to know that some enjoy it. You can listen and watch at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCabV75B6Jq_3mgSExrQIMBQ,

I am not sure if it is because I am getting older or wiser but what I thought was important has changed and I am realizing that I have a deeper appreciation of the times spent with friends and family. A huge thanks to the ladies that dropped for dinner for my birthday, what a memorable night full of laughter, wine and good food. Next week you can catch a glimpse of that on My Montreal Art & Fitness, who knew that a night at home could be so much fun!

As for me, baby steps all the way! I hope everyone has a great week and on a final positive note, only 7 days left until Spring!

Happy Valentine`s Day!

2017-02-11T20:08:00.001-05:00

I can`t believe it`s already February. To all of you that are happily in love and celebrating, I wish you all a very Happy Valentine`s Day. To those that have not found love this year, join the gang! We can celebrate together with a cheers for being independent and waiting for the real thing.

Besides starting the year off positive by taking my first solo vacation (catch it on Femme Chakra YouTube), I did make a new years resolution to start taking out the clutter. You see I am one of those people that like to jump on a project with enthusiasm, finish it as professionally, quickly and as best as I can. The problem with house and personnel clutter is that there never seems to be enough time to finish everything I want to do. So this year I decided I`m going to take baby steps and do a little week by week. Besides the relentless cleaning of going through way too many CD`s of pictures, music and videos as well as the bunch of crap I seemed to have accumulated in the last 6 years of living here, I have only scratched the surface. It will take time but I am positive, I got a lot accomplished and it really does feel great once you finish something you set your mind to do.

In regards to the arts, this month I`m going to start uploading my old shows on my music channel. I have my cover album up as well as some of my original songs but I want to put up my old shows. I honestly think that they are part of my journey, I am proud of them and I want to share some of my accomplishments. I promised myself last year that I would be an open book, they made me who I am today and I`m happy I got to experience them.

In regards to fitness, I can`t say 2016 was my best year. I am slowly getting back to eating healthier by wiping away some bad habits first and slowly I will get into the physical part. Albeit knowing how to eat properly and train properly, I am someone that mentally has to be motivated to jump back on the boat. It`s never healthy to stop and start but I am not one to judge on that behavior as I am the perfect example. Every time I stop I have to go through all the physical pain again, it really is a vicious cycle. Why stop then? It's still a question I ponder but I factor in that it's my mental state which in turn leads to a mix of bad habits, laziness and lack of motivation. The good thing is I have been up and down before and I am extremely resilient (Thanks Mom!). At first you don't succeed, try, try again!

So I am wishing you all a fabulous Happy Valentine`s. For those in love, be thankful you have someone that makes you happy and that is there for you. For those like me that are not, it`s still a happy occasion as once you know what love really is, you won`t settle for less than what you had. It`s worth the wait! Have a great day everyone and I will see you soon.

That Way for you - Written by Anne-Marie Taylor and Adamack Beats
One of the first songs I wrote years ago in 2010 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f6BzWB7DnU

Vacationing Alone for the First Time

2017-01-25T18:58:00.000-05:00

My philosophy this year is that life is too short. I enjoyed my vacations to other countries when I went with friends and loved ones but time is precious and I did not want to miss an opportunity out of the fear of going alone. I have to thank a colleague of mine as she really did push the subject and considering she is 55 years old and she travels all over the world by herself, it did give me a boost when making the final decision. If she could do it I was pretty sure I could manage it.

I have to admit it was frightening when the time came to jump into the taxi and make my way to the airport as the full realization kicked in that I was leaving. Fear has a funny way of amplifying the situation, will I be lonely, will I get lost, will I be safe or what if I need help seem to cross my mind a lot but nothing ventured is nothing gained, so off I went.

I believe that if you enjoy your own company and know how to keep yourself busy then a solo vacation is for you. I write, film and books are my best friends (finished 4 in one week) so I knew that I would enjoy my time without having to meet anyone and use the time to relax and enjoy the sun. Not having Internet was a little difficult but the break really was refreshing. In this day and age we are all so accustomed to having it as our source of entertainment that we seem to forget that there are other simple pleasures.

I know I am a sociable person but I am shy around people I do not know and in large groups so I was anxious that I would not meet people. Needless to say that I was worried for no reason. From the first day, people were warm, friendly and inviting. I met some really great people from all over Canada and Europe, made new friends and hopefully some lasting connections. A smile really does go a long way.

I must be pretty lucky as I had 7 days of sunshine with no rain, the beach was beautiful and the resort was what I expected. You can catch the video on my YouTube coming up this week to catch a glimpse of the resort, my trip to Havana and meet some of the fun and entertaining people I met. https://www.youtube.com/femmechakra

I did learn a lot this week. I feel braver, self-reliant and self-assured that I am capable of doing anything once I set my mind to it. The relaxation, the sun, the beach and the peace and quiet gave me time to focus and think clearly. Being sociable and listening to their stories not only widened my mindset but reminded me how much I really do enjoy meeting new people. It really did give me a lot to reflect on and I am proud that I did not let fear and self-doubt get in my way of experiencing something new and different. If you ever thought of leaving alone, do it, it is well worth it. All in all, a well needed and deserved vacation.

It`s 2017, Kinky Boots and Change

2017-01-11T19:23:00.004-05:00

Well it is finally 2017! I`m usually a positive person and I try really hard to be positive for others. Normally a New Year does not change that but 2016 was a harsh one and I have to say, I`m glad it is over. I do not believe that because it`s a New Year that all my problems will just suddenly disappear and now everything is rosy but I`m glad that the anguish has dimmed and I can feel somewhat at peace, I am ready to take on new challenges.

So I got to start the year by enjoying what I consider one of the best musicals I have seen in a while. Although I am a fan of musical theatre I would not consider myself enveloped in it. I have the up most respect for traditional shows but I am someone that loves to see live shows that are focused on singing and dancing, comedy, stage, and costumes, I love upbeat charismatic shows. Kinky Boots is as charismatic as is comes. It reminded me of Cindy Lauper and how I saw her in the 80`s, the wild girl with the eccentric voice, bright red hair with a funny and charming personality. Although Cindy Lauper was not in the show, she wrote the music and lyrics and it reminded me how different and creative she was, she is still pushing the limits and I really like that about her. I`m really glad that she won a Tony award for the show, it really was fantastic. Not your typical show for viewers that do not know what drag queens can do but I can guarantee you will be amazed by the talent, the voices, the stage, the costumes and the upbeat dance. I`m still in awe of the fact that most of the men looked better than most women I know and that they could do a full show in those boots! If it does come back to Montreal, I do recommend seeing it as it`s a fun show even if you are not a fan of musical theatre. All in all, a wonderful time with friends with laughter, entertainment and with a twist of eccentric and charm. Great night!

I did finally finish by biography on my YouTube channel and I really think that it helped me to move on. It kept me occupied and gave me a chance to go back in time and reminded me of all the hard work I had put in over the years. I got to relive memories, remind myself of all the great people I worked along side and gave me an opportunity to acknowledge those that made a significant difference in my artistic career. It was a little difficult summing up your entire career in 7 episodes of 10 to 15 minutes as I have done so much more but it definitely sets a tone to some of my accomplishments.

I really have no idea what I will do this year, I have no upcoming projects and I am solely focusing on change. I am hoping 2017 will be filed with creativity and new adventures and I want to take the time to hopefully get back to a healthy lifestyle with a positive mind set. You can always catch up or subscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/femmechakra as that is usually up to date as well as my blog or you can just visit if the thought of me ever comes up. I truly hope your New year is starting on a positive note but if it is not, give me a call and hopefully I can help put a smile on your face as so many helped me last year put one on mine when I really needed it.

My Montreal Art & Fitness 2016

2016-10-26T18:21:00.002-04:00

The people closest to me know that 2016 has not been a very good year for me. Life can hit you with some pretty difficult times when you least expect it and they can lead you to re-evaluate who you are as a person.

I consider myself a positive person. Albeit the chaos and pain I always look to find the silver lining in every situation or at very least I try to analyze and understand the situation as best as I can. It takes time for pain to subside, some it takes weeks, some it takes months and others years. Only those that have felt that sort of pain can understand, I do not wish it upon anyone. In any case eventually you have to find peace within the situation otherwise it will eat you up and you will never move on.

I believe that even within the worst situations you can learn a lot. Pain does reflect and it can teach you a lot about yourself and the people surrounding you. I will be eternally grateful for those that were there to support me this year and this has left me with the understanding that life is too short and time passes way too fast. I will never be afraid again to let people know how much they mean to me as you really never know how much time you or they have.

Art has and always will be my gateway when I need a release. When I`m upset I sing sad songs, I write to let my thoughts go free and when I think too much I need to create something to keep me busy. This is who I am and it won`t change anytime soon. You can love me for who I am or you can move on. Again, life is too short!

2015 was a great year for me and I got to know many Montreal Artists. I did live interviews and blogs and learned a lot about what was going on in and around the Montreal area. I got to know many talented fitness and dance instructors, took many dance classes and put some fitness choreographies together to get back in shape. All in all, it was a busy and rewarding year.

Albeit the chaos this year, I did work on some interesting projects. Starting next week (Oct 31st) I will introduce you to some great artists I worked with this year as well as take you back in time and explain how I became the crazy artist that I am. I have done so much in my lifetime, met so many great people whom I would like to introduce and I am proud of those accomplishments. I hope you will enjoy my trip back in time and that you will get to know me a bit better, catch it every week on https://www.youtube.com/femmechakra or you can follow on my Facebook or Google.

Happy Halloween!

If ever there was a holiday that deserves to be commercialized, it's Halloween. We haven't taken it away from kids, we've just expanded it so that the kid in adults can enjoy it too. Cassandra Peterson - Brainy Quote

The Burkini

2016-08-28T16:10:00.000-04:00

Having grown up surrounded by religion and in a multi-cultural environment, I tend to ponder questions frequently when a subject falls within those contexts. Maybe it is my love for understanding philosophy and psychology that makes me think and question why at some level I feel as a woman that this affects me.

Keep in mind, this ban was a direct result of the many casualties that have recently occurred in France. Feeling safe after being victimized is an extremely hard process and as a whole I think the country feels threatened by situation not so much by the wearing of the burkini. As the burkini represents the Muslim religion, it is a reminder of the many victims. I understand this reasoning at some level but wonder if fear mongering by the media and the ignorant play a huge part in spreading more hatred than compassion for the situation.

Much like France, we live in a liberated place that we are all able to ``choose`` what we want. We can do and say what we please as long as it falls within the principles of the law. Clothing laws are stipulated by each country. The law in France prohibits wearing religious symbols in government and in schools. This for me has always been a little confusing. Why care if I wear a cross, a kippah or a hijab? If I choose to wear my hair green or blue or if I am covered in tattoos, is that offensive? I suppose it's not about what they are wearing rather what people think it represents.

Throughout history, within almost all religions, there have been stipulations as to how a woman should act, how she should dress and what part she should play. Although some religions are evolving there are some that believe that the doctrines are an absolute. To not follow them is the ultimate strike against God. Luckily, I don't live in that country. Here we have the right to believe in what we want. We can go to church, the synagogue, the temple and/or the mosque and believe what we choose. Only recently is it acceptable not to be religious, tell someone 80 years ago that you are an atheist and I can guarantee that a hanging was not that far behind.

The Burkini (as well as the hijab) are a representation of Muslim women, a woman wearing it wants to remain modest within the terms of the religion. Here it is her choice but not all countries give that right. If a woman is comfortable with those beliefs and she is not harming anyone or being harmed, why on earth would we condemn it? To believe in something is now incomprehensible? I truly believe that the burkini or the hijab are not the problem but the fear of what most people think it represents. Not all Muslims are terrorists, not all Muslims want to harm and a piece of clothing is definitely not going to change anything.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2016-07-27T08:44:00.000-04:00

To be honest I was a little scared to write this blog entry. This year has been an extremely difficult one to say the least and every time I tried to focus and become positive another blow would occur and I would fall again. I feel like if I mention trying to become positive I will jinx it and something else negative will come out of the woodwork. Silly I know but it`s not easy when life throws you curveballs and you keep missing the ball.

When you truly love someone death is one of the hardest emotional roller coasters you will ever be on, it plays on your mind constantly. Even when you think you are dealing with it the emotions come in waves and eat up your energy.

My mother was my ``go to person``, my confidant, my best friend and in the last 5 years my whole life revolved around her. Change is hard and starting over without her has been a challenge and not one that I have embraced. I feel if I do, I will be letting her go. Strange as that may seem, hanging onto the pain keeps her here with me. Knowing my mother she would devastated with that mind set. She would want me to move forward, change, be strong and happy. She would say, ``you can`t live in the past, the present is all that matters``. After 5 months I understand now that that the pain will never fully go away and I am coming to terms with it but it still tears me up thinking of her. It is true that you can never fully understand it until you have lived it and I know I will never be the same person without her.

As it is the first time she won`t be here and I won`t be able to celebrate with her, I hope she knows how much she meant to me and how much I miss her. I hope I did enough when she was here for her to be proud. Happy Birthday Mom, I hope you are in a much better place, you are laughing, smiling and you are enjoying your time there. This is not good-bye only a graceful way to say that I will see you again one day. Love you always!

Life does continue and for me new projects are inevitable. I`m not sure what direction I will take but in the meantime I am enjoying playing with my camera with places I visit as well as my new hobby, jewellery making. For now that is enough for me.

With everything that has happened, my mom and all the other misfortunes I am extremely grateful to learn that I am surrounded by great friends and family. Thanks to everyone that held my hand through the turmoil and I promise should the tables turn, I will be right there by your side. I hope everyone has a great summer!

Life Sucks Sometimes...

2016-05-29T15:20:00.000-04:00

If there is something that I have learnt in the last 5 months is that life can really shoot some nasty curve balls when least expected. Experiences that rip your heart out and that you are forced to confront. I think the older I get, the more I realize how there are always these life changes that stay with you and that you never forget although the really painful ones have an impact and can alter the way you think about yourself and those surrounding you. The things that were once important don`t seem that important anymore; experiences that forever change our ideals.

Just when you think you will survive one disaster another hurricane creeps in and sweeps you up. The expression when it rains it pours feels more like it`s raining and a tsunami just hit. As I have always been a firm believer that the universe sends you as much as you can handle and that everything happens for a reason, I have to admit that it`s hard sometimes to stay positive within than reasoning. It`s easy to say but a lot harder to maintain faced with pain, hurt and frustration.

The thing about crossroads is that it always involves change and decisions. The feeling like you are driving and have come to a dead end where there is only right or left to go but you are uncertain which is the best direction, the questioning period. What should I do? Why is this happening? Questions that taunt you and that albeit other's opinions and support, you ultimately have to figure out on your own. If you have ever questioned the people surrounding you, it is at these times that you will see who is truly there for you and how you know you always stand by them. It's easy to be surrounded by people when life is good, it's another thing when people have to listen to your not so perfect life, complaints and hardships. That is when you realize your social crowd or network is not so big after all. There is a learning experience in everything that happens.

To say the least, so far this year has been a very trying and difficult time for me, life does suck sometimes. This is not a call for sympathy as everyone has there own battles and but rather an understanding and a grateful thank you for everyone that has been there and helped me through it. As I am a strong and independent person, this is just a difficult phase and I will not let it consume me. It's within the worst times of your life that you find your greatest strengths.