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INGER-SON

WRITER Ann Mortifee

has embarked on a heal-
ing journey. Fellowing the
release of her eighth album,
titled just that — Healing
Journey — the longtime West
Vancouver resident has decid-
ed to take a three-month sab-
hatical.

By Layne Christensen
Arts Reporter

“Treally feet P've come to an inter.
esting pkice in my life where 1 feel
that there’s something brewing.” she
says, sipping acafe an fait in Me back
garden of the Remarkable Dog bistro,
a favorite haunt.

“{ feel a tremendous sense of

excitement about my inner life and
“my. work.” she says. “ve given
myself these three months, aad Pim
just going to explore and see what the
muse-has to say to me. It’s really
quite exciting.”

You could say the muse has been
kind to Mortifee. Since the carly

°70s, she has built a name for hersell

asa writer (the family musical
Reflections on Crooked Walking and
the score for the Royal Winnipeg

Ballet’s production of The Ecstasy of

Rita Joe), & live performer (she has
toured with Harry Belafonte. Ramsey
Lewis and John Denver) and a
recording artist. She has received the
George Vanier Award and the YWCA
Woman of Distinction Award, been
named “best female vocalist” at the
West Coast Music Awards and, in

1992, was awarded the Order of
Canada for her outstanding contribu-
tion to the performing and healing
arts, She also established her own
recording company. Jabula Records
(Sjabula® is Zutu for “rejoice ).

But for now, the South Atrican-
horn recording artist is putting that
side of her creative persona on hold:

“Pm taking this whole yeur to
really look and discover what itis fin
meant to do next” she explains.

For Mortifee. that) may mean
painting, povtry, taking care of eight-
year-old son Devon or more of the
workshops that have given her such a
sense of fulfilment.

fe is no surprise that the work-
shops Mortifee has ded. at home and
abroad, concern themselves with
healing. She bas worked with sur-
vivors of suicide, ie chronically ill.
the sexually abused. She heals
through dance, song and “a lot of
laughter,” working with groups sized
from 15 to 200,

And with every workshop she
undertakes, she finds another piece of
herself. “One of the most joyful
things is Knowing there are other peo-
ple on the journey with me.”

But don’t ask this spirited artist to
prophesize where and when her jour-
hey may end.

“At the end of this year E mtay just
close up the company, let go of all my
work, move to Mexico and live by the
ocean — just paint. the resc of my
life.” she laughs freely. But on reflec-
tion, she adds a little more seriously
“{ don't know what I'm going to do.
1 feel a deep. sense of: excitement
because I’ve given myself the free-
dom to change.”

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Wednesday, February 8, 1995 - North Shore News - 19

STORIES

NEWS photo Mike Wakefield

“MY LIFE has been very, very blessed,” says Ann Mortifee.
While artist friends have struggled, the West Vancouver
singer-songwriter has enjoyed the support of ‘the pubjic
and the industry. Following the release of her eighth
recording, the compilation CD Healing Journey, Mortifee
has taken a break from performing in order to develop
other avenues of creativity. “I’m taking this whole year to
really look and discover what it is I’m meant to do next.”

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