About Deirdre Powell
Deirdre Powell, from a very early age thirst for the written word. Her first publication was a prose featured in Lanigan School book at the mere age of seven. Her parents moved to Co. Claire Ireland when she was ten, giving her opportunity to embrace her Irish culture.
While there, she engulfed herself learning Yeats, Wilde, Beckett, Joyce, McCourt and Mythology from ancient Ireland. Whilst in Ireland she attended college for film and television production and then studied in London in 1999 before moving back to the United States to further her studies in Creative Writing, Journalism and Photography earning certificates and credits towards her Masters Degree.
Deirdre is Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of Undergroundwriter, a diverse cultural webzine promoting writers, photographers and artists worldwide. Deirdre has articles, poetry and short stories featured in various publications. When Deirdre is not writing, she is an enthusiastic amateur photographer. Some of her photographs appeared in local Florida newspapers. Coming from an Artisan lineage Deirdre heartily believes that the arts change the polarity of thought and thus she is always supporting the local arts.
Recent Posts by Deirdre Powell
Samhain aka Halloween: A Celt Celebration
October 31, 2011 by Deirdre Powell
Samhain (pronounced differently Samain, Samuin or Samfuin) is an ancient old tradition dating back thousands of years. Samhain was celebrated by the Celts (in Ireland, Wales and Scotland) as the Feast Of The Dead and for the final harvest of the year. It has been adopted into Catholic religion as All Saints Day. The Celts divided the year into two parts on their calendar. The dark half known as Samhain fell on the eve of October 31st and the other half began with Beltane May 1st. The Gaulish calendar used by the Celts marked the dates of these festivities.
Samhain was a three-day festival gathering Celtic clans at the Royal Court of Tara. A bonfire was lit on the hill of Tara marking the three day event and to signal the rest of the Celts to light fires if they did not attend. The sacred colors of the rituals were orange and black, associated with human death and the Crone Deity.
According to belief, the veil between the living and the dead was raised resulting in the dead walking amongst the living. Believing the dead could return home the Celts would leave food and wine in the window and keep the all door open.
Oracles and prophesies were made on the night. High priestesses believed the dead provided a link to the future. Traditionally, costumes of animal skins and bore heads were used and dances around bonfires burning foliage and paying homage to Deities for the long winter ahead.
Today many of these traditional rituals play a role in modern day Halloween. Costumes and colors associated with paganism have infiltrated into our western culture. Bonfires are burned; parties and get-togethers are common to celebrate the night. In Ireland modern-day Irish pagans honor these traditions into their daily lives.
Fortune telling and food such as Barmbrack are a great example of this. A sweet bread with raisins and sultanas, it’s backed with pieces of trinkets. If found these items represent possible future events. Such as a pea, a stick, a piece of cloth, a piece
of silver and a ring. A pea could mean not getting married. A stick, maybe you’ll be beaten in your marriage or endure constant arguing. A piece of cloth is a bad omen for poverty. A piece of silver represents good fortune or money. A ring, you’ll be married by years end.
Another tradition is placing a lighted candle in the window so the dead can find their way home. So no matter how you celebrate Halloween, remember there is a spiritual connotation with this holiday. Put your mask on, light a bonfire, put a candle in your window and let the harvest begin.
Book Signing: Tim Burton Saturday, May 28 | 12:00 pm
May 16, 2011 by Deirdre Powell
A rare opportunity to have Tim Burton sign your exhibition catalogue (seen here) and Art of Tim Burton purchased at one of our LACMA’s stores. Tim Burton opens to the public on May 29.
Pavilion for Japanese Art | Free, no reservations | Signing limited to 2 books per person | Signing will end promptly at 2 pm.
Visit LACMA.ORG for more information
Egypt Moving Forward
February 23, 2011 by Deirdre Powell
Le harem & Deeva will be hosting “Egypt Moving Forward” this Friday to show our support to the cultural extravaganza in Luxor Temple Park on the 26th of February. Luxorians will raise their voices in celebration of their victory, Egypt’s future, Egyptian culture, and strengthening Egypt’s unity with the world.
We will be playing some traditional Egyptian music along with other world music. The Shishas will be flowing all night of course.
International Charity Cinemagic Holds Event in Bay Area
February 7, 2011 by Deirdre Powell
Cinemagic is an international award winning charity that embraces the magic of film, television and digital technologies to educate motivate and inspire young people through the medium of workshops, film screenings and industry lead master classes. Established in 1989, Cinemagic has developed a worldwide reputation for excellence in children’s programming and is currently the largest film event of its kind for young people in the UK and Ireland, attracting over 30,000 young people annually. Over the course of the last twenty years Cinemagic has grown and expanded beyond all expectations.
Cinemagic Opening Party:
Date: Wednesday 16th Febuary
Time: 6:30 -8:30 pm
Where: The Consulate General of Ireland, 100 Pine Street
Visual Effects with Brain Freisinger Workshop:
Date: Thursday 17th
Time: 4-6pm
Venue: TILT (Teaching Intermedia Literacy Tools), Ninth Street at the Independent Film Center in San Francisco on Friday, February 18, 2011.
Savory Crȇpes
October 11, 2010 by Deirdre Powell
Savory Crȇpes
Crȇpes Recipe
1 cup of all purpose flour
2 eggs
1 ¼ cup of milk
2 Tbsp melted butter
¼ tsp Salt.
- In large bowl mix together flour and eggs. Slowly, stir in milk. Add salt and butter. Place mixture into refrigerator for at least one hour.
- Mix mixture one more time. Add a splash of milk. Heat frying pan over medium heat with 1 tbsp of butter. Use a ladle to spoon out mixture. Tilt pan in a circular motion spreading mixture evenly. Cook for about one minute or until brown and flip with spatula.
- After Crêpes are cooked set aside.
Chicken and Mushroom Sauce
1 pound of cubed skinless chicken (if you want vegetarian use cubed tofu)
2Tbsp of butter
2 cloves of garlic
2 Tbsp of sherry
½ of chicken or vegetable stock
½ cup of cream
Dash of salt
Dash of black pepper.
- Pan-fry chicken or tofu over little oil. Once browned and thoroughly cooked remove and place aside.
- Add butter and mushrooms and cook over medium heat until brown
- Add sherry, stock, cream and garlic Reduce heat to low and cook until mixture reduces to a think sauce.
- Once sauce is cooked place into a large bowl with chicken (or tofu)
Rolling Crêpes
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Use glass dish and spray with Pam
- Place crêpes on a work surface. One at a time add chicken (vegetarian) sauce and roll leaving enough room to fold both ends.
- Place crêpes into glass dish and grate with Parmesan cheese.
- Cook for ten minutes or until cheese bubbles.
Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society Event
October 7, 2010 by Deirdre Powell
Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society Barnes & Noble Bookfair.
When: Wednesday, October 13th at 7:30PM.
Where: Barnes & Noble 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles CA, 90036
- Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry
(C.E.O. of Roddenberry Productions) - Trevor Roth
(Head of Development at Roddenberry Productions) - Stephen Christ
(Editor-in-Chief, Archaia Comics)
Presented by the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society (LASFS) and hosted by Neverendingpanel.com.
Can’t attend? Visit the B&N online bookfair: http://www.bn.com/bookfairs, from 10/13/2010 to 10/18/2010 enter ID 10276251 on any merchandise, you can even use your B&N Discount Card and the LASFS will earn up to 20% of the sale. On-site for the event either use the ID Code or tell the check out person you are with the book fair.
Abbot Kinney Festival in Venice Ca
September 25, 2010 by Deirdre Powell
Abbot Kinney Festival September 26th from 10:00am-6:00pm at Abbot Kinney Blvd at California Ave (Venice CA).
Over the past 26 years, the Abbot Kinney Festival has grown in size and popularity to become one of the largest community events of its kind in Southern California, attracting attendees throughout the region who are environmentally conscious, health-focused, arts-minded, and community-oriented. Its extensive selection of handcrafted items complements an eclectic mix of over 110 boutique stores, restaurants, salons, nightclubs, eco-friendly businesses, and art galleries along the famed one-mile shopping district of Abbot Kinney Blvd. For more information go to Abbot Kinney Website http://abbotkinney.org
9th Annual West Hollywood Book Fair
September 24, 2010 by Deirdre Powell
9th Annual West Hollywood Book Fair will be held on Sunday September 26th at
West Hollywood Park 647 N. San Vicente Blvd between 10:00 am- 6:00 pm.
Cruise book vendors, listen to authors discussion panel and join a writing seminar. For more information visit http://www.westhollywoodbookfair.org
