Wow–these last few weeks have been a whirlwind! I turned in my graduate thesis on a Monday, flew to Austin on a Wednesday for the Media Arts and Literacy Institute’s Women’s Film and Performance Arts Conference, (where I had an AMAZING weekend networking and building friendships with talented women from all over the country), came back to Spokane, defended my thesis, finished teaching English 201 for the quarter, and went ahead and graduated with a Master of Fine Arts Degree! It’s just now dawning on me that I really did it–I really completed my MFA!

What’s next for me? Well, who knows. But one thing’s for sure–music will be a part of it! I’m in the beginning stages of planning to record a second album with Dan Zamzow in Minneapolis, and I’m working on booking up gigs for the summer and fall.

Here’s what’s coming up:

June 15th: Conor Byrne Pub, Seattle. Mary Bue, Lowlands, Pretty Broken Things, and Liz Rognes.

July 7th: Spokane Songwriter’s Organization: Chairs Coffee, Spokane.

July 10th: Choochokam Arts Festival

August 15th: Birthday Show, Aster Cafe, Minneapolis! w/Thomas Kivi and Bethany DeLine!

Here are a few photos from my recent trip to Austin. I’ll leave you with some links to new bands and artists I discovered at the festival! I left the MALI Conference feeling incredibly inspired and grateful to have been a part of such a cool event. Please check these women out. From positive body awareness to improv to some serious punk to beautiful songwriting, poetry, filmmaking, and dancing, these women were absolutely astounding. I was in awe the entire weekend.

Liz with Skating Polly at MALI

Check out these girls at: http://www.myspace.com/skatingpolly and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Skating-Polly/139198872775012

Mazz Swift at MALI

Check her out at: http://www.mazzmuzik.com/

MALI Award Winners! Melissa Engleman, Skating Polly, and Mama Juggs!

Here’s where you can find Melissa Engleman and Mama Juggs!

M. Asli Dukan, Liz Rognes, and Marcie Eanes

Check out filmmaker M. Asli Dukan and poet Marcie Eanes!

Other women you should check out! Look for Cara Hagan and Mackenzie Hagan’s Dance Productions at http://www.87danceproductions.com/,

Natalie Goodnow’s theatre and performance at http://www.nataliegoodnow.com/,

Heather Bishop’s music at http://www.reverbnation.com/heatherbishop

Singer/Songwriter and Cellist Monica McIntyre at http://www.myspace.com/monicamcintyre

Writer Fiona Zedde: http://www.fionazedde.com/

And, of course, Poet on Watch!

Really, this event was incredible. Thanks to the festival coordinator, founder of MALI, and all-around talented poet and performer P.O.W., for inviting me! Thanks also to Angela Lucas for driving my ass around and for being so warm and welcoming. I brought some good energy from Austin all way back here to Spokane, Washington. And good thing I did–I think it helped me through these last crazy days of thesis-defending and graduating!