Be part of Milli´s new CD and „Homage To My Roots“ project!

I´ve been working on multimedia “Homage To My Roots“ project. I will bring you new songs that are interconnected with visual art, exhibitions, concerts and workshops. Be a part of the story which is a journey to courage, hope, and respect. Thank you!

  • Milli Janatková Trio, Jazz Dock Club, Prague, 2014

  • "Transformation" album launch concert, Jazz Dock

  • 2013, CD launch concert, photo J.Přibylský

  • First Milli´s Solo gig with her painting, 2011

  • Painting jewel handmade by Milli, 2015

  • Milli´s colored linocut roots

  • Milli´s Solo "Quiet, please!", Art Jam Fest, 2016

  • Photo J.Pergl, "Quiet, please!" Solo gig, 2016

  • Nelson Faria, J. Honzák, Milli and M.Novák, 2010

  • Nelson Faria, Milli, J.Honzák Trio, 2010

  • Milli´s water color painting, 2015

  • Milli´s original graphics

  • Milli´s linocut graphics at her exhibition

  • Milli Janatková Trio, photo Jan Přibylský, 2013

  • Milli´s singing, photo Petr Luňák

  • "Transformation" Solo CD launch, 2013

  • Milli´s courageous haircut, 2015, photo J.Pechlát

  • Milli´s handmade concert dress from her painting

EUR 8,851
pledged of EUR 7,904

111%

111% completed

193 contributors pledged

Music, Art

Prague, Czech Republic

All or nothing. Project finished on Nov 24, 2016 at 10:00.

Show all rewards

What is my goal?

My goal is the creation and publication of songs, paintings, CD, a book and public events. I have been cooperating with great musicians (you can read more in Rewards section). I will create a painting for each song too. We can share the realization of the CD, happenings, exhibition, concerts and workshops. The project is a journey of hope, inner power, healing, and to be able to overcome life‘s difficult challenges. The meaning of the journey is to respect ones self, the past, and to continue the family legacy in the best way. Thanks to this journey it is possible to improve the quality of life, health, and relationships. The main goal is a motivation to renew trust and people´s respect to each other, understanding and interconnectiong. I would like to inspire to reflection and discussion about the values in the life of the individual and the society.

How I will use the money?

The amount of money I hope to receive from HitHit, I will use for:

  • CD production: 5 926 Euro ( recording, mix / master, releasing, graphics of the CD, collaboration with accompaniment and musicians / piano, arrangement, double bass, drums/).
  • Exhibition production: 185 Euro ( help with archive photo processing, editing, and preparation for printing).
  • Public events with educational aim: music and visual happenings, workshops.
  • Commission, bank fees, production
  • If I gain 740 Euro more, I would like to process all the documents I gathered, and make a book in English and Czech. I will cooperate with Vera P. Kistler´s son David Kistler who is living in Alaska. We will create very interesting stories from the Czech Republic, South Carolina, Alaska.
  • If I gain other 740 Euro more, after the exhibition at the Volyně Town Museum is finished, I would like to create a permanent online exhibition of Vera P. Kistler´s life and creative work.
  • Many thanks for your support. If interested, I can send you a detailed budget.
  • Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic support (926 Euro) was and will be used for other costs - exhibition, paintings creation, material, traveling costs, accomodation, promotion and other.)
  • Unijazz support (74 Euro) was used to realize a video song production.

How did it all begin?

What makes sense in life? I was asking myself during a time when I was having some health troubles which kept me in bed for more than one year. I had to stop myself. My album “Transformation“ released in 2013 really made my life different, but in a way that I could not have imagined. Immediately the success with The Independent Music Awards (USA) nominations and interviews was not so important. I had two options – either find the causes and understand what my body and psyche were telling me or to go on being afraid in bed. In a moment of hope, I laughed to myself that my health troubles were actually causing the album to come together! So, since 2014 I have been working on another project called “Quiet, please!“ that contains songs in Latin (eg. Hormonal, Brain, Ophtalmic) and graphics. However, soon I knew I wanted to go deeper. By asking myself and my family members, I hoped to understand them and our ancestors and by doing so I would understand myself. I decided on the first option. I began to search my ancesteral roots in hopes of learning and growing. So I started digging them up.

     

Photo by Pavel Micka, the first „Homage to my Roots“ project event, Goodbye Gallery in Volyně, Czech Republic

Photo by Jakub Frydrýšek, Volyně Town Museum, preparation of „Homage To My Roots“ project exhibition called „Roots of a Violet“

... something more about my Great Aunt Vera´s American Dream...

Since the summer 2015 I have been working on a research, family tree and "Homage To My Roots" project. The memories from my childhood started to surface and I remembered my Grandma Mania´s story. She sang beautifully and was forced to labor in the German “Reich“ (Empire) during the second World War for three years. I also remembered her narration about Great Aunt Vera Polenova Kistler, a girl born in Volary who lived in Volyne. She met an American soldier in 1945 and they fell in love with each other. She moved to America and they married. It seemed to be an American dream for a war bride. Vera couldn´t speak a word of English. She thought that her new American husband was a doctor but due to a misunderstanding in translation she learned that he was a funeral director. Vera also did not imagine that years later she would be living above a Funeral Home. My Grandma´s and Vera´s courage to overcome life’s obstacles has encouraged me to become a stronger person. There is no need to blame myself, my family or judge anybody else. I like searching for common ancestors and interconnecting with other family members. It brings me understanding, calmness and deep sense.

  Vera Polenova, 1947            Vera P. Kistler painting

Vera finished her studies with a doctorate degree in music composition. She performed and organized concerts and as a teacher she had a great influence on many of her students. Vera also wrote short stories and novels as well as painted. Vera wrote in English but more so in Czech as she wanted to stay close to her Czech heritage. Vera P. Kistler / Věra Kistlerová (1929 - 2006), was a successful composer and writer in the Czech Republic as well as in the USA and Canada. However, she knew that success of this kind was not the most important part of her life. 

I have organized Vera´s exciting story and creative work exhibition called “Roots of a Violet“ which takes place at the Town Museum in Volyně, Czech Republic. Soon we will be recording a CD of her songs in jazz chanson genre. I will create a painting within each song. The inspiration is from the lines formed by our common ancestors´ countryside hills, as well as the vocal and musical lines formed from Vera's music. I will combine the two lines together to create a link, or a continuation of my family's legacy.

“You must take each moment as an opportunity. I don´t believe in wasting any time. There are too many things worth living for, like love, truth and beauty.“ Vera P. Kistler was speaking about the will to achieve, in a period of her life that was influenced by Parkinson disease. McLeod Magazine interview, 1999.

            

Who I am?

I am Milli Janatková. I have been working on the author´s creative projects that are interconnected together, such as “Transformation“, “Quiet, please!“, and “Homage to my Roots“.

Why I am doing this?

I like searching and finding, understanding, and inspiring. I like to create and grow. I´m looking forward to sharing my project with you, and that you would be a part of the journey. If you decide to help me, I believe we can create a web of firm roots thanks to which we can interconnect and grow together.

News

Apr 21, 2017 New CD "To My Roots" has been born!

Hello everyone! A great news for you! The new CD "To My Roots" has been born and you can get it here on Supraphon website, if it´s not your HitHit reward. If so, I will send you the CD as soon as possible. The CD launch performance at Prague Jazz Dock Club was wonderful, full of people and very…

More

Mar 17, 2017 See the new video from "To My Roots" CD recording, releasing soon thanks to you!

More

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Choose reward for your contribution

  • sold 11
    Just support Milli´s project + thanks

    Just support Milli´s project and you will get a good feeling and thanks!

    Reward delivery: in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 5.93
    (CZK 150)
  • sold 25
    Original new album in MP3 format + picture thank you card

    You will get a new album in MP3 format to download and also a thank you card with a signed copied picture by Milli. Some of the pictures you can see HERE. On the album you will hear Milli´s Great Aunt Vera P. Kistler´s songs performed by Milli (vocal), Marek Novotný (piano, arrangement), Petr Tichý (double bass), Tomáš Vokurka (drums). Make yourself or your friends happy. Songs are full of hope, emotion, calmness, and rhythm! 

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 7.90
    (CZK 200)
  • remaining 15 from 20
    VIP entrance to Milli´s concert according to your wish + thanks

    VIP entrance to Milli´s concert according to your wish for one person (instead of CD launch concert). You will also get thanks! You can choose Milli Janatková Solo ( "Klid, prosím!") or "Homage To My Roots" with band. Make yourself or your friends happy. If you wish, you can have an original Christmas gift voucher and thank you card sent to your family and friends before Christmas. Please add postage (2,90 Euro to Europe or USA).
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 9.88
    (CZK 250)
  • sold 7
    Original new album in FLAC format + picture thank you card

    You will get a new album in FLAC format in a great quality to download and also a thank you card with a signed copied picture by Milli. On the album you will hear Milli´s Great Aunt Vera P. Kistler´s songs performed by  Milli (vocal), Marek Novotný (piano, arrangement),  Petr Tichý (double bass), Tomáš Vokurka (drums). Make yourself or your friends happy. Songs are full of hope, emotion, calmness, and rhythm! The picture card will be sent to you by post. Please add postage (2,90 Euro to Europe or USA).

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 9.88
    (CZK 250)
  • sold 50
    Original new album in CD format signed by Milli + picture thank you card

    You will get a new album in CD format signed by Milli and also a thank you card with a signed copied picture by Milli. Some of the pictures you can see HERE. On the album you will hear Milli´s Great Aunt Vera P. Kistler´s songs performed by Milli (vocal), Marek Novotný (piano, arrangement), Petr Tichý (double bass), Tomáš Vokurka (drums). Songs are full of hope, emotion, calmness, and rhythm! Make yourself or your friends happy. If you wish, you can have an original Christmas gift voucher and thank you card sent to your family and friends before Christmas. Then after the CD is recorded and finished (January through March), it will be sent to you by post. Please add postage (2,90 Euro to Europe or USA).

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 11.86
    (CZK 300)
  • remaining 4 from 5
    VIP entrance to Milli´s concert + new album in CD format + thanks

    The CD launch concert tickets and also this reward sold out so here you have a new one to get! VIP entrance to Milli´s concert according to your wish for one person (instead of CD launch concert). You will also get a nice thankful message! You can choose Milli Janatková Solo (" Quiet, please!") or "Homage To My Roots" with band. + Original new CD! 
    On the album you will hear Milli´s Great Aunt Vera P. Kistler´s songs performed by   Milli (vocal),  Marek Novotný (piano, arrangement),   Petr Tichý (double bass), Tomáš Vokurka (drums). Songs are full of hope, emotion, calmness, and rhythm!  
    Make yourself or your friends happy. If you wish, you can have an original Christmas gift voucher and thank you card sent to your family and friends before Christmas. Please add postage (2,90 Euro to Europe or USA). 

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 23.71
    (CZK 600)
  • remaining 5 from 5
    2pcs of an original new CD + Great Aunt´s story + thank you card

    I will re-write Great Aunt Vera P. Kistler´s story for you and will send you a PDF. Vera was a published writer of books of fiction, stories, essays in English and Czech. You will also get 2 beautifully packed new CDs for you and your friends. +   Picture thank you card. If you wish, you can have an original Christmas voucher sent before Christmas. Then after the CD is recorded and finished (March 2017), it will be sent to you by post. Please add postage (3,70 Euro to Europe or USA).

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 39.52
    (CZK 1,000)
  • remaining 8 from 10
    5 pcs of an original new CD of jazz chanson for your clients or friends + thank you card

    5 beautifully packed new CDs for you and your company partners, clients, employees, or for your family, friends and relatives. Give an original present of jazz chanson. On the album you will hear Milli´s Great Aunt Vera P. Kistler´s songs performed by  Milli (vocal),  Marek Novotný (piano, arrangement),  Petr Tichý (double bass), Tomáš Vokurka (drums). Songs are full of hope, emotion, calmness, and rhythm! Make yourself or your friends happy. You will also get a  picture thank you card by Milli. If you wish, you can have an original Christmas gift voucher sent to your family and friends before Christmas.  Then after the CD is recorded and finished (January through March), it will be sent to you by post. Please add postage (3,70 Euro to Europe or USA).

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 59.28
    (CZK 1,500)
  • remaining 6 from 20
    ‘‘Find your ancestors´ legacy in yourself“ creative workshop

    Workshop with Milli will motivate you to be interested in getting to know and understanding your family and yourself. It is not psychotherapy. By simple communication and understanding along with humor, we will show you different creative possibilities on how to continue your ancestors´ legacy. Materials included in price. Milli has 14 years experience with workshops, leadership and teaching people of various professions, sex, and age. There is no need to have any creative experience nor search experience to be able to continue your family´s legacy. Group half day workshop in Prague (In case of more people we will make small groups). Make yourself or your friends happy. If you wish, you can have an original Christmas gift voucher sent to your family and friends before Christmas. Vouchers can be sent to you by post. Please add postage (2,90 Euro to Europe or USA).

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 79.04
    (CZK 2,000)
  • remaining 1 from 10
    Original piece of graphics by Milli + new signed album in CD format + thank you card

    Original colored linocut piece of graphics made and signed by Milli and a brand new CD signed with a personal thank you card! You can see Milli´s graphics HERE. You can choose your favorite. Make yourself or your friends happy. If you wish, you can have an original Christmas gift voucher sent to your family and friends before Christmas. Then after the CD is recorded and finished (January through March), it will be sent to you by post. Vouchers and graphics can be sent until Christmas. Please add postage (7,50 Euro to Europe or USA).
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 197.59
    (CZK 5,000)
  • remaining 3 from 3
    Home concert at your place + new signed CD + Milli´s baked “cotroushe“ pastry

    Home concert taken at your place, garden party, etc. Entertain your freind’s, family, relatives, company clients, and colleagues. It can be arranged to perform  Milli‘s Solo “Quiet, please!“ project or Milli‘s Duo “Homage To My Roots“ project performance. Milli will also bake special old Czech “cotroushe“ pastry so you will just sit, relax, eat this wonderful cake and listen to beautiful music and narration. You will also get a signed new album, and acknowledgment on websites and social media. We will provide sound and technical things depending on the agreement. Make yourself or your friends happy. If you wish, you can have an original Christmas gift voucher sent to your family and friends before Christmas. Then after the CD is recorded and finished (January through March), it will be sent to you by post. In case the concert is outside of Prague, please add a sum for traveling costs.
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 395.18
    (CZK 10,000)
  • remaining 3 from 3
    Original water colour painting made by Milli according to your wish + new signed CD

    Original water color painting made by Milli just for you! You can choose a motive of the countryside and enjoy the painting at your home, office, or public space. It could be a present for your family or friends. You will get a new signed CD too and we will thank you on the websites, social media, with a possibility to share your logo. Make yourself or your friends happy. If you wish, you can have an original Christmas gift voucher sent to your family and friends before Christmas. Then after the CD is recorded and finished (January through March), it will be sent to you by post. Voucher and painting can be sent until Christmas. Postage for free!

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 474.21
    (CZK 12,000)
  • remaining 2 from 2
    Jazz concert and relax in your company + Milli´s “cotroushe“ pastry + new signed CD + thank you card

    Company concert of excellent musicians Milli, Marek or Petr within your party, team, or building. Relax with nice jazz chanson. Milli will also bake a special old Czech “cotroushe“ pastry so you will just sit back, relax, and eat this wonderful cake, dance and listen to beautiful music and narration. You will also get a signed new album in CD format, a thank you card, acknowledgment on the websites, social media. We will provide sound and technical things depending on the agreement. Make yourself and your colleagues and clients happy. If you wish, you can have an original Christmas gift voucher sent to your family and friends before Christmas. Then after the CD is recorded and finished (January through March), it will be sent to you by post. Vouchers sent for free. In case the concert is outside of Prague, please add a sum for traveling costs.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 592.77
    (CZK 15,000)
  • remaining 2 from 2
    Milli creates an original oil painting according to your wish + new signed CD + thank you card

    Milli will paint an original oil painting made according to your wishes – countryside, abstract, architecture. Sketches and material included. Support an original musician and artist´s creative work and as a reward you will get a beautiful calming or energizing piece of art for your home, office, public space or as an original present (maximum 150 / 100 centimeters). See Milli´s artwork HERE. You will also get a new signed CD with inscription, a thank you card, personal meeting in Prague, thank you on the websites and social media with an advertisement of your logo. Make yourself and your family, colleagues and clients happy. If you wish, you can have an original gift voucher sent to your family and friends before Christmas. Then after the CD is recorded and finished (January through March), it will be sent to you by post. Personal meeting or sending by post for free.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 1,185.54
    (CZK 30,000)
  • remaining 1 from 2
    Main partnership + new signed CD + original graphics + poster + CD launch concert + free VIP gigs

    Main partnership of the “Homage To My Roots“ project with you or your company´s name in the CD booklet. Also you will receive promotional materials, like posters and concerts, exhibitions, social media and websites. You will get an original new signed CD with inscription, original piece of graphics – signed colored linocut by Milli, signed poster, free CD launch concert entrance, 33 free entrances (for two persons) to Milli Janatková´s concerts. You can watch Milli Janatková´s video HERE and original art work HERE. Personal meeting or sending postage for free!

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 1,304.09
    (CZK 33,000)
  • Sold out!!
    Entrance to the CD launch concert + new signed CD + picture thank you card

    Entrance to the CD launch concert plus a signed CD and a thank you card with a signed copied picture by Milli. Come to the CD launch! After the concert you will be invited backstage, where you will be personally presented with your signed copy of the CD. And as further gratitude, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine and some photo moments with us! Venue takes place in Prague, Czech Republic, Jazz Dock Club, April 1st 2017. Make yourself or your friends happy. If you wish, you can have an original Christmas gift voucher sent to your family and friends before Christmas. Then after the CD is recorded and finished (January through March), it will be sent to you by post. Please add postage (2,90 Euro to Europe or USA).

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 19.76
    (CZK 500)
  • Sold out!!
    Entrance to the CD launch concert + new signed CD + picture thank you card

    Entrance to the CD launch concert plus a signed CD and a thank you card with a signed copied  picture by Milli. Come to the CD launch! After the concert you will be invited backstage, where you will be personally presented with your signed copy of the CD. And as further gratitude, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine and some photo moments with us! Venue takes place in Prague, Czech Republic,  Jazz Dock Club, April 1st 2017. Make yourself or your friends happy. If you wish, you can have an original Christmas gift voucher sent to your family and friends before Christmas. Then after the CD is recorded and finished (January through March), it will be sent to you by post. Please add postage (2,90 Euro to Europe or USA).

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 19.76
    (CZK 500)
  • Sold out!!
    Original new album in CD format + “Transformation“ CD

    A few last pieces of the “Transformation“ CD that was honored by four nominations for The Independent Music Awards, USA and two nominations for Tais Awards! You will also get a brand new “Roots“ album! On the album you will hear Milli´s Great Aunt Vera P. Kistler´s songs performed by Milli (vocal), Marek Novotný (piano, arrangement), Petr Tichý (double bass), Tomáš Vokurka (drums). Songs are full of hope, emotion, calmness, and rhythm! Make yourself or your friends happy. If you wish, you can have an original Christmas gift voucher sent to your family and friends before Christmas. Then after the CD is recorded and finished (January through March), it will be sent to you by post. Please add postage (2,90 Euro to Europe or USA).

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 23.71
    (CZK 600)
  • Sold out!!
    Original new album in CD format + “Transformation“ CD

    I found last 5 pieces of "Transformation"!
    A few last pieces of the  “Transformation“ CD that was honored by four nominations for The Independent Music Awards, USA and two nominations for Tais Awards! You will also get a brand new “Roots“ album! On the album you will hear Milli´s Great Aunt Vera P. Kistler´s songs performed by Milli (vocal), Marek Novotný (piano, arrangement), Petr Tichý (double bass), Tomáš Vokurka (drums). Songs are full of hope, emotion, calmness, and rhythm! Make yourself or your friends happy. If you wish, you can have an original Christmas gift voucher sent to your family and friends before Christmas. Then after the CD is recorded and finished (January through March), it will be sent to you by post. Please add postage (2,90 Euro to Europe or USA).

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 23.71
    (CZK 600)
  • Sold out!!
    VIP entrance to Milli´s concert + new album in CD format + thanks

    VIP entrance to Milli´s concert according to your wish for one person (instead of CD launch concert). You will also get a nice thankful message! You can choose Milli Janatková Solo (" Quiet, please!") or "Homage To My Roots" with band. + Original new CD!
    On the album you will hear Milli´s Great Aunt Vera P. Kistler´s songs performed by  Milli (vocal), Marek Novotný (piano, arrangement),  Petr Tichý (double bass), Tomáš Vokurka (drums). Songs are full of hope, emotion, calmness, and rhythm! 
    Make yourself or your friends happy. If you wish, you can have an original Christmas gift voucher and thank you card sent to your family and friends before Christmas. Please add postage (2,90 Euro to Europe or USA). 

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 23.71
    (CZK 600)
  • Sold out!!
    2pcs of an original new CD + Great Aunt´s story + thank you card

    I will re-write Great Aunt  Vera P. Kistler´s story for you and will send you a PDF. Vera was a published writer of books of fiction, stories, essays in English and Czech. You will also get 2 beautifully packed new CDs for you and your friends. +  Picture thank you card. If you wish, you can have an original Christmas voucher sent before Christmas. Then after the CD is recorded and finished (March 2017), it will be sent to you by post. Please add postage (3,70 Euro to Europe or USA).

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 39.52
    (CZK 1,000)
  • Sold out!!
    5 pcs of an original new CD of jazz chanson for your clients or friends + thank you card

    5 beautifully packed new CDs for you and your company partners, clients, employees, or for your family, friends and relatives. Give an original present of jazz chanson. On the album you will hear Milli´s Great Aunt Vera P. Kistler´s songs performed by Milli (vocal), Marek Novotný (piano, arrangement), Petr Tichý (double bass), Tomáš Vokurka (drums). Songs are full of hope, emotion, calmness, and rhythm! Make yourself or your friends happy. You will also get a picture thank you card by Milli. If you wish, you can have an original Christmas gift voucher sent to your family and friends before Christmas.  Then after the CD is recorded and finished (January through March), it will be sent to you by post. Please add postage (3,70 Euro to Europe or USA).

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 59.28
    (CZK 1,500)
  • Sold out!!
    Home concert at your place + new signed CD + Milli´s baked “cotroushe“ pastry

    Home concert taken at your place, garden party, etc. Entertain your freind’s, family, relatives, company clients, and colleagues. It can be arranged to perform Milli‘s Solo “Quiet, please!“ project or Milli‘s Duo “Homage To My Roots“ project performance. Milli will also bake special old Czech “cotroushe“ pastry so you will just sit, relax, eat this wonderful cake and listen to beautiful music and narration. You will also get a signed new album, and acknowledgment on websites and social media. We will provide sound and technical things depending on the agreement. Make yourself or your friends happy. If you wish, you can have an original Christmas gift voucher sent to your family and friends before Christmas. Then after the CD is recorded and finished (January through March), it will be sent to you by post. In case the concert is outside of Prague, please add a sum for traveling costs.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 395.18
    (CZK 10,000)