Oona McOuat

Bring Back the Bees Faerie Camp

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Canadian Celtic musician Oona McOuat is very active in giving back something to the community. Whither  it is about saving whales or bees, she continues to make something happen. Teaching is part of her passion. According to her website: Oona teaches children these sacred values at her unique Faerie Camps and her singing & harp lessons: Honour the wild and her creatures; protect the elements that provide Life for all beings, and honour the Spirit of all these things. A lesson we all need to embrace at this crucial juncture in civilization. Last time, I featured One World One Heart Beating project. I think it is one of the best videos I have seen this year! This time I am posting  a video about Bring Back the Bees Faerie Camp. Oona has interesting workshops and you can check them out in her official website:

http://www.oonamcouat.com/

 

 

16 girls spend a week exploring their love for Faeries & learning about disappearing honey and bumble bees.

Music: BE MY LITTLE BABY BUMBLE BEE
(Henry I. Marshall / Stanley Murphy)
Performed by Doris Day

Music: BE MY LITTLE BABY BUMBLE BEE
(Henry I. Marshall / Stanley Murphy)

The Wild Ones
(Oona McOuat)

One World, One Heart Beating by Oona McOuat

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Inspiring video from Oona McOuat

For years, Canadian artist Oona McOuat has been involved with amazing projects. To quote from her website bio:

From 1991 to 2005, she wintered on the Big Island of Hawaii, swimming and singing with wild dolphins and whales and exploring sound to new depths.  She developed a music program based on singing and playing from the inside out, and became an inspiring and dedicated teacher, expanding her work to include story, the mythic realms and environmental awareness and stewardship.

She is one of those artists who gave me a break when I was starting this website. I still love listening to Honey and Holy Water. There is that timeless appeal embedded in the album. I subscribed to her newsletter so I get updates once in a while. Oona is such an intriguing artists and her kindness shines through her songs. A video called  One World One heart Beating came out early this year. Here is what the video is about:

  An anthem to global unity sung and played – and with a video created – entirely by children. Purchase this song at OneWorldOneHeartBeating.com and help War Child help kids impacted by war.

Pictures about the video can be found in her website gallery : http://www.oonamcouat.com/photos.html

Quietude and Kindness

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Calm in quietude is not real calm. When you can be calm in the midst of activity, this is the true state of nature. Happiness in comfort is not real happiness. When you can be happy in the midst of hardship, then you see the true potential of the mind.

Zen master: Huanchu Daoren

 

Today I want to address our capacity to stand still despite the chaos around us. There are people who would just give in to negative emotions out of paranoia due to miscommunication. I am guilty of this. It happens from time to time especially when emotions are subjected to wear and tear. Stress from work is enough to drive one to suspect that a plot to destroy his or her being is out there.

It is funny that people we tend to dislike at first end up to be our strongest allies. But life is uncertain. We know this from the time we leave home for school. And it never ends. I remember watching that movie called “Nightmare Before Christmas”. It somehow stroked a chord in me. I have a soft spot for underdogs and those who turn bad because  the society hurt them.

Sometimes there’s too much emotion, so many things to do but with so little time. And everyone has that precious soul inside worth dying for.  All the things happening now, catastrophes, war and even the personal wars we have can wear and tear the soul turning us into brittle roses that are left in the midday, to wither and be blown by the wind.

So let us show a little kindness, a little sweetness. For life is infinitely precious.

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Check this video by Oona McOuat. She is traveling to Zimbabwe with her band:

Want to help Spread the Love? Oona & Dream Deep need your support in creating global unity as they launch Kids Across the Continents in Zimbabwe this spring. Donate via PayPal to oonasong@yahoo.com

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Get to know the band Shelta.This was taken last Saint Patrick’s Day in France. Thanks to Jimmy for posting this on his facebook page. Now I discovered something new. I recently got acquainted with this talented young man with an inexhaustible kindness. It’s really great knowing him. He and other new friends came to me just in time after  I started having this falling out with a friend I had for years. It somehow temporarily disabled my ability to trust and to be a good judge of human character. When a friendship ends it makes you think about your own life and question your own ability to keep friendship. Have I done wrong? But perhaps everyone is  always given redemption . Thanks to Jimmy and the rest for the friendship.

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Former Old Blind Dog singer Jim Malcolm is having a house concert If you are a fan of his an his band’s music, I am sure you are going to be curious:

Jim Malcolm House Concert

 

Time

24 March · 20:00 – 23:00

Location

Kathy and Cary Brown

1624 Heather Hill Crescent

Flossmoor, IL

Created by:

Kathy Brown

More info

Tickets are $20 donation(all of which goes directly to Jim)
Complimentary Drinks and Refreshments
Call or email kathleenblazebrown@sbcglobal.net for reservations

Come hear the latest from Jim’s new cd ‘Sparkling Flash’ as well as some old favourites in an intimate setting.

 

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My friend Rachel McCormack- a very talented acoustic artist from Dublin sent me this invite. Yes show a little love and kindness around to our Japanese brothers an sisters:

Time

25 March · 18:30 – 23:00

Location

Whelans

25 Wexford Street

Dublin, Ireland

Created by:

The BaRLey MOB, Conor Byrne

More info

The Barley Mob in association with OxJam Ireland present the 1st of several fundraising gigs for the recent disaster in Japan featuring the finalists from the “TodayFm Unsigned” competition..The Barley mob, Sanzkrit, G-Miley and The Problematic…Doors 6:30…Adm:7euro…First band onstage @ 7..
Admission €7.00 for a good cause.

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Thanksgiving Blessings, Music and Great Artists..

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Oona McOuat topped the Canadian Folk Charts.


Congratulations to my pal Oona McOuat for topping the Canadian folk charts with her new album Honey and Holy Water. You might remember way back when I posted an Interview with her and she’s really down to earth, fun to talk and so much witty. Honey and Holy water is available for purchase in several outlets including her official site http://www.oonamcouat.com/

http://www.reverbnation.com/oonamcouat

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Capercaillie on tour.

Capercaillie fans will be delighted to know that the band have schedules up to next year. If you remember I wrote once here about the news I got in which it states that Capercaillie is disbanding. But that news proved to be wrong. The band is in top form and Karen Matheson is still bright as ever!

  • 18 December: Paisley Abbey, Paisley. Doors 7.30pm. Tickets available from Marks & Spencer, High Street, Paisley; Ticket Scotland, 239 Argyle Street, Glasgow. Tel 0870 222.116; http://www.ticket-scotland.co.uk; WRVS Renfrewshire Information Centre & Community Cafe, Paisley Centre, 20 Causeyside Street; and Paisley Abbey
  • 6 Feb 2011: Feile an Earraigh, Belfast.
  • 10 Feb 2011: Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal. Box Office: 01539 725133 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              01539 725133      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
  • 11 Feb 2011: Perth Concert Hall, Perth. Box Office: 01738 621 031 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              01738 621 031      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
  • 12 Feb 2011: Warwick Arts Cantre, University of Warwick, Coventry. Box Office: 024 7652 4524 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              024 7652 4524      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
  • 13 Feb 2011: Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester. Box Office: 01243 781312 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              01243 781312

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Celtic Thunder extend their thanksgivings!

Yes guys, and here they are:

Oona McOuat: Thoughts from Burgoyne Bay

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The Celtic enchantress have things to tell us: A new album in the making, Beltane and other goodies!

CMF:I like the new profile pic in FB. Where was this taken?

The photo was taken just down the road from here at Burgoyne Bay on Salt Spring Island.
So what’s upcoming musically? Updates? Gigs?

Musically….I am beginning to write material for a new album. No immediate plans to record but my goal is to carve out space this fall and winter for the muse to move through me. I am open to being surprised by what appears stylistically and content-wise as I compose, and I hope to create music that has a universal appeal – songs which address the deep inner feelings, needs, desires, joys and sorrow we all share.

On a fun note I am directing a “Glee” choir which incorporates singing, dancing and musical accompaniment all done by 11-18 year olds and I am loving the process of working with these kids! I am also teaching music to a profoundly deaf child which is amazing as we explore the vibration within the sound together.

I made some touring contacts in bellisima, sun-kissed Italy while I was there last month. I would love to return to Europe next summer with a couple of band members.

I have just begun discussion with a small record label that is supporting me in moving to the next level with my career. I need an assistant – badly – to help with getting licensing and radio play in place and I also really really want to produce some beautiful videos of my songs.
How did you spend your Beltane?

Beltane – that was May 1st, right? I went to a gathering at Duck Creek Farm on Salt Spring. They had erected a Maypole and I played my harp and sang as people danced around it. It was fun!
What are you listening to?

I just pulled some old CDs off the shelf – Beth Nielson Chapman – one of my favorite songwriters of all times – Deeper Still. Joanna Newsom, who has awesome harp arrangements but odd to me vocals – Yys – and the late, great Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – Facing Future – a gorgeous album from Hawaii.