Written by Rob Heath
December 14, 2009
Its thirty-four degrees below zero today. Although the winters in Edmonton seem to be getting a lot milder than when I was a kid, every once in a while we get a jolt to remind us that we’re Canadians and that winter, although visually quite spectacular, has sharp teeth when the thermometer starts to plunge.
Winter’s like an old friend that comes to visit. At first the novelty of that comrade re-joining us brings back warm memories of past visits. After all, what would the holidays be without snow? Everything gets that clean crisp blue/white tinge and that blanket of frozen H20 that caps everything, gives it that fairytale quality. It sets the stage for the arrival of chubby bearded old men in red suits sitting in sleighs pulled by herbivorous mammals with antlers. Even the shortened days and longer nights give us the opportunity to pull in our own reins and cocoon. We revisit the novelty of seeing our breath condense as it leaves our lips to turn into ice crystals. Come January however, when we open our Visa statements and the glow of Xmas cheer starts feeling more like a hangover, our welcome friend begins to look like a freeloader who just doesn’t seem to know when he is no longer welcome.
Often when Canadians hear about global warming, we have mixed emotions. Yes, we don’t want to see the planet in peril but wouldn’t it be nice if winter would hitch a ride back to the North Pole on December 26th in the trunk of that sleigh?
Written by Rob Heath
December 07, 2009
Just read Steven King’s book “On Writing” (great book for writers) which comes at a good time because lately I’ve been a bit blocked. We all have our input phases and our output phases. When you’re doing too much of one, chances are the other suffers. In an interview I once read John Hiatt said he doesn’t get paid for the two hours he’s on stage, it’s the other 22 he lives. I guess you have to live to write if you want to write to live.
So, here comes 2010! It’s shaping up to be a great year for "input". I’m gonna get some things off of my bucket list: Peru in January (see the Inca ruins), Memphis in February (Folk Alliance), Israel, Jordan and Egypt in March (long overdue trip with my sister), Quebec in May (gig in Montreal), and Las Vegas in June (World Series of Poker). If I can find a Fringe venue for my play “Dragonfly” that will round out the first half of 2010. A little less work and a little more play and maybe that might loosen the log jam : )
Written by Rob Heath
December 01, 2009
I attended Anna Beaumont’s CD Release Concert last Saturday night. Anna has always had deep spiritual leanings but I don’t think her music has reflected this as much as in her latest CD, The Doorway. It really is her best ever. She has stepped out of her comfort zone and created something quite different from her previous pop/jazz influenced recordings, and fashioned something unique to her. With its very mystical sound-scape, The Doorway, produced by Thomas Brabec (a.k.a Dr. Octavo), is the perfect home that stunning voice has been searching for. She seems very comfortable cloaked in this world of the soul that she and her very talented band created last night. The concert started at 8 pm and ended close to 11 and I didn’t see anyone looking at their watches. It was a magical night and close to two hundred people floated away looking quite dazzled, after being held in her trance for two plus hours. Even those as skeptical about the metaphysical as I, were left breathless having had a chance to walk in that universe of wonder for just a little while.
Written by Rob Heath
November 24, 2009
There were a lot of familiar faces at Festival Place on the 18th. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for showing up and supporting a great cause. James Keelaghan was kind enough to donate his time to do this show for the USC and celebrate what would have been Lotta Hitschmanova’s 100 birthday on November 27th. I also saw a lot of my friends who I’d like to thank for supporting not only this great charity, but who come out regularly and support me when I play. I’m always a bit humbled by the number of people who I see at every gig, many of whom I’ve become very close with. For someone who has an ongoing struggle with nerves, it’s nice to know that the audience is peppered with people you know. I really appreciate the support, so thank you again.
Written by Rob Heath
November 09, 2009
I’m thrilled that the Unitarian Service Committee (USC) has asked me to join James Keelaghan and Friends at Festival Place to do a benefit concert for the USC Thursday, November 12th.
The year that Lotta Hitschmanova arrived in Canada as a WWII Czech refugee, she founded the Unitarian Service Committee. She mobilized a whole generation of Canadians to reach out and help others in need. Who can forget that thick Czech accent on TV commercials urging us to take action and help those less fortunate than ourselves by sending our cheques to 56 Sparks Street. She would have been a hundred years old on November 28th.
With its Award winning Seeds For Survival Program, the USC continues Lotta’s legacy by supporting women, small-scale farmers and youth in 12 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
On November 12th, we are at Festival Place to thank her and support them. Check out USC at http://usc-canada.org.
The year that Lotta Hitschmanova arrived in Canada as a WWII Czech refugee, she founded the Unitarian Service Committee. She mobilized a whole generation of Canadians to reach out and help others in need. Who can forget that thick Czech accent on TV commercials urging us to take action and help those less fortunate than ourselves by sending our cheques to 56 Sparks Street. She would have been a hundred years old on November 28th.
With its Award winning Seeds For Survival Program, the USC continues Lotta’s legacy by supporting women, small-scale farmers and youth in 12 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
On November 12th, we are at Festival Place to thank her and support them. Check out USC at http://usc-canada.org.
| 44 song(s) - showing 16 - 20 | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 | Results per page: |
