#easter in the sun festival 2017

[drjcowboys]

Dean Rodney Jr and the cowboys first ever article.

The emotive synthesised strings of "The man with the golden suit transport me back to supernormal festival in Oxfordshire,August 2022.

Dean Rodney Jr's metallic gold boots glint in the sun as the band take to the appropriately saloon like shed stage and begin to play. Hearing Rodney and his cowboys for the first time and feeling the collective charge of joy they generate among the crowd is a festival experience I'll never forget.

I didn't know there was a term for what was happening at the time, but have since discovered that it was what some call a yeehaw moment..

A year later, the London based ensemble have captured that moment in album form.

With added spoken word interludes, rich production and engaging sequencing. The Yeehaw moment is another deep dive into the unique world of artist, musician and rapper Dean Rodney Jr, with support from trumpeter Robyn rocket, bassit Rosie Ridgway, synthesist Tom Hirst and Drummer Jack Barraclough.

Rodney has produced many ambitious and immersive projects over the years through his work Deptford based arts charity Heart N Soul, has toured extremely as the Afropunk band the fish police and is also an intensely prolific solo bedroom producer. In lockdown he recorded 54 albums under Dean TV umbrella, a name which refers to the autism informed way that he sees the world, sometimes as if it were a TV show.

The Yeehaw moment sees Rodney expanding on some of his ideas forged during that intensive period of working alone or online, now reinterpreted with his new full band.

The album contains many characters and storyline some of which are taken from real life scenarios and observations, such as eating a seeded burger bun (food is a recurring theme in Rodney's work) while others spun from more fantastical visions, such as a visit to Easter Island where Rodney meets the talking statue bro bro man.

Rodney has cited 1980's electronic music, Daft punk and earth wind and fire.

As influences.

Indeed, throughout the album we're treated to flashes of funk, disco, lo-fi hiphop, synthpop and more, sometimes recalling the spirit of Gary Numan, talking heads or Grace Jones. In She said no problem in which Dean remembers an online conversation he had with a friend during lockdown. Ridgway's cool and measured bassline works with Barraclough's restrained drum fills to underpin a tight synth funk feel, and Rocket's echoing trumpet melody adds an apt pensiveness to Rodney Jr's musings on that strange and isolated time.

New photo begins with daft punk like arpeggio from Bunaiger affect.

Dean Rodney Hirst, with the brigde and chorus akin to Numan or Kraftwerk in its stripped back synthpop glory.

"Every time I see that picture it looks so good, it's a new photo" raps Rodney Jr in his direct, downtempo style. Rodney reflects on the joy of a fresh perspective, and through the brilliant simplicity of the lyrics we share in his smooth, measured vocal delivery contrasts against the rocking, reverberating backing screams of the formidable Robyn Rocket.

There is much humour in Rodney's observations too with comedic grace, Ahh what was that riffs on the subject of noisy farts, and Boing appreciates the jiggling body parts of moving party goers.

Sometimes a Rodney chorus will feature quick repeating lines that will feature quick repeating lines that will subtly adjust in unsual ways, as in the off beat tonuge twister Sesame bun.

Much like an epic TV series, Rodney's extensive discography features characters that linger and develop and motifs that reappear after long stretches of time. During the yeehaw moment's opening track the man in the golden suit Rodney declares its like a mystery here and I'm reminded of the prophetic penultimate track of his 2017 debut solo album The buzzard degree, in which the chorus repeats its like a cowboys in here.

Like fully realised broadcasts direct from his mind, Rodney's output makes it possible for him to display and share the unique way he perceives his surroundings.

His ultra catchy songs are open invitations to partake in his creative fun they didn't know existed.

This article was written by Meg Woof.

From page 59 of wire magazine issue 474.

[brookston]

Holidays 4.5

Holidays

Accelerate ACL Awareness Among Young Women Day

Babu Jagjivan Ram Jayanthi (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, India)

Bell Bottoms Day

Children’s Day (Palestine)

Chungmyung Day (North Korea)

Easter Island Day

First Contact Day (Star Trek)

German-Americans Day

Global Crowdfunding Day

Go For Broke Day

Golden Rule Day

International Calm Day

International Day of Conscious

International Dimetrodon Day

International OCNDS Awareness Day

International Poppers Day

Lady Luck Day

Make Your Children Laugh Day

National Biomechanics Day

National Body Care Day

National Dandelion Day

National Flash Drive Day

National Gold Star Spouses Day

National Maritime Day (India)

National Nebraska Day

National Read a Roadmap Day (a.k.a. Learn to Read a Roadmap Day)

National Self Care Day

National Star Phone Certification Day

Origin of the Species Day

R.E.M. Day

Sikmogil (Arbor Day; South Korea)

Talk Talk Day

Veto Day

Western Hemisphere Ports Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Molasses Day

National Caramel Day

National Deep Dish Pizza Day

National Raisin and Spice Bar Day

Peeps Day

1st Wednesday in April

Donate Life Living Donor Day [1st Wednesday]

Global Day (a.k.a. Global Day of the Engineer) [1st Wednesday]

National Day of Hope [1st Wednesday]

National Walking Day [1st Wednesday]

Paraprofessional Appreciation Day [1st Wednesday]

Safe Place Selfie Day [1st Wednesday]

Whole Grain Sampling Day [1st Wednesday]

Feast Days

Aequinoctium Vernum VII (Pagan)

Æthelburh of Kent (Christian; Saint)

Albert of Montecorvino (Christian; Saint)

Becan of Ireland (Christian; Saint)

Cold Food Festival [Begins 15th Day of Spring Equinox; Ends 4.6] (a.k.a. …

Hanshi Festival (China)

Hansik (South Korea)

Tết Hàn Thực (Vietnam)

Derfel Gadarn (Christian; Saint)

Fortuna Publica (Festival of Good Luck; Ancient Rome)

Full Moon [4th of the Year] (a.k.a. ... 

Awakening Moon (Neo-Pagan)

Breaking Ice Moon (Traditional)

Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs (Traditional)

Egg Moon (Alternate)

Fish Moon (Alternate)

Flower Moon (Cherokee)

Gold Star Spouses Day

Grass Moon (Alternate, North America)

Growing Moon (Celtic)

Hunter’s Moon (South Africa)

Moon When the Ducks Come Back (Traditional)

Peony Moon (China)

Pink Moon (Amer. Indian, Traditional)

Planter’s Moon (Colonial)

Seed Moon (England, Wicca)

Southern Hemisphere: Blood, Harvest, Hunter’s

Wildcat Moon (Choctaw)

Gerald of Sauve-Majeure (Christian; Saint)

Hero (Positivist; Saint)

Holy Wednesday [4 Days before Easter]

Jean-Honoré Fragonard (Artology)

Juliana of Liège (Christian; Saint)

Maria Crescentia Höss (Christian; Saint)

Mariano de la Mata (Christian; Blessed)

Nones of April (Ancient Rome)

Pandita Mary Ramabai (Episcopal Church (USA))

Passover begins (at Sundown; a.k.a. Pesach; Judaism) [Nisan 15]

Pizza Day Day (Pastafarian)

Robert Bloch Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Ruadhán of Lorrha (Christian; Saint)

Scuzzina (Muppetism)

Sunning of the Buddha (Tibet)

Ta’anit Bechorot (Firstborn Fast Day; Judaism) [14 Nisan]

Tigernach of Ireland (Christian; Saint)

Tomb Sweeping Day (掃墳節) [Begins 15th Day of Spring Equinox; Ends 4.6] (a.k.a. …

Ancestors' Day

Chinese Memorial Day

Ching Ming Festival (清明節; China)

Qingming Jie (清明节; China)

Shīmī (Ryukyu Islands)

Vincent Ferrer (Christian; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Nēmontēmi, Day 1 (of 5) [Aztec unlucky or fasting days, taking place between 4.5-4.18]

Premieres

Adventure Time (Animated TV Series; 2010)

Air (Film; 2023)

Amadeus (Film; 1985)

The Art of Vacationing (Disney Cartoon; 2012)

The Barnyard Concert (Disney Cartoon; 1935)

Brockmire (TV Series; 2017)

Carnegie Hall Concert, recorded by Chicago (Concert Album; 1971)

Carrie, by Stephen King (Novel; 1974)

Die Fledermaus, by Johann Strauss (Operetta; 1874)

Donald’s Dog Laundry (Disney Cartoon; 1940)

Double Trouble (Film; 1967)

Live and Let Die, by Ian Fleming (Novel; 1954) [James Bond #2]

Married… with Children (TV Series; 1987)

Moon Pilot (Film; 1962)

Moonraker, by Ian Fleming (Novel; 1955) [James Bond #3]

National Lampoon’s Van Wilder (Film; 2002)

One Dance, by Drake (Song; 2016)

Pete Kelly’s Blues (TV Series; 1959)

Pretty Baby (Film; 1978)

Shazam! (Film; 2019)

Something To Be, by Matchbox Twenty (Album; 2005)

The Sugarland Express (Film; 1974)

Tracy Chapman, by Tracy Chapman (Album; 1988)

Unicorn Store (Film; 2019)

Van Wilder (Film; 2002)

We Are the World (Song; 1985)

Today’s Name Days

Crescentia, Vinzenz (Austria)

Irena, Vinko (Croatia)

Miroslava (Czech Republic)

Irene (Denmark)

Ireene, Irene, Reena, Reene, Rena, Renate (Estonia)

Ira, Irene, Irina, Iro (Finland)

Irène (France)

Crescentia, Juliana, Juliane, Vinzenz (Germany)

Giota, Giotis, Panayotis, Panagiotis, Panagis, Panagos, Panagiota, Panayota, Panagioula, Panagoula, Pani, Panikos, Panos, Panousos, Pegie, Pegy, Takis, Tota, Toula, Yiota, Yiotis (Greece)

Vince (Hungary)

Cenzo, Eva, Vincenzo (Italy)

Mirjama, Vidaga, Vija, Virdžīnija (Latvia)

Irena, Rimvydas, Zenius, Zenonas, Žygintė (Lithuania)

Eiril, Eirin, Irene (Norway)

Borzywoj, Irena, Wincenty (Poland)

Agatopod, Teodul (Romania)

Miroslava (Slovakia)

Vicente (Spain)

Irene, Irja, Nanna (Sweden)

Chandra, Ethelburga, Irene, Irina, Tyler, Tylor (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 95 of 2024; 270 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of week 14 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Fearn (Alder) [Day 18 of 28]

Chinese: Second Month 2 (Gui-Mao), Day 15 (Gui-Si)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 14 Nisan 5783

Islamic: 14 Ramadan 1444

J Cal: 4 Aqua; Foursday [4 of 30]

Julian: 23 March 2023

Moon: 100%: Full Moon

Positivist: 11 Archimedes (4th Month) [Hero]

Runic Half Month: Ehwaz (Horse) [Day 11 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 17 of 90)

Zodiac: Aries (Day 16 of 30)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 4.5

Holidays

Accelerate ACL Awareness Among Young Women Day

Babu Jagjivan Ram Jayanthi (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, India)

Bell Bottoms Day

Children’s Day (Palestine)

Chungmyung Day (North Korea)

Easter Island Day

First Contact Day (Star Trek)

German-Americans Day

Global Crowdfunding Day

Go For Broke Day

Golden Rule Day

International Calm Day

International Day of Conscious

International Dimetrodon Day

International OCNDS Awareness Day

International Poppers Day

Lady Luck Day

Make Your Children Laugh Day

National Biomechanics Day

National Body Care Day

National Dandelion Day

National Flash Drive Day

National Gold Star Spouses Day

National Maritime Day (India)

National Nebraska Day

National Read a Roadmap Day (a.k.a. Learn to Read a Roadmap Day)

National Self Care Day

National Star Phone Certification Day

Origin of the Species Day

R.E.M. Day

Sikmogil (Arbor Day; South Korea)

Talk Talk Day

Veto Day

Western Hemisphere Ports Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Molasses Day

National Caramel Day

National Deep Dish Pizza Day

National Raisin and Spice Bar Day

Peeps Day

1st Wednesday in April

Donate Life Living Donor Day [1st Wednesday]

Global Day (a.k.a. Global Day of the Engineer) [1st Wednesday]

National Day of Hope [1st Wednesday]

National Walking Day [1st Wednesday]

Paraprofessional Appreciation Day [1st Wednesday]

Safe Place Selfie Day [1st Wednesday]

Whole Grain Sampling Day [1st Wednesday]

Feast Days

Aequinoctium Vernum VII (Pagan)

Æthelburh of Kent (Christian; Saint)

Albert of Montecorvino (Christian; Saint)

Becan of Ireland (Christian; Saint)

Cold Food Festival [Begins 15th Day of Spring Equinox; Ends 4.6] (a.k.a. …

Hanshi Festival (China)

Hansik (South Korea)

Tết Hàn Thực (Vietnam)

Derfel Gadarn (Christian; Saint)

Fortuna Publica (Festival of Good Luck; Ancient Rome)

Full Moon [4th of the Year] (a.k.a. ... 

Awakening Moon (Neo-Pagan)

Breaking Ice Moon (Traditional)

Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs (Traditional)

Egg Moon (Alternate)

Fish Moon (Alternate)

Flower Moon (Cherokee)

Gold Star Spouses Day

Grass Moon (Alternate, North America)

Growing Moon (Celtic)

Hunter’s Moon (South Africa)

Moon When the Ducks Come Back (Traditional)

Peony Moon (China)

Pink Moon (Amer. Indian, Traditional)

Planter’s Moon (Colonial)

Seed Moon (England, Wicca)

Southern Hemisphere: Blood, Harvest, Hunter’s

Wildcat Moon (Choctaw)

Gerald of Sauve-Majeure (Christian; Saint)

Hero (Positivist; Saint)

Holy Wednesday [4 Days before Easter]

Jean-Honoré Fragonard (Artology)

Juliana of Liège (Christian; Saint)

Maria Crescentia Höss (Christian; Saint)

Mariano de la Mata (Christian; Blessed)

Nones of April (Ancient Rome)

Pandita Mary Ramabai (Episcopal Church (USA))

Passover begins (at Sundown; a.k.a. Pesach; Judaism) [Nisan 15]

Pizza Day Day (Pastafarian)

Robert Bloch Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Ruadhán of Lorrha (Christian; Saint)

Scuzzina (Muppetism)

Sunning of the Buddha (Tibet)

Ta’anit Bechorot (Firstborn Fast Day; Judaism) [14 Nisan]

Tigernach of Ireland (Christian; Saint)

Tomb Sweeping Day (掃墳節) [Begins 15th Day of Spring Equinox; Ends 4.6] (a.k.a. …

Ancestors' Day

Chinese Memorial Day

Ching Ming Festival (清明節; China)

Qingming Jie (清明节; China)

Shīmī (Ryukyu Islands)

Vincent Ferrer (Christian; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Nēmontēmi, Day 1 (of 5) [Aztec unlucky or fasting days, taking place between 4.5-4.18]

Premieres

Adventure Time (Animated TV Series; 2010)

Air (Film; 2023)

Amadeus (Film; 1985)

The Art of Vacationing (Disney Cartoon; 2012)

The Barnyard Concert (Disney Cartoon; 1935)

Brockmire (TV Series; 2017)

Carnegie Hall Concert, recorded by Chicago (Concert Album; 1971)

Carrie, by Stephen King (Novel; 1974)

Die Fledermaus, by Johann Strauss (Operetta; 1874)

Donald’s Dog Laundry (Disney Cartoon; 1940)

Double Trouble (Film; 1967)

Live and Let Die, by Ian Fleming (Novel; 1954) [James Bond #2]

Married… with Children (TV Series; 1987)

Moon Pilot (Film; 1962)

Moonraker, by Ian Fleming (Novel; 1955) [James Bond #3]

National Lampoon’s Van Wilder (Film; 2002)

One Dance, by Drake (Song; 2016)

Pete Kelly’s Blues (TV Series; 1959)

Pretty Baby (Film; 1978)

Shazam! (Film; 2019)

Something To Be, by Matchbox Twenty (Album; 2005)

The Sugarland Express (Film; 1974)

Tracy Chapman, by Tracy Chapman (Album; 1988)

Unicorn Store (Film; 2019)

Van Wilder (Film; 2002)

We Are the World (Song; 1985)

Today’s Name Days

Crescentia, Vinzenz (Austria)

Irena, Vinko (Croatia)

Miroslava (Czech Republic)

Irene (Denmark)

Ireene, Irene, Reena, Reene, Rena, Renate (Estonia)

Ira, Irene, Irina, Iro (Finland)

Irène (France)

Crescentia, Juliana, Juliane, Vinzenz (Germany)

Giota, Giotis, Panayotis, Panagiotis, Panagis, Panagos, Panagiota, Panayota, Panagioula, Panagoula, Pani, Panikos, Panos, Panousos, Pegie, Pegy, Takis, Tota, Toula, Yiota, Yiotis (Greece)

Vince (Hungary)

Cenzo, Eva, Vincenzo (Italy)

Mirjama, Vidaga, Vija, Virdžīnija (Latvia)

Irena, Rimvydas, Zenius, Zenonas, Žygintė (Lithuania)

Eiril, Eirin, Irene (Norway)

Borzywoj, Irena, Wincenty (Poland)

Agatopod, Teodul (Romania)

Miroslava (Slovakia)

Vicente (Spain)

Irene, Irja, Nanna (Sweden)

Chandra, Ethelburga, Irene, Irina, Tyler, Tylor (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 95 of 2024; 270 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of week 14 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Fearn (Alder) [Day 18 of 28]

Chinese: Second Month 2 (Gui-Mao), Day 15 (Gui-Si)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 14 Nisan 5783

Islamic: 14 Ramadan 1444

J Cal: 4 Aqua; Foursday [4 of 30]

Julian: 23 March 2023

Moon: 100%: Full Moon

Positivist: 11 Archimedes (4th Month) [Hero]

Runic Half Month: Ehwaz (Horse) [Day 11 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 17 of 90)

Zodiac: Aries (Day 16 of 30)

[altriviera]

Interview d’UVB 76

* Entretien réalisé dans le cadre du Festival Easter in the Sun, Édition 2017 (Nice)

UVB 76 ça restera le bulletin de vote d’Arnauld H. lors de cet EITS 2017. Un déluge de sons et de visions en noir et blanc, une masse de travail et une méticulosité qui n’oppressent jamais le live, et deux tout jeunes gars intarissables -Gaëtan et Tioma -qui se sont jetés sur cet entretien comme des petits loups du Mercantour sur un pan bagnat-frites. Merci à eux pour cela aussi. Et à la fin on posera des questions pour voir si tu as suivi l’explication de leur savant dispositif scénique...Allez, en marche !

Votre premier souvenir musical ?

Gaëtan - On nous a posé la question il y a peu, et on a répondu le vélociraptor dansJurassic Park ! ... Mais moi c’était plus un CD-compile, avec par exemple une reprise de Johnny B. Goode – Tioma : Moi je me souviens, petit-petit, de mettre le CD de FreedFromDesire, de Gala, à Noël... Mais le vélociraptor, oui, c’est un bon souvenir commun.

G. - Puis l’évolution s’est faite via mon père et internet, le premier me faisant découvrir les grands groupes punk (Clash etc.), et en parallèle côté math-rock décliné au lycée avec l’électronique – Shackleton notamment ; après ça, les influences techno-pop des 90s, avec mêmes des trucs comme O-zone et Numa numayei... Mais pour en revenir aux classiques : Sandinista ! des Clash, définitivement : une excursion ska, l’influence de Lee Perry... Celle d’Adrian Sherwood aussi : elles paraissent évidentes.

T. – Moi c’est ma mère qui m’a le plus influencé. Si j’ai fait musicologie (à Paris VIII), cela vient d’elle, travaillant plutôt dans le tourisme, chantant sur des bateaux. Avec mon père, elle animait un atelier d’éveil musical. C’est par elle par exemple que j’ai découvert le vrai flamenco, grâce à une collection de musique énorme, en vinyle. Il y avait toujours ce qu’elle appelait le « pick-up » qui tournait, et j’ai souvent été bercé par des musiques de films. C’est d’ailleurs le lien entre nous deux : les musiques de films, la première vraie passion de ouf pour ces gros classiques. Comment j’ai appris la musique ? Eh bien disons que j’ai un père russe... (rires) J’ai donc essayé le piano à quatre ans : j’ai été forcé, j’ai pleuré, c’est donc essentiellement par moi-même que j’ai appris. On était tous les deux dans le même lycée, à l’internat je me suis mis à la gratte, ensuite au piano, en autodidacte. Au final je jouais guitare/batterie/piano. Puis, sur Paris, la rencontre de l’électro ; j’essayais sur software de refaire des morceaux.

G. - Après le lycée, on était les seuls rescapés de notre bande de potes, nés en région parisienne on s’était tous rencontrés au lycée de Tréguier, en Bretagne. Puis Tioma a commencé à composer, à Saint-Marcel, à la résidence U. D’où la « blague » de notre premier EP Enter 513 : les lignes 5 et 13 qu’on a prises pour faire le trajet pendant un an et demie – deux ans... On s’est mis à prendre les choses plus au sérieux lorsque Midi Deux, un label rennais pour qui on avait réalisé un podcast de DJ-set, nous a proposé de sortir un vinyle (ça c’était il y a deux ans). On a alors eu l’idée d’investir dans un micro (Olympus LS-100) pour faire de la captation de tous les sons qui nous intéressaient plutôt que d’utiliser des boîtes à rythmes (909 ou 404 par exemple)... Avec des moyens restreints, à l’image de nos 20 m² parisiens, en fait, et en pouvant enregistrer n’importe quel son urbain qui nous plaisait, même de retour de soirée, fracassés. Ce qui nous permet de composer à partir de bruits et de sons concrets, dans un esprit « design »... Oui, comme tu dis, un peu dans un esprit Detroit. Même si l’influence principale reste cinématographique, et sans le savoir celle de la scène indus en Angleterre ; ça + Midi Deux + la fête, ce qui rapproche de Detroit...

Au final, le choix du field-recording (« enregistrement de terrain », ndlr), c’est plus dû à une contrainte financière... Le nom UVB 76 ? C’est à l’occasion d’une soirée Midi Deux lors de laquelle on devait jouer. Ils avaient baptisé leurs soirées : « la 1ère », « la 2e », etc., et pour « la 5e » on avait un créneau en DJ-set. Or nous, on est fascinés par une radio fantôme russe qui porte l’indicatif UVB-76, et créée durant la Guerre froide. Il y a ce mythe de messages cryptés, de chiffres, de noms en Russe... D’ailleurs il y a un DJ marseillais qui s’appelle UVB.

Comment faites-vous sur scène pour restituer vos sons et vidéos ?      

G. - On utilise un laptop (« ordinateur portable », ndlr) Asus ROG, et on gère son et vidéo avec ça et deux contrôleurs. On a des formations plus son & musique pour Tioma, et moi plus vidéo, mais on fait tout à deux, on contrôle tout à deux en permanence : c’est comme si tu avais à chaque fois une nouvelle perturbation audio qui se répercute sur la vidéo... En gros, on a un pad pour lancer des boucles vidéo. Pour chaque effet son il y a un effet vidéo qui se cale, et on passe à la suivante. T’as plein de boucles vidéo/audio qui sont le ciment du live. Pour chaque boucle audio, il faut signer une boucle vidéo, etc...On s’inspire pas mal de ce que fait Royji Ikeda, un artiste sonore japonais, de Monolake (Robert Henke), du label électronique Raster-Noton, de RyoichiKurokawa ou Tarrik Barri... Tu vois : on aime une pop universelle mais on a aussi des goûts de puristes : on a des influences liées à des trucs d’initiés mais c’est une question de subjectivité : en effet, pour les scènes extrêmes qu’on fréquente, notre travail est « normal » ou même « débutant ». Quand tu vois des artistes comme Jacques qui utilisent des bouteilles pour faire des sons en croyant faire avant-gardiste, ça fait rigoler... On va à des concerts présentés à l’IRCAM, mais on ne veut pas non plus être des connards qui font une musique exigeante juste pour eux-mêmes. La performance technique est ouf à l’IRCAM, incroyable,mais nous on préfère amener un peu de cette musique vers le grand public plutôt que de rester dans un cercle hyper restreint et élitiste. Vulgariser, mais aussi s’adapter à chaque évènement. Ce soir ? Ce sera entre club vénère et expérimentation, mais pas aussi intello-radical que dans la sphère arts numériques.

Et la suite de votre projet, vu que vous me paraissez très demandés ?

G. - C’est le problème : on grandit (ce qui est bien !) mais il y a les études aussi, pour Tioma surtout. Moi, je me suis tourné vers le motion design, l’animation 2D-3D, et j’aimerais m’orienter vers la production de films, mais plus le temps passe, plus on a de dates, de sollicitations des labels... On verra bien mais il va falloir se décider quant à la suite !

Changeons de sujet : question littérature – vous avez le temps de lire ? et quoi ?

T. – Malheureusement pas...

G. – Je me suis remis à lire après 5-7 ans : des romans, plus axés psycho, mais aussi Bukowski, Bret Easton Ellis, de la philo et du design... Mais j’aime plus particulièrement Murakami.

Et enfin, notre question-fétiche : que pensent vos parents et/ou grands-parents de votre musique ?

T. – Mon grand-père vit au fin-fond de la Russie, alors tu sais... Mes parents me soutiennent même si – c’est assez drôle – ils ne m’avaient jamais vu jouer avant le festival Visions l’été dernier, c’était la première fois. Mes parents ont toujours été cr��atifs et libertaires, donc ils me soutiennent.

G. – Ma grand-mère n’entend pas bien mais elle est au courant, elle a vu des vidéos. Elle est fière mais ne peut pas vraiment comprendre... Mes parents sont très fiers et concernés : mon père écoute la même chose et voulait même se mettre sur Facebook ! Ma mère comprend moins le concept, mais tous deux sont venus nous voir sur les Transmusicales : une sorte d’adoubement !  

 Propos recueillis par Arnauld H.

Photo : Julien Griffaud

[endasogiizhik]

DAY 14: Calendar, holidays, festivals

Historically, Anishinaabe people used a lunar calendar. The names of the months, which are usually now tied to solar calendar months, vary depending on location, since they mostly refer local ecological events. These are the months in the Minnesota area:

(gichi-)manidoo-giizis - January (Great Spirit Moon) namebini-giizis - February (Sucker Fish Moon) onaabani-giizis - March (Snow Crust Moon) iskigamizige-giizis - April (Maple Sugaring Moon) zagibagaa-giizis, waabigwani-giizis - May (Budding, Flowering Moon) ode’imini-giizis - June (Strawbery Moon) aabita-niibino-giizis - July (Half Summer Moon) manoominike-giizis - August (Wild Ricing Moon) waatebagaa-giizis - September (Bright Leaves Moon) binaakwe-giizis, binaakwii-giizis - October (Falling Leaves Moon) gashkadino-giizis - November (Freezing Over Moon) manidoo-giizisoons - December (Little Spirit Moon)

Here are some days often celebrated in Anishinaabewaki (not an exhaustive list!): 

January 1 - New Year’s Day Sap Collecting ceremonies First Thunderstorm ceremonies April 21 - Easter (2019) Sun/Rain/Thirst Dance ceremonies begin Berry Fasting ceremonies June 21 - National Aboriginal Day (in Canada) November - Native American Heritage Month (United States) December 25 - Christmas

(2017 National Aboriginal Day banner | image credit)

Related vocabulary gichitwaa-giizhigad - holiday (religious) manidookewin - ceremony jiikakamigad - there is a celebration Anamikodaading (Nimkodaading) - New Year’s Day Anishinaabe-Gichi-Giizhigad - National Aboriginal Day Niibaa-Anama’e-Giizhigad - Christmas

[isobelcannonfmpyr2]

COACHELLA

The reason why I chose to research Coachella is because it links well to my trend, context and fashion. Each year I see on social media, huge A list celebrities getting ready and showing off their outfits. It is a huge deal to have a show stopping outfit at Coachella and many big Youtubers film videos around their outfit and other small Youtubers react and rate them. I find this interesting as it is made to be such a big deal and probably its pressure on people to dress to impress. The main reason I wanted to research into Coachella is because my main concept of the project I to focus on the impact COVID has had on the music industry. As Coachella has missed out this year, I want to see what effort people will put into it next year. People could be more humbled or might come back bigger and better. Some peoples outfits I have seen at Coachella link to many of the sub-trend to my chosen trend, Euphoric. This can help me to develop my work as I can take inspiration from celebrities outfits and use this for new research.

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (commonly called Coachella or the Coachella Festival) is an annual music and arts festival held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, in the Coachella Valley in the Colorado Desert. It was co-founded by Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen in 1999, and is organised by Goldenvoice, a subsidiary of AEG Presents. The event features musical artists from many genres of music, including rock, pop, indie, hip hop and electronic dance music, as well as art installations and sculptures. Across the grounds, several stages continuously host live music. The festival's origins trace back to a 1993 concert that Pearl Jam performed at the Empire Polo Club while boycotting venues controlled by Ticketmaster. The show validated the site's viability for hosting large events, leading to the inaugural Coachella Festival being held over the course of two days in October 1999, three months after Woodstock '99. After no event was held in 2000, Coachella returned on an annual basis beginning in April 2001 as a single-day event. In 2002, the festival reverted to a two-day format. Coachella was expanded to a third day in 2007 and eventually a second weekend in 2012; it is now held on consecutive three-day weekends in April, with the same lineup each weekend. Organisers began permitting spectators to camp on the grounds in 2003, one of several expansions and additions in the festival's history. Coachella showcases popular and established musical artists as well as emerging artists and reunited groups. It is one of the largest, most famous, and most profitable music festivals in the United States and the world. Each Coachella staged from 2013 to 2015 set new records for festival attendance and gross revenues. The 2017 festival was attended by 250,000 people and grossed $114.6 million. Coachella's success led to Goldenvoice establishing additional music festivals at the site, including the annual Stagecoach country music festival beginning in 2007, the Big 4 thrash metal festival in 2011, and the classic rock-oriented Desert Trip in 2016. 

The 2018 festival featured headlining performances from The Weeknd, Beyoncé, and Eminem. Making up for her cancellation the previous year, Beyoncé became the first African-American woman to headline the festival. Her performances paid tribute to the culture of historically black colleges and universities, featuring a full marching band and majorette dancers, while incorporating various aspects of black Greek life, such as a step show along with strolling by pledges. The performances were also influenced by black feminism, sampling black authors and featuring on-stage appearances by fellow Destiny's Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams as well as sister Solange Knowles. Beyoncé's performances received immediate, widespread praise, and were described by many media outlets as historic. The New York Times music critic Jon Caramanica wrote, "There's not likely to be a more meaningful, absorbing, forceful and radical performance by an American musician this year, or any year soon, than Beyoncé's headlining set". Her performance garnered 458,000 simultaneous viewers on YouTube to become the festival's most viewed performance to date, and the entire festival had 41 million total viewers, making it the most livestreamed event ever. A report in Teen Vogue described "rampant" sexual harassment and assault at the 2018 festival, and the author said she was groped 22 times in 10 hours. In response, Goldenvoice announced a new initiative in January 2019 called "Every One", which comprises "fan resources and policies" to combat sexual misconduct and improve the festival's responses to such behavior. "Safety ambassadors" were made available to direct attendees to professional counselors, and specially marked locations were added for attendees to seek services or report incidents of sexual misconduct. One of the program's goals stated, "We are taking deliberate steps to develop a festival culture that is safe and inclusive for everyone". Coachella celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2019. Taking place from April 12–14 and 19–21, the festival was headlined by Childish Gambino, Tame Impala, and Ariana Grande. At 25 years old, Grande became the youngest artist to headline the festival and just its fourth female headliner. The festival was beset with several challenges. Justin Timberlake was reportedly slated to headline but had to cancel after bruising his vocal cords. Goldenvoice was also forced to abandon plans for Kanye West to headline, as they could not accommodate his request to build a giant dome for his performance in the middle of the festival grounds. West was instead allowed to hold the first public "Sunday Service" performance on Easter on April 21 at the venue's campgrounds. West and a gospel choir performed an approximately 33-song set list of his songs as well as classic R&B and gospel covers. The first weekend of the festival suffered audio technical difficulties with several high-profile performances. The following weekend, The Daily Beast published a report of the alleged "inhumane treatment" of the festival's security guards. The workers cited poor tent conditions, insufficient food and water, long hours in the harsh sun, minimum wages, and poor communication and coordination between the organizers and the subcontracting security firms. The 2020 festival was originally scheduled to take place on April 10–12 and April 17–19 with Rage Against the Machine, Travis Scott, and Frank Ocean as the headlining acts. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival was initially postponed until October 9–11 and October 16–18, but in June, Riverside County public health officers announced it and Stagecoach had been cancelled altogether. On April 10, a documentary profiling the festival's 20-year history, Coachella: 20 Years in the Desert, was released on YouTube to coincide with the original start date of the 2020 event. The pandemic has further resulted in the cancellation of the festival's planned April 2021 dates.

[phanfictioncatalogue]

Baking (2) Masterlist

Links Last Checked: March 30th, 2022

part one

A Festive Quest - manchestereyes

Summary: Phil has a plan. After their incredible 2016, he wants to make this the best Christmas he and Dan have ever had. And how does he intend to do that? By customising 24 different Christmas crackers, each one a hint leading up to a Christmas neither of them will ever forget.

A Handful of Sugar and A Pinch of Spice (ao3) - mildlyproductivetrashbag

Summary: Whenever Dan and Phil post a baking video, all you see is the finished product. But have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes? What do they get up to?

(Hint: Shenanigans. Lots and lots of shenanigans. Really, what else did you expect? This is Dan and Phil we're talking about here.)

Baking Together - anonymous

Summary: Baking fluff.

Creepy Crispy Cakes CONJOINED CHALLENGE! (ao3) - Unpluggedsocialfilter

Summary: Phil and I decided to go for something a bit simpler for the Halloween Baking video. I guess I'm just a bit too soft when Phil asks for something with a smile, so yes, this is the story of how I ended up conjoined to my flatmate and teenage crush through a stupid Halloween jumper and how I am now paying the price for it. Thanks for the tweets and costume suggestions guys.

Halloween Baking, 2017 Style: Spooky Maple Pupcakes! - manchestereyes

Summary: When Dan and Phil set out to film their next baking video in their new house, they certainly don't expect a certain fluffball to constantly nose his way in, nearly ruining the entire recipe. Then again, shouldn't that be exactly what they expect?

Handle With Care (ao3) - DisasterSoundtrack

Summary: Phil reminisces about moments that made him realize how much he cares for Dan.

I Don’t Want Us To Be Strangers Again - phanetixs

Summary: The story of Dan, Phil and last-minute baking for grandmas.

much-a-dough about muffin (ao3) - tinydragon (tiny_dragon)

Summary: Dan is the best baker in his apartment building until his new neighbour shows up and threatens his position (and his dignity). It turns out that actually, he might have a competitive streak.

Stirring in Love (ao3) - andthenshesaid-write (ladyknight1512)

Summary: When Phil applied to be a contestant on the Great British Bake Off he didn’t even expect to make the long-list, let along make it into the actual tent. But make it he does and there he meets Dan, a baker unlike Phil in every possible way. After a rocky start, Phil realises that maybe he can learn some things from Dan after all, and the biggest things have nothing to do with baking.

Strawberry Shortcake - dxnhowell

Summary: Dan works at a bakery with his friend Louise, where a punk boy comes in every day and orders Strawberry Shortcake.

Sugar (ao3) - lovergalore

Summary: Phil works at a bakery and Dan is a single Dad.

The Easter Baking Fic (wattpad) - FioLee3194

Summary: This was based off a Tumblr post I saw of someone who noticed that Phil shirt buttons kept being undone in the Easter baking video.

Two Turtle Doves (ao3) - ravels

Summary: To say that christmas eve in the howell-lester household was a very busy event would be almost akin to saying, "the sun is rather warm."

or, a quick obligatory christmasfic featuring parent!phan, baking, and milo the corgi.

[featuredcollectives]

15 Outstanding Photos From Myanmar Water Festival (aka) Thingyan, 2017

Thingyan (Burmese: သင်္ကြန်; MLCTS: sangkran, [θɪ́ɴdʑàɴ]; Arakanese: [θɔ́ɴkràɴ]; from Sanskrit saṁkrānti, which means “transit [of the Sun from Pisces to Aries]”[1]) is the Burmese New Year Water Festival and usually falls around mid-April (the Burmese month of Tagu). It is a Buddhist festival celebrated over a period of four to five days, culminating in the New Year. Formerly the dates of the Thingyan Festival were calculated according to the Burmese calendar but they are now fixed to Gregorian calendar 13 to 16 April; it often coincides with Easter.[2]The dates of the festival are observed as the most important public holiday throughout Burma and are part of the summer holidays at the end of the school year. Water-throwing or dousing one another from any shape or form of vessel or device that delivers water is the distinguishing feature of this festival and may be done on the first four days of the festival. However, in most parts of the country, it does not begin in earnest until the second day. Thingyan is comparable to other new year festivities in Theravada Buddhist areas of Southeast Asia such as Songkran in Laos, and Thailand, the Cambodian New Year, the Sinhalese New Year, the Pana Sankranti in Odisha and Puthanduin Tamil Nadu, Rongali Bihu in Assam. Marma people in Chittagong Hill Tracts and Rakhine people also celebrate it in same time by name of Sangrain or Sangren respectively. (Source - Wiki)

© Chit Min Maung

© Tint Wai Maung

© Tint Wai Maung

© Yoe Yan Naung

© Soe Myint Win

© Lamin Oo

© Chit Min Maung

© Zarni Phyo

© Bo Gyi

© Chit Min Maung

© Linn Yan Kha

© Thar Nge

© Ye Naing

© Wai Phyo

© Chit Min Maung

[liberationtheology]

Early Quakers did not observe Christmas nor mark other 'times and seasons'. They believed that no day was more holy than any other, and believed that each day, and all of life, was sacred (Quaker faith & practice 27.39 and 27.42). Today, as with so many things in the Quaker community, there is a full spectrum of practices and responses.

There are those who do the full Christian event to mark the birth of Jesus with candles, carols, presents and Christmas pudding, and others who will observe simply and quietly. There are also those who will choose not to mark this Christmas season in any way, but who nonetheless give daily witness to their faith.

Whilst I experience this sense of the 'sacred always' I do, like many Quakers, find times and seasons helpful markers from which to reflect and rejoice. I delight in the new spring buds, the crisp autumn leaves, the wisps of breath on a cold winter morning. I celebrate Easter as a time of new beginnings and advent as a time of deepening darkness with the promise of new light to follow.

The ordinary moments of each day

New Year is like the turning of a page and the chance to consciously approach a new chapter in my life, with renewed intentions. I find the sacred manifests itself in laughter in the office, good music on my headphones, shared meals at home, and Sunday evenings with six of us on the sofas watching Blue Planet II. In these ordinary moments of the day I can be reminded of the divine. Watching specks of dust dance in the sunlight – in the small things of the universe – I am reminded of my belonging in the cosmos and my part in being love and light. With Christmas approaching I mark the Sundays of advent – knowing that (in the northern hemisphere) the shortest day approaches.

Earlier humans have marked this passage of the sun/moon as sacred with such festivals as Yule – later supplanted by the Christian Christmas festival. I engage with this reminder of birth in the darkest days, heralding the arrival of life, and life more abundant, in the months to come. Advent reminds me too that in the darkness there are moments for hibernation and reflection, so that when the daylight comes I have a readiness to turn to face the sun.

Celebrating in community

We humans want to celebrate in community, perhaps remember those who've died, perhaps to celebrate new and burgeoning relationships – and also our sense of belonging. Recognising too, that for some there may be little to celebrate – in poverty, isolation or war-torn zones. Globally the world has perhaps held too much darkness in 2017 with several political leaders unable to beam shards of goodness and light.

As nights draw in, it is a reminder to me that I need to hold my spark of light faithfully and boldly, witnessing in the darker corners of my community. Holding and living by the Quaker testimonies of peace, simplicity and care of the environment remains a challenge in my preparations for a Christmas celebration. I make donations (including at the food bank), try to make good ethical choices with my purchases, and identify ways in which to share.

Quakers mark Christmas in different ways but I will spend Christmas Eve looking up at the stars and hoping fervently that the seven billion people on this planet will indeed show good will to one another.

[365goalsfor365days]

#35: Donate $25 to a charity once a month for the year

January: Search and Rescue (SAR) Alberta. SAR is a volunteer organized and run charitable organization that coordinates on ground and inland search and rescue missions. SAR provides support for police, fire, emergency response, security, and first aid. SAR volunteers are trained to find and rescue people all over Alberta - lost campers, hikers, skiers, children, and people with Alzheimers. ($25 on 16/01/17)

February: Second Chance Animal Rescue Society. SCARS is a non-profit charity that takes in animals that are homeless/unwanted/slated for euthanasia, provides medical assessment and treatment, and helps find forever homes for those animals. In addition, all animals that are under SCARS care are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and micro-chipped while under their care. SCARS relies on money raised through memberships, sponsorships, grants, and donations. 100% of donated money goes to SCARS operations (veterinary costs and equipment, food, housing, and medical aid). There are many ways to donate to SCARS - fostering an animal, donating money, donating items from their wish list, donating your car, volunteering, donating through United Way, donating Aeroplan miles. If you donate through ATB cares, they will add 15%. There is also an app for iOS and Android called ResQwalk - all you do is download the app, find SCARS in their charities to support, and make sure the app is on when going for walks. SCARS website (scarscare.ca) has an education section that provides links to education for reporting animal abuse, what to do with lost or found pets, pet safekeeping programs for pets belonging to individuals fleeing domestic violence, pet re-homing, behavior and training for both dogs and cats, care and health information, information for disabled pets, pet safety, and animal welfare. And while SCARS is an Alberta based charity, there are many organizations like them all over the place. Also, if you are looking to adopt a dog or cat, then you can adopt from SCARS or one of the many animal shelters in your area. ($25 on 18/02/2017)

March: Basically Babies. Basically Babies is a registered charity that works to provide for the basic outfitting needs of newborn babies from families in extreme need. Families are given a complete first year’s wardrobe, including clothing, outerwear, blankets, toys, storybooks, sleepers, undershirts, footwear, and other essentials. There are a couple of ways to contribute to this charity. At the time of writing this they are in need of gently-used or new snowsuits (sizes 0-24 mo), large sun hats (sizes 12-24 mo), shoes (sizes 0-6), slippers (0-24 mo), mittens (0-24 mo), tights (0-24 mo), sleepers (0-24 mo), large undershirts (12-24 mo), toys, stuffed animals (up to 24″), baby books, receiving blankets, and towels. Or, of course, you can donate money to the charity. ($25 on 15/03/2017)

April: Pilgrims Hospice. Pilgrims Hospice is a charitable program that provides supportive and compassionate family centered care to enhance the quality and dignity of life for those diagnosed with a progressive, life-threatening illness as well as solace to those who are bereaved. The programs and services they provide support psychological, social and spiritual well-being, and physical symptoms. PHS began in 1997 and has expanded quite a bit since then. Their day program (running Mon-Wed, 9:30am-3:30pm) offers therapeutic support through socialization, music therapy, arts & crafts, and numerous recreational activities. Home cooked meals and snacks are provided at the day programs. Day programs only cost $10 to attend. They also have drop-in groups for bereavement support, professionals, and young adults. ($25 on 18/04/2017)

May: Operation Friendship Seniors Society. OFSS is a non-profit society for YEG seniors (>55 years) living in the inner city. They provide community based preventative social services, and affordable housing options. They offer drop in free meals, rec & wellness activities, bingo, games, pool, cards, and outings. Outings include sporting events, festivals, swimming, and fishing among many more. They also provide foot care, flu clinics, access to public health nurses, showers, changes of clothing, and haircuts. They have an outreach program through referrals. Through the outreach program, they can take the seniors on shopping trips or buy groceries for them if they can’t leave the house. Transportation and program costs are free. Programs include arts & crafts, darts, leather work, bowling, movies, social dances, live entertainment, pet therapy, book clubs, camping, and more. They have plenty of volunteer opportunities. You can donate money, clothing, and toiletries. You can donate an ETS ride as well. ($25 on 17/05/17)

June: Today Family Violence Help Centre. The Today Centre is a charity that provides inclusive community-wide services for those impacted by family violence. The Today Centre has provided support to many individuals in the short term support program and free education to many agency staff and health & education practitioners. The short-term support program includes assessing risk factors, safety planning, assessing immediate needs, emotional support, education on the impact of family violence, and supported referrals. The centre is a safe place for all those affected by family violence and seeking help, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and culture. Services are also provided to agencies and the general public when they require help in supporting someone who discloses family violence. Support can be provided over the phone or through educational workshops and training for groups. They try to be very safe in protecting their client. The first thing that pops up when you get to the site is a little box that says if your computer usage is being monitored, use a safer computer or call the hotline, and there is an ‘escape site’ button. They have an escape site button that’s always there and it takes you to google. And if you call and have to leave a message, they ask that you indicate if it is safe for them to return your call and they won’t leave a message unless you say it’s safe to do so. They are located in a secure office that you have to buzz in to. They provide a number of workshops, most of which are free. They do have volunteer opportunities for anyone interested. They also accept financial and item donations. They accept new or used gift cards (grocery stores, superstore, wal-mart, shoppers drug mart) and locks with keys. The gift cards are to help the centre buy urgently needed supplies, but they also pass them along to clients. They accept new personal hygiene items (feminine hygiene products, nursing breast pads, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, etc), children’s items (diapers, coloring books, socks and underwear, crayons), journals, and adult socks and underwear. ($25 on 15/06/17)

July: The Lung Association. The lung association is a non-profit charity that raises money to increase awareness of lung diseases and improve lung health to those affected. They raise money to research cures or new treatments for lung diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, and COPD. They also advocate in public policy, provide education to improve clean air, provide patient support, educate the public about lung health, act as a resource and support system for those trying to quit tobacco use, and provide resources for health care professionals. There are various ways to support the lung association. One that is more to help the public than the association itself is to help prevent lung disease - go tobacco-free, help prevent the spread of influenza by getting vaccinated and covering your sneezes and coughs with your elbow, and do your part in contributing to cleaner air (walk/bike/carpool/public transport, use hand-powered garden tools instead of gasoline or diesel-powered equipment, avoid idling your car, garden without pesticides, etc). You can become a volunteer for the association, donate your car, or donate cash. ($25 on 30/07/17)

August: Boyle McCauley Health Centre. BMHC is a community owned community health centre that serves the inner city. BMHC’s goal is to offer accessible, comprehensive, culturally sensitive primary care. They have a multi-disciplinary team. The community they serve often face the following barriers: ethnicity, poverty, homelessness, addictions, mental illness, literacy and education levels, social isolation and lack of social supports, no Alberta Health Care coverage, and recent immigration. They provide many services within the center and at off-service sites (such as the community nursing station at various shelters and halfway houses), including: a medical clinic, dental clinic, foot care clinic, mental health care, blood work lab, chiropractic clinic, acupuncture, optometry, a women’s health care clinic, a young health care clinic, Streetworks needle exchange, and others. You can volunteer your time or donate money. ($25 on 14/08/2017)

September: Easter Seals. Easter Seals Alberta is a registered charity that provides services that foster inclusion, independence, and recreation for individuals with disabilities and medical conditions. Besides direct services, they provide programs, advocacy, and public education. They fund disability solutions through financial assistance, summer camp, advocacy, and education. They have many different programs and services. Easter Seals Camp Horizon provides 5 day summer camps and respite weekends for people with disabilities and special needs, and it’s subsidized. They provide specialized equipment for people who qualify physically and financially. They give disability travel cards to ensure individuals with disabilities can apply for lower travel costs with participating companies. The Easter Seals McQueen Residence is a 24 hour personal care residence in Edmonton for people with disabilities looking to develop independent living skills. The Phyllis Davidson Easter Seals Scholarship Program offers post-secondary scholarships to students with physical disabilities. You can donate used equipment such as lifts, power wheelchairs and scooters, and other adaptive equipment that is less than 10 years old and in good working condition. They have a donate a car program. You can volunteer at their events. You can also donate online. ($25 on 15/09/2017)

October: Getting Ready for Inclusion Today (GRIT). GRIT is an Edmonton based early childhood program for children aged 2.5-5.5 years with developmental disabilities. Together with the professionals and the parents, they develop an individualized program plan to meet each child’s needs. The program will maximize the child’s development, strengthen independence, and help them become full participants in family life, community, and school. GRIT provides 3 programs. The first is an Early Childhood Education program, where they provide preschool program to children with developmental disabilities, and family support. GRIT Plus provides enhanced support to families enrolled with GRIT who access specialized services funding through FSCD. The final is ASaP, which provides selected, licensed early learning and care programs in Alberta with access to the right supports at the right time (ex: day cares, preschool). A friend of mine had enrolled her son in GRIT (he has cerebral palsy). They think it’s a wonderful program and it helped their son. October is his birthday month, so I decided to donate to GRIT because of him. ($25 on 25/10/2017)

November: WILDNorth. WILDNorth is a charitable organization that cares for contaminated, injured, and orphaned animals, as well as educate the public about the importance of wildlife. Their wildlife hospital provides immediate treatment and surgery, and short term housing. Their rehab centre provides longer term housing and care once the animals are stable. They provide care to many native and migratory birds, as well as small mammals. If you find an injured, orphaned, or contaminated bird or small mammal, phone 780-914-4118. Once treated and rehabilitated, the animals will be released back into the wild. There are many different ways to support WILDNorth. You may wish to volunteer, participate in their Migratory Bird walk/run, donate an item from their wish list, become a member and receive the added benefits (such as release invites), or donate financially. My brothers girlfriend volunteers for this organization, and they’re great. They really care and are as humane as possible. ($25 on 18/11/2017).

December: Little Warriors & Be Brave Ranch. Little Warriors is a charitable organization that works toward the awareness, prevention, and treatment of child sexual abuse. The Be Brave Ranch is a camp-style place for kids 8-12 years old and their families to receive therapy and heal from the effects of child sexual abuse. They provide a number of various therapy techniques over a one year period. The children stay at the ranch for an initial 28 days to create close relationships with a small group of peers. Then throughout the rest of the year, they stay at the ranch for 14 days x3. Ongoing clinical support is also provided to parents/guardians. It’s a fun, safe place for kids and their families to heal. There are various ways to support the Little Warriors and Be Brave Ranch. They have a “Prevent It! Workshop” that is hosted in various communities and online, you can attend the annual Little Warriors Be Brace Luncheon, share on social media to raise awareness, donate needed supplies and equipment to the ranch (ex. clothing, craft supplies, gift cards for Dollar Stores/Walmart/Michaels, non-perishable food items, night-lights, cleaning supplies, sports equipment, etc), or make a cash donation. ($25 on 18/12/2017)

[tipsycad147]

The eight Sabbats: Witch's holidays

Posted by Michelle Gruben on Nov 26, 2017

Modern Pagans celebrate eight major holidays throughout the year, known as Sabbats. They are based on pre-Christian customs related to the movement of the sun. Most are related to the Celtic agricultural festivals that have given them their names.

Of course, now we know that the sun doesn’t actually move around the earth. And lots of Pagans live far away from the places where our food is grown. But the Sabbats are still a meaningful way to connect with the cycles of the seasons and of human life.

The Pagan Sabbats include the four astronomical holidays (the equinoxes and solstices) and four traditional holidays in between. Together, these eight festivals are known as the Wheel of the Year. They are observed in Wicca and Wicca-influenced forms of neo-Paganism.

Learn about the eight Witch’s holidays and some popular customs for each one:

Samhain

Probably the best-known of the Sabbats, Samhain is celebrated on October 31st. It coincides with Halloween or All Hallows Eve. Halloween is a time when even non-magickal people indulge in spooky activities and ancient superstitions. It's also the time when mainstream culture pays the most attention to the activities of Witches and Pagans.

The word Samhain comes from the Irish Gaelic word for “summer’s end.” The days have become shorter, and the darker half of the solar year is upon us. At this time, farmers would use up the remaining stores of perishable fruits and vegetables, preserving other foods to sustain them through the cold and dark season. They would also slaughter any livestock that they did not plan to feed through the winter. This is why we sometimes refer to Samhain as the Third Harvest, or Blood Harvest.

At Samhain, many people believe the boundary between the words is at its thinnest. Samhain is also known as Ancestor’s Night or the Feast of the Dead. For most Witches, Samhain is the best time to commune with the beloved dead (ancestors and honored spirits). Some also believe that lonely or angry spirits may wander the Earth on Samhain night, looking for humans to annoy.

How Pagans celebrate: For Pagans, Samhain is the beginning of the new year. It is a holiday of reflection and celebration. At Samhain, we cast off the old year’s attachments and turn our attention to the coming scarcity of winter. We feast on the last of summer’s bounty. We contemplate what is worth saving and nurturing during the dark of winter. We try to make friends with Death.

Pagans celebrate Samhain in many of the same ways muggles do: Scarfing down sweets, carving jack-o-lanterns, dressing up in costumes. We decorate with skulls and spiders and go to haunted houses. All of these Halloween traditions are too fun to miss out on—and besides, most of them have their roots in old Pagan beliefs, anyway.

If you’re invited to a Samhain ritual, you may see an ancestor altar. This is a shared altar where participants are invited to pile on their mementos and offerings for the dead. The presiding priest or priestess may invoke a deity who rules over transitions or the migration of souls—Morrighan, Hecate, or Hermes. You may participate in a meditation where you travel into the depths of the underworld, or look departed friends in the eye once more. People will speak the names of loved ones who died during the previous year, or long ago.

Feasting is a component of many Samhain rituals. When we eat sweets, we are savoring the sweetness of life and its impermanence. When we eat meat, we remember that all flesh must die and become nourishment for some creature or another.

We also use food as an offering to the dead—to communicate fond memories, to pay our respects—and perhaps, to appease hungry ghosts. Some Pagans set an extra plate at the Samhain table for spirit visitors. Another contemporary Pagan custom is the “dumb supper”—a silent meal where we invite our ancestors (both known and unknown) to come and dine with us.

Yule

Yule is the Pagan name for the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, it falls on or around December 21.

After the winter solstice, the darkest part of the year is over and the days begin increasing in length. This solar holiday is related historically to Christmas—Pagans delight in pointing out that Christians co-opted the date around the third century CE.

In the overarching neo-Pagan mythos, Yule is the birthday of the divine infant who is conceived in the spring. The dark of midwinter is the period of the Goddess’s confinement and labor as she prepares to welcome the solar child. On the longest night, the Sun God is born to the praise and gratitude of all Earth’s creatures.

How Pagans celebrate:

Yuletide is a time for passive, personal magick—for short days of work and long nights of dreaming. We set intentions and incubate our plans. It is a time of preparing mentally and spiritually for the light half of the year. Some Pagans keep a midwinter vigil, awaiting the rebirth of the sun at dawn.

It’s not often that you find large group rituals for Yule—probably because lots of Pagans are busy travelling and visiting with non-Pagan family! Instead, Yule rituals tend toward the home-y and conventional.

We decorate with evergreens and holly. We exchange gifts with friends and family. On Midwinter Eve, we light candles to herald the return of the sun. (The ambitious among us may set a Yule log blazing.) We eat traditional, calorie-rich holiday foods: Tamales, eggnog, rum cake, ham, and chocolate. We give thanks for the life-giving energy of our planet’s sun.  

Imbolc

Imbolc is a festival of purification and the early signs of spring. Imbolc is celebrated on Feb 1. (Not yet spring in most of the world, to be sure—but sometimes spring-like in Britain due to the warming influence of the Gulf Stream.) It is the first of the three Pagan fertility festivals, followed by Ostara and Beltane.

In Old Irish, Imbolc means “in the belly” and was associated with the onset of the lambing season. It was an obscure Irish folk festival until the 20th century, when neo-Pagans revived it as part of the Wheel of the Year. It coincides with the Christian festival of Candlemas and with that old farmer’s oracle, Groundhog’s Day, both observed on Feb. 2.

For our ancestors, the significance of Imbolc would have been the beginning of the ground thaw. It is the time to prepare for the planting season—to survey the land, take an inventory of tools, and make any repairs or modifications that will be needed. For the Witch, it also a time of preparation. We clean and bless our altars, and make sure that the tools of our practice are attuned to their intended use.

Mythically, Imbolc celebrates the awakening of the Goddess after giving birth to the young God at Yule. In the Earth, we observe the first stirrings of life after the frozen winter. (If you don’t know what a frozen winter looks like, ask your grandmother.)  Imbolc brings the energy of creativity and imagination. Projects that were put on hold during the holiday season start to creak into motion again. Our midwinter dreams resolve themselves into their first visible shapes.

How Pagans celebrate:

Imbolc is especially sacred to Brigid—Celtic Goddess of hearthfire, healing, the bardic arts, and smithwork. Many Imbolc rituals honour Brigid with candlelight, poems, and woven ornaments known as Brigid’s crosses. The first light of spring is evident by now, and it is an auspicious time of year for rites of cleansing, healing, and blessing.

Imbolc is a time for spiritual dedication and re-dedication. Some covens—especially women’s covens—initiate new members at Imbolc. For old Pagans, it is also a time to examine and refresh our practice. If we have become lax, Imbolc is an opportunity to purify our intentions and reconnect with spiritual guides. We light candles, open windows, and wash the floors to cast out the last gloom of winter. Some also use Imbolc for divination for the year’s harvest.

Imbolc is not really a feasting holiday, as the season of grains and fruits is months away. The first food of the year is dairy. Butter, milk, and cream are traditional foods for the Imbolc table.

Ostara

Ostara is the spring equinox, which falls on or about March 21 in the Northern Hemisphere. It is opposite the autumn equinox (which Pagans refer to as Mabon). But any desktop calendar can tell you that. Ostara is the Pagan cousin of the Easter holiday, a modern revival of one or more ancient spring celebrations.

Ostara is the second of three fertility festivals, a time when the blessings of spring become more visible in the natural world. Flowers bloom, the birds and the bees do their thing, and grocery aisles fill up with pastel-coloured treats. Ancient fertility symbols like eggs and bunnies are everywhere. (Yep, Ostara is the Sabbat with the rabbit!)

Astronomically speaking, Ostara is a midpoint of the year, and day and night are equal at this time. The Sun God (who has been growing and gathering strength since Yule) is an adolescent. The Great Goddess, who has been getting progressively younger since December 21, is in her maiden form. These two lusty youths are now the same age, and will soon conceive the child who will be born at Yule.

How Pagans celebrate:

The original meaning of Ostara as a fertility festival is not lost on modern Pagans. Ostara provides a perfect opportunity to work magick for love, prosperity, and gains of any kind. We harness the energy of the lengthening days to fuel our desires and bring projects to fruition. We honour the gifts of the earth Goddess, who is presently blessing the land with beauty and nourishment.

Pagans also use Ostara as a time to reflect on the principle of balance. Everyone has goals and responsibilities—work, family, art, spirituality—that compete for our time and attention. At Ostara, we take a moment to notice things that may have shifted out of balance. We reset our priorities as the austerity of winter gives way to the exuberance of spring.

Beltane

Beltane is the ancient name for the May Day rite, held on May 1. Originally a fire festival, it was widely celebrated in pre-Christian Ireland and Scotland. The name comes from the god Bel (“the bright one”) and means “Bel’s fire.” It is the second of two principle festivals on the Celtic Pagan calendar, the other one being Samhain. Samhain and Beltane are the two poles of the magickal year, when the gates to Faery and the spirit world are most open to travellers. ­­­

In traditional Wicca, Beltane is a sexual festival, the last of the three fertility festivals. It is the time when the Maiden Goddess takes a lover in the form of the young God. Wiccans enact this drama through the ritual marriage (Great Rite) of a High Priestess and High Priest, whose union will bless the land.

How Pagans celebrate:

Theoretically, Beltane is an occasion of unbridled sensuality and revelry. However, sexual rites are rare in modern covens. If invited to a Beltane ritual, you’re far more likely to dance around a maypole or witness a symbolic Great Rite (with a chalice and athame) than encounter an orgy.

For the social Pagan, Beltane season abounds with bonfires, festivals, concerts, and campouts. Solitary Pagans might celebrate by making an altar to the young God and Goddess or connecting with a lover. Flowers, honey, sweets and wine on the altar echo the sweetness of the occasion. Beltane is also a time for illusion, seduction, and Faery tricks. By the light of the Beltane fire, the real can become unreal (and vice versa).

Since Beltane celebrates the union of the God and Goddess, it is a popular time for proposals, handfastings, and renewing of vows. Magickally, the combined masculine and feminine energies lend a powerful alchemical surge to almost any type of spellwork.

Litha

Litha is the summer solstice, which in the Northern Hemisphere falls on or about June 21. Linguists disagree about the origin of the Sabbat’s name, but summer festivals were common across pre-Christian Europe. People lit bonfires to keep the sun’s light alive for as long as possible. Solstice revels were supposed to bless the crops in the fields and drive away evil spirits.

Litha is the day when the Sun God is at the peak of his power. It is an auspicious day, ruled by the Sun and the element of Fire. After Litha, the nights will begin to grow longer and the Sun will move further away each day. With the fall harvest imminent, Litha is an opportunity for anticipating the (actual or symbolic) crop. Medieval people believed that Midsummer Night was blessed, and that whatever a person dreamed on this night would come true.

How Pagans celebrate:

Outdoor rituals are common at Litha, as Pagans take advantage of the long hours of daylight. It is a joyful Sabbat. Bonfires and summer games brighten the space between earth and sky. We decorate our altars with solar symbols, and honor the God in his aspect as Father.

Litha is an appropriate time for all magick ruled by the Sun. This includes spells of cleansing, protection, charisma, and truth.

Lammas

Lammas is the first harvest festival on the Pagan calendar, observed on or about August 1. It is related to an old agricultural holiday celebrating the reaping of grain. Lammas probably comes from the Old English words for “loaf mass.” Loaves of freshly baked bread would have been prepared from the first grain and blessed in churches around the countryside. Lammas is also called Lughnasadh, after the Celtic sun God, Lugh.

As the summer stretches on and the days grow shorter, the sun God symbolically loses some of his strength. He is not yet dead, but is aware that the dark season will soon approach. The god of summer “dies” in the fields to nourish the people, and prepares for rebirth at Yule.

How Pagans celebrate:

Lammas is a time to welcome the harvest. We give thanks that the year’s work is proceeding as planned, and that we will soon enjoy the fruits of our labor. Grain is the traditional food for the Lammas table, in the form of wheat, barley, beers and ales.

Celtic Pagans celebrate Lammas/Lughnasadh as the feast of Lugh, an agricultural god—but also a patron of poets, musicians, and craftspeople. At Lammas, we may show off the skills we have acquired and trade them for things we will need. It is a traditional time of year for craft fairs and local markets.

Mabon

Mabon is the autumn equinox (or as us Texans call, it “fawwwl”). In the Northern Hemisphere, it falls around Sept 21. Mabon is the pivot point of the solar year when the days begin to shorten and winter is on its way. (The name of the festival is modern and dates from the 1960s or early 1970s.)

Mabon may also be called the Second Harvest, because it is the time when autumn fruits and nuts reach their maturity. It is a time to contemplate what we have worked for in the previous year and what rewards we are ready to reap. We give thanks to the waning sunlight and prepare to store our wealth away for the scarce season. We shift from active to contemplative magick. Mabon season is a fine time for workings of prosperity, gratitude, security, and balance.

How Pagans celebrate:

Mabon is a time for celebration after the hard work of the harvest. Though it is sad to watch the beauty of the growing season fade away, we revel in the mild weather and rest that autumn brings.

Mabon foods are comfort foods, those that evoke fond memories and connect us through sharing. We bake and brew, pickle and can. Offerings of wine, cider, fruits, and boughs may adorn the Mabon table—along with that most Pagan of centerpieces, the Cornucopia.

On the Pagan religious calendar, Mabon represents the turning point to the dark half of the year. We shift our attention from the youthful merriment of the summer Sabbats. At Mabon, we honor the Crone and Sage deities, the cycles of ageing and death, and the spirit world.

Mabon is a popular time for large outdoor rituals—in part because the weather is good and it doesn’t conflict with any major mainstream holidays. We gather together to feast and express gratitude for our lovely tilted planet. Many cities host a public Mabon ritual as part of their annual Pagan Pride Day gatherings. Solitary Pagans might celebrate Mabon with offerings at a home altar, or a contemplative walk in the woods.

https://www.groveandgrotto.com/blogs/articles/the-eight-sabbats-witchs-holidays

[altriviera]

Interview de Rubin Steiner*

* Entretien réalisé dans le cadre du Festival Easter in the Sun, Édition 2017 (Nice)

Le moment tant espéré est arrivé : notre Président des Artistes EITS 2017 va te parler, va nous parler... Lisons cela, et... en marche (arrière) !

Quel est ton premier (ou plus ancien) souvenir musical ?      

Vu que je réponds toujours la même chose à cette question, je ne vais pas te parler de ce 45 tours vert transparent que ma grand-mère m'avait rapporté de son travail, ce 45t de Barry Manilow que j'ai beaucoup écouté dans mon mange-disque en 1978 (Copacabana, si si, tu connais). Je vais plutôt te parler d'un 33 tours d'Anne Sylvestre, qui reste encore aujourd'hui quelqu'un que j'aime beaucoup. L'avantage avec Anne Sylvestre, c'est que tu peux écouter ses chansons pour enfant quand tu es enfant, et ses chansons pour adultes quand tu es adulte. Et cette sensation mêlée de joie et de profonde tristesse s'opère à tous les âges. Je crois que cette femme est formidable, ça me fait plaisir de parler d'elle ici.

Un artiste ou un disque t'a-t-il donné l'envie de te lancer en solo ?

Là c'est un peu plus compliqué que ça, parce que ce n'est pas à proprement parler un artiste ou un disque qui m'a donné envie de faire de la musique tout seul, mais plutôt l'arrivée chez moi d'un ordinateur (au milieu des années 90). En y repensant, c'était quand même un sacré truc les ordinateurs. Pour moi c'était y a pas si longtemps que ça, j'étais à la fac, j'étais barman, j'organisais des concerts, je jouais dans un groupe, je faisais de la radio et un fanzine, et tout ça sans jamais avoir besoin d'un ordinateur. J'habitais en coloc' et c'est dans ces appartements que se faisaient les choses, avec des ciseaux, une machine à écrire, un 4 pistes cassette et tous les instruments qu'on pouvait se faire prêter. Mes seuls potes qui avaient des ordinateurs alors ont fait ingénieur-informaticien par la suite. C'était quelquechose d'assez... spécial. C'est dingue quand on y repense. Et je ne te parle même pas d'internet, dont j'ignorais l'existence avant 1999/2000. Quand j'ai eu cet ordinateur, en 1997 ou 1998 je crois, je ne savais vraiment pas quoi en faire, sinon pouvoir m'enregistrer avec un petit logiciel (Soundforge dans mon souvenir). J'ai fait mon premier album avec cet ordinateur la première semaine où je l'ai eu. Et je ne voyais pas à quoi pouvait servir d'autre un PC. Ensuite tout a été très vite, en même pas deux ans cette machine est devenue une chose indispensable à ma vie. Rien que d'y repenser ça me fout le vertige. Comme beaucoup de musiciens, l'arrivée des PC et des logiciels de son ont été une sorte de miracle. Tout était « gratuit » (les pirates existaient déjà) et pour un étudiant fauché comme moi, c'était une porte qui s'ouvrait sur un horizon de possibles. Après, j'étais avant tout un furieux mélomane, et ce n'est pas un disque qui m'a donné envie de faire de la musique, mais plutôt une centaine. Si tu fouilles bien sur le net, tu tomberas peut-être sur un blog que je faisais il y a 10 ans, sur lequel je m'étais amusé à mettre les playlists de mes émissions de radio et mon fanzine de l'époque. Tu verras ce que j'aimais, peut-être que ça va te faire flipper.

Quel matériel utilises-tu sur scène ? Es-tu un amateur de vintage, un « geek » ?

Alors non, je ne suis pas du tout un geek ni un amateur de vintage : tout simplement parce que je n'ai pas les moyens financiers. Et puis sur scène, ça change tout le temps. Au début des années 2000 j'avais des MPC, après j'ai utilisé un laptop, des synthés, j'ai repris ma guitare (j'ai toujours eu des amis sur scène avec moi, à la basse, à la batterie etc.), et aujourd'hui, pour ce nouvel album, j'ai juste un laptop, des contrôleurs et un clavier midi, et je fais en même temps la musique et de la vidéo. Sinon je joue de la basse dans Drame, et tu vas être content il y a des synthés vintage ! Un Juno 60, un MS10, un Polyvoks, une 808 : tes lecteurs geeks vont être aux anges. Sinon la batterie est une batterie tout à fait normale. Une simple batterie quoi. Et ma basse coûte 150 euros mais elle est belle. Malgré tout, parce que je sens que tu as envie que je te parle de matos, je prépare une autre forme de live solo qui se prête à l'improvisation avec une TR808, un JEN, un Poly800 et quelques autres trucs D-I-Y.

Qu'as-tu pensé de l'accueil du public ? Modules-tu ton live en fonction de lui ?

Cette soirée était super, le lieu magique et l'organisation parfaite. Contrairement à Drame qui est un groupe de musique très libre et à moitié improvisé, quand je fais du Rubin Steiner, et surtout sur ce live-là, je ne « module » pas en fonction du public. C'est très écrit, déjà du fait des vidéos, et mes impros ne sortent pas des moments prévus pour ça. En revanche, d'un live sur l'autre, je prépare des choses différentes en amont. Notamment sur les vidéos, et le texte projeté comme tu as pu le voir. C'est un spectacle, en fait. Même si ça danse comme en club.

Que nous conseillerais-tu d'écouter en ce moment, en électro ou dans d'autres styles ?

J'arrive jamais à répondre à cette question... je suis en train d'écouter Stereolab en ce moment-même, comme toujours depuis quasiment 25 ans. Sinon j'écoute beaucoup de musique que je joue quand je fais le DJ. Pareil, si tu fouilles sur le net tu trouveras des playlists et des mixtapes je pense (genre sur mixcloud). Sinon j'écoute du jazz et là je te conseillerai rien, sinon d'en écouter. Je me surprends à ne plus aimer le hip-hop, je ne me l'explique pas. Ni le rock en général. Trop de musique partout tout le temps. Si j'ai le courage je te ferai une playlist de ce que j'ai écouté et aimé ces derniers temps. Là tout de suite j'ai pas le courage.

Es-tu amateur de livres ? Que lis-tu en ce moment ?

Alors là oui ! En réalité, je préfère les livres aux disques, et je lis plus que je n'écoute de la musique. J'ai particulièrement accroché sur "Les Premiers" de XabiMolia, et tous les romans de Tristan Garcia (pour parler d'auteurs jeunes et français). Comme tout le monde j'ai adoré les Vernon Subutex et City On Fire, et pour faire rapide, je suis un grand fan de Tom Robbins, de Philip K.Dick et je suis assez fasciné par David Foster Wallace, Thomas Pynchon et Antoine Volodine, entre autres. Et puis, dans le désordre, je suis assez friand des livres de Claro, Douglas Coupland, Joy Sorman, Hubert Selby, Donna Tartt, Alain Damasio, Emmanuel Carrère... J'ai même relu du Kerouac et du Burroughs récemment. Bref, je pourrais t'en parler des heures. J'aime bien les gros livres en général.

Quelles sont tes prochaines dates de concert ?

Aïe je les ai pas en tête, le mieux c'est de me pister sur Facebook !

As-tu un souvenir marquant de concert à nous raconter ?

Le concert le plus dingue pour moi, c'était il y a pas loin de dix ans. IlhanErsahin, un saxophoniste fabuleux, m'a invité pour jouer à Istanbul, avec lui et un de ses groupes I Led 3 Lives. J'arrive donc à Istanbul les mains dans les poches et je me retrouve dans une loge avec lui, Juini Booth (le bassiste du Sun Ra Orchestra) et Kenny Wollesen (batteur qui joue avec John Zorn, Tom Waits, Bill Frisell entre autres). On doit jouer deux sets d'une heure complètement improvisés, et Juini n'a pas envie de répéter : je me suis donc retrouvé pendant deux heures, une guitare de location entre les mains, avec ces trois monstres sur la scène du Babylon devant une salle comble. Je n'ai aucun souvenir de ce qui s'est passé, une sorte d'hallucination totale, mais je crois que c'était assez génial. Ah oui : je ne suis pas à proprement parler un « bon » guitariste. C'est rien de le dire. Avec eux j'ai aussi fait un workshop et un concert dirigé par Butch Morris, avec une dizaine des meilleurs musiciens de jazz du monde. Je ne sais toujours pas comment je me suis retrouvé là-dedans avec ma guitare, moi qui déteste cet instrument. C'était complètement dingue. Je vous conseille de taper Butch Morris et IlhanErsahin dans Google.

Merci, Président ! 

Propos recueillis par Arnauld H.

Photo : Julien Griffaud       

[the-record-newspaper]

MERLEFEST WEEK BEGINS

Mike Rominger and Christine Hammel played an eclectic mixture of music and songs, ending with Roy Orbison's "Pretty Woman" which the entire crowd seemed to be singing along with.

 On hand to enjoy a beautiful Easter Sunday of music were, Ed Sturdivant, his wife Tricia, and their son Carter.

 The tent was eerily quiet as Benjamin Barker played "The Old Rugged Cross" on his harp.

 Dr. Bryan's daughter, Pam Terrell, emceed most of the event.

 The annual event is hosted by the Wilkes Acoustic Folk    Society, and is always held the Sunday prior to MerleFest on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro.

MerleFest begins Thursday and will run through Sunday.

 Bryan passed    away in 2011. He was a well-loved physician, who delivered thousands of    babies, as well as an avid fan of Americana    music. He was also a supporter of the musicians who performed this genre,    particularly those from the area.

Bryan hosted    these jams for years, and since his death they have been continued as a    tribute to his memory.

Performers at the tribute included: Mill Road, Ernest Johnson    and Ralph Clanton, Catawba Bluegrass Boys, David Russell and Benjamin    Barker, Horseplay, R.G. Absher and Friends, Christine Hammel, Mike    Rominger, The Ya-Ya's, The Trailblazers, Backporch Bluegrass and The Kruger    Brothers.

The concert, which will end after the last group performs, is    free to the public.

The Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society (WAFS) will also host free    jams, which began during their monthly meeting on Monday.

Pre-MerleFest Jams were set to be held from Monday through    Wednesday evening, starting at 6 p.m., at the Wilkesboro campus. Various    tents will also be set up for the jams. The jams prior to the festival are    free and no wristbands are required.

During MerleFest anyone with an admittance wristband can bring    instruments and participate in the various jams that are hosted by WAFS,    which will be held throughout festival hours.

This year’s MerleFest lineup includes: American Aquarium, Andy    May, Ana Egge & The Sentimentals, Ashley Heath and Her Heathens, AZTEC    SUN, Banknotes, Bob Hill, Cane Mill Road, Carol Rifkin, Carolina Blue,    Casey Kristofferson Band, Catfish Keith, Charles Welch, Chris Rodrigues    with Abby the Spoonlady, David LaMotte, Dirk Powell Band, Donna the    Buffalo, Driftwood, Elephant Sessions, Elizabeth Cook, Ellis Dyson &    The Shambles, Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys, Happy Traum, Irish    Mythen, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little Trio, Jim Avett, Jim Lauderdale, Joe    Smothers, Jontavious Willis and Andrew Alli, Josh Goforth, Junior Brown,    Junior Sisk, Larry Stephenson Band, Laura Boosinger, Lindi Ortega, Mark    Bumgarner, Mark & Maggie O’Connor, Maybe April, Michaela Anne, Mile    Twelve, The Milk Carton Kids, Mitch Greenhill and String Madness, Molly    Tuttle, Nixon, Blevins, & Gage, Pete & Joan Wernick and FLEXIGRASS,    Presley Barker, Professor Whizzpop!, Radney Foster, Roy Book Binder, Salt    & Light, Scythian, Sean McConnell, Shane Hennessy, Si Kahn & The    Looping Brothers, Steep Canyon Rangers, Steve Poltz, T. Michael Coleman,    The Black Lillies, The Brother Brothers, The Gibson Brothers, The Harris    Brothers, The InterACTive Theatre of Jeff, The Kruger Brothers, The Local    Boys, The Trailblazers, The Waybacks, Todd Albright, Tom Feldmann, Tony    Williamson, Uncle Joe and The Shady Rest, Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike,    Wayne Henderson, Webb Wilder, and Yarn. The lineup and performance    schedules are accessible viaMerleFest.org/lineup.

 MerleFest is pleased to partner with Come Hear NC, a    promotional campaign of the North Carolina Department of Natural &    Cultural Resources and the North Carolina Arts Council, to celebrate 2019    as “The Year of Music,” a    designation Governor Roy Cooper announced in November of last year.    MerleFest, honoring its locale, has programmed over 40 artists who currently    call North Carolina    home, each artist representing a different aspect of the state’s great    musical history. Come Hear NC was designed to celebrate North Carolinians’    groundbreaking contributions to many of America’s most important musical    genres — blues, bluegrass, jazz, country, gospel, Americana, rock and    everything in-between. It’s fitting then, with 2019 as “The Year of Music,”    that the Steep Canyon Rangers, also proud North     Carolinians, would debut their North Carolina Songbook set at    MerleFest.

 About MerleFest

MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the son of the late    American music legend Doc Watson, renowned guitarist Eddy Merle Watson.    MerleFest is a celebration of "traditional plus" music, a unique    mix of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region,    including old-time, classic country, bluegrass, folk and gospel and blues,    and expanded to include Americana, classic rock and many other styles. The    festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its 13 stages during the course of    the four-day event. MerleFest has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC    Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational    needs.

 About Window World

Window World®, headquartered in North Wilkesboro, N.C., is America’s    largest replacement window and exterior remodeling company, with more than    200 locally owned offices nationwide. Founded in 1995, the company sells    and installs windows, siding, doors and other exterior products, with over    15 million windows sold to date. Window World is an ENERGY STAR® partner    and its windows, vinyl siding and Therma-Tru doors have all earned the Good    Housekeeping Seal. Through its charitable foundation, Window World Cares®, the    Window World family provides funding for St. Jude Children’s Research    Hospital®, which honored the foundation with its Organizational Support    Award in 2017. Since its inception in 2008, the foundation has raised over    $8 million for St. Jude. Window World also supports the Veterans Airlift    Command, a nonprofit organization that facilitates free air transportation    to wounded veterans and their families. Window World has flown over 100    missions and surpassed $1 million in flights and in-kind donations since it    began its partnership with the VAC in 2008. For more information, visitwww.WindowWorld.com or    call 1-800 NEXTWINDOW. For home improvement and energy efficiency tips,    décor ideas and more, follow Window World on Facebookand Twitter.

 About the North Carolina Department    of Natural and Cultural Resources

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR)    is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state's    natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational    and economic future of North      Carolina. NCDNCR's mission is to improve the    quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience    excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by    stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state's history,    conserving the state's natural heritage, encouraging recreation and    cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.

 NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two    art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette's Pier, 39    state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the nation's first    state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives,    the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State    Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For    more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.

 About the North Carolina Arts Council

The North Carolina Arts Council builds on our state’s    long-standing love of the arts, leading the way to a more vibrant future.    The Arts Council is an economic catalyst, fueling a thriving nonprofit    creative sector that generates $2.12 billion in annual direct economic    activity. The Arts Council also sustains diverse arts expression and    traditions while investing in innovative approaches to art-making. The    North Carolina Arts Council has proven to be a champion for youth by    cultivating tomorrow’s creative citizens through arts education. http://www.NCArts.org

 For more information,    visit www.MerleFest.org.

[dr-archeville]

Upcoming Retro Films at the Carolina Theatre (July-December 2017)

All movies are on Fridays (unless otherwise stated) starting at 7:00pm (or so), and cost $9.00 for both films.

July 7th-9th (Fri-Sun): RETROEPICS Weekend -- Federico Fellini’s 8½ (1963), John Boorman’s Excalibur (1981), John Sturges’ The Great Escape (1963), Cecil B. DeMille’s The King of Kings (1927), David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive (2001), Philip Kaufman’s The Right Stuff (1983), Andrei Tarkovsky’s Stalker (1979), and Robert Aldrich’s Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962).

July 14th: George C. Cosmatos’ Cobra (1986) and Andrei Konchalovsky’s Tango & Cash (1989)

July 21st-23rd (Fri-Sun): RETROMUSICALS Weekend -- Vincente Minnelli’s An American in Paris (1951), Otto Preminger’s Carmen Jones (1954), Charles Walters’ Easter Parade (1948), Mervyn LeRoy’s G*psy (1961), Miloš Forman’s Hair (1979), Richard Lester’s A Hard Day’s Night (1964), George Sidney’s Kiss Me Kate (1954), Arthur Hiller’s Man of La Mancha (1972), Vincente Minnelli’s The Pirate (1948), and Ken Russell’s Tommy (1975).

July 28th: Richard Attenborough’s Magic (1978) and Wes Craven’s The Last House on the Left (1972)

August 4th: Charles Crichton’s The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) and  Alexander Mackendrick‘s The Man In The White Suit (1951)

August 10th-13th: NC Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

August 18th: Clint Eastwood’s Pale Rider (1985) and Henry Hathaway’s True Grit (1969)

August 25th: Fred M. Wilcox’s Forbidden Planet (1951) and Kinji Fukasaku’s The Green Slime (1968)

September 1st: ???

September 8th: Gary Marshall’s Overboard (1987) and Paul Michael Glaser’s The Cutting Edge (1992)

September 15th: Lewis Teague’s Stephen King’s Cat’s Eye (1985) and Brian De Palma’s Stephen King’s Carrie (1976)

September 17th (Sunday): Fan Appreciation Day -- Phil Alden Robinson’s Field of Dreams (1989) and Phil Alden Robinson’s Sneakers (1992).  Admission is free, and each film comes with a free medium popcorn!

September 22nd-24th (Fri-Sun): SPLATTERFLIX festival -- Jim Wynorski’s Chopping Mall (1986), Tom McLoughlin’s Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986), Tobe Hooper’s The Funhouse (1981), Alan Rafkin’s The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1968), Rick Rosenthal’s & John Carpenter’s Halloween II (1981), Armand Mastroianni He Knows You’re Alone (1980), Jack Gold’s The Medusa Touch (1978), Kevin Connor’s Motel Hell (1980), Buddy Cooper & John S. Douglass’ The Mutilator (1984), George Mihalka’s My Bloody Valentine - Director’s Cut (1981), Paul Lynch’s Prom Night (1980), Michael Winner’s The Sentinel (1977), Amy Holden Jones’ The Slumber Party Massacre (1982), Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 (1986), and Lucio Fulci’s Zombi (1979)

September 29th: Robert Aldrich’s Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964) and Terence Young’s Wait Until Dark (1967)

October 6th: Howard Hawks’ To Have and Have Not (1944) and Edmund Goulding’s Dark Victory (1939)

October 13th: Kenny Ortega’s Hocus Pocus (1993) and Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (1988)

October 20th: Alejandro Jodorowsky’s The Holy Mountain (1973) and Alejandro Jodorowsky’s El Topo (1970)

October 27th: Michael Schultz’s Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon (1985) and Walter Hill’s Streets of Fire (1984)

November 3rd: Michael Crichton’s Westworld (1973) and Elliot Silverstein’s The Car (1977)

November 10th-12th (Fri-Sun): ComiQuest (part of the Bull City/Durham NC Comicon) --  Chris Columbus’ Adventures in Babysitting (1987), Leslie H. Martinson’s Batman: The Movie (1966), Stephen Norrington’s Blade (1998), Arna Selznick’s The Care Bears Movie (1985), George A. Romero’s Creepshow (1982), Ishirō Honda’s King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962), Nick Castle’s The Last Starfighter (1984), and James Cameron’s The Terminator (1984)!

November 17th: Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958) and Alfred Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

November 24th: Ridley Scott’s Alien (1979) and Paul Anderson’s Event Horizon (1997)

December 1st: Michael Curtiz’ White Christmas (1954) and Jacques Demy’s The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964, in French w/ English subtitles)

December 8th: Richard Donner’s Scrooged (1988) and Alan Johnson’s To Be or Not to Be (1983)

December 15th: Henri-Georges Clouzot’s Diabolique (1955) and René Clément’s Purple Noon (1960), both in the original French w/ English subtitles!

December 22nd: ---

December 29th: ---

So many amazing films!

[kosa12-blog]

Coachella 2017 All Access: Go Inside This Year's Star-Studded Music Festival

Bust out the flower crowns and inflatable swans: Coachella 2017 is finally here! Thousands upon thousands of music lovers are headed to Indio, Calif., to experience two weekends of nonstop tunes from a variety of artists. Lady Gaga, Radiohead, Kendrick Lamar, Lorde and Future are just some of the famous faces performing live to a sea full of people. For those who are unable to head out and experience the fun in person, there's always the Coachella livesteam. In addition, E! News is hooking you up with all the surprise guests, A-list parties and star sightings. Take a look at our All-Access guide updating throughout both weekends below. Coachella 2017: Star Sightings Weekend 1, Day 3: Sunday, April 16, 2017  Louis Tomlinson and girlfriend Eleanor Calder were spotted hanging out at the Revolve Festival party at the Merv Griffin estate in Indio, Calif. An insider told us they sat at a cabana by the pool, pouring themselves a CIROC and Red Bull drink. The former One Direction singer donned green flannel pants and a black shirt, while his on-again, off-again girlfriend opted for a plaid black and white button down and denim shorts. Though the couple didn't show too much PDA, they did spend a bit of time chatting together by themselves. Sofia Richie, Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner, and DNCE also attended the event. Nick was spotted smoking a cigar and holding a goblet of Moët champagne in his private cabana beside Tomlinson. He donned a head-to-toe army fatigue outfit and a tan baseball cap. Joe and Sophie sipped on fruity drinks and chatted with friends. Kendall Jenner also just attended the Revolve Festival party, sitting in a private cabana with Hailey Baldwin and a group of friends. We're told they stayed for about an hour, eating popsicles and playing with the mini squirt guns at the table. Kendall dressed casual in a statement sleeve shirt with jean shorts and a hat. They stayed for Migos' performance before heading out. Katy Perry and her stylist Johnny Wujek hosted the Katy Perry Footwear Collection Easter Day "Recovery Brunch" on Sunday, which came complete with a fluid IV drip station, neck massages and a make-your-own Bloody Mary bar. The singer hosted this party to promote her new shoe line, which she designed with Wujek. Katy looked ethereal in a white mesh midi-dress and a white two-piece bathing suit underneath, rocking her bleached blonde pixie cut and accessorizing with a stuffed, white Easter bunny purse. A source told us she arrived to the party around 3 p.m. and was surprised by a "drunk" Easter bunny who was stumbling around the party holding a bottle of Jack Daniels. She spent a majority of the time mingling with guests and taking photos. Stars like DJ Khaled, Kehlani, G-Eazy and Lorde all performed before Kendrick Lamar took the stage late Sunday night. The rapper brought out Future as a surprise guest to perform their collaboration "Mask Off."  During the performance, many stars were spotted in the crowd jiving to the music. Selena Gomez and The Weeknd watched the show together in the front of the artist guest viewing section. The "Starboy" singer wore a mask around his mouth, likely to protect his vocal chords from the dust, but at one point an onlooker tells us he moved it down to give SelGo some kisses. They kept their arms around each other all night, staying "very affectionate" as they sang along to Kendrick's songs. Selena Gomez's Best Looks Lana Del Rey and G-Eazy—who spent the entire weekend together, a source told E! News—were also spotted in the same area as SelGo and The Weeknd during Kendrick's show. We're told they came in the same group, but stood a couple yards apart as the rapper performed. An onlooker explained how Del Rey "danced like no one was watching" and sang every one of Kendrick's songs. We're also told she would occasionally look back and smile at G-Eazy before turning her attention back to the stage. Aaron Paul and his wife Lauren Paul also attended the concert with friends, "slowly trudging" out of the festival grounds after it ended. It was, indeed, a long weekend! Earlier in the evening, Katy Perry attended Lorde's performance and sat in the artist guest section. She was spotted "going crazy" during the "Royal" singer's final song. Weekend 1, Day 2: Saturday, April 15, 2017 Lady Gaga debuted a new song, "The Cure," during her headlining set. Katy Perry arrived about 10 minutes before the show started, with two friends. The singer watched the show while standing on a railing and was seen singing and dancing to all the songs. Wiz Khalifa was also in the special artist guest section and had his arm around a woman. They attended the show with friends. Lady Gaga's One-of-a-Kind Street Style Arrow star Stephen Amell and his wife stopped by Rachel Zoe's Zoeasis party, where Casamigos Tequila was enjoyed by festival-goers. "They are super cute together and said this was their first music festival," a source shared with E! News. "He's so in love with her, it's cute."  Victoria Justice, Olivia Culpo, Yara Shahidi and more stars were spotted at POPSUGAR's CFDA brunch and cabana club pool party. Guests enjoyed a performance from Daya and swag provided by Nordstrom, Ulta Beauty and Three Olives Vodka.  Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, Tobey Maguire and 50 of their closest friends arrived to the Revolve Festival party at the Merv Griffin Estate after 5:30 pm. The A-listers snuck in through the back, fooling the crowd of partygoers in the front. They were all smiles while sipping on CÎROC, Moet and Heineken with Russell Simmons at their private poolside cabana. Pac Sun and Chevy put on a Coachella party at the Bootsy Bellows Estate that featured Kendall Jenner, Hailey Baldwin and Ryan Phillippe.Ariel Winter, who also stopped by H&M's Coachella party, and Levi Meaden were also in attendance and displayed plenty of PDA.  During Future's set, the rapper decided to surprise the audience by bringing Drake on to the stage. According to an eyewitness, Orlando was super excited with the surprise and couldn't stop dancing and hugging his guy friends.  Katy, Orlando's ex, also watched Future's performance but the two did not appear together, a source told E! News. Both Rihanna and Lana Del Rey were also seen near Katy Perry in the same artist guest viewing section. Wiz and the same woman were also present, as was his ex Amber Rose, who stood behind them with friends, E! News has learned. Chris Pine was spotted ordering a whole pizza at a VIP food area. Also spotted there: Josh Hutcherson and a guy friend. Musicians Performing Live on Stage Leonardo, Orlando, Toby, Drake, Selena Gomez and The Weeknd, Amber Rose and French Montana were all spotted at the Neon Carnival party presented by Levi's Brand and Don Julio late Saturday night. Selena and The Weeknd walked hand-in-hand on their way to the portable toilets and he was extremely protective of her when a photographer tried to take a photo of them. The two were later spotted in a booth by the dance floor and left the bash around 4 a.m. Holding hands again, they made their way into an SUV, where The Weeknd helped Selena inside. Leonardo, who wore a baseball cap pulled low over his eyes, as well as a hoodie, hung out with Orlando, who sported sunglasses and a hoodie, and Toby at a VIP booth and danced with fellow guests. Both Leonardo and Orlando was also seen talking to blond women. Chantel Jeffries and Alessandra Ambrosio were also spotted in the area. James Francowas seen walking with a tall bleached blond woman to one of the carnival rides. They were also accompanied by a group of people. Drake arrived with an entourage of at least 15 people and partied until just before 4 a.m. Amber, who wore a colorful body suit, also attended the bash with a large group. According to a source, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Kristen Stewart and Stella Maxwell (among others) hit up the Jeremy Scott Moschino party on Saturday night following the festival.   After the party, the bad gal headed to Neon Carnival where she avoided both Drake and Leonardo. Earlier in the day, also was spotted watching Gucci Mane in a special viewing section at the Sahara tent and dressed in a head-to-toe glittery Gucci bodysuit—so, yes, Rih wore Gucci to Gucci Mane (because she's that bad). Weekend 1, Day 1: Friday April 14, 2017 After traveling through private planes, Uber rides and even a helicopter (we see you Sofia Richie), dozens of celebrities kicked off a jam-packed weekend. Tyga partied separately from Kylie Jenner throughout the weekend. On Friday, he hit up one of the parties put on by Velocity Black x 1 OAK, which kicked off its annual Coachella soirees with an epic mega-day bash called the Up & Down Desert Beach Party featuring cocktails by Absolut Elyx, D'usse, Red Bull and Budweiser. Paris Hilton, Rita Ora, Chanel Iman and Shay Mitchell were just some of the "curated" crowd that was treated to Zeel App massages, beats spun by Odd Future's DJ Taco and food by Catch LA. Poppy Delevingne, Jordyn Woods, Brooklyn Beckham and Russell Simmons made sure to stop by the day party as well. Selena and The Weeknd couldn't seem to keep their hands off each other throughout the day. The two watched performances by The Head and The Heart and Travis Scott.  Nicole Richie was able to enjoy brunch early in the afternoon while also celebrating the House of Harlow 1960 X REVOVLE Spring 2017 collection. Instead of hanging out with Tyga, Kylie hit up the PrettyLittleThing x Paper Magazine's party sporting a neon green hairstyle.  Later that night, Kendall played part-time DJ with Daniel Chetrit when the duo spun a set as Pizza Boys at Velocity Black x 1 OAK's second bash, this one being a late-night party Supermodels Jourdan Dunn, Hailey Baldwin, Jasmine Tookes and Georgia Fowler danced it out under the stars. Muse's Matt Bellamy, Jayden Smith, Odell Beckham, Nav and French Montana were also treated to Kendall's DJ set. The vibe was so hot even exes Rihanna and Drake both attended. However, a party-goer tells E! News they did not run into each other. "Rihanna arrived a little after midnight with a few friends. She and Drake arrived about an hour or so apart and did not chat at all," the source said. The Weeknd and Selena continued their PDA-filled Day 1 at the jam-packed party, too. 10 Music Festival Items That Will Make Your Coachella Instagrams Pop Before the sun went down, Hailee Steinfeld performed three songs at the Republic Records Hyde Away party including a cover of Ed Sheeran's smash-hit single "Shape of You." An eyewitness told E! News that the singer's rumored boyfriend Cameron Smoller was standing up front the entire time and singing along during the show. After the sun set on the first night at the NYLON Midnight Garden Party, an inseparable Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner looked very affectionate and had their hands all over each other, according to an eyewitness. The happy couple stood by the bar for a while waiting for their drinks yet block the way while they held each other and talked closely, sneaking in kisses. Nick Jonas, Shay Mitchell, Richie and Amber also attended. More to come all weekend long!  For complete coverage of Coachella 2017, watch E! News Monday at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.  (Originally published Friday, April 14, 2017 at 8:45 p.m. PST)

[cfijerusalem]

ISRAEL’S SACRED YEARS OF FEASTS: GOD’S HOLY DAYS

For the past thirty-one years, we have lived in a unique Land, among an exceptional nation of people who enjoy a celebration nearly every month. A feast day in Hebrew is translated “moed”, literally an appointed time. These times of festivity, are days in which God is remembered. You can never forget Him when you live in Israel, because He is honored on a continual basis, through the sacred observances of God’s appointed feast days. It seems we just get finished with celebrating one sacred festival and another is right around the corner. These days have been put into place by the Almighty. Through these wonderful times, the people are always reminded of His Faithfulness.

As Christians who have lived here longer than we have lived anywhere in our lives, we are a part of this nation and partake of these feasts because they celebrate God. There is nothing in the New Testament that tells us we should not celebrate God and His Appointed Times. Our Lord Jesus (Yeshua) certainly celebrated them, as a Jewish Rabbi (in-the-flesh), and if it was ok with Him, should we as His Followers, not take more notice of these wonderful times? The Early Church celebrated them. It is the Greek Church, that threw them in the dust bin of history. It saddens my heart to know that Christians love Jesus, but often do not love His People, nor their wonderful celebrations of the One True God. It is wonderful that we, as Christians, celebrate the birth of Jesus and His Resurrection, but the actual celebrations of Easter and Christmas, have so many pagan trappings attached to them that we need to be able to separate the holy and the unholy. By celebrating the Lord’s Feasts as given by instruction from the Scriptures, we know we are following what God ordained.

In the month of March, (Adar in Hebrew) the month of barley harvest and flax, we celebrated Purim in Israel (the deliverance of the Jewish people, by God, from the decree of death, to which evil Haman sentenced them to). Even though it is not one of the three major holy convocations, it is sacred to honor God who delivered Israel from annihilation. We will also celebrate Passover (Pessach) in April. We love gathering around our table and thanking God for the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt, the times of fellowship are special. A little later comes Shavuot (the Feast of Weeks), where we also celebrate Pentecost. The early figs are ripening at this time. Of course we have the olive harvest, grape and fig harvest, then vintage wine production begins and summer fig and date harvest. Finally, we come around to Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles in the fall months. Then there is Hanukkah (Feast of Dedication) which our Lord celebrated, a season of “lights”. We celebrate with joy in our hearts for the miracle of the oil in the Temple at Hanukkah while celebrating the birth of the True Light of the World, Yeshua. All of this adds up to a rich life of living in Israel. On top of the feasts, we have every Shabbat (Sabbath) a twenty-four-hour day of rest. In Jewish homes around the Sabbath tables, every child gets a blessing from their father. Each week, even though she has put in much work to prepare for the Shabbat, the husband of the home blesses the wife and reads to her Proverbs 31. She is blessed by her beloved. Every believing home in Israel will remember the festivals and Shabbat meals all of their lives. If only the Church would “learn” from the Jewish people and not be afraid to humble ourselves, our lives of faith could be enriched so much more. Our sacred years of feasts here in Israel, is something one finds nowhere else on earth. Don’t you wish to visit? You can come and help us celebrate Jerusalem Day this year by writing to us and reserving your seat during our annual CFI Conference held May 22-25, 2017. Contact: events@cfijerusalem.org for further information. There is just enough time to sign up!

TOGETHER, FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, LET’S ENTER HIS PRESENCE

Israel bashing is everywhere in the world today. They are called watchers against, not for, Jerusalem. Jewish people are reaching out to Palestinians on a continual basis for good, contrary to what the world media is reporting. Israel’s Prime Minister is still a favorite in Israel today, Hamas’ grip on Gaza is still a strategic threat and the power of music must be recognized. [See prayer point #3 below.]

Proclaim God’s promises that He will always defend Israel against her enemies. (Psalm 31:2). As Hamas makes its plans for attack, may the Israeli military be prepared, through God’s Wisdom, and know how to respond (Ecclesiastes 9:18). May the Lord deliver Israel from all of her enemies. “Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war” (Psalm 140:1-2). Hamas’ boasting against Israel is laughing at Israel’s God. (Psalm 22:11). Pray that Israel will locate all the tunnels that are built underground by terrorists, before it is too late.

Give thanks that Israel’s much loved Prime Minister is still leading the nation. Pray that there will be a true unified government and not division. “...a man of understanding holdeth his peace” (Proverbs 11:12).

Beseech the Lord to clear up His Nation in the area of music. There are so many talented musicians here, but like the nations of the world, too many pop artists and ungodly music is allowed into the country, which opens the door for many shameful offenses to God. Music can shape a nation. Pray that everything that would harm the soul of God’s Nation not be allowed inside.

Stand on behalf of other Christians who are praying for Israel, around the world, that they will have the wisdom to know how to pray. “Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors” (Proverbs 8:34).

Invoke God’s protection for Israel’s Defense Forces. Those who stand guard over the Land and the cities of God, from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the Land, in the air and on the sea.

Ask in faith for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Israel. Many are praying for this to happen. The heart of the nation needs to be turned to the Lord. (Psalm 118:28).

Thank God for Arab Doctor Wisam al-Jamal who is not afraid to tell the truth. Israel provided him with opportunity and dignity in his medical profession and he says “I have an amazing team of (Israeli) doctors, professors, and nurses from all over....I feel at home working in an Israeli hospital.” Thank God for this peaceful endeavor together. 

May the Lord God of Israel continue to watch over His Land and People from the setting of the sun until its rising in the morning. May His Watchmen around the world also stay at their set posts (Isaiah 21:6) praying faithfully for the Chosen People. The battle of all battles lies ahead. Warriors in the spirit and intercessors who discern the times, are needed more than ever before. God bless each of you wherever you are praying.

Until He Comes,

Sharon Sanders CFI Co-Founder

Christian Friends of Israel - Jerusalem www.cfijerusalem.org email: prayer@cfijerusalem.org