Concert news from BROTHER; CD/DVD, video release by PREDATOR

Hello World Family,
We hope everyone is having a great weekend (or beginning of the week for those already into Monday)...

We wanted to give you some great news from two trashing artistic talents: BROTHER and PREDATOR.

BROTHER has just released a classic on MP3- their very first CD, PIPE DREAMS.

There are some additional show dates as well:

Pipe Dreams downloadable:
“Pipe Dreams”, the first official BROTHER album, is now available for download. This album, currently out of print, features many of the band’s early a capella numbers, including Amazing Grace. Recorded in 3 days during the brothers’ street performing days this classic also has the earliest BROTHER bagpipe adaptations, traditional and original.
For BROTHER downloads go to http://www.brothermusic.com/broshop.htm

Upcoming Shows:
July 10 – 12
Colorado Irish festival
Clement Park
Littleton, Colorado
Fri: 6:30pm @ Bellco Celtic Stage
Sat: 8pm @ Jameson Pub Stage
Sun: 11:30am @ Bellco Celtic Stage
http://www.coloradoirishfestival.org/

July 15
River Rhythms
Pere Marquette Park
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
http://www.westown.org/westown/river+rhythms/default.asp

July 16
Evening shows
Concord Street Fair
Concord, New Hampshire
Details coming soon(promise)


New Journal Blog:
Includes live footage from Costa Mesa Scottish and Manheim Celtic Fling.
Go to www.Brotherjournal.blogspot.com

PREDATOR


PREDATOR is amazing. What really impresses me about this group is that they are lyrically strong and instrumentally fierce. They are precise yet unrelenting.

Check out their announcement:
PREDATOR

OUR CD-DVD SET IS NOW OUT!!!!

WE ARE DONATING A PORTION OF OUR PROCEEDS TO WOMEN IN DISTRESS FOR EACH COPY SOLD. ORDER IT HERE:
http://www.amazon.com/Predator/dp/B002233XIO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1244517493&sr=1-5


Falcon needs to give these men high props. There is a video on their My Space page you must see, and get this CD as fast as you can! Yes, it is that good! If there is a category for progressive metal, they own it!

Guitarist Ken Bonfield releases Summer Tour Dates!

Hello World Family,
Falcon here with some summer concert news! His Royal Excellence Ken Bonfield emailed us this afternoon with some wonderful concert dates. AS you know, he will be in Pittsburgh July 22 with amigos Peter Janson (about to release a new CD) and Tim Farrell, who many of you saw at the Byham Theatre here in The 'Burgh on May 28.

We are so excited to be attending the House Party we can barely contain ourselves! Falcon is making some of her recipes from her cookbook, and all the food will be organic from our garden, Andy McAllister's (the scientist gone doc filmmaker) and from local farms.

Check out these tour dates below:

Montreal Guitar FestivalMontreal, QC, CA Fri Jul 03 09 08:00 PM

Montreal Guitar FestivalMontreal, QC, CA Sat Jul 04 09 02:00 PM

House Concert Pittsburgh, PA Wed Jul 22 09 07:00 PM


Echoes Living Room Concerts Chester Springs, PA Thu Jul 23 09 08:00 PM

Ten West Espresso CompanyMansfield, PA Fri Jul 24 09 07:30 PM

House ConcertDraper, UT Fri Aug 07 09 08:00 PM

House ConcertSalt Lake City, UT Sat Aug 08 09 08:00 PM

KZYX 90.7 FM Willits, CA Sun Aug 09 09 10:00 PM

1078 Gallery Chico, CA Wed Aug 12 09 08:00 PM

House ConcertDavis, CA Thu Aug 13 09 08:00 PM

Healdsburg Guitar FestivalSanta Rosa, CA Fri Aug 14 09 03:00 PM

Healdsburg Guitar FestivalSanta Rosa, CA Sat Aug 15 09 08:00 AM

Healdsburg Guitar FestivalSanta Rosa, CA Sun Aug 16 09 08:00 PM

TBA-MontereyMonterey, CA Tue Aug 18 09 08:00 PM

The Coffee Gallery BackstageAltadena, CA Fri Aug 21 09 08:00 PM

Here's some of what Ken said:
Just wanted to let you know about this summer's tour. I'm really excited to play at two of North America's biggest guitar festivals. I'll be playing a solo concert at the Montreal Guitar Festival Friday night, July 3rd at 8pm as well as playing mini-concerts for Kathy Wingert and Alan Carruth. I'll be getting my new high string guitar from Al this weekend and will post pictures when I return.

I also wanted to remind you that I now have FlashPaks for sale on my website. FlashPaks are 2GB USB drives loaded with my first 3 CDs Mystic Morning, Homecoming, and Winternight, as well as 8 bonus tracks from an un-released CD, Harbor Town. You can order them with AIFF files for Macs or WAV files for PCs.

www.kenbonfield.com

Thanks, Brother. Have a safe trip, and we'll see you in three weeks!

Peace, World Family.
Falcon and Dove

GITHEAD: Free, Live Webcast tonight from Orchard tv.com

Hello World Family,
Here is something free and fun for tonight for anyone anywhere this evening.

Orchard Studios in Brampton, Ontario will have a free live webcast tonight at 8pm EDT. GITHEAD, featuring Colin Newman of WIRE and Malka Spigel of MINIMAL CONTACT.

Log on to orchardtv.com to watch and listen!

Remember, Orchard Studios does post a small sample of previous performances on their website, but there is nothing like seeing it live.

Have a good week, Brothers and Sisters!
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Seven Days into Summer…

Hello World Family,

Falcon and Dove are here together to contribute to this blog post. What a week! Seven days ago was Father’s Day, and of course, Solstice, the first day of summer. We were trying to get the U.S. Open in between flooding raindrops (here in Pittsburgh as well), and hoping that Father’s Day would be pleasant, and the Cancer New Moon Monday wouldn’t bring any of the havoc we were told might erupt.

So let’s review: A late finish to the U.S. Open was only the beginning. Lucas Glover would be one of the few who had good news this week. PGA member Chris Smith’s wife was killed in an auto accident in Indiana, and his children in critical condition. Our prayers are with you.

A Metro accident in Washington D.C. also greeted the week, and made us tearful about the loss of 9 people over what looks like it could be a computer glitch.

Then, the stories of Father’s Day nightmare of children killed by their fathers and wives or girlfriend’s murdered over stress combined with guns and alcohol.

Then, June 24: FEMA came to town to access the extensive damage all over southwestern PA but particularly in the small towns of Jeannette and Turtle Creek from a slow moving storm system that did as much damage as a Category 3 hurricane in even less time.

In the meantime, pressure was building concerning the ACES bill in the House. We figured the vote would be on Friday, and it was. It passed the House; next stop, the Senate. This could bring great change to how we handle climate change and the industries it will impact.

Then came June 25: Farrah Fawcett’s passing was sorrowful, but not surprising. There had been documentary footage over the past several weeks getting us ready for the inevitable. What happened that afternoon however, was a shock to all but a very few. Michael Joseph Jackson, age 50 collapsed of cardiac arrest in a rented home with a doctor present, and was rush to LA country hospital, but died shortly thereafter. Opinions about Jackson are as varied as his musical material, but one thing is sure: this will be one of those times, whether one likes it or not, when someone asks you in later years where you were when you heard…you will remember.

I was fixing dinner. It was 5:23pm Eastern Time. My daughter had just gone upstairs to change after her internship, so she missed most of the initial discussion on the news. My mother asked me if I could see the television screen from the kitchen. I was turning the vegetables in the skillet, and leaned into see the graphics at the bottom of the screen, hearing Sally Wiggin’s voice announcing the breaking news. There was some footage from a helicopter in LA over the hospital, and information on cardiac arrest. I thought quickly,” that doesn’t sound good; arrest means not beating”. My mother asked, “Is he alright?!” It was a question with not a small amount of alarm in her voice.

“That doesn’t sound good, mom. It means he was not breathing when they found him.” The news came back to the WTAE studio and said they would update the situation when they had more information. They discussed one more blurb about the FEMA assessment from the previous week’s flooding, and then Sally’s eyes dropped. Mike sat beside her staring at the prompter. I knew what they were going to say. They were aware that what they were about to say would be the voice many people would remember, so they were trying to give it the caution and reverence that they thought it deserved. Then, Sally mentioned the website TMZ and said they were reporting that Michael Jackson had died. It was 5:28pm.

Falcon grew up with all the Motown sounds, and the Jackson 5 were a staple of the music scene. On Saturday mornings, we all watched the cartoons. I remember going to a concert when I was 8, and crocheting a purse to match the very carefully picked outfit I chose: lilac colored sandals with a heel, pale lavender pants, a multi hued shirt with pink, purple and apricot in the mix and a lilac apple cap to complete the ensemble. It was the 60’s after all. I had pictures on the wall like any young girl, although mine were probably a bit more varied than some of my contemporaries, including not only Motown faves, but Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, Jazz greats Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson and George Benson, and some new bands from the UK called Yes and Led Zeppelin had just released their first albums the previous summer. I loved The Moody Blues, and thought classical music was pretty keen, too. Michel LeGrand and Andre Previn were just getting started. Stereo was the bomb! Little did I know my father would get me a really cool system just a year later called quadraphonic…

I am sure this kind of waxing nostalgic scene has been playing out all over the country, indeed, all over the world. People remembering their favorite songs, dancing, moon-walking, and even reflecting on the fundraisers Jackson contributed to over the years. His presence was felt in nearly every corner of the globe, and without his walk, there would have been fewer footsteps to follow for those yet to come, especially from the African American community in every genre of entertainment.

Michael’s story is a bit more complicated than all that, though. He was complicated, unpredictable, and frankly troubled. He clearly suffered from something that changed his perceptions of himself, and then impacted the way he communicated and related to others. It is likely that he would have carried that discomfort for the rest of his life.

To die at 50, possibly after a fatal interaction of prescription drugs is completely unacceptable. He was supposedly in good health, yet he had a hip injury, a fractured vertebrae, and apparently constant pain. Instead of being directed to any sort of integrative therapies that might have relieved (or dare I say, solved) his issues, he was directed to the ever faithful band aid of drugs that provide no curative assistance at all, and contraindications abound. All of the drugs mentioned in his medicine cabinet have some habit forming tendencies, and none actually help ANY condition they are prescribed to treat.

Before we go ONE STEP FURTHER in the health care debate, this needs to be said: The health care industry needs to start focusing on the needs of the patient as curative and treatment centered, rather than as symptom treating and profit margin centered. Want health care reform in this country? Start with taking the profit out of health care. Until that happens, it will constantly be in the collective interested of those who are vow to first ‘Do No Harm” to begin to address the mechanization of the industry before the needs of the patient. If that person is also surrounded by enablers, it becomes even more important to address the individual, not the industry. Integrative therapies need to become part of this conversation of health and wellness. Otherwise, this is nothing but a bad joke.

We just heard about Billy Mays (infomercial spokesperson) today, a Pittsburgh Native currently living in Tampa, dead at age 50. We have no idea at the time of this posting what happened, but foul play is not suspected. The question is: what killed him? I hope this is not another case of contraindicated drug interaction.

Heath Ledger didn’t die of a drug overdose; he took drugs that were prescribed to him by doctors in the amounts recommended. If individuals with the kind of money these guys have can get health care this bad, what do the rest of us hope to get? It’s time to stand up and demand that we begin to address the issues of health and wellness over disease and profit. How many lives could be saved if we became patient centered? Will we ever know? Will we get a collective spine and the courage to demand change?

Along with all the other prayers we are praying, this one has also been added to the list.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Hg+Me, Unnatural Causes Screened Tonight!

Hello Pittsburgh Family,
Are you in The 'Burgh? YOu have a wonderful opportunity to see two wonderful films as part of a community gathering in East Liberty. Here are the details:

The Urban Growth Collaborative presents A Community Gathering

June 24, 2009, 5:30-8pm

The Kingsley Association, 6435 Frankstown Ave. Pittsburgh 15206

Dove's award winning documentary short he did at age 16, Hg+ Me is a powerful brief on mercury/methylmercury poisoning, and along with the PBS Special, Unnatural Causes gives viewers some interesting perspectives and evidence on what really impacts our health in this country.

The health care debate is on right now, get some additional information that will help you be better informed about causes of illness and ways to address health.

In addition, there will be discussions on green jobs, OSHA Training, trade opportunities, etc.

Come out, do some networking, and see some powerful films.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Men, New Moon, Eclipses, and Summer Solstice

Men: The Summer of Change Starts June 21
Summer Solstice, New Moon in Cancer

Hi World Family, and especially the men!

This summer has some pretty dramatic astrological aspects, especially for men. Guys, Father’s Day brings HUGE changes in the landscape, immediately followed by New Moon in Cancer Monday morning.

There are significant aspects with Cancer this summer season, and lots of issues involving women, emotion, home, security, home appliances, home products, and mothers.

Specifically where the Cancer New Moon is concerned, there can be significant action in work with non-profits and community organizations, or on the Dark Side, some heavy aggressive, angry, get-it-at any-price energy. Falcon’s Mars is in Cancer, which normally is very ebb and flow like the ocean, and more gentle than when it’s located in other signs (now, before some people who know me jump all over this, remember, I am a Scorpio-ruled by Mars and Pluto, so the action you see from me is probably from my Sun Sign, and be grateful my Mars isn’t someplace else…like Scorpio!) but Monday may give even the most peaceful folks a kick. Everyone, just keep your heads on straight. Take a deep breath…relax…

The New Moon in Cancer has some interesting aspects with it that can bring sudden upsets in a very public way; ironic, since Cancer really likes familiarity and security, and sort of prefers to avoid public attention on its private emotions. If it is handled well, these sudden upsets can bring new emotional beginnings that will bring Cancer more security and stability in love. Sometimes, the changes come suddenly and shake things up in order to create a new (and sometimes better) future. Those who may experience political and social upheaval, it may be necessary to suffer losses to ultimately get larger gains. This will be a summer of significant social and political changes.

By the way, the moon goes ‘out of bounds’ (void-of-course) in the wee hours of June 20 for a couple of days, and that can bring out a sense of higher consciousness without drug accompaniment where imagination and freedom will be heightened. Hmmmm…


Jupiter has already gone retrograde along with Neptune, so if there’s something that you really want to know, now is the time to find out. Follow your intuition and your heart; you can’t go wrong. This is a good time to finish projects you have been working on, nurture relationships, and go introspective to build your inner talents. This is not really a good time for a new job or new project to start. If it is in the same vein as things you have already been doing, then you are probably going to do just fine.

Venus and Mars are coming together (in Taurus) in the middle of the Summer Solstice week next week, June 21-25. The reason I refer to it as a week is that for several days, the sun appears to not move at all. This is a high season in Native American tradition for the male; the highest energy for the Life Force in its greatest power of the year. Venus and Mars coming together means that there will be opportunities to express unconditional love freely and openly.

Dads, load up on the hugs!

Lovers, enjoy the sharing in a genuine way that is healing and generous to each other. Let the love flow as the Bellamy Brothers would say…and that new singer on the Prius commercial…Petra, right?

The Sun and Uranus are also coming to the party this summer with some unexpected events and opportunities. This could be fun. Watch yourselves! When Pluto comes on the scene with these two, there will be reform, revolution, rebellion, etc. There will also be new perspectives for the self, new revelations, and sudden adjustments to the changes that may happen at a moment’s notice.

Saturn wants everyone to take responsibility for changing their lives by making a solid life plan, cutting away the old, and embracing the new. Personal freedom is featured, as well as a serious change within the Self from the way things have been. The system is still there, but it will look very different from this point forward.

Neptune wants you to celebrate spirituality, not be surrounded by deceitful or inauthentic people.

Jupiter and Pluto want you to come together in partnerships that are enriching and rewarding, joint aspirations, working for the benefit of others who are less fortunate, and handling large projects that have a long term benefit with and for others. It’s a great time this summer to start working on new partnerships that give as well as receive. This can be a magical time to get things done and create successful endeavors.

There are THREE eclipses this summer: July 7, (Capricorn) a total solar eclipse July 21 (Cancer), and August 5 (Aquarius). Those whose sun signs are in Capricorn, Cancer, and Aquarius should be ready and willing to throw out the old and welcome the new. You will get a fresh, new start.

The first eclipse on July 7 is going to (along with other very interesting aspects) present some challenges. You don’t want the list, but you do want the bottom line: there could be arguments, fights, disputes, jealous rage, financial problems, as well as the possibility of accidents higher than normal.

So, why am I pointing this post toward men? Well, gentlemen: you tend to have greater access to weapons when in disputes, and therefore, higher incidents of violence and losses. Okay, so what am I telling you to do? I am begging you to keep your cool. Disputes and arguments may happen, but you are still the boss of you! Try to maintain some perspective.

Jealousy is the worst, and I am talking to the Women, My Sisters now, too. No fighting over relationships; it is not worth it. If someone is leaving, let them go-at this point, you have probably outgrown them, or they you, and it’s for the best, no matter how it looks in the moment. If they cheated on you, let them go so you can find someone who actually deserves your good graces. Clearly, something wasn’t right, and cutting them loose is a gift for both of you. If there are children involved, you be the grown-up! Don’t turn your kids’ affections against your partner; tell them the truth as they can handle it in terms of age appropriateness, but don’t poison the proverbial well. One day, you may be glad that you kept a civil relationship with the other parent of your child. If you are a step-parent, remember that you are, and allow the parents to do their job first, and run batter-up when needed. It does take a village to raise a child, and it takes adults to raise children. If you are dealing with an addiction, rather than allowing it to take you away from everything that is sacred, including yourself, dump it! This is a sign to let it go.

There are no solutions at the end of a fist, a gun, or a knife used in anger, aggression, jealousy, or disappointment against another person. Stop and think. Someone out there loves you…and one of those people should be you. Love yourself enough to not destroy your life or someone else’s. No hating! Have the fight that may be inevitable and let it go.

The second eclipse on July 21 (July 22 overseas) brings a total solar eclipse at 29 degrees in Cancer.

I have to be honest with you about this one: it is fierce. This aspect can bring out the hero in some people and challenges in others. This is not a time to ‘buy, buy, buy’ as Jim Cramer might say, since investment losses could be significant during this time. This could be a time when illness may take its toll, or unexpected deaths in greater numbers than anticipated may occur. Relationships may break-up, and others may decide to take control of their lives and go get what they want. The ‘sleeper may awaken’ as Herbert Frank might say. Many of these things may happen unexpectedly, without any warning. Stay alert to shifting trends financially, and with people’s emotions. The attentive and intuitive may see a shift in those most sensitive coming…like beginning right now. Many times, things begin to shift in the month before an eclipse. With three so close together, no one will be able to catch their breath from one to the other. Start looking at things now that may show signs of stress: people, structures (bridges, tunnels, political structures, individual emotions). Remember Venus Retrograde? Yeah. Well, let’s keep our wits about us and try to ride out the changes. Some will be great. Some will be challenging shifts in reality. Create a new reality, and don’t hold on to what is past.

The third eclipse on August 5 in Aquarius will be much less volatile than the previous two, but brings up hope out of change, and an opportunity to think creatively about the future. There may even be a reason to celebrate for some. This is Lughnasa (Mid Summer, in the truest sense of the word, middle of summer), and the early harvests will begin to come in. In some places, there will be bounty beyond what was anticipated. If we haven’t had 3 major hurricanes by then, there should be enough to go around this year. Sharing and caring as well as an attitude of gratitude is important this summer.

Men, please keep up your highest graces, even in the most difficult times.

Avoid those that don’t. That is the key to getting through this summer of change.


Fathers, remember that someone looks to you for leadership and strength. Sometimes, the greatest, most powerful lesson you can share with your children…is that you are human, and capable of mistakes, and a renewal of spirit. Forgiveness is also an excellent trait to share.

Have a powerful Father’s Day, and a Happy Solstice!

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

G-20: Get your Hotel Rooms Now!!!

Hello World Family,
Those of you coming in September 24, 25 for the G-20 Economic Summit: Get your rooms now! Some hotels are already filling up. Below is an excerpt from our Summer Vacation blog posting that we have now moved to a separate post for easier access. Here is the latest, and check back frequently because this post WILL be updated!

Those of you interested in the G-20, BOOK NOW!!!Every hotel for miles will be filled. Here’s the thing: Try to stay at a hotel that has transportation to the Convention Center, or has access to nearby transportation that takes a direct route. DO NOT TRY TO DRIVE AND PARK DURING THIS EVENT! If you need to be close to the city, pick a hotel or bed and breakfast that has free parking close to the convention center. Make your inquiries now, don’t wait.

www.visitpittsburgh.com
Here’s some other suggestions I thinks may help. If you really don’t like traffic, but must drive from where you are to this event, try staying at a small boutique hotel or B&B outside of Pittsburgh…I mean, significantly outside of Pgh.

UPDATED June 18: Because of their available airstrip, Nemacolin Woodlands is FULL! There is no availability at any of the hotels, cabins, suites, etc. We did mention that things would move quickly.

For example, stay in Cranberry Township at one of the many hotels there. Stay in the Laurel Highlands (Donegal, Somerset, Johnstown area). Yes, these are an hour out, but all highway driving. From there, you can park at one of the many Port Authority Transit Park and Ride lots (PAT), and take the bus directly into downtown Pittsburgh to the Convention Center. They are reasonably priced:
www.portauthority.org Latrobe is also close by for those who want to fly.

Those hotels in Latrobe, Ligonier, Donegal, Somerset, etc. on less than 30 minutes from the airport. Johnstown is also another great place to get a more reasonably priced hotel with an airport nearby. Don't forget the magnificent Bedford Springs Resort and Spa as well. Beautiful, quiet, but with all the amenities one would expect in the city. The Laurel Highlands make a great alternative.

This will give you some peace in the evenings after events, and some reasonable places to eat inexpensively nearby if you want.

Remember, there are a ton of Bed and Breakfast locations throughout the region. Check with :
www.laurelhighlands.org
For a list and location information.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove