Memorial Day Weekend: Honoring Ancestors, Family, Friends, Fun!

Hey World Family,
Falcon here, wishing you all a great weekend, and a happy Memorial Day weekend to our U.S. family, and Victoria Day to our Canadian Brothers and Sisters!

There are plenty of things to do this weekend, outdoors and in: movies (Terminator: Salvation opens and is a magnificently terrifying trip), get out to many festivals (eat all those foods you never allow yourself to have the rest of the year, in moderation), get out to the park, pool, or just clean up the yard (like Falcon), and remember what Memorial Day is for: honoring our war dead, and those who served who have passed on. Falcon and Dove honor all ancestors during this period, and we hope you will have some reflective time to do the same.

One important point about this weekend is history. Our holidays frequently honor our history, yet many don’t really know that much about why we honor what we celebrate. Keeping up the places that help remind us of our wonderful, tragic, mournful, and triumphant history is something that goes overlooked frequently. Falcon and Dove love history, so we are going to do our part to support organizations that support education us all on the history that has brought us to where we are...and reminds us to remember the lessons of that past lest we repeat the most challenging lessons our that past due to inattention to those lessons.

Falcon visited the Derry Area Historical Society this week, for a wonderful presentation and screening of Andy McAllister’s important film, Out of the Ground”, which we have told you is an extremely moving and important film. Again, it will be shown as part of the Film and Wine Festival in Johnstown, PA on July 11, and we hope you can come out and see it, meet the director, and have some serious fun!

DAHS is in a wonderful cabin in Derry, PA of course. It is a wonderful trip back into history, and is in great hands with John Matviya. He is warm and thoroughly informed about the history of the region. Get out this summer, visit Pennsylvania and make sure you stop there and say hello. The region is so stunningly beautiful (this is the shire, after all), you may never want to leave. Can get here, but still would like to help out, here is a way to help. Falcon got this fine invitation from John:

357 Pittsburgh Street
P. O. Box 64
New Derry, PA 15671
724 – 694 – 8808
www.derryhistory.org

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING A DAHS INNKEEPER
This is the fourth year that our historical society has been able to conduct its business and maintain the historic Fulton House without continual fundraising efforts due to the great success of our Innkeeper Patron program. The “Innkeepers” are a generous group of people and businesses who have each donated $175.00 to cover the monthly costs of running our society during the course of the year. Our 2009 Innkeepers, listed on the back, agreed last year to fund our general operating expenses in 2009 allowing our general membership dues and other donations to go directly into outreach and educational activities in our community. Because of their generosity, the DAHS Board of Directors does not have to waste time worrying about how to pay the utility bills each month!

Our historical society continues to be very active and involved in numerous exciting initiatives. This year we have expanded to the corners of the Derry Area with the relocation of our Family and Community Research Center to the New Alexandria Public Library. The relocation allows us to be open and available to our members and visitors 5 days a week, every week, while freeing up the Fulton House to provide more historical exhibits throughout the warmer season. A separate fund drive, when completed, will fulfill our dream to reconstruct the Fulton House’s fireplace, encouraging better use of that facility in the cooler months.

Without our 2009 Innkeepers none of what we have accomplished could have been undertaken. We sincerely thank them and appreciate their interest in our society’s mission. It is now time to sign up to become one of the 2010 Innkeepers. If you would like to help by being a 2010 Innkeeper, please send your tax-deductable contribution of $175 by June 1st to the address below. If you have questions, please contact me, John Matviya, via email at jjmatv@comcast.net. A fantastic Innkeepers’ Dinner awaits you! Thank you!!
357Pittsburgh St.
P. O. Box 64
New Derry, PA 15671

General meetings are held the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00p.
www.derryhistory.org


NEW MUSIC NEWS

Soihadto

Has had a fierce week! They have signed with Grape Juice Records, and are recording right now with J. Robbins! There will be a tour, beginning in June! Stay tuned. There are some amazing new pics on their My Space page! Check it out!
www.myspace.com/soihadto

Queensryche

They did an amazing Internet live concert performance for two hours and are now immersed in a major tour. Check out their My Space for some additional information:
www.myspace.com/queensryche

BROTHER

On May 28th, BROTHER will return to the Waterfest Concert Series at the
Riverside Park in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It's been a couple of years since the fellas have played in Oshkosh and the guys say they are looking forward to it.

Keep in touch by visiting the band at BROTHERmusic.com, on myspace,
Twitter, and the BROTHER blog.
BROTHER
http://www.brothermusic.com/


Billy Sherwood, Tony Kaye, Alan White

TODAY-release of CIRCA : Overflow! These are 7 previously unreleased songs that did not appear on either the debut or on Circa: HQ CD. It is on iTunes now! Search ‘circa overflow’. Sweet!!! BTW, CIRCA :LIVE DVD is also available on iTunes. They do a killer version of the Yes anthem, “The More We Live”.

Rik Emmett

Has been a busy guy: new album coming out with co-troub Dave Dunlop, Push and Pull, available beginning May 26 in CD form (Tuesday), but can be preordered now through Maple Music (www.maplemusic.com), socially networking for new peeps ‘cause he is now on Facebook and Twitter, in addition to the My Space page and his website, www.rikemmett.com. There’s a new contest for members and friends. Details on the blog: www.myspace.com/rikemmettnetwork

Push and Pull harkens like their debut project of Strung-Out Troubadours, and has a similar mix of instrumental and vocalized pieces. One tune, “A Deeper Kind of Blue” appears both as a dueling guitar instrumental and as a p.s. version with Rik’s emotional tenor conclusion. Most of this project is fun stuff, with extremely impressive pieces like “52 Pick Up” and “Red Hot” burning up the axes like only Emmett can. Dave gets a more balanced presentation and the load seems more evenly split on this project, including his surprising lead vocals on “Only Time Will Tell” (original, not an Asia cover; I only mention this because three people have already asked me that question). “Way, Way Kooler (a nod to Way Cool from the late 1990’s Swing Shift) actually is, and “Declaration” seems to be an anthem-like affirmation of daily renewal. “Miracle of Love” is a nice piece that would make a good mainstream rock single, although Falcon has to admit that the version done with Orchard Studios live from Brampton on the Internet broadcast with just Rik and Dave is more favored that the retro background vocals on the studio recording. The first single from this project, “Why, Baby” had been out since December, and it is now joined by these and one more masterpiece, “And The River Still Runs” which thematically has its origins in the same vein as “Dos Arroyos” from the debut Troubs (“Two Streams”, although this piece flows like water or consciousness, depending on your mood) which also brought about the construction of “State of Grace”, from the same project- which was one of the most elegantly constructed songs Emmett has written in his solo career. Overall, Push and Pull should be added to your collection.

RAISE THE CURE

I received this message from our Sister Julie, the President and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network:

You’re making a difference.

Through your continued support, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is making progress on several fronts. One of the areas where we have had the most impact is heightening awareness among elected officials about the urgent need to do more about fighting pancreatic cancer. Due to our advocacy efforts, Congress is now considering the first-ever substantive bill regarding the disease: The Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act, H.R. 745. This landmark legislation will dedicate more federal funding towards research and finding a cure for pancreatic cancer.

Although we are moving forward, much remains to be accomplished. If you have not already done so, click on this RAISE THE CURE campaign link and make a donation to become a part of finding a cure for pancreatic cancer.
YOUR CONTRIBUTION GROWS THE RESEARCH THAT GROWS CURES.
Your contribution to RAISE THE CURE will be put to work on two fronts. You’ll be directly funding more private research to ensure the development of early detection diagnostics, improved therapies, more clinical trials, finding key biomarkers and expanding the scientific understanding of pancreatic cancer. You’ll also help us ensure that Congress passes The Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act, H.R. 745. Once enacted and fully funded it will provide a greater focus on this disease and will provide the National Cancer Institute with the tools it needs to develop the diagnostic methods and treatments that are currently lacking for pancreatic cancer patients.

Jai Pausch, the wife of the late Carnegie Mellon University Professor Randy Pausch, PhD, whose fight against pancreatic cancer inspired millions through his book, The Last Lecture, remains committed to our mission. "Through research, patient support and advocacy, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and all of its supporters are making a real difference in the lives of pancreatic cancer patients and their families,” she said. “Together, we can raise the cure and make every day matter in the fight against pancreatic cancer."

Please join Jai and support the effort to find a cure. Your generous donation will provide real hope for pancreatic cancer patients and keep progress moving forward in the fight to find a cure.
Best regards,
Jason Kuhn, Board Chair
Julie Fleshman, JD MBA, President and CEO

https://netcommunity.pancan.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=537

To donate by phone, please call Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at 877-272-6226

Falcon has to run, it is time to put her talons into the dirt for some serious gardening this weekend (yes, Falcon and Dove prefer our own organic fruits and veggies when we have them). Stay strong, World Family; have a great weekend!

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Troubadours on Monday; Victorian Tea in May, New Movies

Hello World Family,
Falcon, here. It's the weekend! It should be good weather here in the Northeast of the U.S., and we hope everything is well wherever you are.

We want to sent out props to the hard working emergency workers in Myrtle Beach, SC. We hope the wildfire will be brought under control soon. Our prayers are with families who lost their homes. Keep your heads up!

Now...this weekend's movies: see Earth from Disney (believe it or not) and see The Soloist, the first really great movie of 2009! The cast is incredible and the cinematography is wonderful!

On Monday, April 27 the Strung-Out Troubadours (aka Rik Emmett and David Dunlop) will perform LIVE on 96.3FM Classical in Toronto at 1:20pm EST. You can listen or watch on the Internet here:
visit www.classical963fm.com
Then, click on TURN ME ON

LISTEN: tune in to 96.3FM or listen from your computer at www.classical963fm.com

A Springtime Victorian Tea in Historic Harmony

At Harmony's Museum's Stewart Hall

Saturday, May 16, 2009, seating 12:30pm, price is $20, and must be paid in advance

Call 724-452-6220; checks should be made out to HBA (Harmony Business Association)

Falcon and Dove attended the Spring Tea last year and it was absolutely wonderful!

We will post many other upcoming events, and the beginning of the Summer Movie Season soon!

Have a glorious weekend, Family!
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Rik Emmett/Dave Dunlop CD PUSH and PULL Available May 2

Hi World Family,
Well, Falcon knows after the concert webcast Monday night that many of you wanted to know when the CD for PUSH AND PULL would be available. Well, May 2, in Toronto, IF you are attending the show at Hugh's Room. There will be advance copies available, autographed at that show.

UPDATE:
The CD for PUSH AND PULL will be available May 26 from Maple Music:
www.maplemusic.com

MP3 version available at:
www.maplemusic.ca

For more information go to

www.rikemmett.com

REVIEW
Push and Pull harkens like their debut project of Strung-Out Troubadours, and has a similar mix of instrumental and vocalized pieces. One tune, “A Deeper Kind of Blue” appears both as a dueling guitar instrumental and as a p.s. version with Rik’s emotional tenor conclusion. Most of this project is fun stuff, with extremely impressive pieces like “52 Pick Up” and “Red Hot” burning up the axes like only Emmett can. Dave gets a more balanced presentation and the load seems more evenly split on this project, including his surprising lead vocals on “Only Time Will Tell” (original, not an Asia cover; I only mention this because three people have already asked me that question).

“Way, Way Kooler (a nod to Way Cool from the late 1990’s Swing Shift) actually is, and “Declaration” seems to be an anthem-like affirmation of daily renewal. “Miracle of Love” is a nice piece that would make a good mainstream rock single, although Falcon has to admit that the version done with Orchard Studios live from Brampton on the Internet broadcast with just Rik and Dave is more favored that the retro background vocals on the studio recording.

The first single from this project, “Why, Baby” had been out since December, and it is now joined by these and one more masterpiece, “And The River Still Runs” which thematically has its origins in the same vein as “Dos Arroyos” from the debut Troubs (“Two Streams”, although this piece flows like water or consciousness, depending on your mood) which also brought about the construction of “State of Grace”, from the same project- which was one of the most elegantly constructed songs Emmett has written in his solo career. Overall, Push and Pull should be added to your collection.


Peace,
Falcon and Dove

World Premieres: Rik, Dave, Chaka, and Bo

Hello Brothers and Sisters,
So...how many of you watched and listened to the World Premiere of Rik Emmett and Dave Dunlop at the Rose Theatre on the Internet last night? Lots, by the emails, social networking and phone calls and text messages Falcon and Dove received. What a show!!! Too short, but awesome, just the same. So, let's review:

El Cuento del Gadjo, the only song in the group already released, and this was a modified version of the piece that Rik has performed for the last dozen years. It is a really strong, vibrant, challenging song, and the troubadours performed it smartly with Dave dressed in a Cabernet shirt and black jacket and Rik looking luscious in a black suit with a pure white button down shirt. They immediately went into the already released as a single, "Why, Baby?" that has had strong iTunes sales. I wondered what this was going to sound like as a guitar duet, since the studio recording is a well produced piece with a full band. I have to say, I like the duet better.

A new instrumental, "Red Hot"is just that; South American influenced meets Yes' syncopation in duality between Rik and Dave's guitar licks on steroids. A fierce song that will make the biggest guitar aficionados weep. It's sooooo good!

Unless you were at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia last winter, you never heard this one before, and it has had some final modifications before its final form on the new album Push and Pull, a line from this brand new piece, "A Deeper Kind of Blue" a melancholy lament to opportunities lost when life gets in the way.

One extremely fun piece was the tremendously impressive instrumental, "52 Pick-Up", which according to Mr. Emmett, can refer to the number of notes in the first few bars, or the card drop, or a vintage truck. Anyone with a musical ear and an appreciation for the impossible will be impressed by this force of nature; funky, progressive, and grabs at your heels a bit and makes you wanna dance.

The final song of the evening was a thoughtful piece, "Miracle", which has the trademark Rik and Dave harmonies, strong verse structure and articulate composition. It was introduced as a piece that lyrically transformed in its development, starting with a cynical, disbelieving character who, through the power of love, realizes he is more sacred and deserving of that love than he every imagined.

Rik Emmett has written some of the most inspirational anthems over his four decades of making music; some personal, some intimate, some universal, but all have had something for every listener. It may not be the same something, but it is something that can cause a change in perception if one is paying close attention.

For photos from last night's concert, and more information on the new album release, please go to:
www.myspace.com/rikemmettnetwork
www.rikemmett.com

NOTE: Rose Theatre and Orchard Studios do archive their concerts. Please see this link:
http://webcasts.myrosetheatre.ca/
www.orchardtv.com
Last night's concert is posted!

COMMUNITY PARTNERS CONCERT

For anyone in the Pittsburgh area June 25, 2009 at 8pm, Falcon and Dove are inviting you to a very unique opportunity. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is holding a most special event! With Lawrence Loh at the baton, the PSO will hold a Community Partners concert with R&B sensation, Chaka Khan! Lynn Swann (yes, the Steelers wide receiver from the 1970's Super Bowl years) will help host the evening, and the beneficiaries will be 50 community organizations. ALL proceeds will go to these tremendous organizations that do so much for so many during the year. Need ticket and information on how to support your favorite?

www.pittsburghsymphony.org
412-392-4900 or 800-743-8560

THE FIRST PUPPY
Well, the news and photos were leaked over the weekend, but Falcon and Dove held off on the big announcement until it was made official by the White House yesterday. Yes, the First Puppy has been chosen: a Porchie, that is, a Portuguese Water Dog, gifted by Senator Edward Kennedy (who has a soccer team of them), and his name is Bo. Bo is 3 months old, black curly hair and dark eyes, with a small white goatee, a white chest, and white sock style front paws. Just Google the words The First Puppy, and an article with a picture from the plethora of media that have covered this story will appear. Bo is adorable, dressed in a rainbow lei, and I hope the First Daughters enjoy their new little brother...and the responsibility that comes with him. Porchies need a lot of exercise...hehe.