The sun set over the lake at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival, and the fireworks kicked off on Sunday marking the end to another season of faire. I was sad. It was such a fantastic season. I didn't want it to end. But that is the way of faire, isn't it? It comes and goes until the next festival.

It leaves me wondering what's next. I have several gig inquiries that I haven't responded to due to hand pains and typing avoidance. Emails are piling up and yet I still haven't figured out what I want to book next year. I need to spend some time finding and contacting Celtic festivals, conventions, and of course a nice local gig, but the holidays are upon us.

Mine began a few days ago when I listened to the first Christmas special of the Cleveland Celtic Podcast. Yesterday, we watched White Christmas. Today, A Christmas Story. Now I'm all in the mood to record Christmas songs, but I have home hunting to do, a Celtic Invasion to organize, and of course, I still need to do some holiday shopping. I guess I'm feeling a bit scattered at present. So for now, I'll just think of the sunset and focus on happy holiday season. Hope yours is filled with joy!

This Week:

— Quote of the Week: “God is good, but never dance in a small boat.” -Irish proverb

— CD of the Week: Emerald Fire by Maidens IV. Always a favorite for me. This quartet of ladies perform contemporary Celtic music with some fantastic fiddling.

— Toasts Wanted. I'm collecting toasts again. I used a bunch of them in my stage show at LARF. Here's something I sorta modified into a toast: Here's to the battle of the sexes. And fraternizing with the enemy. Got a toast? Post it here.

— Best Stage Act at LARF! The cast awards were announced on Saturday at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival. I was excited to come in an odd four-way tie for best Stage Act at LARF. The other winners included the Craig of Farrington, The Lost Boys, and Robin Hood and Maid Marion with Patrick and Jonelle Franz. Congrats to all.

— Featured in the Celtic Holiday Gift Guide. My latest CD Whiskers in the Jar was featured in 2008 Celtic Holiday Gift Guide of the Irish Fireside Podcast.

— Sunset Connoisseurs Society, Marc Gunn Fan Club. I haven't seen a better name. I'm gonna keep looking until the end of the year. Meantime, you can join the SCS for free until December 25th. Come join the party!

— Featured at Middle-earth Minutes, Flying Shoes, Irish Fireside

— Celtic Christmas Music. Looking for some Celtic music for Christmas?

— Irish & Celtic Music Podcast #59. Music from Crepuscule, Merry Mischief, The Langers Ball, IONA, Jacie McConnell, Sanctuary, The Bringers, The Blarney Rebel Band, The Kreellers, Raymond McCullough, Angus Mohr, The Barley Boys, Merry Wives of Windsor.

— Article: St. Andrew's Day

— Celtic Invasion of Italy. There are several slots currently open. Contact me if you have questions, and I'll do my best to get back to you ASAP.

— UPCOMING GIGS. Right now, I have nothing lined up. I'm still focusing on moving and settling. In the meantime, make sure make a demand on eventful for me. It will help me figure out where I'm gigging in the future.

— Check me out on Myspace, SoundClick, Demand a Show on Eventful, Wikipedia, Twitter, Facebook, Livejournal, Sonicbids, and DeviantArt. And if you'd like a CD…

— Do you have a quote, movie, album, tip or suggestion that you'd like to share in my Weeklies? If so, post a comment with your suggestion here.