Today, in select locations, revelry prevails. In New Orleans, my home town, there is eating, drinking, and merriment (more than usual), beads, occasional nudity, temporary insanity, and a general festive mood. Meanwhile, in other parts of the country (like Texas, where I am now), it is just another day. But we can still be a little bit festive, have a little bit too much to eat or get a little bit tipsy, wear a pair of beads or don some purple, green, or gold, and be as festive as normalcy permits! Tomorrow, Lent begins. And then (irony!) the day after swaths of people give up chocolate or sugar for 40 days or so, Valentine's Day! The celebration of chocolate… er, love! And the day after is the one my husband and I love to celebrate–half-price chocolate heart day! I know. I'm a true romantic.
Irish and Celtic Music Podcast
In celebration of one of these special days–I'll let you guess which!–episode #136 of The Irish and Celtic Music Podcast invokes Celtic Love! This special feature on Celtic Love features some of my favorite Celtic musicians, including The Merry Wives of Windsor and Jed Marum, so be sure to listen and share with someone you love.
Where Has Marc Been?
Why here, of course! But this past weekend, Marc performed at the Sherwood Forest Faire in McDade, TX, not too far from Austin. Visit their site for a video of Marc performing “Wild Mountain Thyme” at the 2012 faire. The Festival runs from 10 A.M. 'til dusk, rain or shine, weekends in February and March, but if you can get there next weekend, Marc will be performing again, so be sure to check that out!
If you've ever wondered what, exactly, Celtic music is… and where the lines are drawn between “Celtic music” and “Irish music” or “Traditional Irish Music” (or Scottish, or Breton), Marc ponders the question of genre in a recent article from Celtic Music Magazine, because it's important to know how to label your music, and how to find the music you like!
And if you have strong feelings about the music you like, you won't want to miss the opportunity to have an impact. Marc is inviting fans to vote for which CD he will release next: Scottish Songs of Drinking & Rebellion, or a yet unnamed CD of Geeky Comedy and Filk. In the meantime, don't forget Not Every Day is St. Patrick's Day…
Celtic Invasion Vacations
Don't forget, too, that the deadline to sign up for The Celtic Invasion of Scotland is looming!
Check out Marc's detailed blog posts describing what travelers to Scotland will have in store during the week of June 15-22. The trip will lead travelers across Scotland and back, from the Lowlands to the Highlands–possibly as far North as the Orkneys–then back to Edinburgh. There will be plenty to enjoy, from pubsongs and food, to spectacular views, historical sites, and days of adventure and outdoor activity.
Sign up now, because the deadline to put your deposit down for the trip is February 20, 2013.
Celtophilia
If you have been following the Celtophilia kickstarter, they are over 75% of the way to their goal! Pledge your support and fund the launch of their 2013 T-shirt line, and perhaps choose a Marc Gunn, The Celtfather or Irish and Celtic Music Podcast shirt for your trouble!
And Happy Mardi Gras! Have a great week of celebrations, and just be happy you're not in New Orleans traffic today.
