I love to sing “Santa Lucia,” which is a traditional Neopolitan song that it turns out was completely ganked by the Swedes to celebrate the end of the longest night of the year. This is a really cool Christmas tradition. My friend Jamie lived in Sweden for a while, as did Michael Garter, artistic director of the great band Wolgemut, and a visiting musician at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival this weekend. They were talking about i last night.

On December 13, the oldest daughter in the house dresses in a long white dress with a crown of candles in her hair, and serves coffee and “luciakatten,” saffron buns made in the shape of a cat.

Cats! Christmas! Saffron! So many of my favorite things! So, on Sunday, sit down with a cup of coffee, listen to “Santa Lucia” and celebrate the beginning of the return of light in the world. Like so many Christian traditions, this one likely has pagan roots. Cool thing is we can all gather to enjoy the good things the season brings.

And so I'm thinking about another good thing – a Celtic Christmas CD. I've talked about it for while. Time to do it. So send me your favorite Celtic Christmas songs you'd like to see us cover for release sometime next year.

One more weekend at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival, then I'm off to Austin for celebration with family, and then to Germany for Christmas! Jamie will be writing the blog for me while I'm gone.

So I will take this opportunity to wish each of you the very best holiday season; happiness with family and friends, lots of good food, good drink, and good company. And most of all, peace and joy!

Slainte!

Listen to the Song of the Week: “Auld Lang Syne” from The Bridge

This Week:

Quote of the Week: “You can live to be a hundred if you give up all the things that make you want to live to be a hundred.” – Anthony Bourdain

CD of the Week: Celtic Christmas Music CDs. Looking for some Celtic Christmas music? Well if you're not already downloading the Celtic Christmas Podcast, then check out my gallery on CD Baby.

Vote for The Rogues. The Rogues are a rockin' pipe and drum quartet from Houston. They are in a Battle of the Bands to perform in Las Vegas on St. Patrick's Day. Give 'em a vote.

Celtic Invasion Vacations. Just a couple more slots open for the Celtic Invasion of Scotland. Join the magic May 17-24, 2010.

Join the Celtic Folk Club. Introduce yourself and chat with other fans about all things Marc Gunn.

Promotion of the Week: I setup a new American Celtic Music iMix on iTunes. It features a bunch of Celtic American groups like yours truly. Head on over there and review it.

A Few of my Random Links: Celtic Christmas Podcast, Brobdingnagian Bards, Unsigned Bands Promotion, A Dragon's Eye Fantasy Art, Irish Christmas traditions.

10 Celtic Music Reviews and Features: MP3: “Galway Shawl” by Collen Raney, MP3: “Ancient Song” by John McGaha, MP3: “The Reel Riot Session” by In Search of a Rose, MP3: “Waxie's Dargle” by Icewagon Flu, Review: “Emily Bronte” by Anois, Review: “Idylls Of The King Of The Road” by Gerard…, Review: “Bill Grogan's Goat” by Bill Grogan's Goat, Review: “Traveling Man” by The McKrells, Review: “Green Energy” by The Irish Experience, Review: “Spirituality: 1983 – 2008” by Spirit of the West

Marc Gunn in the News:

The David Tanny Show played “Middle Earth Bragging Song”.

FanRealm visited the CD Baby offices and got a nice picture with my “Happy Songs of Death” CD.

Upcoming Gigs:

The schedule is slowly starting to fill up for next year. But this weekend I head back to my home faire, the Louisiana Renaissance Festival. I have two shows daily, plus the wine tasting. Arrive early and come sing with me.

Nov 7-Dec 13, 2009, Louisiana Renaissance Festival, Hammond, LA – 3 weekends left
Feb 27-28, 2010, Sherwood Forest Faire, McDade, TX
Mar 12-14, 2010, MidSouth Con, Memphis, TN
Mar 19, 2010, House Concert with Claire Roche, Robert, LA
Mar 26-28, 2010, I-Con 29, Stonybrook, NY
April 23, 2010, Nebraska Outback Concerts, Sutherland, NE

See details at Marc Gunn Shows. As always, don't forget to make a demand to see me perform and email booking@marcgunn.com if you'd like to host a house concert next year.

— Check me out on Sunset Connoisseurs Society, Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, SoundClick, YouTube, Flickr Photos, Livejournal, 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.