Heather Howdle, from Erickson, Manitoba forwarded information about a very unique workshop that will be taking place this September 18 – 20, 2009 during the same time as our Sonics & Sojourns Festival of Learning and Music. A Natural Horsemanship three-day workshop, dubbed Training for Courage with Paul Dufresne will occur at the Erickson Arena and Fairgrounds. Heather says, ” It’s very exciting as it will promote a harmonious relationship with your horse and allow you to work with the horse and teach the horse without using fear or force.”
For a POSTER providing information about this unique three-day clinicCLICK HERE, or
To register for either the Thursday evening demo or the clinic, please contact Heather Howdle at 1.204.223.8386 or email Heather howdleh@mts.net
Learn techniques to improve the partnership between you and your horse, and promote a relaxed and willing attitude, confidence in both horse and rider, and the keys to achieving collection, lightness, and impulsion. Develop an exceptional relationship with your horse.
Listen to this radio interview with Paul Dufresne, in which he gives an insight into his approach to his unique style of horsemanship training.
I have come across an inspiring website called WorldChanging.org Wonderful ideas, actions, interviews, and suggestions about world changing stuff. We live within a deficit of inspiration and positive stories. We are surrounded by a world in which the media (TV, radio, news, newspapers) concentrate on sensationalism, reality shows, and negative news. So, it always comes as a left curve to have a media channel in which positive actions, inspired leadership, and world changing ideas can be presented.
Bill McKibben - engaged citizens are the crucial lever to help establish climate change legislation
This interview is fascinating. Bill McKibben is a world renowned activist. He has started a new movement – 350.org – He started the international campaign to make 350ppm of CO2 the safe upper limite for atmospheric carbon. He sees it as very important to become part of our ordinary household language, wants to inspire the world to rise to the challenge of the climate crisis.
Read this interview to become informed, inspired, and action-oriented. Our current level of CO2 is 385ppm and climbing. Bringing it down is absolutely critical – for our future, our planet, and our children.
Stephen Fearing House Concert, Onanole, Manitoba. June 6, 2009
Onanole, Manitoba ( Canada) perched on the southern boundary of Riding Mountain National Park is certainly receiving its fine share of music. Last night (June 6, 2009) was a rare delight, in which multiple Juno award-winning Stephen Fearing roared into Onanole, polished up his Linda Manzer-made guitar, put on his nails, and sped us across time and landscape. From Nashville to Guelph, from Ireland to Newfoundland, and from vocals to instrumentals, this was a night to remember. Perched on a stool, with about 45 rapt house concert guests eagerly and appreciatively settled in from Brandon, Neepawa, Dauphin and many other local communities, we came to listen to someone who has a passion for excellence in the ways that words and melodies come together. Just listen to how long and loud the applause is after each song.
To be able to spend a few hours with Stephen Fearing is to be witness to a great songwriter, but it is also a delightful experience to be close to a man who is full of humour and care. I am sure that the families, the folkies, the young musicians, and the elder musicians who were “in the house” with Stephen Fearing last night will remember this evening. These songs bring to mind images of riding the rails, traveling the highways, entering the souls and personalities of ordinary people but through the extra-ordinary creative songwriting and musical crafting of Stephen Fearing. And, we are fiercely happy and proud of this amazing Canadian. And, thank goodness for the generosity of these artists, who agree to come to our homes, and make themselves accessible to perform. There is nothing quite like live roots music.
Audio Interview with Stephen Fearing
Listen to this short audio interview with Stephen (morning of June 7) between Celes Davar and Stephen, which ends with his playing of a beautiful and haunting new song about a recent event off the coast of Newfoundland.
Link to the entire House Concert (audio recording)
The house concert is licenced under Creative Commonsas an Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 Canada Licence. Basically, this means that you are free to listen to it, but not distribute it, modify it, or charge anything for it. (Please respect this.)
I absolutely love it when good technology, creative genius, and great music all come together. Feel the joy in this international music video of Stand By Me! It’s 4 minutes of pure global music, that really says a lot about how we must take care of this planet. And, about taking care of each other which can result in making good music. Joy in abundance!
Tom Wilson performs at Home Routes House Concert in Onanole
Tom Wilson is a tall man. He has a big voice. His presence is large. His song-writing is full-on. Everything about Tom Wilson causes you to remember him. His paintings are delightful. Over 40 people enjoyed Tom’s humour, songs, and his music at a Home Routes House Concert that was full of insights, great live music, and laughter. It seemed that we went down the road of musical Canadiana, into the trials and tribulations of growing up, and in and out of personal stories from Tom’s unique perspective and insights.
Tom and Angela (his roadie who also does his website and Stephen Fearing’s website) were storm-stayed an extra day at our place. I asked Tom for a few moments of his time to do a short podcast, before they left for Winnipeg. He obliged. His words are full of experience. He sang the beautiful haunting Stoned while sitting at the dining table and left his song-writing mark….moving on to other Home Routes House Concerts in Manitoba this week, and a tour in the US with Cowboy Junkies over the next couple of weeks. Thank you Tom!
Listen to the short podcast with him and the lovely version of Stoned:
Let us know what you think! Fill out the comments section below, if you are inclined to give us feedback.
On March 20 & 21, the Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve facilitated a first of its kind workshop. Attending were a number of invited stakeholders including scientists, licenced tourism operators, local agriculture producers, government enablers, academics from various institutions doing research about biosphere reserves, national park and biosphere reserve staff. Their purpose – to assess issues relating to research, communication, education, and community engagement and develop priorities for these different issues to guide the biosphere reserve efforts.
Over the period of two days, participants had opportunities to listen to several excellent presentations about local economic issues, sustainable tourism, and conservation within the biosphere. Solid data, provocative questions, and great examples from each of these three areas set the tone for good quality discussions.
In a positive manner, and with genuine effort to reach out and begin to develop relevance and engage local stakeholders, the workshop focused on creating dialogue between the various participants present as to what kind of research and other issues they felt the Riding Mountain biosphere reserve should be addressing.
Community Engagement
One of the most significant outcomes was the recommendation and realization by everyone that active communication engagement (involvement in a variety of ways – education, involvement in various projects, communication about the biosphere reserve) is a critical priority. While research will continue to be initiated and carried out, it has to be done in the context of a high priority and investment into community engagement. In my view, this was a very successful workshop.
Laura Rance, editor of the Cooperator – Keynote speaker
To kick off the two-day workshop, the Biosphere Reserve team invited a well-respected journalist Laura Rance, to deliver a keynote address. Laura is the Editor of The Cooperator, a Western Canadian publication for farmers and farmer news. Her talk was outstanding, providing a clear framework for some complex issues that we facing. Alternating between thoughtful, grounded, articulate, and passionate insights and education about agriculture, ecology, and economics, Laura wove a magical journey that really set the tone for great discussions. Laura’s talk is available at the following link – take the time to listen to this wonderful journalist share her passions and knowledge and experiences within Manitoba.
Note:
For the techies in the audience, you’ll be interested to note that the talk was recorded on an iPhone 3G, with an app called Happy Talk Professional Recorder. I am impressed with the quality of the recording, and happily recommend it.
Video Interview
I also interviewed Laura about her talk and what she was observing during the two days of this workshop. This short video provides her responses and insights, and are well worth viewing. Thank you Laura!
laura-rance-interview-medbb
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I feel that we were very fortunate to be able to have Laura with us for a couple of days. She is a very busy person. The following link gives you access to her presentation in March of this year, to the PEI Adapt Council, as well as several other very good presentations (all summarized in one pdf document). Laura explains the inter-cropping technique that Saskatchewan farmer Colin Rosengren is using in this article called Crop Husbandry Saves Input Costs. -Laura Rance. March 13, 2009.
Comments are welcome! Please see below and fill out your comments. Thank you.
Sometimes, I just love sharing things that bring a smile to my face, joy to my heart, and real delight that the human spirit is so special that we can make music like this and FEEL it! Enjoy. We love live, roots, traditional music – and are active participants in the Home Routes House Concert Series, as well as hosting regular house concerts ourselves.
Below is a link to one of the best pieces of sound engineering work. It is a composite audio/video of song whereby additional tracks were laid in by different singers and musicians from different places around the world. The finished product is tremendous! The song itself is that classic standard “Stand By Me” originally released in 1955 by The Staple Singers and released again in 1961 by the Drifters. So turn up the speaker volume and CLICK BELOW to watch.
Celes interviews adventure travel writer Debbie McKeown about sn
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We had a great time! Debbie and Jack McKeown, on assignment for Travel Manitoba, were here to go snowshoeing. We watched a Hawk Owl, trekked into old growth aspen mixed wood forests, over a beaver dam in search of a Hairy Woodpecker, and snowshoed some more. They had an opportunity to experience the spa at Elkhorn Resort, and dine out at our local organic eatery Prairies Seasons Bakery and Café, and they even had the opportunity to connect with a couple of national park staff and learn about Riding Mountain National Park. Enjoy the short video in which Debbie shares her discoveries about the park, and why snowshoeing is fast becoming one of the most popular adventure sports worldwide.
Two powerful American singer-songwriters share their music as part of the Greening of America and the shift that we all start to be part of, as the Green Ball (January 19, 2009) kicks off the changes to how America re-powers itself and re-sets its clock of respect and integrity for people of all kinds, environmental values, and care for the planet.
Obama Song, written and performed by Michael Franti, after the recent American election
Michael Franti performed and electrified audiences at the 2007 and 2008 Winnipeg Folk Festival in a way that no other performer has done in over two decades. I know, because I was there and was absolutely amazed. Enjoy this video…this will kick off your energy buttons and leave you in a space of asking what can you do to help Planet Earth?
Parks Canada produced this short (10 min) video about Riding Mountain National Park. For anyone who is visiting for the first time, this is an excellent short visual introduction. Once you have seen this, you will have a sense of the park’s beauty and why Earth Rhythms team of guides and facilitators lives here, and why we love it! In all seasons. We love working with small groups of people who are looking for customized itineraries to experience local culture, cuisine, nature, wildlife, or the arts. Call us at 1.204.848.4680
