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Forest Halls Celtic – Radio Show – Midwinter Magical Music

Celebrate the magic of the Winter Solstice with music, folklore, poetry, and story — oh, and lots of harp — on my streaming radio program Forest Halls Celtic. Until Jan. 3, enjoy encore airings of Shows 40 and 19, both devoted to Midwinter wonder and Celtic Christmas themes.

Listen on demand at http://voiceofvashon.org/forest-halls-celtic

Harpers you’ll hear include: Margot Krimmel, Debra Knodel,Orla Fallon,Kim Robertson, Máire Ní Chathasaigh, Áine Minogue, Jesse Autumn, Verlene Schermer, Sileas, The Harpers Hall Ensemble, Derek Bell.

Find out more about Show 40: Midwinter Magic
and Show 19: Midwinter Day

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Winter Solstice Poem with Harp

I wrote the following on the Winter Solstice itself — the sentiment remains!

It’s been pouring here on our little island, with no chance to see the Jupiter-Saturn “Christmas star” conjunction. But I want to wish you all a Merry Midwinter and Joyful Winter Solstice. Today was the shortest day of a very long year. May blessings and beauty abound through these hallowed nights and days when the “sun stands still,” and may they spin us into a year of bounty, health, peace, and well-being for absolutely one and all.

Poet Kevin McManus and I have been collaborating across land and sea (Ireland and the U.S., respectively), with me putting harp to his rich earth-based poems. Please enjoy this video that I put together today. Kevin narrates his poem. Harp music, art, and photos are by me.

This poem is from Spirits in the Forest: A Collection of Poetry by Kevin McManus, available on Amazon UK and Ireland and Amazon US.

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Radio Show – Episode 56 – Surrender – October 11, 2020

We’re leaving the time of balance when day and night are in equal partnership. With shedding and shadow, sunlight has begun its surrender to the dark of the year. Enjoy poetry for the season by Kevin McManus, plenty of music to celebrate the warmth of harvest and love, and honor the shifting waters of emotion and separation. We share some Celtic tree lore as well, that of the magical Rowan. Join us in Forest Halls!

Harpers featured in Show 56: Sandra Parker, Sue Richards, Woad (Deborah Bennett & Maggie Pritchard), Jane Valencia

Listen to Forest Halls Celtic on demand

Also enjoy encore airings of Show 13 “Fulfillment” and Show 14 “Creative Fire.”
Featured Harp Music: Show 13 – Verlene Schermer and Sileas. Show 14 – Spookytree (Debra Knodel & Jane Valencia), Sharlene Wallace and Kim Robertson, The Harp Twins

01:31 Niamh Ní Charra – Rhubarb and Ginger / The Swaggering Jig/ Hardiman the Fiddler
05:26 Laura Risk – North Highland Reel #18 / North Highland Reel #21 / The Nine Pint Coggie / Sandy King
09:04 The Bothy Band – Do You Love an Apple
13:39 Poem by Kevan McManus with Music by Jane Valencia – The Light of the Water
17:11 Relativity – Gracelands
22:51 Sandra Parker – The Fairy’s Love Song
25:34 Sue Richards and Robin Bullock – Loftus Jones
31:18 Songs of Separation – Unst Boat Song
33:40 Rachel Sermanni – Ae Fond Kiss
37:51 Woad – Mist-Covered Mountains / Short-Coated Mary
42:33 Lore from The Scots Herbal:The Plant Lore of Scotland by Tess Darwin and Music by Jane Valencia – Rowan Tree Folklore
47:48 Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill – P. Joe’s Reel / The Obama Reel
51:16 The Gloaming – Casadh an tSúgáin
57:40 The Irish Consort – Light o’ Love / Lightly Love Ladies