Keynote Address: "Re-kindling the Spirit of Community", Alistair McIntosh

 

Alistair is a Scottish writer, academic and renowned environmental activist. Among his many published works is Soil and Soul: People versus Corporate Power (2001), which received broad critical acclaim.

Alistair is best-known for his work on Scottish land reform especially with the Isle of Eigg; the Harris super quarry battle; the spirituality of community, identity, belonging and place; nonviolence and understanding war; and the psycho-spirituality of climate change. He is also the founder of the Centre

of Human Ecology in Scotland.

 

Alistair will present the event’s keynote address. In this sharing he will use case studies from the Isle of Eigg and Govan (a deprived part of the city of Glasgow) to explore why connection to the land matters, why “community of place” is deeper than most forms of “community of interest”, why community is at heart a spiritual issue that relates to the fundamental nature of what it means to be human, and how such understandings can find practical expression in both rural and urban regeneration that seeks to address the emptiness of modern times.

 

 

Dave Gunning

 

Writing from a sonic menu that includes flavors of Irish, Scottish, folk and country musical styles, Dave Gunning transcends genre with songs that fill your senses and touch your soul. With a long list of notable achievements, Dave has been recognized with two Canadian Folk Music Awards, a Juno Award nomination and eight East Coast Music Awards.  

 

His 10th album, No More Pennies, has been honoured with the 2014 East Coast Music Award for Solo Recording of the Year and his song, “These Hands” (co-written with George Canyon) picked up two East Coast Music Awards for Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year, and was the First Place Winner in the 2014 Great American Song Contest. His hockey themed anthem, “A Game Goin’ On” (co-written with David Francey) was awarded the winner of the CBC Hockey Night In Canada Song Quest Competition.

 

A charismatic performer and world-class songwriter, Dave has the magnetic gift of captivating audiences by painting pictures through his heartfelt stories and compelling songwriting, humorous lyrics and innovative musical arrangements. Join us for a magical evening with one of Canada’s finest songwriters.  Artist website

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coco Love Alcorn

 

Coco’s powerful voice has been described as “a sensual alto that elegantly captures old school soul” (The Hamilton Spectator) and Sing Out! Magazine says she has “the feel of classic R&B

but with a modern singer-songwriter’s sensibility”. 

 

Whether she is improvising on a festival stage with her voice or trumpet, boldly genre-hopping

from project to project, or simply tackling life as a professional musician and mother, Coco Love

Alcorn follows her spirit. Now, that gracious and inspiring energy has led her to create the project she’s been working toward all her life – The Spirit Sessions.

 

All the years of improvisation, musical experimentation, life experience and live performance have connected where the moment and the spirit collide, and these new songs have come shining through. The ideas may spring from her personal journey, but true to her nature, Coco offers a universal interpretation that invites all listeners to jump in and sing along. It is her most cohesive and focused solo project yet.  Artist website

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ken Shorley

 

Ken is a diverse percussionist who specializes in the hand drumming traditions of the Middle East and India. Based in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Ken is also an avid player and teacher of Indonesian gamelan. In recent years, he has been a featured performer at the Halifax Jazz Festival, Sound Symposium, Prismatic Festival, Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival, Deep Roots Music Festival, CanWest Cabaret Festival, and on national broadcasts for CBC Radio 2.

 

In addition to composing for his hand-drumming group, Ken Shorley Trio, he has created works for TorQ Percussion Quartet, autorickshaw, mezzo-soprano Paula Rockwell, Talambra, Mindful Flower Gamelan, Quey Percussion Duo, Acadia Theatre Company, Festival Antigonish, and the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra.

 

Ken's current projects include directing the Sundanese gamelan program at Acadia University, and leading the 11-piece Turko-Balkan party dance band, ORO! Orkestra. He has produced several CDs of original music, as well as the instructional DVD, RhythmWise - a collaboration with his guru, the South Indian master percussionist, Trichy Sankaran. Artist Website.