We played for a ninth birthday party today in Edmonton…lots of songs for the kids! Everyone knew “Let it Go” from the movie “Frozen”, and we also had requests…songs by Maroon 5, Philip Philips, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and Adele…we had as much fun as the children!

We played our first concert at the recently opened retirement residences in Lewis Estates, West Edmonton on Saturday afternoon…We’ll be back there with an Irish concert on St Patrick’s Day in a few weeks. #bluegrassbreaks

We played for the seniors at Rosedale Estates in downtown Edmonton this evening…We were missing a lot of group members, but managed as a trio. Rosedale had just recovered after an influenza outbreak, and it was important to us to go to sing and play, to bring the residents some cheer…We had a chat with some of the seniors afterwards, over juice and cookies, and made a bunch of new friends! We’re looking forward to going back there…

Our community group travelled south to Camrose this weekend to play for the seniors of Sunrise Village…We met a local musician, Leslie, who plays ukulele and sings beautifully, and she joined us for the concert as a special guest!

Our community group played for the seniors at Sherwood Park’s Capital Care Strathcona senior home today. We had some really special moments with the seniors. We played a mixture of Irish music, some fiddle tunes (The Log drivers Waltz, Tennessee Waltz), Country, Bluegrass and Ukrainian music. We had the opportunity to chat to the seniors afterwards and socialise, and most importantly remind them that they are loved and valued. Thanks to my student Jacob for joining us on percussion!

This evening, our community group played for the Winter Scout Camp for the group we’re sponsoring this year, Polaris 88 Scout Group. The group brings together children with neurological difficulties such as autism and aspergers syndrome and gives them the opportunity to socialise, trek, camp, learn how to identify animal tracks, perform plays, volunteer and all the fun stuff Scouts do. We had a campfire, made smores and sang lots of fun songs…I was even made an honorary Scout for the evening!

Some of our Bluegrass group played our monthly concert at West Edmonton Christian Assembly this evening…we’re there every second Sunday of the month!

After 17 months and around 70 concerts, our community group have recorded an album! Some of the group have been my students, and all of them are my friends, and we always have a great time playing together. It’s been humbling to see construction workers, secretaries, warehouse staff, university lecturers and high school students…people from all walks of life…come together to serve the community. It was great to go into the studio and record with them, and exciting to hear the finished product in our album. If anyone wants a CD we have a bunch…or come on out next time we have a community event, and hear the real thing! There’s a couple of tracks on this page under soundbites if you want a preview!

#bluegrassbreaks #studio

We had a really great concert tonight at Jasper Place. The residents broke into a party when we started to play, dancing on their own or with one another, and singing along…another enjoyable musical evening for the seniors and the band!

Tonight, our community group played for the seniors at Churchill Manor…It was a fun concert, and a good time was had by all!