The Blend
By mummymo
@mummymo (23706)
March 13, 2009 6:29pm CST
It has been a very long but very good day today. My daughters school were chosen to participate in a concert to kick off a weekend of musical gigs at a festival called The Blend in a local venue called the Tolbooth. It is called The Blend as it is about mixing cultures and styles, different music from around the world and different eras.
For the last month a couple of music teachers have been working with 3 classes from my daughters school (including her class) on Traditional Scottish/Celtic music and songs. The concert was opened by our Provost (Mayor) and was thoroughly fantastic, each class sang a song , One of the teachers sang, another played the Harp and then we had a performance by the Young Scottish Musician of the year Rhuaridh McMillan on the fiddle, then he dueted with the harpist and teh kids sang another few songs , ending with Auld Lang Syne.
It truly was fantastic - my question to you is do you have local concerts with traditional folk music? Are there festivals celebrating not only your own music and culture but those of other throughout the world? Do your kids get to participate in this sort of thing! Hugs xxxx
6 people like this
12 responses
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
14 Mar 09
Can I borrow your kids and their friends? Mine are grown and all the people in my town are OLD! Some of what you've got would really liven up the place! LOL
2 people like this
xxxx@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
14 Mar 09
NANA?
NANA?
Oh no, no, no!
It's Aunty! I'm the world's Aunty!!!!!! Ask Gissi. LOL
2 people like this
Of course I meant to say Aunty sparks! 
xxxx
@mssnow (9484)
• United States
14 Mar 09
Hi sissie, I dont really know if we have a music festival although Im sure we do. I know each year on st pattys day they have som celebrations going on. I love Irish music and would have loved to see your daughters program. Thanks for sharing Hugs xxxxx
2 people like this
@weemam (13372)
•
14 Mar 09
As you know sweetheart 2 of my kids have teenagers of their own , YES I do know what you mean about being emotional , We are only her adopted grandparents and we get emotional when she wins things , She is really smart ( just like her Mam ) and gorgeous too ( just like her Mam )
Wee xx
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
14 Mar 09
WE have differnt events here one I would really like to see is the dance one I have met some of the dancer from another country that came here they sounded like it was alot of fun.
No my kids never did butI went to State with a dance class never won state but it was alot of fun!
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
14 Mar 09
I've not participated in anything like this, nor seen it back home from memory, but I think it's a great idea! Kids would embrace different cultures so much more openly with the use of music and performances! 
I'm not surprised to see you use the word fantastic twice to describe it either. Given your descriptions, it DOES sound like it must have been wonderful and I would love my own children to participate in something similar one day!
I'm not surprised to see you use the word fantastic twice to describe it either. Given your descriptions, it DOES sound like it must have been wonderful and I would love my own children to participate in something similar one day!1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
•
14 Mar 09
LOL You are so right James , kids love music and performance and leaves them wanting to participate! As for my use of the word fantastic twice that I am afraid is just a sign of my limited vocabulary!
I am sure that any children of yours will be given the chance to participate in every experience they can. I really think you would be a fantastic father! lol xxxx
I am sure that any children of yours will be given the chance to participate in every experience they can. I really think you would be a fantastic father! lol xxxx
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
14 Mar 09
Hi mummymo! That is a very great experience for the children to be exposed to different cultural type of music. This kind of festival will surely broaden their knowledge of music and culture. I am glad that schools and our local government promotes this kind of festival and concerts too for the young. It is a whole new kind of experience each time. I have been exposed to this kind of activities when I was young although, I am just a "clapper" and never been on stage. haha..
Take care and blessings to you!
lovelots..faith
Take care and blessings to you!
lovelots..faith1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
•
14 Mar 09
LOL Me too Faith - just a clapper , I like that expression a lot! . I think it is great when any place promotes cultural festivals and experiences, especially when the children are encouraged to be part of it! I did want to take Niamh and Niall to some more of the concerts but the seats have really hurt my back - should find out if I can go in in my wheelchair - at least my back wouldn't hurt as bad if I sat in that! lol xxx
. I think it is great when any place promotes cultural festivals and experiences, especially when the children are encouraged to be part of it! I did want to take Niamh and Niall to some more of the concerts but the seats have really hurt my back - should find out if I can go in in my wheelchair - at least my back wouldn't hurt as bad if I sat in that! lol xxx1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
15 Mar 09
Both my eldest girls are in bands...Holly plays trumpet and piano and Hannah plays the clarinet. I have never seen them perform with their and as they are too far away for me, but they have given me a couple of little concerts which is quite thrilling.
Your traditional folk music though sounds extra wonderful and special.
As for around here...no there is nothing like that. 
@mummymo (23706)
•
15 Mar 09
wow tickle honey your girls must be very talented and I bet you are VERY thrilled when they give you concerts! I wish I could make it possible for you to see them both with their bands sweety, I will keep it in my prayers that something will happen to make that possible!
Hugs from both Niamh and I! xxxx
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
14 Mar 09
I know our city has lots of different cultural events and festivals throughout the year but not sure why we don't attend any. I use to when I was younger and living in New Zealand. The Maori and Pacific Island festivals were always lively, with lots of bands singing, dancing and cultural foods to eat. Miss those.
@mummymo (23706)
•
14 Mar 09
Well David managed a little of Niamhs song but the memory card filled up. Not allowed to upload it to sites like youtube because other kids are there (our council have only just started allowing us to photograph /film school performances again and I don't want to take any chances when they have expressly told us we can't upload to sites) but if I can ever figure out how I will send you a copy! Maybe one summer we will surprise you by turning up to go to that tent with you! xxx
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
14 Mar 09
Sounds like a great day, sis. I love festivals and especially when music is involved. We have a lot of festivals in my area but they all seem to focus on a particular culture when they are cultural in nature. I like the way that all festivals in our area go to a lot of trouble to include for children. It makes it easy to make family outings out of it.
1 person likes this
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
14 Mar 09
Our city has different cultural things through out the warm months but the schools are um.... lacking in everything. There was a Holiday production that maybe 15 parents showed up including my hubby and I. Meagan was great!
Our city has many cultures in it and they are proud to be here... or were until the city started to die.
I live in Detroit. It's a sad one for sure. But maybe times will swing up again because the idea of a ghost city seems a bit strange to me.
I'm so glad you and your daughter had a great day. You were proud I have no doubt.
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
•
14 Mar 09
It is so sad that the schools are lacking sweetheart - especially with such a diversity in cultures to celebrate. Such a shame that the city of Detroit is 'dying' (left a response somewhere about visiting there when I was 6 but can't find it now) I'm with you - I sure hope it takes an upswing very soon! Methinks that of course Meagan was great - how could she not be? Hugs xxx
