Mythmusica: The Podcast, Episode #007 -- "Love and Valentines" is up on the web. Please give a listen at sites.google.com/site/mythpodcast/  and give us a "Like" on Facebook!

Other news -- Our Kickstarter project failed to meet our goal, but we really wish to thank those who did pledge their support. We'll likely try again sometime in the future, probably on Indiegogo, and will keep everyone here updated.  Thanks again!

Hello, everyone!

As you may (or may not) be aware, I'm now helping with a podcast online called MYTHMUSICA: The Podcast. We currently have six episodes online at sites.google.com/site/mythpodcast/podcas... and will be releasing the February 2013 episode in a few days. However, we also want to improve the end product, and to that end are preparing a DVD collection of a years worth of podcasts enhanced with visuals. However, because we have so far funded this endeavor out of pocket, we're running a bit shy of the necessities needed to complete the project. So we've launched a Kickstarter Campaign to raise funds -- and I'm here asking those who are able to please go to www.kickstarter.com/projects/1542582757/... and make a pledge to help out -- we need to raise $1500 before the campaign ends on February 10th.

Thanks!

Well, another Faeriecon has come and gone, so here's my annual report of the festivities...

Darla, Ray and I were joined by our good friend Jim Welch for the trip this year. We departed our home in East Orange, NJ and headed South and West toward Baltimore, MD and FaerieCon, leaving at 9:00 AM Friday with the intention of arriving around noon. Some traffic mede the trip a bit longer than anticipated, but no major delays occurred. Upon arrival at the Hunt Valley Inn, we checked into our room, picked up out weekend passes for the con, and began the weekend in the company of the Fae...

The vendor's room is always so much fun to peruse, seeing both familiar and new faces and lots and lots of the "Ooh, SHINY!" that grabs attention. A few faces were missing from previous years, and one or two who were missing last year returned. Jasmine Beckett Griffith was back after a year's absence with her wonderful portraiture of big-eyed Fae and Fairy-tale femmes, but missing this time around were Linda Ravenscroft, Brian and Wendy Froud, and Susan Schoeder, all of whom were missed... There were new faces to make up for it, though -- lots of authors like Terri Windling, Delia Sherman, Ellen Kushner, Melissa Marr, Tiffany Trent, Raven Grimassi, Stephanie Taylor, and Christopher Penzak, and artists Annie Stegg, Kinuko Craft, Steelgoddess, Cory Godbey, Renae Taylor, Bruce Rosenbaum. Stephanie Lostimolo, and Grace Nuth (who is also the blogger of one of my favorite webblogs, "Domythic Bliss"). Also, several returning artists and crafters made the tour even more enjoyable -- a shoutout to Kim at "Faeries" Magazine, Katie Lennon, Jenny Davies-Reazor, Kevin Dyer, Cucina Aurora Kitchens, Katie Small, Shane Odom, and the volunteers for both the Spoutwod Faerie Festival and the Maryland Faerie Festival!

And of course there were the balls -- the Good Faeries Ball on Friday night featured Treguenda, Adam Hurst, and Moon and the Nightspirit, but it felt more like a concert than a ball -- the music was good, but it lacked the 'feel' of a rollicking good time dance party...

Saturday did seem to come a bit early, but it was worth the struggle to leave the nice warm bed and March with the Benificent Order of the Green Man. Later I managed to attend some of the panels being presented, as well as some of the performances in the Dealer's Room stage area. Mark Lewis -- storyteller extroidinare -- and Green Man Billy Scudder were Masters of Ceremonies once more and tied everything together -- it just wouldn't be FaerieCon without them !

One highlight of this year's convention was the appearance of "Nymbol's Secret Garden". This art performance by manipulated creatures was enjoyed multiple times, and I, for one, look forward to viewing their webcast when it becomes available -- (For those not in the know, Bill and Sam Cass and their two daughters put on a thouroghly enjoyable 'puppet show'... err, sorry 'wrangle the creatures' and give voice to Nymbol, Serephina, Nymphea, and Blarney. You can catch some of their work -- and help bring them to the web -- by supporting their Kickstarter Campaign at www.kickstarter.com/projects/1851191419/...

The Merry Meet for Enchanted Folk and meet-up for Facebook Faeries was pretty much a bust -- only myself, Billy Scudder, and one lone Facebook Fairie who waved as she went to dinner showed up.  But I'm not complaining -- I had an extended conversation with Billy that was absolutely fascinating.

Saturday Night brought the "Bad Faeries Ball", with performances by Adam Hurst, S. J. Tucker, and Faun. Now THAT was high energy, with fantastically good music, lots of good vibes, and dance music that practically forced people to move!

Sunday was quiet by comparison, highlighted by my being able to record some interviews for future episodes of Mythmusica: The Podcast, my latest venture that seems to be meeting with some small success. If you want to give a listen, the podcasts are archived at sites.google.com/site/mythpodcast/podcas...

Of course, the convention had to come to an end, so goodbyes were exchanged, hugs given, and promises made to see everyone again next year. We loaded into the van for the trip home as the sun was setting, and wended our way, memories of the magic keeping us in conversation, and a stop for dinner made special by finding a Bob Evans Restaurant on our path. (Bob Evans was a big part of my childhood, and the food is always good and reasonably priced!)

Until next time --- KUBIANDO!!!

Just a month away, it's time once more for Faeriecon, in the Hunt Valley Inn, just north of Baltimore, as it has been the past few years.  I still want to do a Merry meet for Enchanted Folk, and this year will combine it with a meet-up for member of Facebook Faeries as well! Looking at Saturday, just before the Bad Faeries Ball. in the hotel lobby.  Stop by and say hi!

The podcast is now on the web! Give it a listen at sites.google.com/site/mythpodcast/podcas...