Scarecrows, Pumpkins, Smash Burgers

It takes a lot of volunteers and sponsors to run a community festival – teamwork, tenacity, trust – to build something that will bring out your friends and neighbours to celebrate the harvest time of year. Pumpkin Fest was a wonderful success, and promises to only get better year after year. From the jack’o’lantern and scarecrow contests, to face-painting and pumpkin decorating, to cider donuts and smash-burgers – this homegrown festival had something for everyone. It also had a whopping four hours of live music! Nancy Beaudette dusted off her favourite cover songs, and added brand new ones to her repertoire for the event. Thanks to everyone for being part of the festivities.

For more information about the event visit the website.

Music School is Gifted a New Guitar

Nancy Beaudette’s recent hiatus in Albuferia, Portugal, was filled to the brim with writing, art, music and adventure. Upon her arrival to the Algarve, she found a music store and purchased an Albanez beginner guitar to have with her for the month away. Right down the street from Nancy’s apartment was the Music Conservatory – a perfect place to gift the instrument at the end of the tour.

It’s not unusual for Nancy to leave behind a little something after her excursions abroad. In Bali, four young men were each gifted a guitar – an opportunity made possible by the generosity of the friends that follow and contribute financially to her adventures. Ten small computers were given to Mananberg School near Cape Town, South Africa, a hybrid “Nashville Guitar” was left behind at a guest house in Thailand, and numerous other gifts were given to the communities where Nancy has stayed. 

For more info on Nancy’s Adventures, follow her on Facebook – and request access to the private group.

Shirley Film Fest

I’ve produced many events through the years, but a film festival is a first. Community oriented events appeal to me. There’s a fun factor – albeit some seriousness is getting the right programming – in creating a new experience and opportunity that wasn’t previously available.

What started out as a simple request to be part of the Shirley Meeting House Committee has evolved into, once again, being a community producer: a person that makes something grow. I hope it has wings.

Have a look at our schedule and come if you can – for all or part.

Nancy

Marula – Video Release

I traveled to South Africa a few years ago, right in the middle of a terrible drought. Water rationing was imperative and prayers for rain were on everyone’s lips. I learned about the Marula Tree during my time on safari – not only does it survives drought, but also becomes a source of nourishment and medicine for animal and human alike. I hope you enjoy my newest production – “Marula”, as I try to capture the spirit of my journey through this beautiful country. (Marula features African artist – Spirit-T – please check out his amazing work!)(Also, big screen and headphones or stereo speakers recommended:)

 

“Life is a Mantra” Video Release

In the stillness of Shiva’s cave, I sat in silence. It was very dark, just a single candle glowing on a stone altar adorned with a picture of his likeness, flowers, herbs and other such offerings. I waited and listened. And there it was, as if never lost or forgotten, shiny and new, from the deep place where spirit meets source – music. Song. My retreat partners, and the Children at Ramana’s Garden sing along with me in this video. We all hope you enjoy our song.

Nancy

“Into the Heart of Yoga Retreat,” – Rishikesh, India with Madhurai Sumhara

Ramana’s Garden Children’s Home – Donations welcome

Mid-Atlantic Song Contest Finalists

Moonlit Pond Artist, Jan Blaising, has been recognized for TWO of her songs in the prestigious 38th Mid-Atlantic Song Contest. The competition is one of the largest and most distinguished in the country with multiple categories and thousands of entries from around the world. “Cradled by the Moon” and “Mountaintops and Oceans” have been recognized for excellence in songwriting. Both songs were co-written by Jan Blaising and Nancy Beaudette, and included on Jan’s EP, “Faith, Hope and Love,” which was released last fall and available for purchase on Jan’s website, and on itunes and spotify

Congratulations, Jan, on this tremendous honour!

 

 

“Mountaintops and Oceans” Video and Single Release

Moonlit Pond Records is pleased to announce the release of “Mountaintops and Oceans” by Jan Blaising Music. 

Jan’s new single, “Mountaintops and Oceans,” is a song Jan wrote to honor her Mom. The song tells the story of a woman who overcame significant obstacles in her early life through love and faith. It describes the ways Jan’s Mom brought gifts of grace and grandeur from her early home in Washington state to the Indiana plains, where she met and married a minister and raised a family. “Mountaintops and Oceans” is a timely song to honor mothers everywhere.

“Such a beautiful song ~ like a fresh mountain stream ~ and your voice and the production are impeccable!”
~ Beth Nielsen Chapman (bncmasterclasses.com)

Co-written with Nancy Beaudette. Video produced by Moonlit Pond Records.

SongCRAFT – Spring Workshop

Want to write your first song? Want to write your 100th song? Want to write better songs? I’m so dang proud of this book and the accompanying workshops, and they are really making a difference for so many writers. What are you waiting for? 

Open to writers of all levels of ability. 

What are Workshop Attendees saying about this course?

“This is such a unique songwriting technique. I’m really surprised that no one else have ever taught this method. This workshop will definitely take my writing to the next level. Absolutely amazing.”

“Caring, insightful and useful songwriting tools & tips.”

“This workshop was great fun. Nancy and Laura do a great job of presenting the material and making the workshop interactive.”

“This is an innovative, accessible approach to writing that I haven’t seen anywhere else. Brilliant. Brava to the authors.”

Register today.

SongCRAFT Songwriting Winter Workshop

Join Nancy Beaudette and Laura Zucker for one hour each week for five consecutive weeks ONLINE on ZOOM.

Wednesday
January 13, 20 & 27, and February 3 & 10
8:00pm to 9:00 – ET

    • Nurture your creative process
    • Learn to find ideas from personal experiences
    • Write fabulous and meaningful songs
    • Find out why having a special creative room is important
    • Recognize and avoid common mistakes
    • How to find an audience to perform your song to
    • Leave the critic behind and write your best work

Open to writers of all levels of ability. Register today.

Jacelyn “Dovetailing” CD Release

 

JACELYN is a Canadian singer-songwriter, actor and entrepreneur best known for her sultry jazz vocals and music that is a melange of the classic and elemental sounds of jazz, blue-eyed soul, and pop, which offers a dynamic and refreshing contemporary twist. Moonlit Pond Records staff writer, Nancy Beaudette, co-penned “Someday” along with Connie Mims, Sherry Kuybus and Jacelyn after meeting in Nashville.  It is an an emotional song questioning whether a new love will last:“Sorry that we never found the words to make it better, It’s plain to see that baby you’re not the one, Someday ain’t gonna come” . 

 A versatile artist and actor, JACELYN has spent the last decade taking chances which has led her to successes one after another. Her Kickstarter campaign for Dovetailing reached $60, 000 ($30, 000 in just 16 hours) and became #1 in the world out of close to 60, 000 music campaigns. It was also featured in the top 10 Jazz campaigns ever to exist on the crowdfunding site alongside Quincy Jones and Paula Cole. JACELYN was able to bring together some amazing musical minds to support the creation of Dovetailing. She partnered with internationally recognized and critically acclaimed pianist and composer Amina Figarova to co-produce the album and worked with two-time Grammy-award winning audio engineer Max Ross from Systems Two in New York City. Dovetailing is out now and charting on radio across North America. 

Visit Jacelyn’s website to purchase the CD.
Join Jacelyn on Facebook
Follow Jacelyn on Instagram