The Seattle-based non-profit Melodic Caring Project has been bringing personalized live music performances by a wide range of touring artists directly to the hospital beds of sick children in isolation or quarantine since 2011. With the COVID-19 pandemic putting live concerts on indefinite hold, the 501c3 charity has been reaching out to an army of music artists, many participants in previous MCP streaming events, to help them create original content to deliver to their community and beyond.

At the SHEL/ Under the Willow show at the Abbey Chicago on September 24th,  the crowd bubbled over as Erin Donovan spoke of her Irish ancestors and really anyone’s ancestors.  She was describing one of the first songs the band wrote together as the crowd nearly overpowered her amplification.  The song is called Heritage and the music is undeniably spiritual.

The last day of this year’s 2014 Rhythms on the Rio was a mix of rain and sun. Actually, for year’s past, this was a dry festival for the most part.