Dear Friends,
The work of trying to protect all that is sacred and beautiful in the world can be exhausting. I’ve been immersed in such work for 42 years. It’s often challenging to find that sustainable balance between activism and self-care.
One activity that has helped me maintain sanity over the years is music.
Last year, I finally learned, memorized, and recorded all 21 Chopin Nocturnes (a goal I started working on when I was 18!). The 10th set from my collection includes Nocturnes 21 and 13, and it’s dedicated to the peacemakers of the world. I kick it off with a piano rendition of Recuerdos de la Alhambra, and throw in a couple improvisations.
If you enjoy the recording, there’s 11 more of them. Yeah, big fan of Chopin. He and I go way back.
I’m also active with the local Irish music scene. I like to describe our session group (which has played continuously for 34 years!) as an anarcho-syndicalist musical collaborative. There are long-time players, beginners, and one well-seasoned duffer who, we swear, knows over a thousand tunes.
Here’s a SHORT CLIP FROM OUR SESSION this week at our favorite Irish pub in the Beaverdale neighborhood of Des Moines. We’re playing St. Anne’s Reel, which inspired Kathy and Dave to dance a little shuffle.
What do I have to tell you about the political/peace/justice/environmental side of my work this week? I’ll simply direct you to our radio show/podcast. It was an honor to have two of my favorite New Orleansians on this week: Liana Elliott and MarkAlain Dery.
If you aren’t in any of the limited areas where LP radio stations air the program, you can listen to the podcast:
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL PROGRAM
Here’s the line up, with links to individual segments:
(01:07) New Orleans: canary in the climate coal mine, with Liana Elliott – LISTEN
(19:06) Dr. MarkAlain Dery weighs in on hantavirus – LISTEN
(37:20) The imperial health boomerang, with MarkAlain Dery – LISTEN
(52:37) Asian Longhorn Beetle threatens maples, with Kathy Byrnes – LISTEN
Thanks for reading, listening, and taking action. And if you’re a central Iowa resident, remember to support the local businesses and nonprofits that help underwrite this platform.
Ed Fallon
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In addition to our PODCAST, listen to the Fallon Forum on these affiliates:
– KHOI 89.1 FM (Ames, Iowa)
– KICI.LP 105.3 FM (Iowa City, Iowa)
– WHIV 102.3 FM (New Orleans, Louisiana)
– KPIP-LP, 94.7 FM (Fayette, Missouri)
– KCEI 90.1 FM (Taos, New Mexico)
– WGOT-LP 100.1 FM (Gainesville, Florida)
– KRFP 90.3 FM (Moscow, Idaho)
– WGRN 94.1 FM (Columbus, Ohio)
— WJLQ 99.7 FM (Muskegon, Michigan)