Diving Deep into Song writing, vocal exploration and singing into the future at the Banff Centre of the Arts in a music residency.

 

Thrilled to be returning to Banff  Centre for Arts and Creativity for a 2 week residency.  Many of the 30 musicians here this winter are from outside of Canada, all to study and learn from each other.  Personally, I’m plunging headfirst into song writing, collaborating with my fellow musician and working with a vocal looper (voice recording sounds you make while playing them back in a repeating loop.)

Next week I will perform at The Club at Banff Centre, with a Persian born, Canadian pianist/composer and electroacoustic improviser Anoush Moazzeni and tomorrow, I will perform my original piece "Open our Hearts" with a small ensemble, at the Arts Centre in Canmore. 

I have been writing songs with the piano and guitar and learning how to use some technical gear for recording in my room. It is a great privilege and opportunity to be here, surrounded by the magnificent beauty of the Rocky Mountains, alongside tremendously talented artists. I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and inspiration. 

his week we had the experience of learning from the gifted and generous composer/musician/conductor, Matthias Maute from the Caprice Ensemble. He has coached us and offered a lecture yesterday that blew my heart and mind open with contemplation, reflection and aspirations. 

This music residency is offered via scholarship, although additional monetary funds are needed to cover, travel airplane and bus to Banff ($725), food/lodging ($628), recording sessions/instruments etc. ($400) Any financial support would be most welcomed.  If you would like to contribute, donations may be made by:

- EFT (email money transfer) – cariburdett@shaw.ca

- PayPal- joythroughmusic@shaw.ca

- Cheque – payable toCari Burdett – 3228A Gibbins Rd., Duncan BC V9L 1G8

Thank you, 

Cari

 

6th Annual Winter Solstice Concert

The countdown is on! The 6th Annual Winter Solstice Concert is just around the corner. Have you bought your tickets yet?? This show sells out quickly.

The program is set, rehearsals have been a blast, there will be an amazing gift basket from Westholme TeaFarm at each show (who doesn't love prizes?), and some wonderful opportunities to donate to some very important local causes.

Refugee Support Fund

Warmland House

Winter Solstice is the celebration of the returning light after the darkest days of the year. Come on out to an warm and inviting community event that offers a space of love and peace.

BC Touring Workshop

Cari attended the BC Touring Workshop on November 12th and 13th. This weekend event is so helpful for emerging artists! Not only did it help Cari gain more knowledge about touring and all of its intricacies, she also met some amazing musicians, artists, and new friends. It's all about the connections!  

Photo by Pamela Tessman -takeN AT THE Cumberland show IN NovEMBER. wild is the wind tour, with adrian dolan, RICHARD Moody and Peter Mynett. Thank you studio One for the lovely venue and support.

Photo by Pamela Tessman -takeN AT THE Cumberland show IN NovEMBER. wild is the wind tour, with adrian dolan, RICHARD Moody and Peter Mynett. Thank you studio One for the lovely venue and support.

There were so many incredible people there but this is a special shout out to James & Jamesy! Their show is just spectacular and these two gentlemen were so wonderful, kind, and so willing to help out a fellow artist. Check out their amazing Christmas show! The tour starts on December 2nd and will make its way up and down the island.

Courtenay - Dec 2&3, Powell River - Dec 6, Nanaimo - Dec 8&9, Duncan - Dec 13, Campbell River - Dec 16&17, Victoria - Dec 19&20, and Maple Ridge -&n…

Courtenay - Dec 2&3, Powell River - Dec 6, Nanaimo - Dec 8&9, Duncan - Dec 13, Campbell River - Dec 16&17, Victoria - Dec 19&20, and Maple Ridge - Dec 22&23

Thank you to BC Local News!

A big thank you to BC Local News for their amazing coverage of the Wild is the Wind Tour show in Victoria. This article is just lovely! 

The tour was a great success and a much needed rest is up next.

...until the next big project in December! Stay tuned!

Comox Valley Echo also offered a great write up for the Cumberland show at Studio Live! Thank you so much!

 

 

Wild is the Wind Tour 2016

A 5 show tour across Vancouver Island!

A 5 show tour across Vancouver Island!

The Wild is the Wind tour is starting in less than a month! Where does the time go??

The press has been contacted, the venues and musicians organized and I've just added an additional show on the gorgeous Salt Spring Island. The wonderful people at Stowel Lake Farm are hosting us on Thursday, October 20th, just in time to be a part of this circuit.

I hope to see you out there!

Wild is the Wind Tour Dates

Sunday, October 16th
Harvest of Music Festival
The Old School House Arts Centre, 122 Fern Rd West, Qualicum Beach BC
2:30pm
Tickets: $10-$18
Available at The Old School House Arts Centre or 250 752 6133

Thursday, October 20th
Stowel Lake Farm
190 Reynolds Road, Salt Spring Island BC
7:30pm, doors open at 7pm
Tickets: Salt Spring Books, www.stowellakefarm.com 
or call 250 653 4308

Friday, October 21st
Upstairs Lounge (presented by Beacon Ridge Productions)
1975 Bee Street, Victoria BC
Doors open at 6pm, Music at 7:30pm
Tickets: $20 Advance | $25 at the Door
Available at Oak Bay Recreation Centre reception, Ivy's Bookshop, or online at www.beaconridgeproductions.com

Saturday, October 22nd
Studio Live
2679 Beaufort Ave, Cumberland BC
8:00pm, doors open 7:30pm
Tickets: $20 Advance | $25 at the door
Available at Bop City Records (Courtenay), Church St. Bakery (Comox), Rider's Pizza (Cumberland)

Sunday, October 23rd
HIVE Emporium
#9 - 575 North Road, Gabriola Island BC
7:30pm
Tickets: $15 Adults | $10 Students/Seniors
Available at the HIVE Emporium

October Tour Coming Up!

It's that time again. The balancing act with poles on my nose and fingertips and toes, and my mind, split into so many tasks, set spinning precariously on top of each one.

Booking Venues and times, sending out promotions, creating posters, hiring musicians, and squeezing in rehearsals! It is a very strange place to be. The music comes first...but then why do I find myself sitting in front of my computer for hours on end? This is the side of the business that you never imagine when you get started. It's all about the rehearsals, the collaboration, the creation of music! And then someone has to do all of the grunt work, and that someone is YOU!

It's all worth it in the end though. You start to wonder about 4-6 weeks away from a tour if all the time you're spending in the office is worth a weeks worth of performing...then you send off the press kit that you've painfully crafted and you feel both satisfied and nervous, rehearsals start with amazing musicians and you feel the excitement build, and finally you hit the stage and the joy of it sets your soul on fire!

The Poster is Coming Soon! In the meantime, I would love to see you at one of these shows!

Wild is the Wind Tour 2016 - Dates

Sunday, October 16th
Harvest of Music Festival
The Old School House Arts Centre, 122 Fern Rd West, Qualicum Beach BC
2:30pm
Tickets: $10-$18
Available at The Old School House Arts Centre or 250 752 6133

Friday, October 21st
Upstairs Lounge (presented by Beacon Ridge Productions)
1975 Bee Street, Victoria BC
Doors open at 6pm, Music at 7:30pm
Tickets: $20 Advance | $25 at the Door
Available at Oak Bay Recreation Centre reception, Ivy's Bookshop, or online at www.beaconridgeproductions.com

Saturday, October 22nd
Studio Live
2679 Beaufort Ave, Cumberland BC
8:00pm, doors open 7:30pm
Tickets: $20 Advance | $25 at the door
Available at Bop City Records (Courtenay), Church St. Bakery (Comox), Rider's Pizza (Cumberland)

Sunday, October 23rd
HIVE Emporium
#9 - 575 North Road, Gabriola Island BC
7:30pm
Tickets: $15 Adults | $10 Students/Seniors
Available at the HIVE Emporium

I can't wait to do it all again, and again, and again!

Ciao
Cari

The Joy of Serving your Community through Music

For the past 8 years, I have had the honour of being invited by the Cowichan Intercultural Society to conduct my Lila Community Choir at the annual One World Festival here in the Cowichan Valley. This event is a celebration of culture and traditions from around the globe and brings representation for all of those who have settled in the Valley from afar. It is a day full of fun, music, and community bonding.

The singers in the Lila Community Choir, some of whom have been singing with the group for years and some who are brand new, gain a wonderful opportunity to perform but also to connect with other members of their community. Opportunities like this open them (and me!) up to so many possibilities, open doors, new friendships, open hearts. It is my great passion to find them as many performance opportunities as I can, not only for their sake but also for mine and the audiences we meet.

You see, the outreach component in music has always been an incredible, irresistible draw for me. Seriously, what better way to bring people together than through the arts? It is the great unifying force in this world, allowing us to share our experiences and thoughts and feelings with greater depth while rising above any discriminatory factors. It brings us together with the best intentions. To create and to be open and to be heard.

I am so pleased and so fortunate that this year the performances are a plenty! The Cowichan Intercultural Society has planned not only the One World Festival, but also the annual Walk of Nations, they have also put them both on the same day! We will march through Downtown Duncan, singing our hearts out and representing the Lila Music Centre. We'll arrive at the VIU campus and jump right into the One World Festival. It will be such a great time.

Since we'll be on such a roll, the choir is going to keep the energy going and will also be performing with the incredible Coco Love Alcorn on her Wonderland Tour. She'll be making a stop in Duncan on September 23rd and has invited the choir to be her back up singers! How exciting! She has chosen a couple of songs that allow our lovely community choir to join her on stage. I met Coco recently and we discovered a shared passion for musical outreach and inclusion so this was a perfect match. 

Ciao,

Cari

Love singing? It isn't too late to join the Lila Community Choir for the Walk of Nations and to experience what we sound like at the One World Festival. Like what you hear? Come to the remaining rehearsals and you can join us on stage with Coco Love Alcorn! We will welcome you with open arms! 

Visit my Lila Music Centre website to find out more about the choir and see the schedule for these performances.

Chanteuse Cari - Shaw TV Interview

I want to start this post by saying a HUGE thank you to Daphne Good from Shaw TV for an amazing spot on her show. This interview took place over a lovely Friday morning where Daphne explored my home and land and took the time to learn about my life and passions. Her support of my work over the years has been such an amazing gift!

As this video shows, I am so blessed to have so many wonderful things happening in my life. My children, my home, my business, my performances, my hobbies and passions, and the ability to create space for each of them in turn. It is sometimes absolute chaos, and can be a such a monumental task to find and maintain (ha!) the balance, but I wouldn't change any of it. I will continue to strive for balance and peace in my life but I will not stop creating new ideas and projects. It is what lights me up and walks me through this life!

Ciao for now!

Car B

Only 3 Show left on the Celebration Tour!

Choosing to celebrate my recent accomplishments in music by sharing my music, feels as natural and as necessary as breathing. All of the winding tendrils of my life have been leading me down this path of creation and collaboration, performing and travelling. It has all been a life long dream come true. I am beyond thrilled to be moving from stage to festival to showroom to stage, all the while meeting new friends, musicians, and collaborators. Life is a gift!

My musical roots are in my operatic training so a highlight of the tour has definitely been performing with the Sooke Philharmonic, it transported me right back to those wonderful years of being completely immersed in classical music. My early training lead me to new music and improvisation, which lead me to composition, which lead me to delve into so many different forms. Languages fill me with passion, music fills me with joy, my relationships, in all forms, fill me with stories of life and love. All of this together has allowed me to find my own true voice and to bring my own unique sound to the stage. I am so utterly grateful for everything I offer and everything I gain.

In rehearsal with the Sooke Philharmonic! 

In rehearsal with the Sooke Philharmonic! 

All of my performances and offerings have been so nourishing this summer, each one teaching me something new. The range of musicians changes with every opportunity so I have played with piano only, with violin and accordion/mandolin, with a five piece band, and with a full orchestra! Unbelievable! It has been remarkable to settle into each space and into each setting. It all comes down to my guys! My band. My friends. Each an incredibly talented musician and I couldn't have pulled any of this together with out each and every one of them. So an enormous thank you to Richard Moody, Adrian Dolan, Sean Drabbit, Marc Atkinson, Dave Lieffertz, and David Emery. 

With only 3 shows to go in my celebratory summer tour, I invite you all to share my story and my music with your friends and family.

Join me for one of the following shows:

Sat Jul 30 - 39 Days of July, Duncan
Sat Jul 30 - Char's Landing, Port Alberni
Sun Aug 7 - Salt Spring Island Music & Garlic Festival, Salt Spring Island

Please peruse my website, check out this links, the videos, and the music.  

Gracias.

On stage at Butchart Gardens.

On stage at Butchart Gardens.

The Summer Celebration Tour is Here!!!

The media has been notified, the ferries are reserved, the rehearsals have me inspired, and the urge to perform is keeping me up at night. It's time to gather our gear and hit the road!

Follow my celebratory tour starting with the gorgeous Butchart Gardens in Victoria TOMORROW! July 6th at 8:00pm. Enjoy a concert and picnic in the gardens, entry to Butchart gets you a seat at the show.

Can't come tomorrow night?
Choose another day!
The summer has just begun!

Here is a taste of what's to come!

It's so close, I can feel the performance tingles already. Let me sing to you of love and life!
This is the full concert from
June 5th at the Duncan Showroom.

Feel free to jump around for a sample of the delicious flavour, or just sit back and savour it!

Duncan Showroom, Duncan BC. June 5th, 2016. Richard Moody (violin), Adrian Dolan (piano), Sean Drabbit (bass), Kelby MacNayr (drums).

"Gracias a la Vida" Video Release

Released today, in Collaboration with Trent Freeman, is a unique and passionate music video for 'Gracias a la Vida,' from the album MagnoliaThe video was filmed by Trent Freeman, a wonderful and talented musician, who captures the essence of the music through his 'one shot' technique. The final product is the result of a full day of filming in a theatre in Mission, BC, of which this video was the very last take.  

"It was a really exciting day! We shot four videos and we will release them slowly. This is the first one I'm releasing and they're all very different. It was really thrilling to work with Trent and to create new live versions of the songs  with accordion and violin" says Burdett.

The video features the glamorous Cari Burdett- Chanteuse,  Adrian Dolan on accordion,  and Richard Moody on violin. 
If you like this video, please sign up for the newsletter so that you receive news of the next three video releases!

New Video soon to be released....

hmmm getting excited about releasing a video on June 5th at the  Duncan showroom concert with my friends..... I want to make a game about it.. Scott Shea the brilliant musician who just released his awesome 'CRAZY LOVE' Song that is charting across Canada.. suggested you guess what colour underwear I am wearing and then you could win a t-shirt or a postcard..a cd.... ha!! well..What game would YOU want to play.. to be able to see the new video and win tickets to the show this Sunday or on the upcoming summer Tour? 

Cari Burdett Hosts Music & Art Summer Camp

Cari's hometown of Duncan, BC is part of the beautiful Cowichan Valley and holds to the roots of her successful music career over the past few years. The Cowichan Valley residence, Cari's original super-amazing fan base, know Cari for her small business, Lila Music Centre. It has been run out of her gorgeous forest lined property for the past decade, offering voice lessons, family music classes, vocal improvisation, choirs, and workshops.

Each summer, Lila Music Centre offers workshops, classes, and hosts a number of different teachers and mentors. This summer is no exception! Cari Burdett and Lila Music Centre present a Summer Music & Art Camp. Geared towards all ages this camp has something for everyone:

August 2-5: Children, Youth, Teens
August 8- 12: Adult and Family Camp.  

Meet this years fantastic artists and facilitators:

Cari Burdett – Director Lila Music Centre, Vocalist, Voice Teacher
Vocal Improvisation
Sense Play – Intuitive Pedagogy
Camp Choir Director

Corbin Keep – Cellist, Teacher
Creative Cello Class
Be in a Band and Rock out!
Percussion Party 

Trish Barklay – Violinist, Actor, Producer, Playwright, Teacher
Musicians’ Theatre
Free Your Inner Fiddle 

Krista Crowther – Artist, Teacher
Art with Nature

Kuan & Hilary – Capoeira
Family Capoeira for All Ages

For more information about teachers, the summer schedule, and for registration, please visit www.joythroughmusic.com. Check out all of the amazing things Lila has to offer and enjoy!

4th & 1st Annual West Coast Django & Jazz

Cari Burdett to be featured at the 4th Annual Django & Jazz in Victoria, May 28!

An Evening of World-Class Gypsy Jazz & Jazz Music featuring , three-time World Champion in Digital, Acoustic and Jazz Accordion Cory Pesaturo,  Canada's multi-instrumentalist wunderkind Quinn Bachand and his sizzling hot gypsy jazz ensemble Brishen (nominated for a staggering 5 Canadian Folk Music Awards) and dramatic gypsy cabaret chanteuse Cari Burdett. 

Doors open at 7:00 pm - Concert starts at 7:30 pm

Be sure to visit the Django Facebook Page and buy your tickets HERE

This awesome show will be followed by the -

 1st Annual West Coast Django & Jazz on
Salt Spring Island

If you live on Salt Spring, or you're looking for the perfect excuse to visit, Cory Pesaturo, Quinn Bachand, Brishen, and Cari Burdett will be offering a matinee performance at ArtSpring, Salt Spring Islands Arts Centre.

Click Here for more information and to purchase your tickets!

Honoured and grateful for huge community of love and support.

Cari Burdett_Magnolia Crown.jpg

Thank you VIMAS - Vancouver Island Music Awards for all the nominations (Album, Artist, Vocalist and Video) and for awarding me as Vocalist of the year. WOW. Super excited that my producer and friend Joby Baker was awarded Producer of the year for our album, Magnolia!! Yipppeee.. Magical. 

I am feeling the love and support reach far beyond this little neck of the woods and I am feeling huge gratitude for all those brilliant, talented, caring, loving, generous, hard working, committed team members that have helped me along this path.

The initial visioning team - my family, my teachers, dance teachers, theatre music, opera, Rhiannon, Par Alhbom, Vocal improv, McGill, Royal Academy of Music, all the hours and hours of learning and collaborating, Montreal, London, Sweden, there are so many friends and creative souls who have touched me and offered me endless love and support, creative collaborations.. wow.. all the shows, the musicals.. its' been very rich and I am forever grateful. 

The Magnolia team is huge too: Anne Schaefer, Joby Baker, Miles Black, Quinn Bachand, Adrian Dolan, Therese Baker, Richard Moody, the touring crew - with Kelby MacNayr, Sean Drabitt, Marc Atkinson, Jody Proznick, in Montreal, Solon McDade and Chad Linsley, not to mention all the venues and presenters, and stage crew and booking agents, 

Then there is the tech crew - Lara Nowlan, Curtis Robinson, Axel Clarke, Dee McKinnee, Wendy Wall, Kim Yannick, Devon Gillott, all the press, and interviews, and radio announcers and their staff, and magazines, and ticket makers, and advertising, and Valley Voice - Sheila, and the churches, the promoters, helpers, volunteers, friends, family all the people who pre ordered and assisted in the making of the album.

The friends, the believers, and support ..Sara Marreiros, my dad, Massimo, my three amazing children, my community of students and community supportive members in and around the Cowichan Valley, Janice Pass, Stephen, Marianna, Adola, my women's group, my land and it's tribe, Cam Paulina, Mila, Karen, Marisa,... the list goes on and on and on... it's beautiful.. truly beautiful.. 

Wow really is is UBUNTU.. I am because we are. and I couldn't have done this without all of you beautiful stunning, inspiring and encouraging supportive friends, 

Pacific Contact, Vancouver Mar 29th - April 3rd.

A year ago I released Magnolia, Dramatic Gypsy Cabaret, what a journey, many great tours and collaborations, a World Music Nomination for World Album from CWMA, new arrangements for orchestra, videos on the way and so much more fun andJOY. !

I am in Vancouver this fine spring day, with a brand new website, new business cards, rack cards, postcards, banner, you name it.. about to spend a week in action with BC Touring Council in a 2 day workshop  - "On the Road", learning about the in's and out's of touring and then the 4 day conference, where I will deliver a 5 min Pitch with Adrian Dolan on accordion. "5 languages, 5 stories of love, 5 moods in 5 mins.!"  Wish me luck with booking great tours all across BC and beyond. I am bringing with me the Winter Solstice Show and Magnolia Show! Thanks to my excellent, professional team of backstage help and support!. 

Have YOU ever fallen in love under a Magnolia tree?