CM 2012 Guest & Presenters
Joyce and River Higginbotham
Joyce and River Higginbotham have taught Paganism classes
throughout the past decade. They have planned and organized local and national
Pagan gatherings, written articles for Pagan publications, appeared on radio and
television broadcasts, spoken at Christian and Unitarian churches, and attended
interfaith councils. They also helped found the Council for Alternative
Spiritual Traditions, which hosts public Pagan and alternative events in the
Midwest.
Joyce and River have authored three books: “Paganism, An Introduction To Earth-centered Religions”, “Pagan Spirituality, A Guide To Personal Transformation”, and “ChristoPaganism: An Inclusive Path”.
Joyce and River have authored three books: “Paganism, An Introduction To Earth-centered Religions”, “Pagan Spirituality, A Guide To Personal Transformation”, and “ChristoPaganism: An Inclusive Path”.
Bell Book and Canto
Bell Book and Canto began as an offshoot from the Hearth and
Grove Fellowship Choir in 2008.Since then, they have sung at a growing number of
local and statewide events, including Fete de la Musique (aka Make Music
Kalamazoo), Santa's Workshop, Wolf Run Harvest Festival, Annual Summer
Gathering, and a host of Michigan Pagan Pride Days.
Kris McLonis
Kris McLonis has been involved in musical pursuits since her
elementary school days. She began playing out at open mics in 1997 and has been
gigging at various coffeehouses and special events ever since. Kris hosted an
open mic at Mudee Waters coffeehouse in Berkley, Michigan from 1998 to 2001. In
2002 and 2003 she performed for various programs at the Green House in Ferndale.
She played at the Ferndale Art Fair in 1997 and 2003; the West Bloomfield Art
Fair in 2004, the "Sounds and Sights on Thursday Nights" series in Chelsea in
2005, and the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Grosse Pointe Shores
in 2009 and St. Clair Shores in 2010.
Kris released "Labyrinth", her first CD, in 2002. It includes "totally McLonis" originals and joint efforts with lyricist David Moody. The CD offers a mixture of serious introspection and encouragement, humorous looks at life in the workplace, an ode to a certain coffeehouse leftover, and a TV theme song to boot! She is currently recording her second CD, "Legacy", which promises a similar blend of songs to make listeners laugh and think.
Kris released "Labyrinth", her first CD, in 2002. It includes "totally McLonis" originals and joint efforts with lyricist David Moody. The CD offers a mixture of serious introspection and encouragement, humorous looks at life in the workplace, an ode to a certain coffeehouse leftover, and a TV theme song to boot! She is currently recording her second CD, "Legacy", which promises a similar blend of songs to make listeners laugh and think.
Their first album, Invocation, has been received fantastic
reviews by a number of Pagan websites, including Songs of the Goddess, Facing North, and Magickal Media. Their music has also been played on Pagan Radio Network. Their newest album (recording in April of 2012), Thirteen Moons, is a celebration of the Wheel of the Year with songs for each of the 8 major holidays, as well as a few other songs for those Moons that don't quite have their own holiday, but still find meaning within the cycle of the seasons.
reviews by a number of Pagan websites, including Songs of the Goddess, Facing North, and Magickal Media. Their music has also been played on Pagan Radio Network. Their newest album (recording in April of 2012), Thirteen Moons, is a celebration of the Wheel of the Year with songs for each of the 8 major holidays, as well as a few other songs for those Moons that don't quite have their own holiday, but still find meaning within the cycle of the seasons.
The five singers of Bell Book and Canto (Jenn Jones [director and lead composer], Amanda Calloway [lead web-mistress], Lisa Tyson, Susan Fisher, and Martha Bay) predominantly consider themselves a Pagan Ensemble, and the vast majority of their music reflects this, drawing on inspiration from Mythology, personal Meditation, (most of the music they perform is written and arranged by Ladies themselves) and a sincere desire to express their faith through song. Their traditions range from Unitarian to Wiccan, Celtic Reconstruction to Asatru, and they are very excited to be able to participate in this year's festival! In the end they love to make music, and they hope you will enjoy it as much as they do.
