Hello friends, it's been a while!

     There has been much going on in the background, including a recording and a preparation for the Canadian premiere (we believe) of an unjustly forgotten piece and composer, which I will tell you about later.  (But maybe save the afternoon of Sunday, April 26 if you can make it to Barrie – we're really excited to share this music with you… more soon, I promise!!!)

     Today, though, it feels like we're suddenly in holiday mode.  My girlfriends “coven” (as one of the women's partners calls us) celebrated Solstice-Hanukkah-Christmas on Thursday, my meditation group celebrated Solstice last night, tonight is phone-a-friend drunken baking night (I'm currently halfway through both my baking and a delicious mulled cider), and I've got a couple of surprise last-minute holiday livestreams to share with you.

   Sorry to be so last-minute, but I honestly didn't know I was doing these until yesterday, and didn't know WHAT I was doing until today, LOL.  But since they're both ONLINE and FREE (though we'd appreciate you donating to your local foodbank in lieu of payment, if you are in a position to do so), pretty much everyone on my mailing list should be able to watch these.

     First up, TOMORROW (or today, depending on when you check your email), Sunday December 21 at 5:00pm (Eastern Standard Time), it's my dear friend Ray Dillard's annual Winter Solstice Concert, featuring two other dear friends, Brian MacLean (Moon Raccoon) and Cassandra Rutherford.  It's going to be a really quick livestream, definitely less than an hour, so you should still be able to make it to Sunday dinner.  We'll be doing music to celebrate the darkness, camaraderie to keep the light in, and perhaps some more surprises (which may or may not also be a surprise to me).  Join us at https://www.youtube.com/live/tcKlBLdmIyk – I'll keep you posted of any changes at https://alyssawright.com/event/6370444/746255013/ray-dillard-s-winter-solstice-concert-2025 .

    And on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24 at 8:30pm (Eastern Standard Time) it's the annual Calamity Royale Christmas Eve Festive Special, led by the aforementioned dear friend Cassandra Rutherford with her usual partner-in-crime, the aforementioned dear friend Ray Dillard, with special guests Me and the aforementioned dear friend Brian MacLean (Moon Raccoon) – what can I say, the four of us really like playing together!  It will also feature mini horses, donkeys, Krampus, and guaranteed mayhem.  The link to that stream hasn't been set up yet, but I'll let you know at https://alyssawright.com/event/6370446/746255017/calamity-royale-christmas-eve as soon as I have it.

     Whatever you celebrate at this time of year, I wish you much light and warmth in the darkness (or umbrella drinks and air conditioning for those of you down under).  And may 2026 be kindler and gentler to us all.

Musically,
Alyssa