Gutsy Walk 2018

This past weekend I was able to attend the annual Gutsy Walk - a fundraiser for Crohn's and Colitis.
I wasn't able to attend last year - which has been the only year in 17 years that I did not attend. It was nice to return this year - and to provide some live music during the registration and as the walking participants came back for lunch.

The day was perfect, my voice was working how I wanted it to (which meant that I didn't have to expend additional energy just to project) AND they added a couple of port-a-potties next to the registration area.
(Why this had not been thought of earlier for a fundraiser whose participants often require the use of a washroom without much notice is beyond me).

Long story short -> the day was perfect for this event.

In a case of good news/bad news, we had more participants this year as well. This means that new people, and younger people, are being diagnosed with this difficult type of inflammatory illness. More participants means more information and more understanding... but also means that more are suffering.

For this event I did a mixture of upbeat songs, well known oldies, a few popular tunes, but also some inspirational songs. It's not always the case that you get full attention on anything during an outdoor fundraiser, but a few of the songs just seemed to reach more people - and that felt incredible.
The songs that appeared to make even a remote impact include:
"Shine the Light" by Sugarland
"The Sun is Rising" taken from the soundtrack of The Other Woman (with Lisa Mann & Cameron Diaz).

If you click here, I took a short video of when I sang Edelweiss.
That song is a total favourite for a wide variety of people.
That one also reminds me of Christopher Plummer... and that always puts a smile on my face.

I love being a part of fundraisers and providing background music for outdoor events. It is always such a fun afternoon and, as long as I have help with the equipment since I can no longer manage it on my own, it is always worth the following days of exhaustion.

I think that the tune I sang that day that was my personal favourite was "Blame it on the Neon" by Leaving Thomas. My voice had been a little scratchy in the morning, which meant that I could confidently sing the low notes that begin that song. It went off without a hitch!! Such a fun song and such a great range. Love it!!

I love My Musical Life!!