HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY! ~ As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction!

Special Guests

  • Peter Rollins — Writer, Philosopher, Storyteller, Irish Troublemaker
    Peter Rollins has gained an international reputation for overturning traditional notions of religion and forming “churches” that preach the Good News that we can’t be satisfied, that life is difficult, and that we don’t know the secret. Challenging the idea that faith concerns questions relating to belief, Peter’s incendiary and irreligious reading of Christianity attacks the distinction between the sacred and the secular. It blurs the lines between theism and atheism and it sets aside questions regarding life after death to explore the possibility of life before death. Peter gained his higher education from Queens University, Belfast where he earned degrees (with distinction) in Scholastic Philosophy (BA Hons), Political Theory and Social Criticism (MA) and Post-Structural thought (PhD). He's the author of numerous books, including Insurrection, The Idolatry of God, and The Divine Magician. He was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, currently lives in Los Angeles and will die somewhere as yet not known.

  • The Bard of Tyrone… W.F. Marshall — Poet, Preacher & Relative of Drew Marshall
    A number of years ago, Drew’s father - the legendary Grant Marshall from our show’s most popular segment “Meanwhile Back On The Farm” - traveled with his sister, back to Omagh in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. They were trying to locate the family homestead. Along their travels, they found a book of poems written by one of Mr. Marshall’s distant relatives, W.F. Marshall - The Bard Of Tyrone. Today, Drew will unabashedly share with his listeners, the works and history of this man who became an actual legend in Northern Ireland.

  • John McAuley — President of Muskoka Woods, Author & Irishman!
    John joins us to talk about being a cop in Northern Ireland, terrorism, the Peace Wall (Mr. Trump take notes!) and our biggest question of the day - is EVERYTHING the Irish say really a question?!
    *Born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, John specializes in emerging leader and organizational leadership development. Known for his humour and relevant teaching, he is a sought-after public speaker and consultant. John completed his master's degree in organizational leadership at Cairn University. He recently received an honorary doctorate in divinity from Briercrest College and Seminary. John is an Adler-trained coach and a graduate of the Renovaré Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation and the Haden Institute for Spiritual Direction. He is an active mentor, coach and spiritual director."

  • Elena Lappin — Author of What Language Do I Dream In?
    Born into Russian, transposed into Czech, then German, introduced to Hebrew, and finally adopted by English, Elena Lappin has written a moving memoir on the importance of language to who we are. Taking its title from a question often asked of people who’ve lived in many countries and gather languages as they go, What Language Do I Dream In? is a stunning memoir about how language runs throughout memory and family history to form identity. When asked which language is her mother tongue, Lappin’s answer is not so simple. She speaks Russian to her parents and Czech to her brother. Her husband is Canadian and each of her three children was born in a different country. English is the language she mostly thinks, writes, and yes, often dreams in. It’s not her mother tongue, yet it’s the one she chose. But maybe it’s more than an accidental preference? In late middle age, Lappin discovered that although she was born in Russia, her biological father was actually an American. In each piece of Lappin’s rich family mosaic, she reconstructs not just her own life but the stories and secrets of her parents and grandparents with the tenderness of a novelist and the eye of a documentary filmmaker. By following the languages in her life, Elena Lappin found her inner home. What Language Do I Dream In? is a deeply felt story about love, family and memory. Elena Lappin is a writer and editor. Born in Moscow, she grew up in Prague and Hamburg, and has lived in Israel, Canada, the United States and — longer than anywhere else — in London. She is the author of Foreign Brides and The Nose, and has contributed to numerous publications, including Granta, Prospect, the Guardian, and the New York Times Book Review.
    Sponsored by HarperCollins Canada

LIVE! on TDMS - Devoted Souly to the Art of Music

  • PART 1 - Kitchen Party Trio
    CHECK THIS VIDEO OUT!
    The Kitchen Party is a live, acoustic musical performance and workshop involving historical background and stories, demonstrations and blasts of lively jigs and reels to get your feet dancing. The trio consists of three award-winning veterans of the Canadian Celtic music community: Dan Macdonald (Fiddle) originally from the north side of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and current member of Toronto-based trio North Atlantic Drift, dance production Brogue and is in demand as a fiddle teacher throughout fiddle communities. Brian Taheny (Guitar, Banjo, Fiddle and Mandolin) originally from County Sligo, Ireland who is a fellow member in North Atlantic Drift, one of the most sought-after multi-instrumentals around the globe and has been an active teacher in the community for many years. Jacob McCauley (Irish Bodhrán) is a Toronto native and current member of Toronto-based trio NUA, a popular freelance percussionist and an experienced Bodhrán teacher having taught many workshops and classes throughout the community and festival circuit.

  • PART 2 - Manitoba Hal
    CHECK THIS VIDEO OUT!
    Over the past fifteen years Manitoba Hal Brolund has forged an international reputation for engaging performance, storytelling and masterful ukulele playing. His strong foundation in American roots / blues music, confident expressive vocals, and distinctive original music have made him a solid draw and in demand workshop leader at festivals, house concerts and soft seat theatres in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. Hal’s performances are all about engaging and connecting with his audience and he makes music that takes his audience from the deep south to the islands with songs that are mournful, hopeful, silly, romantic and introspective. He proves that the uke can be small but mighty as he pulls out powerful blues riffs and melodies adding background beats with looping technology showcasing the blues in all it's passion and groove. Many wouldn’t associate the ukulele as a blues instrument, but Hal takes out all the hula, leaving only room for deep blues to prevail. Hal’s own blues tunes breathe with hints of cajun, rock, gospel, and folk. He is influenced by artists like Robert Johnson, Taj Mahal, Keb Mo, Colin Linden, and Big Dave Mclean. Internationally recognized as a master of the ukulele, Hal’s instruments include a custom made double necked ukulele and a steel strung baritone slide ukulele that are both driven to the edge as he bangs, plucks and squeezes every ounce of emotion and groove from the four strings.
    www.manitobahal.com

    Become a NEW TDMS Facebook LIKER during Saturday’s performance & win a CD!
    We will randomly pick a new page liker during today's performance, then contact them for shipping details.

    (You must be from Canada to win eh!)

    AND Check out our DrewTube page to see some of our previous LIVE recording artists!