One of Canada’s most renowned Indigenous artists, David Maracle, is giving a not-to-be-missed concert at Base31’s Sergeants Mess this month.

David R. Maracle and Friends: A Celebration of 40 Years in the Arts & Music Industry showcases an illustrious musical career and features special guests, including local artists.

Mr. Maracle was last at Base31, in the Drill Hall, in 2022, in a soul-soothing and heart-healing performance. An award winning multi-instrumentalist, Mr. Maracle brings to life gentle, ambient, and progressive sounds from his Iroquoian Love Flute, a Swiss-created hang drum, and other rare instruments.

“We look at the direction the world is going, I think there’s a lot of people wondering what the next day is going to bring,” Mr. Maracle told the Gazette. “With me and the type of music I make and the message I try to bring out, it’s positive, and reminds us to be positive and thankful for the things that surround us and sustain our lives.”

Listening to Mr. Maracle’s work for the first time instills a sense of peace and harmony with the world. That was my experience leaving the September 2022 concert at Base31, and Mr. Maracle confirms he hears that from new audience members time and again.

Mr. Maracle has started incorporating his special hang drum into more and more of his work. The instrument hits musical notes at a 528 hertz frequency, one proven to heal the human heart.

“In my concert, you will hear music and lyrics that promote a sense of healing,” Mr. Maracle said. “I’ve been writing a lot of new music geared towards that. There’s a message of encouragement that says ‘Hey, things are going to be ok if we band together as one’ on the issues that surround us.”

He says he’s thrilled to celebrate the first 40 years of his artistic career in neighbouring Prince Edward County. He is also happy to see a more progressive and open dialogue between the County and Tyendinaga communities in recent years.

“Hearing the land acknowledgements and even the signage at Base31, which says that they are on Indigenous land, makes our people proud,” said Mr. Maracle. “It’s really part of ‘reconcili-action’ and it’s great to build allies and recognize the struggles Indigenous people have endured for generations.”

“That really comes out in my poetry and you can tell from the stage, people are really affected and responding to those words.”

The concert coincides with the launch of a first, limited-edition red/orange vinyl album, The Path to Totality, honouring Indigenous children who were sent to residential schools.

Mr. Maracle will also unveil a coffee table book, Elemental Daydreamer, a retrospective of his poetry and artistic life. That artistic life includes his work as a Tehanenia’kwè:tarons – a Cutter of the Stone. Since 1985, Mr. Maracle has been carving David’s Originals in Stone. The sculptures are celebrated worldwide. Both corporations and private collectors own Mr. Maracle’s works, including the estate of the late Nelson Mandela, Dan Aykroyd, and Loretta Lynn. 

See Tickets for Mr. Maracle’s 40^th anniversary concert.