MYSTERY FLUTE GIRL RAMBLES: Touring Pics - POP Montreal, New York, Ottawa and Toronto

Let's start off with POP Montreal. What a fantastic time it was to hang out at Abigail Lapell's place and party it up with so many talented indie folks from all over Canada. This pic is of Halifax's Museum Pieces who put on a great show at the Main Hall. I spent a bit of time with drummer Andy in Halifax so it was great to hang out in Montreal as well.

Twins Sari and Romi from Halifax's Ghost Bees. I stayed at their place in North Halifax the first time I toured through there. We were supposed to share a gig at Gus's Pub. It's a long story and a good one. Romi and Sari are angels for helping me out that strange day. These girls have such a unique sound and I really dig their current EP. Expect much goodness from these girls very soon...

Abigail Lapell and myself hanging outside after we played together at POP Montreal. That was such a fun night. Abigail blew the folks away with her intense performance. I love performing with that girl.

Abigail performing at POP Montreal.

The Sunday morning I headed to New York. It was a full moon and I was totally taken back by the magic of this particular moment. It was so quiet and peaceful as Montreal was sleeping...

"No ringing cell phones!" This was the first thing I saw on the bus as I headed to New York City. I loved it. The whole cell phone culture drives me nuts sometimes. Best to remind folks to be polite when using them in public.

The biggest cockroach I have ever seen in a cold climate and of course I had to witness it in New York. It looks smaller than it actually was in real life. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the shadow that it created on the sidewalk!

My best friend, classical flutist Conor Nelson (left) and boyfriend Dave who is a freelancing classical violinist in New York City. I had so much fun hanging with these boys.

Wandering around Times Square, looking for a music store to buy some guitar picks and get help changing the strings on my guitar.

Columbia University, only a 5 minute walk away from where I was staying. That is such a beautiful campus. I sat on the grass and played my guitar with my best friend Conor in the sunshine one afternoon as the students rushed to their classes.

The Sidewalk Cafe Open Stage in the East Village. I couldn't believe how packed this place was. I showed up to sign the list at 8pm and I was already too late. The host who looked like a younger version of Woody Allen gave me #35 on the list and I ended up having to wait until 2am to play one song! The list went up to #47!!!

A Japanese singer that I played with at the open stage from this band called, "Sam." She had a fantastic voice. I played my flute with them for a song as I sat in the crowded audience which was such a magical musical moment. I met so many amazing musicians that night and definitely look forward to hanging with them again next fall when I head back to teach my touring workshop again at NYU.

This pic was taken from the subway platform close to Conor's place. He lives just outside of Harlem, close to Manhattan School of Music and Columbia University.

My new friend Marianne who I met at the train station the day I was teaching my touring workshop at Stony Brook University. We had so much fun hanging out in Greenwich Village. It was pouring outside but we didn't care as we got soaking wet. Marianne studies European History at Columbia and plays a mean classical clarinet! A very cool gal.

Ah, the New York subway which I really fell in love with and spent a lot of time on. This is the stop to get to Greenwich Village, Washington Square and New York University. Did you know that the New York subway is the same age as Alberta? Craziness!

My one pic of my second visit to Ottawa...Not many pics as I was sick as a dog with a cold. On my last day in Ottawa, I went into the Gallery Studio with Dean Watson of Coqi Records to record some flute tracks for Steven Sheehan's new CD. Some of you may know of Steven from Ottawa's funk band "Stairwell K." I used to play flute with them on and off back in the day...

Now to Toronto...Toronto Island. This was a special night on the island when I performed with my sister and friends at the Ward's Island Halloween Dance. They had lots of carved pumpkins in front of the stage which looked so cool.

My sister, Jessican MacPhail on the left, Ivy, a girl I used to babysit in the middle and Doug, one of MY babysitters when I was a kid! We has such a great time performing that night.