Hello!
It’s been nearly six months since I got back from my ‘travelling adventure trying not to leave the ground’ through Brazil, Peru, Canada, and the U.S… and this week’s news is that I’ve just booked to GO BACK in November.
I have a head full of plans: reconnecting with friends in Brazil and Peru and Chile including in Amazonia, visiting some amazing new places (the Iguazu Falls, Parati) and, hopefully, returning to São João in São Luís. (That’s assuming my health — and my latent sciatica — allows it. I’m seeing a physio and a chiropractor regularly, and keeping up with stretches and activity classes at the gym).
But first - JUNE IS PRETTY BUSY!
Other people’s holiday photos are full of mountains and lakes with them standing in front of them. Mine is full of different music sessions with me playing melodeon or concertina in the middle!
So below are the details of five Five events coming up — two online, three in person (one of which being hybrid) – and the chance to provide support NOW for an amazing international online cabaret event taking place in October … Here's the quick overview, followed by all the details further down.
🌿 Event Highlights – June 2025
📍 Tues 3 June, 6.30pm – The Gregson, Lancaster
Book Launch: How to Save the Amazon by Dom Phillips
With Jonathan Watts, Alessandra Sampaio, Sian Phillips & Beto Marubo (I met Jon Watts and Ale in Brazil, and have been helping to organise this event to support Sian, Dom's sister and local Lancaster musician...)
💻 Mon 9 June, 7.30pm – Online (Zoom)
Watch Party: Edinburgh Jewish Cultural Association presents Fiona's Travel Adventures part One: Fiona’s Jewish Journey
Replay of April zoom presentation, + live chat after. Email me (fionaistravelling@gmail.com) or admin@jcc.scot for the Zoom link.
🎟️ Free, all welcome.
💻 Mon 16 June, 7.30pm – Online (Zoom)
Edinburgh Jewish Cultural Association presents Fiona’s Travel Adventures Part Two
The journey of the art of my aunt, Hannah Frank, across Brazil. We’ll meet Brazilian artist Artur Soar who's been inspired by her work, and some of the 6 Brazilian galleries that have displayed her work. In Portuguese and English with interpretation.
📍 Tues 17 June, 1pm – Halton Mill, Lancaster
Talk: Two Women, Two Generations, Two Continents, 57,000+ Miles. Part two
With Miranda Prag. Optional lunch at 12.30pm (£1.50). Free.
📍 Mon 23 June, 7.30 for 8pm – The Old Stables, Lancaster
Fiona’s Musical Journey – travels with a melodeon!
Musical tales and tunes from the Americas
🎟️ RSVP clairehannah1@googlemail.com for directions and to book
(Optional, join us at 6.30pm with food to share!)
Some of the performers featured in this evening’s event will also be part of MUSICAL JOURNEYS ’25 – the “Fiona’s Travels” edition, coming up on Saturday 4 October. This exciting and ambitious event will take place in person in Halton, Lancashire, and live on Zoom for a global audience.
🎉 I’ll be launching a crowdfunder very soon to help cover the costs—stay tuned for details and ways to support!
(And yes, we know it clashes with the wonderful PANARDS festival in Todmorden—our apologies! But don’t worry: a full recording will be available afterwards.)
🌱 The Long Read
🌍 How to Save the Amazon – Book Launch
Don’t miss this powerful Lancaster event launching Dom Phillips’ posthumously completed book, How to Save the Amazon. Dom was tragically killed alongside Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira in Brazil in June 2022. A collective of dedicated mainly Amazon-based journalists and writers have brought his work to completion.
Event details:
📍 Tues 3 June, 6.30pm – The Gregson, Lancaster
🎤 Meet Guardian journalist Jonathan Watts, Indigenous leader Beto Marubo, Dom’s widow Alessandra Sampaio, and Dom’s sister, Lancaster musician Sian Phillips.
Alongside our event, we’re showing the exhibition "For Dom, Bruno and the Amazon" in the Gregson bar: 15 striking A1 panels telling the story of their work and legacy.
My neighbour, friend and colleague Alison Cahn and I have spent the last three months updating the exhibition to reflect recent political changes in Brazil, and to include new material on the book and the Dom Phillips Institute — set up by Dom’s widow to continue his legacy.
After Lancaster, the exhibition is available on free loan to community and educational venues.
You can view a low-res version here: tinyurl.com/dombruno25.
Do you have a venue that could host the exhibition?
We’d love to hear from you — get in touch! (email dombrunoexhibition@gmail.com)
✡️ Fiona’s Jewish Journey – Watch Party
Back by popular demand! Lots of people missed the Edinburgh Jewish Cultural Association’s zoom meetup in April when I talked about the Jewish history, communities and heritage I connected with on my trip. The recording can be seen on youtube
here But if you’re free, why not watch it with me? I’m hosting a watch party with plenty of time for travel chat half way through and at the end.
📅 Mon 9 June, 7.30pm (Zoom)
🎟️ Free – email me or admin@jcc.scot for the link.
🎨 Art Across the Atlantic – Talk & Virtual Tour
Discover the artistic exchange between my late aunt, Glasgow artist Hannah Frank, and Brazilian artist Artur Soar. From Bahia to Morecambe, this is a transcontinental tale — and includes virtual visits to galleries in Brazil and in Glasgow who have hosted her work. In Portuguese and English with interpretation.
📅 Mon 16 June, 7.30pm (Zoom)
🌎 Travel Talk: Part 2 – Two women, two generations, two continents, 57000+ miles.
In April, Miranda Prag (who travelled in West Africa) and I only got halfway through sharing the story of our epic travels (57,000+ miles!). So we’re back to finish the tale.
📍 Tues 17 June, 1pm – Halton Mill, Lancaster
🍞 Optional toast & beans at 12.30pm (£1.50)
🎟️ Free – just turn up.
🎵 Fiona’s Musical Journey – travels with a melodeon
A special evening hosted by Claire and Phil at The Old Stables in Lancaster, sharing the music that shaped my 14-month trip through the Americas. From Forró in Brazil to Gaelic songs in Nova Scotia — with a few surprises and tunes along the way.
📍 Mon 23 June, 7.30 for 8pm start
🍲 OR come at 6.30pm with food to share
🎟️ RSVP clairehannah1@googlemail.com to reserve a place and for directions if you need them .
Bring your instrument if you have one, for a session at the end
📣 Want to Co-host an Online Event?
I’ve got a vague idea about a future international Zoom conversation connecting fascinating musicians and experts I met in Canada and Louisiana — exploring Acadian exile, music, language, and climate. Do you have a curious network that would be interested in this? Would you like to work with me on it? get in touch. (fionaistravelling@gmail.com)
📣 And finally – watch this space for the launch of a CROWDFUNDER – MUSICAL JOURNEYS ’25 – the “Fiona’s Travels” edition!
In early June – yes, very soon – I’ll be launching a crowdfunding campaign to support MUSICAL JOURNEYS ’25, a transcontinental celebration of music, movement, and solidarity. The event takes place on Saturday 4 October, live in Halton, Lancashire, and online around the world.
We're raising funds now so we can plan with confidence and ensure that every artist is paid fairly. The event will also support causes close to our hearts, including the Dom Phillips Institute and two Amazonian music projects.
💬 As my blog readers, friends, collaborators, and supporters, you’re the ones I’m counting on to help make this happen. When the campaign launches, I’d be so grateful if you could sign up to supprot it, and also share it through your music, dance, or social action networks if you have them. I've been advised that a strong start on day one is crucial, and I need you with me.
And let me know if you’d like to join my small friendly cheerleading group — I’ll be hosting a weekly Zoom throughout June to help keep me on track and make this happen!
More soon
Sending love and energy out to you all
Fiona
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