Graham Ord

Grace Experience Grace

grahamord — Tue, 07 May 2013 18:26:14 +0000

One of my good friends Dorte Meyer came up with an idea quite a few years ago to host an interactive evening of the arts which focused around the subject of grace. On may 5th this dream became a reality as together with Tribehouse Artist collective we hosted an evening called the Grace Experience.

The concept was quite simple, ask artists to exhibit work that spoke of grace and invite people to walk around the exhibit interacting with the artists and actually experience grace through the art. To pull this off was quite feat though. It ended up involving over 25 artists many of which we were present and others who sent work in to be either displayed or broadcast on a big screen. There was pottery, music, poetry, dance, video, live visual art, writing and so on. What transpired was a hugely successful evening held at Bo.ttega Farm Inn, Kelowna on May 5th 2013.

The event was really well attended as a constant stream of participants filed through over a two hour period. Some people slowly walked around the building others sat and observed the goings on, some knelt on the floor, while others got involved by making their own art or writing on rocks that were provided. It was a stunning evening on many levels. The art was quite amazing but so too was peoples reactions.

Grace comes from a Greek word karis it is where we get the English word Charisma. Grace is a gift when we share the gift we shine and this is what I saw the other night. It really was a Grace Experience.

Am I forgotten?

grahamord — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 21:41:10 +0000

From the title you may think I have become insecure again about my lack of notoriety, but no, it’s actually the title of a song I wrote based on the words of an imprisoned Russian dissident called Alexander Ogorodnikov back in 1987. During the 1980′s and into the early 90′s I was involved in taking aid and scriptures to the Eastern Block. I became involved with an advocacy group called The Jubilee Campaign which was started by Danny Smith and David Alton MP. The jubilee campaign did a lot to speak up for religious freedoms and during this time two of the people we spoke out for were Valeri Barinov A Russian musician who wrote a gospel ‘Rock Musical’ called The ‘Trumpet Call’, and also Alexander Ogorodnikov who had been imprisoned for 9 years in the Gulag because of his religious activity. ock

Recently I heard that Koenraad De Wolf had written a book about Alexander entitled ‘Dissident for life’ and the publishes informed me that my song was mentioned in the book. I feel proud that in some small way it did something to bring to light the plight of Alexander and other people who are prisoners of conscience/faith. The original recording was a cassette tape so I made a digital copy of it and made this simple video of the song for those interested in hearing it again. The song was performed on BBC TV by Martyn Joseph who is a musical hero of mine but sadly I didn’t hear it as I was in New Zealand at the time, which incidentally, is why I didn’t sing it myself.

As I have reflected on this song again after all these years I have been stirred to think again about how the Arts are so powerful in bringing issues of social justice to the mind of the public. Music is a powerful tool in bringing social change and I feel so honoured to look over many years of occasionally seeing this in my own life and work. A simple song can achieve a lot and I need to remember this when it all seems pointless.

If you are interested in reading more about Alexander’s amazing life story, and it truly is amazing! then the book is available from Eerdmans publishing house

The video can be seen here:

Am I forgotten? By Graham Ord.

Levite Summit

grahamord — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 23:29:54 +0000

I am pretty stoked to be involved in Kelowna’s first Levite summit coming up soon Feb 15 -16th. It’s essentially a gathering of musicians, dancers and visual artists who are interested in ways of exploring their Art both in the faith context (church) and also in the wider community. I have had a heart for this kind of thing for as long as I can remember. I was originally inspired by the ideas that the author, Francis Schaeffer shared when he said that it is artists who translate lofty theological and philosophical concepts to the general public. I really believe that the Arts are a powerful way to share ideas with others. I am especially looking forward to playing music with some great musicians and learning some new stuff from some really talented communicators. The details of the summit can be seen by clicking here: Levite Summit

Christmas Music Compilation

grahamord — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 01:26:16 +0000

I am so proud to be part of a brand new Christmas compilation called ‘TribeHouse Christmas – Vol One) that will benefit the local Kelowna Foodbank.

I got to record with my son Aaron who plays the Celtic Harp. The recording is available by download only from www.tribehouse.org

Here’s a Track for you to enjoy! Merry Christmas everyone.

Beautiful Washington state

grahamord — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 22:38:07 +0000

I had the thrill of travelling down to the beatuiful Mount Baker In washington Sate in the US this past weekend. The trip was made extra special because I was able to travel with my oldest son on the weekend of his 20th birthday. When we lived in Vancouver we would often see Mount Baker towing in the distance so to take the 54 mile trek up it’s snowy slopes was quite the treat. I must say though that it was a bit scary on the roads but after hearing that they can get 28 feet of snow up there in the deep winter I felt a lot better that we had gone at the beginning of the season. I had a great time with some friends from North Langley Community Church which was so cool for us. To be in the mountains is so very inspiring and I felt replenished by the whole experience.

video fun

grahamord — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 18:29:01 +0000

It has been a special time in our home this past few weeks with my Dad and his wife visiting from the UK for 3 weeks. One of the many hi-lites has been putting together a video for one of my Dad’s songs “I’ve got my work cut out”.

We involved some of our younger kids in making the video which was recorded at Bo.ttega Farm Inn here in Kelowna BC. Now the editing begins and we hope to have a finished thing out in the next few weeks. Nothing better than doing things with your family…that’s all I can say!

Update:

See the finished Video here:

Dane Stevens | I’ve Got My Work Cut Out

Taking it to the streets

grahamord — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 20:12:59 +0000

It has been such a blast to get out in the local parks this summer and play music with the blues revue. I always love to see people dancing in the street, it is such a joyful thing to be part of. I have had the honour of performing this summer with some of my buddies around Kelowna and even up to Kitimat in Northern BC where I did a festival and a park concert in Terrace as part of the riverboat days festival. Our last street performance will be this weekend in West kelowna at Memorial Park 3737 Old Okanagan Hwy, from 7 – 9 pm. (located behind the Johnson Bentley Pool)
I have posted a video of our performance at Stuart park captured by our friends at Parks Alive. We were joined by two Kelowna musical favourites Sherman Doucette on Harp and Curtis Tulman on Sax. So much fun!! On Saturday I will be travelling to Calgary to perform so it’s a busy weekend ahead. Thanks for stopping by the site.
Click here to view the video clip:
Ord Strauss Blues Revue (featuring Curtis Tulman and Sherman Doucette)

Lille Gard Festival

grahamord — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 19:43:42 +0000

I have been heavily involved with the planning of this years 3rd ‘Lille Gard Arts Festival’which will be held on June 30th – 1st July. In Kelowna BC. I have included a creative video we put together which tells the story and let’s people know where to get more info about the festival.
If you are in the Kelowna area please join us for this inspiring weekend of music and Arts.
I will be performing with the Ord Strauss Blues Revue on Saturday night and with the Memphis Moonshine all star band on Sunday afternoon.

30 hour famine

grahamord — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 05:27:09 +0000

I am so pleased to be able to be part of this very special event which also involves some of my kids and their youth group at the Kelowna Vineyard. It is always great to see young people getting involved in causes that make a difference around the world. This initiative will raise money to dig wells in parts of the world affected by famine. The youth will be giving up all food for 30hrs to raise money for water in third world countries.
The concert will include performances from people such as:
Graham Ord, Hayden Ward, Nathan Hare, Aaron Ord, Seth MacGregor, Jordan Bosch, and Charis Ord.

Desserts and coffee will be served.
Come show your support for the youth! Admission is by donation at the door. All donations $20 and over will receive a tax receipt.
Venue is The Mars Hill Building- 1370 KLO rd Kelowna, BC time 6.30pm

To Tame A Heart – Free Download

grahamord — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 04:57:25 +0000

Over the past few years a number of people have asked if I would make this recording available again. It is a very simple collection of mainly devotional songs, I recorded in 1989 after being impacted (somewhat surprisingly) by faith.

It’s a free download if anyone would like it.

To Tame a Heart (Free download) by Graham Ord