"If someone thinks that love and peace is a cliché that must have been left behind in the Sixties, that's his problem. Love and peace are eternal." - John LennonMaria Mango is truly an artist at life. A seasoned traveller and street performer, she carries with her little more than a guitar and a grin, singing her sweet tunes on sidewalks and in subways, in cafes and around campfires. When one listens to her sing, it becomes easy to believe a better world is possible through the simple kindness of the human heart.Maria's musical journey began almost ten years ago, playing for change on the streets of Neil Young's hometown Winnipeg, Manitoba. She started out singing acoustic covers of her favorite tunes by artists such as Mary Lou Lord, Blind Melon, Nirvana, Bob Dylan, Melanie, Cat Stevens, and Dan Frechette, among many others, learning to sing the songs that touched her heart. Although she was attending university at this time, her real education and passion was flowering as she took to busking for hours on end out on the city sidewalks, and playing at the local open mics. Her interest in school began to wane. Eventually, with the encouragement of an Engligh prof who told her to pick up a copy of Jack Kerouac's book 'On The Road' and hit the road, "because some people just need to do it that way," she decided to leave school behind and see what the world had to teach her.One spring, Maria set out for a vision quest on the magical garden island of Kauai. It was while camping in the enchanted valley of Kalalau that she got her name, connected to the Source, and began channeling original tunes. When she came back from that trip, she started her own record label, Star Seed Harmony Music, and recorded her first album. After the CD's release Maria headed out to the west coast for another adventure. She serendipitously ended up at Burning Man , that wild and crazy celebration of creative anarchy. It was like being awake in a beautiful dream! At home and in her element, she would trip around the playa, giving out mangos as gifts and serenading the various theme camps. Some burners might also remember her as the Unconditional Love Orca Girl, or may recall a colorful, cheerful sister with an ukulele singing about a loveolution!After Burning Man, Maria Mango found her way to San Francisco, the city that gave birth to the event and a place that keeps the spirit of freedom and freakiness alive year-round. It instantly felt more like home than anywhere else she had ever been. She has become a familiar face in the Haight-Ashbury, keeping flower power alive and performing random acts of kindness, and singing regularly on the street and in the local cafes. During her time in the city, Maria befriended two of the hippie forefathers of the counterculture movement, poet and Oracle editor Allen Cohen , and the "Father of the Summer of Love", Chet Helms before they passed on from this earth life. Maria says, "There were some psychedelic seeds of consciousness planted here in the 60's and NOW is the time for those flowers to BLOOM! There is a renaissance of love happening again in San Francisco, and all over the world! The time is ripe for us to learn to really love ourselves, each other, and this earth, and to remember that everything is connected! We can use art and music and gatherings to raise the collective consciousness on this planet, and by changing our minds, and tuning into our hearts, one by one, we can change the world!"Maria Mango's music has a message of peace and unconditional love that is timeless and universal. Her songs are simple and upbeat with singalong choruses that make everyone feel like a part of it all. She has the ability to bring the intimacy of a campfire to any venue she plays. Her songs have the power to inspire community, to heal hearts, and soothe souls. If you see her playing on a street corner sometime, stick around for a tune or two and she's sure to make you smile!
