Music Fun Week of Mar. 26-APRIL 2, 2014

COMPLETED thru Wednesday April 2! 

Practice Kindness.  And Music Appreciation.

What’s that and why?

Not feeling quite full-steam, nor very creative myself, so pulled in something that daughter Laura is working on. The hand-stitching queen. See more of her phenomenal fabric fun here:

Lilacs and Lace aka LauraMaeDesigns.com

The weekend almost got away from me … I do NOT like taking medication, and am empathizing with those whose lives are dependent on it.   

After the tunnel, there is LIGHT …

Isn’t it wonderful when there is someone who is true and supportive when you’re not at your best?!  Carlos is such a friend.  Lucky me!  I wasn’t feelin’ much fun Friday night, but suggested we go to a movie (perhaps our 3^rd in a year’s time—too busy dancing!).  We saw The Grand Budapest Hotel, and enjoyed every minute of this witty and intelligent, wacky, quirky, charming and engaging film.  Fantastical.  Brilliant.  Just what I needed.

On Saturday night we made it as far as Trek Winery for The Chime Travelers.—who sound better and better each time I hear them.  Carroll & Howie, Sherry & Mike joined us for some dancing.  Then on Sunday, after a Dance theme at Unity in Marin, the day got even better … We decided to head to Hopmonk that evening to check out a couple of new bands:  Apache Relay from Nashville, and The Lonely Wild from L.A. – touring together.  Twenty-somethings on the road – expressive, talented, original material, lots of love.  I’m ruminating on their journey—6 weeks on the road, from Chicago to Kansas City, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, California.  One-night stands. Paying their dues … Living their lives …

As usual, so many choices this weekend for Marin music … For Carlos & me, Friday night perhaps:  Revolver at PYC, or Foreverland at Sweetwater, or Volker Strifler at Hopmonk, or Cynthia Glinka leading a Swing Dance Class before the Silver Moon Big Band at the deYoung (but not likely we’ll get over the bridge :( )  And about 10 other choices on the calendar below.

Saturday likely to be at Seahorse for Carlos Reyes, or Hopmonk for Lovefool.  And Key Lime Pie is at Nourish.  Another 15 or more choices for you for Saturday listed below.

Sunday I’d like to hear Foxes in the Henhouse at Hopmonk (after my afternoon rehearsal with Marin Symphony Chorus – see Mark Your Calendars!).

NEXT Wednesday, would like to be there for Gary Vogensen & his Ramblers at Hopmonk Open Mic.

And one of these days I hope to catch Fenton Coolfoot!

Music Fun Week of Mar. 19-26, 2014

Perspective.  The swelling on my face is worse today, but I am not living in Syria or Afghanistan.  And I'm mobile.  That’s perspective.

Oh, and Happy Spring!!  I Hope it finds you Healthy and in High Spirits!

Luckily I felt really good on Friday evening, and Carlos suggested a triple-header – so we made a real night of it for some Musical Magic Marin-style!  We stopped at Rickey’s for a few tunes from friend Phillip Percy and his Pack … what an entertainer—great jazz and R&B tunes from Lionel Ritchie, Ben E. King, that kind of fun.  Then to the Seahorse to check on Donna D +3+ with her gang of Rob “Fun Machine” Fordyce, Steve Malerbi, John Douglas, and I don’t know the keyboard player … where we found Donna up to her mischief with her bawdy songs and foolin’ around.  Several of my lady friends (and a couple of new ones) in attendance, with whom I was happy to catch up!  Then on to Doc Kraft at Presidio Y.C., where the party was quite happening.

Saturday I participated in my community’s disaster training, and that night Carlos & I were lucky to have VINYL right in our backyard at Hopmonk.  Funky satisfaction!  Sorry to have missed Soul Satellites at Peri’s, Flying With Dragons at the JCC, and Key Lime Pie at Seahorse – if you made it to those shows I’d love to hear about it …

Sunday’s memorial service for a gentleman from our community was revelatory – wish I’d been able to get to know him better … There’s a lesson there as well. Then our “Free Flow” dance at the Clubhouse was great fun.  Not used to dancing in flats, so I used some new muscles! 

I’ve no idea what’s in store for this weekend’s music for myself & Carlos.  Though I did make it out to my Toastmasters meeting today, and then for a haircut (thanks, Nasrin at Ladybug for cutting my hair so that it can grow kind of gracefully for 6 months between cuts!!) -- if my funny face does not get much better, don’t know that I want to be in public!

If I roll the dice, Friday fun might be Supermule & Tracorum at Hopmonk, or Jose Neto at Fenix, or Freddy Clarke solo at Rancho – and there’s Zydeco Flames at Eagles!

For Saturday?  If we don’t get out to Rancho for Danny Click, we may stick around Novato for The Chime Travelers at Trek Winery.  There’s Dan Brown & Full Steem at Twin Oaks, Freddy Clarke & Wobbly World at Seahorse, Cryptical at 19 Broadway, and yeah! about 15 other shows on my list for that night.
More shall be revealed ...

Take care of yourselves, and Blessings all around!  Enjoy the Sun, and pray for Rain … ♫♪♫

Music Fun Week of Mar. 12-19

HIVES.  Big wah.  I gleefully splurged on a new body lotion at Whole Foods on Monday, and during the night began itching and breaking out into a nice blotchy red rash.  Tuesday I decided it could not get worse, I’d just think it away, but by Wednesday I knew I needed to get past the “thinking” and go for the medical intervention.  Prednisone and antihistamines prescribed.  Unfortunately reacting badly to the Prednisone.  Anxious, irritable.  Where’s that Vow of Happiness now?  Not far, I’m hopin’ …

Not a photo of my hives

What happened this past week?  Last Thursday at Hopmonk for some excellent grooves from Miles Schon Band, and CD release party for James Harmon & Band—including Mike Emerson on keys, Big John Main on bass, Gary Silva drums & percussion … a real talent package, delivered professionally and with joy.

Friday night craziness at Sunnbolt Jam – Bruce Wilmott’s Rumors Band brought it to a sardine-packed house, fun, FUN, FUN! Followed by Jake Baker’s The 7^th Sons with Mark Banning’s guitar antics, Kimm Carrigg on bass, newcomer Mario Lewin on guitar, and the melodious, gutsy and heartful Ms. Debra Clawson on vocals.

Saturday Carlos & I began the evening at Trek Winery to join friends for The Chime Travelers.  Then on to the Cruising Club for some more 7^th Sons & Debra Clawson.

Sunday, after Unity and a restful afternoon—back to some groove with Dumpstaphunk at Hopmonk!

Wednesday I felt well enough to get out to the Ray Simpson Big Band Dance at Corte Madera Community Center—hope you come next month to show your support of this phenomenal free event, and enjoy yourselves while you’re at it!

Laying low tonight, but should be well enough to get out on Friday either for Doc Kraft at Presidio Y.C., or Hopmonk for David M’ore & Revenant (CD release). There’s also Big Brother & The Holding Co. at 19 Broadway, Donna D at Seahorse … oh, and Jose Neto is back at WhipperSnapper on Fri. evenings.  Plus everything else listed.

Saturday another wealth of musical riches:  My faves Soul Satellites are at Peri’s, and Vinyl is right here in town at Hopmonk.  There’s also the Murphy Productions event Flying With Dragons, and a star-studded lineup; and Key Lime Pie at Seahorse; and all those other musical goodies.

Sunday I’ll be at a memorial service, followed by a brand new “Free Flow” dance at my Clubhouse.  Would have loved to get to Rancho for Lorin Rowan’s Caribbean Blu …

I’ll be working on my Happiness … how about you?  ♫♪♫

Music Fun Week of March 5-12, 2014

Take a vow of Happiness.  It’s a consequence of personal effort, and it’s free … ♫♪

Pharrell Williams -- Happy (Official Music Video)

from the Despicable Me 2 Soundtrack

(I still haven't gotten enough of this one ...)

(also on my Video page)

Another groovy week just passed for me and “my partner-in-fun” Carlos (I like that):  Thursday we were at Trek Winery for Herb Marshall Group jazz, with Dan Brown on vocals – a relaxing evening with friends.

Friday was NOT relaxing – it was a crazy, throbbing scene at Sweetwater with ZYDECO FLAMES and Rhythmtown Jive for a Mardi Gras Celebration!

Saturday, as predicted, we caught some love with Danny Click & The Hell Yeahs! at Hopmonk.  We started the evening at TREK Winery with The Chime Travelers—Rick and Jay on guitars performing such tunes as Pinball Wizard, Light My Fire and Pipeline—and doing it well!  

On Sunday I was exhausted, realizing I really had a cold, so Carlos & I made ourselves comfy at home for the Academy Awards.

To Come:  Thursday Hopmonk for James Harmon & Miles Schon Bands.  If my magic carpet were working we’d head down to PYC for some Miracle Mule.  

Friday Sunnbolt for Rumors Band & 7^th Sons with Debra Clawson (but there’s also awesomeness at Elks Club with Key Lime Pie, Petty Theft at Sweetwater, gypsy jazz at Hopmonk, Sun Kings at Fenix, Gary Vogensen’s Ramble at Rancho,  see what else below …)

Saturday not yet sure, but possibly Pocket Change at Presidio, or … I dunno!  Overcommitments?  Reckless in Vegas?  What?

Sunday definitely back at Hopmonk for Dumpstaphunk!  And there’s Tracy Blackman & Friends at the Lady; Lonestar Retrobates at the PYC; San Geronimo with Jeremy D’Antonio (I’ve heard good things) at Rancho; and more listed below.

Next Wed. the 12^th—another opportunity for you to get yourselves over to Corte Madera for the Big Band Dance--great fun, I’m tellin’ ya!

Have yourselves a wonderful week – and practice some Happiness ♫♪♫