Thursday, July 31, 2014

Music Fun Week of July 30-August 6

BIRTHDAYS!  We all have ‘em. Some of us like them, some don’t.  I’m happy to acknowledge everyone on “my list” when I know about them.  Yesterday saw shoutouts for James M, Elizabeth S, Jan C, Tom B, and Jae T!
And today (Thursday) is the day for Lynn Asher, who has just finished with her chemo, and to celebrate will be performing with Danny Click (Hell Yeah!) at Rancho on Sunday, before beginning her course of radiation.

Lynn’s Go Fund Me campaign has had an awesome beginning (almost 250 people have contributed), but still a ways to go, so if you’d care to make a contribution, you can do so here:  http://www.gofundme.com/aqs9lk.  Sending LOVE!

The sky above my home, Monday at 8:30pm
[As far as my health goes, the x-ray still shows a couple of masses, but they are shrinking.  Docs want me to continue another 4 weeks of antibiotics, but I said no thank you.  Feeling much too perky, no coughing, my body now healing itself is my persuasion.]

What’s coming up??  Calendar is looking quite full, as usual.
Friday at Northgate for Caravansarei.  Afterwards a small private get-together, then Carlos & I may make it to Hopmonk for the last set of Junk Parlor, whom I still haven’t heard.
Saturday I don’t have a clue yet … maybe Twin Oaks for somethin’ different?

Sunday I’m running another SPECIAL for Magnolia Terrace with The Boys of Summer – premiere L.A. Eagles tribute band … Mention ellenjanesmusic and it’s 2 for 1, i.e. 2 for $20.  No half-price for individuals, sorry.
There’s also a phenomenal show at Rancho Nicasio’s BBQ on the Lawn, if you can get there for Danny Click and the Hell Yeahs! including Lynn Asher!, opening with Tom Rigney & Flambeau.  If it’s possible, we’d like to finish the Magnolia concert then head to Rancho (if it’s not Sold Out!).

Lots of other wonderful events on the calendar below.  All she wants to do is Dance, Dance♫♪♫♪

Wednesday, July 30 Happy Birthday, James M! Happy Birthday, Elizabeth S!  Happy Birthday, Jan C!  Happy Birthday, Tom B!  Happy Birthday, Jae T! 

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Music Fun Week of July 23-30 (Wed. to Wed.)

A BLESSING is a circle of light drawn around a person to protect, heal, and strengthen. …John O’Donohue, Irish poet 1956-2008

Les’see … pretty good energy, lots of dancing, yes--feeling better.  Another x-ray today, and I think it will show nothing!  Feeling optimistic.  BLESSINGS to ALL!
Fabulous weekend for a Birthday, Sue!!  There was Friday evening at Northgate for Aja Vu (Steely Dan tribute), then an impromptu house party on Friday.
On Saturday afternoon, a beautiful Birthday Party, then on to Hopmonk for Danny Click & The Hell Yeahs!
And on Sunday the Great American Blues & BBQ on 4th St. with Austin DeLone’s Little Big Band (Eric McCann, Jimmy Dillon, Keith Crossan, Paul Revelli) backing up Tommy Castro, Nick Gravenites, and Ron Thompson.  Very cool indeed!

San Rafael Blues & BBQ

What’s coming up??  Calendar is looking quite full, as usual.
Friday at Hopmonk looks inviting, with Dysphunctional Species funk band.

Saturday a wine tasting party, then maybe stop by Trek for Chime Travelers, and/or Hopmonk for Naïve Melodies--a Talking Heads tribute band – and/or just maybe get over to 19 Broadway for my faves Zydeco Flames.
Sunday would like to be back at Magnolia Terrace for Carlos Reyes … And there’s a whole lot more on the calendar below. Enjoy ♫♪

Wednesday, July 23 Happy Birthday, Audrey S!  Happy Birthday, Greg D!  

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Music Fun Week of July 16-23 (Wed. to Wed.)

Que sera, sera.  What will be, will be.
Feeling dullish in the head right about now.  I’m still healing, but I DO feel the mass dissolving away.  Still, not as energetic as I’d like to be.
Meanwhile, last Wednesday was the final Swing Dance (until September) from the Ray Simpson Big Band in Corte Madera, and I was happy to be there.  I won’t be around for the next one on Sept. 10—but you can Mark Your Calendars right now!
Swung by Hopmonk on Friday night for an hour or so of the VERY energetic Lovefool party band.  Small crowd, but many dancers.  Got my workout.
Saturday spent with Friends in my Community at a Full Moon Rising Party.

Sunday:  Magnolia Terrace (Elks Club) for FOREVERLAND!!  And it was as SWELL as I had hoped!  So many Friends showed up—happy you were there too!  ♫♪

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun ♫♪
Lori, Ellen, Patricia at Magnolia Terrace, after Foreverland

Coming up:  Friday evening at Northgate for Aja Vu (Steely Dan tribute) from 6 to 8pm.  There’s also Pachamama at Pacheco from 6-9, and I’d show for the last half hour or so – but logistics being what they are, probably won’t.  After that might stop by Hopmonk to scope out Gravity A for some New Orleans funk, soul, jam.
Saturday there’s a special birthday party, and then Hopmonk for Danny Click & The Hell Yeahs!
Sunday I may need some Unity in Marin – and then there’s the Great American Blues & BBQ on 4th St. with Austin DeLone’s Little Big Band backing up Tommy Castro, Nick Gravenites, and Ron Thompson.

Of course, the calendar below is FULL of other good music to enjoy.  Do find yours! ♫♪♫

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Music Fun Week of July 9-16 (Wed. to Wed.)

From the Sublime to the Ridiculous! …
The Fourth of July at the Marin County Fair, 6 hours.  Many lasting impressions:  the cow who didn’t want to be milked; the little 2-year-old boy who shared the most loving and extended smile with me; the sublime Mr. Noah Griffin and his Trio, decked out in tuxes, performing Cole Porter (and got Carlos & I on our feet for a final swing dance), along with a 13-year old Sarah Silverman look-alike, who joined him with a natural grace and easy-to-listen voice on a couple of tunes; the RIDICULOUSLY fabulous MarchFourth Marching Band under the Big Top—acrobatic stilt-walkers/dancers, and lots of funk to make me dance!  Seeing Mariposa & Jonah working at the Marin Artists Food Booth (wonderful tamale!).  The Bonsai.  The llamas (or were they alpacas?), the beautiful draft horses.  The FIREWORKS!  Missed the Chinese acrobats as usual (but perhaps the MarchFourth Marching Band was a worthy substitute); missed the pig races, as usual.  Always wanted to see the Border Collies in action as well—but don’t think they were there this year.

Saturday night at Hopmonk, Dan Brown following the JB Jazz Ensemble led by Saxy Susan Copperman; guest Bobby Galyan from Lumanation.  All that energy! l

Sunday at Unity for entertainment, enlightenment, endless goodness.

Missed the Soul Satellites at MAGC; Cathey Cotton & Elliott Shannonhouse & Atomic Beat Society at PYC; James Moseley Band at Seahorse; Zydeco Flames at Rancho; Blues Burners at Town Center; Moonalice at Sweetwater; Harold Jones Big Band at San Geronimo … But how could I have done all that even if I was at my best??!!?  I know, I’m greedy -- when it comes to Making Merry with MUSIC! ♫♪


Ask me about Being Silly Lessons -- Caused by Zydeco Flames at Pacheco 2 weekends ago. (thanks for the evidence, Dave.)

Not getting out so much.  Resting, healing. Finding that I’m pretty tuckered each day by 3 or 4pm, must lay down and rest.  Listening to my body.  Wondering if I’ll get back that old GET UP AND GO.  I think so!  Meanwhile, trying to channel lots of Positive Energy, received from so many.  And truth be told, now feeling like this lung thing is really just a mosquito bite.  Happy to help channel more love to Lynn Asher,  and the financial help she needs right now in her battle against cancer.

But I did get out last night for an hour & a half to hear my friends in the Ray Simpson Big Band--and danced-- for their last set before September 10.  I'll be out of town for that one ...

**What I DO expect is to be at Magnolia Terrace (Elks Club) on Sunday for FOREVERLAND!!  Tell them you’re my friend and it’s 2 for $20! **
Friday, Saturday?  I’ll just wait and see …
Get out there and enjoy what you can!  ♫♪♫

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Music Fun Week of July 2-9 (Wed. to Wed.)

HEALTH ISSUES …
Not the news I expected to hear after yesterday’s CT scan.  I just KNEW it was nothing more than a little quail egg stuck in my lung (as I’ve jokingly been telling friends).  My PCP wants a bronchoscopy, but the Pulmonologist suggests another 3 weeks of antibiotics, and thinks it’s a lung abscess rather than a neoplasm or any kind of malignancy.  So more wondering and waiting, and hoping for the best outcome!  “This too shall pass” … but I’m kinda bummed. L

No, I did not have the strength to get out last Thursday, and missed my friends Lumanation.at 19 Broadway.
But on Friday, I knew I needed an endorphin surge and so made it over to Pacheco Plaza for my fabulous ZYDECO FLAMES!  Heartwarming to see such a huge crowd, regular folks (not just zydeco dancers) LOVING the music, smiling and dancing ecstatically to the fabulous beat!
On Saturday I fully intended to enjoy The 7th Sons with Debra Clawson at Presidio Yacht Club, but though I tried, failed to get out of the house.  Guess I was meant to rest another day/ night.
And on Sunday JAMES MOSELEY DANCE BAND at Corte Madera Town Center called out, and I answered!  Didn’t arrive until half time, as I knew I wouldn’t last in the heat—but I had a good hour of jumpin’ around, enjoying the music and the fellow dancers.  Hooray for the music!! ♫♪♫


For the 4th of July: bet you’ve never seen any Fireworks like this!

(Requires Adobe, may not work on your mobile device)

To come:  There’s the Marin County Fair from Wednesday through Sunday.  Thought I’d be up for Huey Lewis tonight (but not happening); perhaps Sunday for Elvin Bishop and Joan Jett. The Liberators open at 1pm for Elvin, and include Paul Liberatore as well as Jimmy Dillon, Eric McCann, and Kevin Hayes!  That’ll be a fun show!
Thursday evening the SOUL SATELLITES—another of my favorites—are at Marin Art & Garden Center!  Also a great show at Hopmonk with Instru-mental & James Harman.

Friday there’s a big Cathey Cotton/ Elliott Shannonhouse & Atomic Beat Society party at Presidio Yacht Club beginning at 6pm and going past the Fireworks; also James Moseley Dance Band at Seahorse; and Zydeco Flames at a Rancho Nicasio BBQ on the Lawn.

Saturday: pals Dan Brown & Full Steem are at Hopmonk, along with Saxy Susan Copperman’s students.  That’ll be my destination.  And perhaps earlier Music at Trek Winery?
Sunday:  There’s the Fair, but also THE BLUES BURNERS at Corte Madera Town Center; Moonalice at Sweetwater; and Harold Jones Big Band at San Geronimo Golf Course!

And you KNOW there’s lots more, listed below on the Calendar.  ♫♪♫

Blessings.

Wednesday, JULY 2 
Marin County Fair 11am-11pm, $15-17:  Huey Lewis & the News (7:30pm).  Through July 6.  Click on link for details, schedule.