Life's big advenutre continues....

First I want to tell you all that I have finally been convinced to get a facebook page. (can you stand it?!) I think Jaime, my old roommate, is most excited about it as she's been trying to get me to do it since we lived together. It's been pretty interesting. If nothing else, I point out what Tammy said when she got hers. It makes you feel SOOOOO good when you get all these "friend" requests. Makes you feel really popular and cool! So - I guess just go to facebook, look me up and make a request to be my friend!

I've been busy trying to re-connect with many of the people with whom I connected this summer. I certainly want them to remember me. I was lucky enough, at the Vibes, to run into the producer of a festival I worked earlier in the summer, and made a very good re-connection there. While he and I had only met once during his festival, in a bit of a 'crisis' situation, he really had only heard wonderful things about me. It was nice to see him make the connection between "me" and the person he had heard about. From what he said, he seemed very interested in having me work on his festival next year, so I'm very pleased about that.

On other fronts... I had the opportunity to see Bruce Hornsby with his band last week. What you need to understand is that while I certainly enjoy seeing Bruce in any configuration; solo, w/Ricky Skaggs (something I appreciate far more having seen them in Telluride this summer), with the Jazz Trio (Bruce, Christian McBride and Jack Dejohnette)... seeing him perform with his band, now known as The Noisemakers, is by far my favorite. Not only do I get to see some kick ass music, I also get to reconnect with my friends who work with him. The show in Westbury was great. Got to connect with Katy H, Kat and Biz, Carrie, Sonny and JV (best rhythm section around!), and everyone else in the regular Hornsbian crowd. It's always a good time when we all get together, for example, note the picture - Bruce is never too serious, and always open for a good laugh! That photo is a few years old, but I think it gives a good idea of what the energy is like when he's around.

Also - I have been doing some work with Sandra Bernhard's management as she is gearing up for a tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her groundbreaking show, Without you, I'm Nothing. I will be stage-managing the show at Theater J in Washington, DC for most of the month of September, as well as assisting with some of the other shows we are booking for the tour. This is really exciting for me, and I have to thank Kenneth Hartung for being so fabulous and giving me this tremendous opportunity. Of course, I'm not sure how he ever managed without me!!

So - that's the news for now... I'll keep you updated as things progress. You really never know what's going to happen.

Rex Jam Report from GOTV

Gathering of the Vibes
August 2, 2008
Band: New Riders of the Purple Sage
In Support of Bridgeport Central High School Musical Instrument Program.

On Saturday, August 2nd, we had a plan to hold the final Rex Jam of the summer with the New Riders of the Purple Sage (affectionately "NRPS") at 2:30 in the afternoon. Because they were not the first band on the stage that day, and the weather had been extraordinary all weekend, I had anticipated a great event. I have said it before and I'm saying it again... I'm not always right. At about 12:00 on Saturday afternoon, the sun disappeared, the clouds grew heavy and skies opened up. I dare say I can not recall a time where I have been in an "out-door environment" in such a storm. Lighting strikes, thunder claps, strong winds and heavy rain certainly created chaos in Seaside park. As the rain continued in the the 1:00 hour... I began to wonder what was going to happen to the Jam. The music was halted when Alternate Roots was called from the stage. I figure there would have to be some cancellations and was not sure if NRPS would even play. As I stood in the relative safety of my friend's vending booth - I contacted volunteers and asked them to hold tight until further notice... I contacted Harry Moran, our Non-profit contact, for his thoughts... he said to hold tight until further notice... I contacted Toast, manager of NRPS... he said hold tight until further notice. So we held tight.

The rain finally ended and more chaos ensued. What would the new schedule be? Are NRPS palying? Is that other storm going to move in and hit us too? We had "missed" the volunteer meeting, but my folks were waiting patiently. I finally decided to go backstage, as the storm seemed to have passed. Next thing I knew, Toast was telling me they were going on any minute. It was Whiz! Bang! Spring to action! Harry raced me over to the vendor booth to get the buckets and mateirals, I sent a text to the volunteers to come ASAP! Everything seemed to be happening at once, I am ever appreciative to have had Miss Jen there. She has been with us for three Rex Jams this summer, and I relied on her to help gather the troops and give them the low-down because I had not time to meet with them before I made the stage announcement. After the announcement was finished, I rushed over to meet the volunteers with the materials.

I gave out buckets, bags and CDs, as well as my best advice and sent them out into the crowd to wait for the signal. Again - we had more volunteers than buckets, so I did not go out into the crowd. I think it was for the best this time, as I was so frazzled.... fortunately, no one seemed to notice but me. While on stage making the announcement I saw few friends in various locations in the crowd, and they all gave me the "hi" sign. Afterward, they gave me praise for my "performance" and said I looked very composed and natural. I was also ever-so appreciative when Toast told me the band would make some acknowledgment of the song (Garden of Eden) designated for the Rex Jam. Michael Falzarano made a comment to the crowd before the song, and I know that helped.

Beautifully, in spite of the mayhem - the Rex Jam was a raging success (ok, so I was right about something!). I am so proud to say that we raised over $2000 for the Bridgeport Central High School Musical Instrument program. This program is set up to purchase instruments so students who can't afford their own can still learn to play and perform with the band.

I want to say here that being the Rex Jam Representative at so many festivals this summer has been such an honor and a privilege for me. It has brought me such joy I can't even explain it. I have always said that I wish I was rich so I could give money away when I see a need.... I don't have that kind of money - and this is a great substitute (giving away other people's money where there is a need!).

A friend of mine asked me how much money we had raised this summer, and I hadn't really given it much thought - but as it turns out, over the 5 Rex Jams and fundraisers we did this summer, we have raised close to $10,000. It is amazing to me. Yes - your dollars add up quickly people. All it takes is $5.00. Just $5.00.....

"Is it the end or beginning??"

Gathering of the Vibes
Seaside Park - Bridgeport, CT
July 31 – Aug 3, 2008

This was something of a “hometown” event for me – but this was my first time at The Vibes. It felt like I wasn’t even going anywhere, since all I did was drive 40 minutes, have coffee with a good friend in Port Jefferson, then hop on the ferry and POOF! I was there! Almost too easy to be going to a festival. Of course, that caused me to not bring the proper supplies and I ended up spending too much money on food and beverage... but I suppose that's what happens at the end of an adventure.... you get a little bit lax. But it's ok to be less than perfect. I'm getting used to accepting that!

I spent a lot of time in the Cosmic Casbah with the Karma Wash crew from the Unbroken Chain symposium. Mostly thanks to a fortuitous run-in with Wesley, who brought me back to see where it was all happening. Kasbah events for me included a great jam session with the Kind Buds, a much needed nap (courtesy of Jonny Wa), a late-night chill session/jam, becoming acquainted with the owner of the cutest tush in all the land (Darling Tavi), blueberry pancakes and excellent coffee, a surprise visit from the Great Wendini,… and the Mystery of the Missing Martin – which fortunately was ultimately solved with no casualties.

I also spent time with my old friend, Thom (along with new friends, Lottie and Josh), in his vendor booth. This was where I experienced the massive rain squall on Saturday afternoon – complete with thunder, lightning, wind and rain ("don't let go! don't let go!”). Saturday started as a lovely morning – sun, a few puffy clouds… then it got dark. We ended up in full “Batten-down-the-hatches” mode for a good half hour of strong winds and heavy rain. Complete with panic, refugees, tipped over boxes, and a little “stress relief” as soon as possible. While Thom’s booth survived relatively unscathed, our neighbors were not so lucky. It seemed that the booths directly on either side of us were completely demolished. Grateful Don, the tie-dye vendor, lost his entire set up. His tent pulled up out of the ground and flipped over the fence behind us, into the camping area. His entire inventory was all soaked, w/the colors running all into one another. I have to say I was inspired by his optimism as he simply sent his staff into town for a new tent, held a half-price sale, and made the best of it.

I think the best part of the weekend - and perhaps the summer - was the grand jam session after it was all said and done. I was so tired after 8 festivals, and so close to home, that I had planned to head home as soon as the traffic cleared - the idea of sleeping in my own bed was oh-so-inviting. But, Jonny insisted I come to the Cotter's traditional Invitational Jam Session... at least for a little while. What a time was had. There were probably 4 or 5 people with guitars, a mandolin, several congas, bongos and other instruments of percussion and from 3 to 25 voices at any given time. The funniest was that I started out simply singing harmonies and enjoying everything. Jon had his guitar and at one point asked me to hold it so he could play the mandolin. Of course, how can one sit in a circle of music, guitar in hand and not play? So I started to play along and apparently I hadn't let on that I could do such a thing. I think Jon almost fell over. I didn't think it was all that impressive, but apparently I was wrong. Either way - it was a great time and the next thing I knew it was 2am, too late to drive home - so I played some more.... and then it was 4am... difficult as it was to put the music to bed, it was time for me to do just that.

Sleep and then finally home on Monday. ..I could not have planned a better closure to my summer Festival express!