Some of the boys on my daughter's ski team have started a band. The initial goal of the band was to practice and play at the end of the season race and barbeque. They also wanted to invite Laurenne Ross (US Ski Team) to sing with them. They practiced some of her songs she was known to sing. Only problem was that none of the boys wanted to sing. They needed someone else, and they asked my daughter to join the band.
Does she have any experience... No!
Has she ever though of herself singing in a band...No!
Does she really even know how to sing...No!
Did she agree...Yes!
And so the rehearsals began.
They did have one gig at the Poet House during a First Friday downtown and I though they did fairly well! It was really great for them to get up in front of a crowd. I did start her on some voice lessons and she REALLY needs to work on her stage presence!
Laurenne Ross joins in for a couple of songs.
Vocals and guitar
Skinny Love
The day before the gig, the guitar player crashed on a training run and knocked out his bottom teeth. They were able to fix two of them, but could not find the third. He was pretty beat up, but he ended up racing and playing the next day! What a trooper! Laurenne did join us for practice the night before and did join the band on stage the next day. So wonderful for them to get the opportunity!!
Tomorrow night I'm going to see G Love and Special Sauce! I love these concerts! Always so much fun, and a great performance! I'm going to try to take some pictures!
I used to be an art teacher, and now I am not. It has left me with a little whole in my heart and I miss it terribly. The problem is that the elementary schools here do not have regular art classes. We moved here and I found myself without a job. I'm on the sub list, but I rarely get called. I also volunteer in the classroom and try to be involved with the arts as much as possible. I do miss working with the kiddos.
Before I taught art, I worked for a small publishing company and did some commercial photography. I am getting back into the business. I was a bit hesitant at first, as I though that maybe the town was a bit saturated with photographers. I changed my mind, as there also seems to be plenty of room for one more dentist or chiropractor!
So here I am. I love to take pictures and always have.
I worked in a camera shop while I was in high school. I was ably to buy my first SLR while I was there. It was a Ricoh and I loved it! The store was a great place to learn about photography, cameras, film, paper and a great place to learn from the photographers that would frequent there.
In college, I was a studio art major.I majored in sculpture and also took several photography courses. The darkroom was my home.
What a surprise to come back for for college reunions and find that only one darkroom exists and that the rest of the classrooms are filled with macs!
So, now I am trying to develop my website. I've gone through 7 different logos, several different color schemes, with music and without, etc. I wonder if I was designing this for someone else, if it would be so difficult. I just cant make up my mind, and when I do...I question it. I'm afraid to publish it, but I think I'm getting close.
Forgive me for I have....neglected to write, muse, share...whatever. Like I have said in the past, I'm not very skilled at this blog thing. I realize that you have to carve out the time and sit down and write! So many months have past, and some many things have happened! I will never remember half of it.
What compels me to sit down a write today is Irene. Irene came and the East Coast braced for it. The Coast was prepared, the news crew headed there, all eyes on the coast and Hurricane Irene. What no one expected was the damage the rain caused in the other states. Flooding was insane, and many towns all over NY, VT, NH, NJ CT were affected. Vermont was where I lived before moving to the Cascades, and Vermont is where family and friends are, and Vermont got CRUSHED. I have been watching videos, photos, news stories and I ham so deeply saddened and disturbed by everything. I wish I was there to lend a hand in some shape or form.
I started out as an art teacher in Vermont and traveled to many little towns in the district.I taught at Winhall, Jamaica, Wardsboro, Brookline, and Dover. All have been struck by the rising waters. Families that I knew have lost their homes. It is so sad. Jamaica is the first placed I lived and it breaks my heart to see the destruction. I also lived in Chittenden, and that area has also been hit so hard. Families that have been stranded because of roads that have washed away, are hiking to school. I am so proud of them.
The history that has been washed away. Covered bridges, 200 year old homes! So very sad. This is quote from Calvin Coolidge, after the floods of 1927. This makes me feel somewhat better. It make me feel strong, and I need to be reminded of the strength of Vermont.
Vermont
is a state I love... I love Vermont because of her hills and valleys,
her scenery and invigorating climate, but most of all, I love her
because of her indomitable people. They are a race of pioneers who
almost impoverished themselves for love of others. If ever the spirit of
liberty should vanish from the rest of the Union, it could be restored
by the generous share held by the people in this brave little State of
Vermont." -- Calvin Coolidge, after the floods of 1927.
I know that if I was there I would be moving on. rebuilding, going on with my life. I think that because I am far away I am becoming a bit too obsessive with the news and tragedy. People are strong, the communities are supportive, Vermont will rebuild, and this workhorse of a state shall rebound!
Here are some of the incredible videos and photos.
Yonder Mountain String Band, G Love and Special Sauce, Franchot Tone and last night, The Decemberists.
Yonder was a fun show. I was subbing the next morning, and I didn't stay for the whole show.
I was rather surprised at the amount of very young children there. The show didn't get going till 10:00!
We were right up front at the G Love show. We got there early, and if you were one of the first 50 to buy something, you got to meet him afterwards. We had our picture taken with him, but nobody's camera took a decent shot. There was an incredibly drunk girl at the show. She kept barging to the front, kept touching the band's stuff on stage and got kicked out after trying to go backstage. We ere then walking back to our car and noticed her absolutely stumbling to her car. Four mothers in a car...do you think we were about to let her drive. I jumped out and told her to put her window down. We said that she wasn't driving. She was shocked, embarrassed but very compliant. We got a cab to take her to Redmond, and felt so bad when the only thing she took with her was a box of diapers. While we were getting in the cab, the roadies were taking stuff the bus. They though we were lingering around to see G Love!
The Decemberists put on a great show. Jenny, the accordion player, was diagnosed with cancer last month. They were not sure if she was going to be able to make it this weekend, but she was feeling well enough.
Rainn Wilson came onto the stage pretending to be Colin Melloy. It was pretty funny.
Rainn Wilson as Colin Melloy
I wish the girls had decided to come, they would have loved it.
