"I heard a bird sing in the dark of December...."

...."A magical thing, and sweet to remember." 

Let's remember the lovely bird, Doris Muramatsu of Girlyman fame, as she begins a battle with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)... and truly the good news is her case is in the "chronic" stage, the earliest (and most treatable) stage. Doris would appreciate being included in your thoughts, prayers, and positive visualizations (whichever you tend to do). If you'd like to send her a note, you can write to info@girlyman.com.  More information can be found at: http://bit.ly/9tuGqT.  Their December 12, Creole Gallery show has been postponed.

Photo courtesy of www.girlyman.com

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Another opportunity for December 12 is to support the local homeless shelters, Haven House in East Lansing and Loaves and Fishes in Lansing, by attending the 2nd annual holiday benefit concert by John Latini and Jamie-Sue Seal.

This fun concert features the local Michigan talents of award-winning artists from Ann Arbor and the Lansing area.  John and Jamie-Sue gave a wonderful show last year so we asked them backed and they are delighted to perform.  You'll hear some old favorites as well as originals, sure to entertain.


Tickets are $10 and are available now from the All Saints Episcopal Church office 517-351-7160 (Susie Pearson) or from me, Steve Findley, steve.findley@gmail.com or 517-432-9738. 


The concert will begin Sunday, December 12 at 7pm:


All Saints Episcopal Church
800 Abbot Rd
East Lansing, Michigan 48823
517-351-7160
www.allsaints-el.org


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The Christmas edition happens on Friday, December 17, 7:30p to 9:30p.  This is the rowdiest, most fun coffeehouse of the year.  Holiday-themed, we'll see and hear a variety of classics and unknowns in voice, instrument and song. It's true, I have seen an elf-priest appear in the past, along with some pretty witty verse. You love the music (we do lots of carols you like) and there's always an amusing reading or 2.

I've been in touch with the Fossum family and it looks like Maggie and her mother (at least) will be returning.  If you were here on November 19 you know what an extraordinary night that was. 


Bring a beverage and snacks to share.  Come anytime, leave anytime, it's that kind of event.
The address is above.




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On Nov 12 Nicky and I were able to visit with the American icon, John Prine at the State Theatre in Kalamazoo. OK, we didn't really "visit" with him, but that's what it feels like some of the time at a John Prine concert.  Although he had stellar musicians with him, (bassist Dave Jacques and the amazing Jason Wilber on guitar) it was when he played solo, quietly, that he drew you in for the conversation.  Classics like, "Sam Stone" and "Hello In There" were darn, near, perfect. Seen him 5 times....and I'd go again.


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It is difficult not to like Mary Poppins...in any way.  Sure she's slightly annoying, but it is the twinkle in her eye and complete disregard for authority other than her own that make her a joy to enjoy.  The Wharton center brought the Broadway touring company's version to the Great Hall and it was as magical as can be.

Yes, she flies, but it was the singing, dancing (Step In Time) and the practically perfect performance of understudy Elizabeth Broadhurst that made the show for me.

Being so tardy with this review (we saw the show Nov 14) I have found several others which give a good sense of how it went.  http://bit.ly/dMluO8, http://bit.ly/icxjzH and http://bit.ly/hBoE5C.

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It's All Happening This Friday

Wow, it is a busy day (or should I say night) in Lansing/East Lansing, Michigan this Friday, November 19. Among the many things to see and do certainly Silver Bells in the City is a highlight and if you've never been, it's great fun for the family.  It starts at 5 and goes till 9.

Of course what I hope you'll come to is The Coffeehouse at All Saints...our monthly (3rd Friday) get together for live music, poetry and sing along.  The free event is in its 5th year and has been a haven for a laid back place to enjoy either performing or listening.  You are encouraged to bring your own drinks and snacks.

This Friday is special...we have a full show with the beautiful sound of the a cappella group, RCAHppella from Michigan State University performing at 8pm.  We'll have the amazingly talented voice and ukelele-playing of the young Magdalen Fossum, from Ann Arbor (click her name to see at least one of her YouTube videos) about 8:30.  Finishing up the night will be the holiday sounds of John Latini and Jamie-Sue Seal direct from their Silver Bells in the City gig.

We have some other local talents in store including cello, sing along and poems. It's a full night, loads of fun.

The Coffeehouse at All Saints (click for flyer)
800 Abbot Rd
East Lansing, Michigan 48823

info: 517-432-9738

steve.findley@gmail.com

Time: 7:30p to 9:30p

Admission: FREE

It's going to be a great night!

CORRECTION/ADDITION:

Oops.  Linda and Matt will be at the Soup Spoon Cafe THIS FRIDAY Aug. 27th, 2010 from 6:30-8:30 pm.  Hope you can be there!

Saturday at the Market

One of the joys of living in East Lansing is being able to catch live music virtually anywhere, anytime. Nicky and I were able to see our friends, Linda Abar and Frederick Isaac at the Lansing City Market on Saturday, Aug 21. It's really an intimate atmosphere considering where it is. We were able to do some fresh produce and fish shopping as well as get our lunch for the day and enjoy the playing and singing of Linda and Frederick.

You can see Linda and our friend, Matt Bliton, at the Soup Spoon Cafe, 1419 East Michigan Avenue, Lansing, THIS FRIDAY Aug. 27th, 2010 from 6:30-8:30 pm. . You can expect a bluesy, folksy, artsy mix with hints of jazz. Together and separately, they have quite a few new tunes to share. Should be a treat!! Nick of the "Spoon" will have some outrageously tasty dinner special as well!! Reservations are highly recommended for this show. The last one "sold out." Please call 517-316-2377 and start looking forward to a very lovely evening!

Great Lakes Folk Festival 2010

So much to see and do at this year's festival, held Aug 13-15 in downtown East Lansing, Michigan...with some interesting additions of "green" displays like the "Green Kitchen" tent, bringing good ideas for local, healthy eating.

Highlight? Performance-wise it had to be Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. Doug Neal of the incredibly wonderful radio show, "Progressive Torch & Twang" on Tueday nights, 8p-Mid, on MSU's 88.9 ImpactFM, has played Doyle Lawson for years and I know he wanted to bring him to East Lansing. Well Doug was the emcee at this particular stage and introduced Mr. Lawson and his fine band. Tight instrumentalists, they also sing up a bluegrass storm...with plenty of Gospel as well. They even had some good jokes...e.g., "How hot is it? It's so hot I saw a dog chasing a rabbit... and they both were walking."

During his 31-year career Doyle Lawson has had a string of bluegrass and gospel awards. This, I believe is due to his collecting a group of superb musicians to tour and record with. This year's group, although some quite young, are accomplished technicians of their instruments, both hardware and vocals. When they are in 4-part harmony, it's a little eerie, a little sublime...and they make it look easy.

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The other outstanding performance was the Community Sing, the brainchild of Sally Potter, organizer, musician and the main reason this event was added to the GLFF. Anchored by song leaders Sally Potter, the Rev Robert B. Jones for Detroit and local favorite, Ray Kamalay. Each musician started us off on songs we (mostly) knew and I have to say, the singing was very good, often with beautiful harmony. No song sheets needed (mostly) because the tunes were so well known. As somewhat expected, Robert Jones led gospel and blues-tinged songs, Ray Kamalay led standards (some beauties!) and Sally led traditional folk tunes. The audience was diverse in all ways and came through quite nicely. Did you notice the AMAZING ASL interpreter? She was truly into it, knew most of the words of all the songs...and did not get a break for the entire 2hrs. She was wonderful.

As Sally, who wrote to my daughter Emily (who wrote to thank the folks who run the festival because she was so moved) said,

"The singing community around here is only getting stronger, as folks are hoping on board the train. And why not? It's fun, it's full of energy, it hits at the very core of who we are - as active people. and - it's real.

In September, WKAR TV is showing a half hour documentary it produced about this singing community. And more and more festivals, and concert series, and community organizations are adding singing to their programming.

With the first Mid-Winter Singing Festival in 2003, we were at the beginning, in front of the big wave.

Yet more water and energy have arrived, nationwide, and the community singing movement is growing. It's fun to watch."

Thank you to all the Festival organizers, volunteers and patrons who made this year's festival one of the best.

December 2009

Hooray for December! So much to see! It started off with a real treat. I ventured down to Chicago to join my eldest daughter Lisa and brother Dan at a performance of The Beatles as envisioned by the group, "Tributosaurus". You have to see these folks. From their website:

"In August 2002 we became The Who. September was Sly & the Family Stone, followed by CSNY and then The Police. Tributosaurus is not just a band…it is a musical event, a happening. Tributosaurus is the Jurassic beast of multiple musical faces, and every month, the beast morphs into a different rock group. Every set is tweaked with the lineup essential to accurately re-create the recorded material of an amazing array of artists. This mandate draws the finest musicians from Chicagoland and beyond to join the core group to sit in…to sing and play songs they’ve wanted to cover all their lives. For Paul McCartney, we had members of the CSO and 30 people on stage, for Ray Charles we had a full big band, for Paul Simon we had an ensemble of native South American flutes -- whatever it takes. If there's a song that requires 2 keyboard players, 3 guitarists, a mandolin and a 6 piece horn section -- you can bet we'll have 'em.

The Tributosaurus Core is comprised of 5 of the top musicians in Chicagoland. These players consider themselves the Civil War re-creationists of rock and roll, as they skillfully learn a brand new set of material every month, note for note."

They told us they know the Beatles catalog is so large, they could never do it justice in one night, so, they picked the first 2 Beatles albums, "Please Please Me" and "With The Beatles" and did them, in order. Absolutely amazing...freakin' good sound, superb vocals and instrumentation. Here's the set list:

SONG TITLE
I Saw Her Standing There
Misery
Anna (Go To Him)
Chains
Boys
Ask Me Why
Please, Please Me
Love Me Do
P.S. I Love You
Baby It's You
Do You Want To Know A Secret
A Taste Of Honey
There's A Place
Twist And Shout
From Me To You
Thank You Girl
She Loves You
I'll Get You
It Won't Be Long
All I've Got To Do
All My Loving
Don't Bother Me
Little Child
Til There Was You
Please Mister Postman
Roll Over Beethoven
Hold Me Tight
You Really Got A Hold On Me
I Wanna Be Your Man
Devil in Her Heart
Not A Second Time
Money
I Want To Hold Your Hand
This Boy
Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand
Sie Liebt Dich

What can you say? It was outstanding! We had so much fun. Everyone sang along. Check out their website and see who they've done (AND who's coming!). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Next December (2010) they will do the next 2 albums in the Beatles discography! Cannot wait!

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Barely got back in town on Friday the 4th and was witness to the songwriters series Jamie-Sue Seal produces, this time at TheTen Pound Fiddle in East Lansing, Michigan. Jamie-Sue has her own location for this series and brought it to the fiddle for a different audience and exposure for these folks. Being slightly biased because my friends, John Latini and Jamie-Sue Seal, were two of the performers, we were sure to go. We in Michigan are blessed with fine musical talent...and this was showcased by these musicians. John Latini, Jamie-Sue Seal, Andre Villoch and Greg Jenkinson provided a variety of solo efforts, duos and sometimes all of them, supporting each other. This type of music benefits from the intimate atmosphere of the Fiddle and we were treated to gems all night long.

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Dec 13 Nicky and I attended the Broadway production of "White Christmas" at the Wharton Center. Knowing the songs that come from this musical we were intrigued to see how the show would be. I think we were pleasantly surprised, it was a fun, well-sung, well-danced show. I remain embarrassed to say I have never seen the film.....

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The Dec 18 version of The Coffeehouse at All Saints brought a whole host of folks out...we had about 55 come and enjoy a variety of performances from many sing alongs accompanied by Jack Minton or Eileen Marshall to amusing readings (Sedaris, etc.) by Marguerite Halversen, Dedria Barker and more. Pastor Kit has read, "The Grinch" each year and this time it was her excellent hat that stood out...(that and the kids' transfixed faces!)

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For the first time we at All saints Episcopal Church, hosted a fundraiser concert (for the Housing Assistance Fund...we raised >$1,000.00) with Jamie-Sue Seal and John Latini. They provided a mostly original set of songs that either had us laughing, smiling or simply enjoying their light banter, excellent harmony and support of each other. It was a real treat and set the stage for further productions at All Saints. Merry Christmas everyone!

November Notes

Not many notes....the November edition of The Coffeehouse at All Saints was the highlight...as Steve found himself looking for new work, most of the time was taken. December always has too much to do, so we'll just go there.