June 25th, 2009
Yesterday we played for the Ann Arbor Summer Fest’s “Top of the Park” event. The evening included a dance lesson taught by Avik and Patricia and dancing to the live music with our band Tango Folias. Check out the video clip!
June 23rd, 2009
A few years ago we joined M.U.S.E. (musicians united to sustain the environment). They not only promote musicians who sing/play about being conscious of their impact on the earth, but they also promote musicians who try to make their touring eco-friendly (if that is possible…)
After wrapping up our tour stats, we decided that we could probably call ourselves eco-musicians…we drive instead of fly, avoid conventional indoor lodging whenever possible, cook our own food from locally grown produce, and for the most part try to stop and local businesses throughout our travels.
Here are the numbers:
Total number of States: 12
Driving Time: 71 hours (69 by Andy, 2 by Carmen…sorry honey)
Distance: 4830 miles
Number of Fastfood stops: ZERO
Out to Eat: 5 times
Hotel Sleeps: 1
Cabin Sleeps: 1
Tent Sleeps: 8
Car Sleeps: 1
House Sleeps: 8
Rain: 13 out of 20 days!!
Hiking: 56 miles
Best Coffee: Wake and Bake Coffee House in Moab, UT (where coffee is still leagal…)
Best Groceries: Keweenaw Co-op in Houghton, MI (best bulk stuff! even garden seeds in bulk)
Number of States we played music in: 4
Pulled Over: 1 time (for going five over the speed limit…no ticket)
Best Bumper Sticker: “There is room for all God’s creatures…right next to my mashed potatoes” (saw this just after the Mackinac Bridge after crossing into the lower peninsula…made both of us laugh really hard)
Best Beer Before Noon: Moab Brewery! 20 ounce pours the same price as pints on Sundays!!
June 18th, 2009
Yesterday we gave flute and guitar masterclasses and a concert at Finlandia University sponsored by our friend Pat Valencia who has a Suzuki guitar studio in Hancock called Valencia Estudio. We have found that without people like Pat who really make an effort to be a caretaker for music performance, it would be impossible to bring our music to people. The whole event was extremely well organized and we found this had an affect on the way people responded to our music. It seemed that maybe there is hope for building an engaged public audience for new flute and guitar music.
Pat does something similar to what I do with the MAJIC Concert Series at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He curates a grassroots performing venue for artists who want to bring something new and interesting to the community. Without enthusiastic advocates in local community, it would be more difficult than it already is to find viable places to perform for an appreciate audience.
My prediction (and hope) for the performing arts is that grassroots art support will not only grow, but shift to being the most affordable and affective way of bringing music into pubic life. Much like the way people are starting to understand the importance of local food and locally made goods, I will continue to help make a scene for locally supported music.
June 17th, 2009
Good Food When We Needed It…
Our canvas bag pantry in the trunk was filling up with some gourmet odds and ends from all of the meals we cooked for my family and friends along the way, so we decided to stop in the middle of nowhere (Floodwood, Minnesota) after an especially cranky couple of days topping off our 1500 mile mark of the trip.
This lunch helped bring me back to feeling that life is good. It is served warm, and comes out a golden yellow from the saffron.
Orzo Chickpea Stew with Saffron and Bri Cheese
The best rest stop lunch I have ever had…
June 17th, 2009
We played a very cool restaurant gig in Ashland, WI last night. We were pleasantly surprised by the 2nd Street Bistro. They serve dishes with local meats and produce, have good regional beers on tap, have a boutique wine list, and of all things, they have music twice a week to help support local musicians!!! If you visit Ashland be sure to stop here on a Wednesday or Friday for the good food, drink and music. You could also make a stop at the pub called South Shore Brewery that is just around the corner to try some locally brewed beer.