FALL 2005 LOST AND FOUND NEWSLETTER (Covering 7/17/05 to 12/1/05)
So, you know how you get busy doing one thing and then, before you finish you start something else, which distracts you until some other pressing matter captures your attention? Yeah, well that sort of thing explains the lack of newsletters from my desk as of late. I used to write them once a month, way back in the day. Then I switched to every other month. And now I just write them whenever things stop distracting me long enough to ask, "When was the last time I wrote a newsletter?" Since I last wrote, there's been one very distracting thing, which I will explain by way of a photomontage from roof view to roof view:
I think that should be sufficient to explain the lengthy lapse. Now then, in the realm of LOST AND FOUND, things have also been quite busy . . .
In mid July, we headed to Aurora, Illinois (as in excellent) to play for a friend we stayed with in Montana on the bike trip. Yes, that bike trip. Had a great time, and then headed up to Wisconsin where we played in Beloit. You've got your Madison, and this town is Beloit. We played in the Memorial Theater, which is just across the river from where they were having 80's metal night at the local festival grounds. Also, it was approximately 113 degrees that day. After the concert, when it had dropped to chilly 110, we loaded out to the soothing sounds of Cinderella wafting through the downtown area. After that, we drove to Chicago, where I dropped Michael at the airport and then drove on home.
The next week, we met back up and went to Lamoni, which is in Iowa, for another spectacular week at Spectacular. As always, we had a great time, and as usual dressed up the Shaws in their LOST AND FOUND gear during our concert so they wouldn't feel left out. Among the spectacular things we experienced was some unique music from the group of participants visiting from Guyana. They were a real treat. And, speaking of real treats, we went from Iowa (by way of my house and some packing implied above) to the Bass Lake Festival, which is nowhere near Bass Lake anymore but has retained the name for continuity's sake. Had a great time as befits a weekend in Michigan, and even got to hear our friends Fuller Still play their songs.
After that, my family and I moved (as per the photomontage above) so that I could take some classes during the week when we're not playing our LOST AND FOUND music. The first post-moving concert meant a trip west to Altoona, which used to mean a trip east, where Michael met me with the van and I met him with a rental car. Heard from an African missionary who gave us cool ebony crosses, and then drove into Ohio (since I missed it after so long away) and met up with our long-time friend Ken Hacker, who is pastor of a church in Petersburg. The next morning, we played some songs at an outdoor service at his church, and saw some sort of metaphorical event where—were I a better writer, I could explain with all manner of interpretive allusion involving regeneration and the restorative power of the Eucharistic event but instead will simply observe that—a butterfly landed on the communion wine. That evening, we raced on over to Willoughby, near Cleveland, to meet up with another long-time friend Dave Thielo, at whose church we played a concert for a fine group of folks who came over. This being Cleveland area, we saw many of our long-time listeners, including Dave (who dressed up and distributed Altoids) and his wife who was wearing a home-made Slide Girl shirt, indicating our youngest attendee ever was along for the evening.
Right Lane Vacant
The Pull
|
Then we flew to our respective coastal cities, until meeting up on a Thursday night in Lincoln, Nebraska. We then got up early enough and played at Lincoln Lutheran High School, conveniently located not far from a Starbucks. That evening, we played a concert in Lincoln, and our friends Right Lane Vacant played some songs before we started. We haven't heard them play in a couple of years, and they are awesome as ever. After Lincoln, we hightailed it out of town, because the next day we were due in Waunakee, Wisconsin (Madison adjacent). Our friends The Pull opened the show with some of their music. Our long-time friend Gretchen has assembled a really cool band with a really cool sound with a really cool variety of instruments. As you might expect, we had a really cool time. We played some songs at worship the next day, but had no time to bask in the really coolness of it all because we had to hightail it out of town to make it to Mason City, Iowa that afternoon. You'll be pleased to know that the band received exactly zero speeding tickets this time driving through the Hawkeye State. Got there in time to set up, play for a fine group of folks, and then hightail it out of town in order to make our flights out of Minneapolis at the crack of dawn the next day. Fortunately, I only missed one class and continued the day as though nothing happened.
The next Friday, we returned to the Midwest and played near Seymour (as in was born in a small town) for a group of Lutherans who were gathered there for the weekend. A real cool outdoor stage made for a fine setting. No time to enjoy that setting though, because we had to hightail it up to the northern part of the state so we could play some songs at a camp near Albion (as in, my way by sundown) for a group of Lutherans who were gathered there for the weekend. Had a great time, but couldn't stick around for campfire because we had to hightail it out of town to make it to Cincinnati so we could play some songs at worship the next morning in Hudson, Ohio. We did not have to hightail it out of town this time, since we played a concert in the very same room that night. (Phew!) The next morning, we flew home at the crack of dawn and I only missed one class and continued the day as though nothing happened.
WOW!
"Like This, Sailorman"
|
The next Saturday, we met up in Chicago for Fallfest, which was a total blast, as expected. Had a great time, but had to hightail it out of there so we could play at worship in Lebanon, Wisconsin the next morning. Played at two services, and then an afternoon concert. (We were familiar with the room by the time we left town.) This time, we hightailed it to the airport and got home Sunday night, so I missed no classes on Monday and continued the day as though something had happened. That Friday night, I flew all the way across the country (for a taste of Michael's medicine) and we met up to play in Santa Rosa, California for the last September concert. Troy had also flown out, and together we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge. People often comment on how beautiful this structure is, and I could see why as we drove across. It is truly Golden . . .or, it's red maybe . . but I hope my photo gives you some sense of the majesty of it's grandeur. There in Santa Rosa, a few ladies seem to be KISS fans, as you'll see in the Photo Phrenzy from that night. From there, we headed to Sacramento to play at the first of three National Youthworkers Conventions put on by our friends at Youth Specialties. Since we didn't play until late at night, we took the opportunity to take in the capitol building of Michael's Golden State. I was intrigued by a statue we found in the rotunda. As best I can tell, Queen Isabella is instructing Christopher Columbus how to hold a bowling ball. Also during our capitol visit, we found a really cool sign. I think we should post these at our concerts, or maybe start wearing shirts like this when we play. Anyway, after our brush with tourism, we went back to the convention and played a fun late-night set. ("Late-night" refers to timing, people, not content!) The next morning, they let us get up on the adult stage for a few songs, which is always fun. ("Adult stage" refers to number of audience members, people, not content!) As soon as we were done, Troy whisked me off to the airport, but I missed all three classes this Monday, and couldn't really continue the day as though nothing had happened.
The next weekend, we were not scheduled to play anywhere, and spent that Monday observing the keggling contributions of Christopher Columbus. Michael took the opportunity to run a marathon, and finished well, which I would not have done. (Run, finish, or finish well, I mean.) The following weekend, I went to the installation of our friend Bob Rimbo to a fine church here in New York. Then Michael and I both flew to Pittsburgh to play at the second of three National Youthworkers Conventions put on by our friends at Youth Specialties. Here again, we played a fun late-night concert (and you know what I mean) with a morning appearance on the adult stage (and you know what I mean). Always a treat to see everyone and play our songs for them. That Monday, I once more missed all three classes, and couldn't really continue the day as though nothing had happened. However, four days later I escaped and flew to Chicago, where Michael met me and we drove south to Champaign, IL. We got play in an awesome room on the campus of the University there, nearly missing being caught in a parade on the way in. (I guess they celebrate keggling day later in Illinois or something.) Anyway, had a great time, and then drove off toward Ohio so we could play near Cleveland the next night. Arrived a little late, but with a quick set-up we were soon enjoying the sound of the opening band, which band I forgot to get a photo of, so you'll just have to believe me when I say they were there, unless of course you were there, in which case you know what I'm talking about. Couldn't stay around though, because we had to get over to Kent so we could play a few songs during worship for the folks during church. They seemed to like us. Then, in the afternoon, we played some songs for some UCC youts who were gathering at the same place. Later that day, we played a third time in the same room, this time a full concert. Then, a kindly seminarian/youthworker with a vanload of youts dropped me at the airport on their way home, and I flew home that night. As I recall, Michael drove the van to Detroit and flew home the next day. And since I got home Sunday night, no classes were missed.
The next Friday, I flew to Detroit, picked up Michael in Chicago and drove on over to Valparaiso University, located as always in Valparaiso, Indiana. Betsy Walker opened the show and displayed her fantastic voice and serious piano skills. A real treat to hear her play. We saw the Fitz family that night, though they were saving up their talents for the Christmas Show, which will come up in just a minute or two. After Valpo, we had to race off into the night because the next morning we were scheduled to play at a youth gathering that happened to be meeting in Indianapolis, which was where we were staying. Played that, and then had to race off to make it to Sharonville, Ohio, because we were playing a concert for their annual harvest festival at the UMC church. There was all sorts of Midwest activity, including a game called cornhole, which we did not have time to investigate since we were so busy throwing pies in the pastor's face. (I'm kidding here, people.) The next morning we played some songs at worship in a different and real cool UMC church, designed by the former pastor, a certain Rev. Peale. Then, we drove to the airport in Cincinnati, again missing no classes.
A couple days later, to celebrate the arrival of November, Michael returned and drove all the way to Virginia. (This was just a warm-up for his PA drive a little later.) I flew in, rented a car, and met him in Roanoke, at Salem College. There we also met up with our pals Alathea, who sound better every time we hear them play. The next night, we played in Bowie, MD, which the locals pronounce "Boo-ey," as if they're trying to scare you. I don't know if this was a temporary thing because of Halloween or what, but every time we'd say "Bow-ie," they'd yell "Boo-ey!" (To be honest, they were not scaring us one bit.) Anyway, our friends Alathea played some songs before we started and were a big hit. Also at this church, they had a special closet all set up for Michael, in case he needed some storage space. The next afternoon, we all raced over to Bethlehem, thinking we had seen a star in the east. However, it was a false alarm, and we headed to the local UCC church in town to play some songs for a youth gathering. Later, in that same place, we set up for a concert. Once again, our friends Alathea opened with a set, and rocked the house delightfully. Since Bethlehem is only about 100 miles from New York, my family drove over to pick me up, and got to see the concerto as well. Had a swell time, and once again made it home for Monday classes. Michael, on the other hand, began a 1,200-mile journey from Bethlehem all the way to Minneapolis. (I am referring to a geographical journey, not some kind of allegorical statement deriding Minneapolis.) He made it just fine, having usurped my role of long-distance driving dood.
The next Friday, we flew into Minneapolis and drove the van to Montevideo, MN. This is no Metroplex suburb. No, Montevideo turns out to be well past Willmar, nearly North Dakota. (I realize it's actually closer to South Dakota, but I went with the alliteration.) That night a group called 29 Hours Left (I think?) opened the show and they seriously rocked. Lots of energy in this band. The next day, we played at a gathering of youts in Eau Claire, Wisconsin where we enjoyed ourselves mightily. Then we raced on toward Iowa so that we could make it to Marcus, Iowa. (Out past LeMars.) Had a swell time, and a surprisingly good turnout, and enjoyed ourselves mightily. No time for basking in that enjoyment though, since we had to race back to the Metroplex in order to make our crack of dawn flights. Only missed the one usual class that Monday, and continued the day as though nothing happened.
The next weekend, Michael and Troy and I all flew in to Nashvile on Saturday. The next morning we headed over to Brentwood to play at Brentwood UMC, which is thankfully located in Brentwood, lest they'd have to change the name. Had a great time with Deech and the youts, and then headed downtown where I studied all day and Michael and Troy tried to sell the occasional cd to folks. We were in Nashvile the third of three National Youthworkers Conventions put on by our friends at Youth Specialties. Here again, we played a fun late-night concert (and you know what I mean) with a morning appearance on the adult stage (and you know what I mean). This event was overwhelmingly large, and they had to move the main stage sessions into the arena where the local hockey team loses. Er, I mean, plays. (Actually, I just checked their record and they've only lost once in that room. so, what do I know, right?) Anyway, the point is, what I really mean (EJ's words), is that we had a great time. Then we flew home, where we are now enjoying enough time off (i.e. a weekend) so that I have squeezed in time to write you this short little note.
A couple of closing thoughts:
1) The 7th Annual LOST AND FOUND Christmas Show is coming to towns. Friday, Dec. 2 - Caro, MI Saturday, Dec. 3 - Mt. Prospect, IL Sunday, Dec. 4 - Oak Harbor, OH
Friday, Dec. 9 - Aurora IL Saturday, Dec. 10 - Minneapolis, MN Sunday, Dec. 11 - Owatonna, MN
2) Don't forget to get our newest album, Pronto. Remember those hard to buy for folks on your shopping list. After all, what could be harder to buy for someone than one of our albums, right?
3) Click on the Photo Phrenzy, if you'd like to see what I see.
4) Rock on. And remember,
Happy Advent, and later on,
george
Read more of George's monthly newsletters.
|
