Our little town on the river participated in the second year of A Day of Music, or Fete de la Musique as it is called in France. Originally celebrated in France in 1981, June 21st is a day where people are encouraged to use public spaces all over to make and enjoy music. Out town started at 7:00 yesterday morning and went until 9:30 last night. DH and I went down to the riverside park and listed to the 7:oo-8:00 band, a really talented group of teachers that have a small band. The lead singer teachers middle school math and is also in our church's contemporary worship band. The drummer works with our high school drum corp and teaches in several schools. There was a 30 minute break and then another band followed to close the night. Our river walk was renovated abut four years ago and is quite a place on a perfect summer night for a concert. The park was filled and bikers and skateboarders woudl pause on the path behind the pavilion now and then to listen. It was quiet on the river, but a couple boats passed by. We ran into many people we knew. The ice cream shop Scoop Truck and a new BBQ truck were in the lot behind the amphitheater style seating, ready to fill up anyone who needed a treat. I hope our community keeps this tradition going. Next year June 21st will fall on a Friday. I might just have to make sure I am off work for the whole day.
Isn't this a great venue for a summer concert? The temperature was wonderful and the scenery calming. The huge g\Great Dane was enjoying the music too. Her mom to the right is also in our church's worhsip band.
A boat pulled a water skier. I managed to get this picture, but the skier is hardly visible.
I tried to get the sunset behind the bridge, but was a few minutes too late. It still was lovely.
I get too caught up in worry and while I am making progress taking control of my life and pulling the plug on commitment, work, people, and places that make me unhappy, I still have days where my mind is just immersed in fear and worry. After the last week of so much unhappy and shocking news, I am not even going to listen to news radio today. Instead as I am putting around the house actually getting house work done, minus this little pause, I have an adult popular music station on. I haven't had music on just for fun in over a week. I think that has been a big error. I just heard a lovely song by Colby Caillet. I think it is called Bubbly. Anyway, I feel immensely more uplifted, and found this YouTube gem; a beautifully filmed and edited video that celebrates simplicity. Enjoy!
I recently learned of an expression from my daughter that girls use to describe their infatuation with a famous person or band. Fangirl, used as a noun and a verb or adverb, as in "Do you like One Direction? I'm such a fangirl." or "I saw Joe Mauer at the Mall of America and I went all fangirl when I got his autograph." I grew up in the 80's, the height of pop music and the beginning of all the boy bands which gave ample opportunity to fangirl out. While I think a little music crossed the Atlantic, I was not aware at all of the group Take That until I became a fan of the sitcom Miranda. Miranda and her friend Stevie, more so Stevie, have an ongoing bit that includes Gary Barlowe, front man for the group. I had heard the song Back for Good before in an episode of Reggie Perron, but knew nothing of who sang it. Now through the power of YouTube, I was able to find many versions. Let me tell you, had I known about them, I would have been playing this song in endless loop on my cassette player. So, in honor of my new found discovery of being a fangirl, I am sharing a little video new to this American girl. Oh to be 21 again!
Proud mom moment so bare with me for a few words. DD#2 auditioned and was selected for an honors choir and today is the all day rehearsal, and concert late this afternoon. I was up early driving her across the metro to get her checked in, and now back home until we go back later with grandparents for the concert. It was a beautiful scene at check-in. Dozens of 12-14 year olds from all parts of the state, diverse in geography, culture, and appearance, will all join together as a one time choir. I've heard my daughters practice and I have no doubt that this will be a phenomenal experience for her, and for those of us that get to listen.
Transition just a few minutes later, back in my car listening to BBC World. We let the Sirus expired on the car after the free trial, but guess we get a free month, so back listening to the one station I found not overwhelming. Sometimes many choices is a bad thing. The news commenced with a horrifying report of 28 people, riding on a bus in Kenya, were horrifically murdered by Islamic gunmen, separated from the group when they could not recite from their holy book on command. each was shot.This was followed soon by a follow-up story told by a Muslim women on how she witnessed her son's brutal beating to an inch of his life by a group of thug neo-Nazi's, followed after leaving his university in a European city, which I missed hearing, still struggling with what I had just heard about Kenya. Equal opportunity terrorism. From the innocence within that high school registration hallway to the horror on the radio, I was slapped again with the reality that there are people in the world trying to make it an evil place.
Another story on the news focused on the controversy of the We are the World remake from the 1980's BandAid fundraiser song, with 2014 musical artists, and still Bono. The words have been rewritten to focus attention and raise money for Ebola research and relief for the countries impacted. the controversy is that the rewritten words seem insensitive and trivializes the condition, and in the long run will hurt later investment once the crisis is over. The other part of the controversy is there are many African musicians that have already been recording and promoting music to bring attention to the crisis, and the money spent on redoing We Are the World would have been more effective going with the African Musicians platform instead of pandering to self indulgent music stars. I do find the new version quite tacky, and having heard some of the African music, if it was music that compelled me to donate, I'd go with the latter.
So in this month of November, when in a week, families across the country, and American expats around the world will celebrate Thanksgiving, I must give thanks. I am thankful for my family, the opportunities I have, and the fact that I don't worry daily that my race or religion are going to bring me or my children harm. while not perfect, I am thankful for the medical system, and the caring professionals that take care of my family when faced with sickness, knowing most o the time, things will be alright. I am thankful for the beauty in the world, even when it is gray and dreary outside, with no sun shining. I get to hear a choir of beautiful youth voices tonight, and go to bed saying a prayer of thankfulness, and a prayer of hope. Have a lovely weekend.
