I like to sleep in on the weekend. Sometimes I wake up at 6:00 AM and fall back to sleep. Even though I often go to bed very late- 2 or 3 AM, I am usually fully awake by 8:00 AM. Then I laze in bed listening to NPR's Weekend Edition. It was the same this Sunday, except I had bedded down early, maybe half past midnight and was greeted by Donna telling me that Kelly was about to fix the electrical system in the trailer. Kelly has her own solar panel installation business and previously worked with the ecology in Medocino County.
Donna and I arrived at Railroad Square in Santa Rosa at about 11 A.M. Railroad Square- at the turn of the century a thriving center of commerce, and for the last twenty years- a semi deserted train yard encircled by fledgling businesses. The Handcar Regatta is a cross between Dickensonian costume, the and a San Francisco Leather Bar. The central event- the handcar race pits homemade fanciful bicycle driven handcars of all sizes against each other in a competative race. Artists, musicians, dancers, performers that cross Terry Gillam and Federico Fellini in style. One of our neighbors exhibits his grisley scuptures of dolls, animal skins, bones and metal junk combined as circus sideshow. Regatta Artist Gene McClelland
The Hubbub Club marched around the Faire in the 100 degree heat pausing at every merciful piece of shade. The crowd this year was triple last years and each time the band played, an enthusiastic response. I followed the group on their march, including a jaunt across a small precarious suspension bridge. We ran into numerous friends, including Laura with her naked Mexican ladies with small breast. I observed a group of young girls painting a very beautiful plywood sign maybe 20 feet long with flying objects and individuals in a picturesque turn of the century technique. I observed on particularly well painted female face and inquired about it. One of the girls pointed out the person she called the leaded. It was Tandra. We spoke for a while about painting and realisim, about the studio she has in Santa Rosa, about the project itself.
The band finished their last toons in back of Aromaroasters and I offered to get Donna an iced coffee and pick myself up a pound of Italian roast beans. She was grateful. I asked one of the members about a Django style guitar player they know. I found out that his name was Ben, but that was all I found out. We walked back to the car and headed for the Celtic Faire.
I guess one could say that we had sticker shock when we arrived at the Celtic Festival in Sebastopol- $30 at the door. Two women were trying to make a deal to get in more cheaply since it was already 2:30 PM but the ticket takers had no authority to deal. Bacca and Beyond played an energetic set much like last year. Their combination of African song and rhythms with the Celtic music gives set the audience clapping and dancing. Alister Fraser's and his partner Natalie Hass really play as a single voice. Alister has flawless Scottish technique and Natalie's spare rhythms are something I could add in my own guitar playing- very powerful. Next Molly's Revenge from Santa Cruz played an energetic set. Moira Smiley has a gorgeous voice and did not sing enough in my opinion. Some of their pieces resembled Lunasa and maybe sometimes a little to much. But the band has really become stronger and tighter since I have see them last.
Dervish led the finali. Kathy Jordon is hard on the boys in the band, keeps a great patter going as she introduces each song. A
No comments:
Post a Comment