During the 28th annual Oopstock, we spontaneously performed this version of Nanci Griffith’s song “Love at the Five and Dime” as a memorial. Nanci died the day before we performed this song.
Thanks for the music, Nanci.
Nancy Griffith memorial
August 24, 2021
music, party concert, fiddle, gary mcgraw, gem, music, nanci griffith, NH, oopstock, video Leave a comment
Post Covid Summer Solstice 2021
July 2, 2021
cooking, dogs, fire, party, river 3 Comments
Well, some things happened. My life situation was utterly rebooted. There was a pandemic. Two solstice parties went by in miniature. There was no blogging. That kind of thing.
But we remember how to get back on the horse! Yes we do. So get up there and ride.
Solstice Fire Summer 2021
One of the secret traditions of the summer solstice has always been the Lisa Messerhead inspired salmon feast (implemented by Aubrey). Of course that happened.
The salmon spread
Yum
But that was soon a memory, and the party began into the green and cicadas.
Soon the tables were full of great food, the keg was tapped, people played in the Shenandoah, and the party found itself in full swing.
Just like old times. Except everyone in attendance was vaccinated against Covid-19. The few friends who were not vaccinated were not allowed to come (though we still love them). At this point in the global pandemic if you’re in the United States and you’re not vaccinated you are a pox on the public. Don’t be an asshole. We’ll hold off on the usual herd of kids until they are no longer vectors, etc.
Anyway, the food was super delicious. And there was lots of it.
Home made by Ale and Eli
People gonna eat up
The imposter dog!
Yes, we’re having fun
Just before the lighting, Jackie, Eli, and Ale read some poetry focused on black identity in honor of Juneteenth.
Jackie reads a poem or two
And then it was time! The bonfire was lit!
2021 Summer Solstice Fire
Mr prepared guy serves as a fire mirror
Romey attends her first actual size solstice
The people
Of course there was music. It went on all night and even when the rain started in slow around 11:30. But then a DELUGE.
The progeny carried one of the tents over the music pod as we shifted inside. The last embers of the party extinguished around 4:30.
Thanks to all who came.
Remember the before times, but carry on!
April Claggett Gets Big
March 6, 2020
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Eighth Blackbird at the National Gallery of Art
February 23, 2020
art, music, Photography, plants Andy Akiho, art, art museum, baba, composers, concert, contemporary music, David Lang, dc, eighth blackbird, emily, emily shepardson, Fjóla Evans, gem, Holly Harrison, Jonathan Bailey Holland, Julius Eastman, Lisa Kaplan, national gallery, national gallery of art, Nina Shekhar, original music, Viet Cuong, washington dc Leave a comment
National Gallery of Art
What a place to see one of my all time favorite contemporary music groups. Eighth Blackbird played the National Gallery 2.16.20, and the show was free. As always, the group featured brand new music from living composers, including: Nina Shekhar, Fjóla Evans, Andy Akiho, Holly Harrison, David Lang, Viet Cuong, Jonathan Bailey Holland, and Julius Eastman. This show included some ringers in for violin, flute, and clarinet.
Lisa Kaplan, fearless leader and director of eighth blackbird
My favorite set was the second, and my favorite piece was Viet Cuoug’s Electric Aroma (2017),
The most precious thing in the museum was Cora, of course.
Cora does contemporary
The setting (no pictures or recording during the show)
After the concert, there were a few minutes for art.
Then it was out and on the metro for cocktails and dinner at Baba.
Sundown on the mall
Smithsonian sculpture
Wholly Emily
Baba’s bar
How to top Proton Tuesday?! Radioactive Valentine’s Day!
February 15, 2020
art, mixology, nature, ocean, who knows alexandria, american visionary art musem, aquarion, baltimore, bell ringing, boots, catoctin creek, gigantic champagne, greta, homeslyce pizza, jellyfish, last word, majestic, maryland proton treatment center, old town, parking angel, proton tuesday, radioactive valentines, spool, spoolia, the national aquarium Leave a comment
As usual, it started with zapping
But it was a special day! The last day of treatment! Which means bell ringing time. Pizza was devoured. Bells were rung.
Feels good to be done.
A happy spool
There was little time left for Baltimore’s museum collection. We headed directly to the American Visionary Art Museum.
AVAM
Das boots (slightly radioactive)
After purchasing some items, many of which were plastic, we headed to the aquarium, driving like lost tourists.
The parking angel (really does something indescribably to the Audi)
The National Aquarium was mobbed on a Valentines Day night.
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And then it was back down to Old Town for a very late dinner indeed at the Majestic. Super fun at the bar (happy Catoctin Creek day!), and a delicious dinner.
A VERY VERY LARGE BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE. VERY LARGE.
The bar at the Majestic
Scallops. If you can’t watch them in an aquarium, by all means eat them.
Last word
I will dearly miss Proton Tuesdays (and Radioactive Valentines), but I hope they never happen again.
Proton Tuesday at Columbia Room
February 12, 2020
mixology, who knows cate, cate blanchett, cocktails, columbia room, corduroy, gem, happy birthday, hirschhorn, manifesto, ot chocolate, photography, proton tuesday, spoolia, video Leave a comment
For the penultimate Proton Tuesday, we celebrated at the Columbia Room (which is turning 10 not too long from now). Craft cocktails are curative. There was also Manifesto before zapping.
Hirshhorn
The best museum hot chocolate evah
Manifesto
Entranced and entrancing
ZAP
Corduroy (on a whim)
The Columbia Room
Happy Birthday Columbia Room
Course one from the days of yore
Yay!
Popcorn with truffle
Chartreuse (green and definitely good for you)
scallop
The fog
You have no idea how good this duck BBQ is. OMG.
Happy Birthday!
Proton Tuesday Alive
Other Proton Tuesdays included: the Portrait Museum and Fiola Mare as well as the Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy, car buying, and Jojo Rabbit. Love you Spool.
john doe krisin hersh grant-lee phillips pittsburgh
February 11, 2020
music, Photography alisa, club cafe, concert, exiles, gem, grant-lee phillips, greg, john doe, krisin hersh, music, original music, photography, pittsburgh, rm, the exiles, video Leave a comment
There were three of them. The setting was intimate at Club Cafe. Negronis were available. Seating was not.
Ye olde van carpool crew
Krisin opened up with an interesting guitar song that involved intentionally bending chords on an acoustic. After that song, all bets were off WRT tuning. Who needs tuning for an intimate acoustic set? EVERYONE. EVERYONE MUST TUNE.
(please tune)
Grant-lee joined in and tuning became mandatory. This also allowed for some breathing. Grant-lee is charismatic and fun to watch but about as deep as a puddle.
Duo to go
Picture picture for Em
John Doe was fantastic. Thank the stars for a poet singer like him.
John Doe
Hells yes on a great Pittsburgh Sunday night. So good to see Alisa and Greg!!
Andy Warhol Looks a Scream, Hang him on my Wall
February 10, 2020
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The Warhol Museum. Yes. Go. Spend several hours.
Titty art. No really.
Self reference.
Born under the same sign on the same day.
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Sydney MCA
February 3, 2020
art, Photography, travel art, australia, photography, sydney, sydney mca, sydney museum of contemporary art, video 1 Comment
Another visit to the stellar Sydney Museum of Contemporary Art. Cornelia Parker was on special exhibition.
Something Fishy in Sydney
February 2, 2020
animals, nature, ocean, Photography, travel maritime museum, photography, sea life sydney aquarium, squarium, sydney, video 1 Comment
The aquarium was a first. So was the maritime museum. Visit both.
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