Under the tree at the Rose Garden
A double header today, starting with my monthly set at Bethlehem’s Rose Garden Farmers’ Market, a pleasant acoustic two hours under a big ole tree. Essentially a freebee since I was paid for my four visits last month. Still….
I was a fairly slow day at the market, but decided to start with a bunch of my positive folk songs like Step By Step, We Are Welcomed, Good Noise, A Place in the Choir, gathering a small amount of applause from the vendors. That is a large part of my challenge here – to entertain those vendors who are certainly not getting rich at these events.
I also have decided to chat with folks that stop by, and, really, isn’t that what a local farmers’ market in the neighborhood is all about? A few young families stop by and the kids (and dads) break into the bag for rhythm instruments and jam with the Dave. This is where the ‘heavy lifting” takes place, creating special moments with a young family. Often the parents tell me of the times I played for them when they were kids. That’s pretty cool.
As I packed up my stuff in the car, I headed over to my farmer friend for my usual tip of a big ole juicy tomato for a couple of sandwiches next week. Then, off to Father Folk Festival in Somewhere, PA. A long day for me.
I often wonder why I book these long treks into CT, but Thursday’s trip to Westbrook and this warm elementary center reminds me that it’s always worth the trip. I’ve been doing an annual visit to this center going back to when I lived in CT, and the folks have always welcomed my shows here. They pay well, the kids are cool, and I especially like the trip to the Shoreline – a change of scenery always clears my mind.
There were about 50 kids, from babes to toddlers to third graders, in an all-purpose room with a carpet. I set up front as the kids trundled in and I launched with Spider on the Floor, with my pet spider, Boris. It was a good introduction, sans guitar and a ground breaker. The usual I Like Peanut Butter, Tutti Tah, We Gave Names to the Animals, etc.
I was invited to perform at the Cooks Creek Watershed Association, marking its 50 years of environmental education and advocacy. A group of watershed associations in the Upper Buck area gathered in Springtown were fine. I kicked of the morning at 10:30, thinking that the kids and families would be out early. Well, no.
I was particularly proud to have my friend Anne Hills do a Dave’s Night Out with me. She is a nationally touring folk artist, recording artist with a great history of playing with Tom Paxton, Bob Gibson, Michael Smith and her trio Voices of Winter with Cindy Mangsen and Priscilla Herdman. Her voice is pure and she has a great smile. And she lives here in Bethlehem, too.
The stories flowed and the audience loved it. Many folks are big fans of Anne, and they really liked the opportunity to see her in such an informal and intimate setting. Perhaps I surprised them, too. Giants and How Legends Are Made came across nicely and my Martin was in fine form. I love this instrument!
Another day of employment! This one was only five minutes away, down at the studios of WLTV -39. These folks have been really supportive of my children’s work, they pay me what I’m worth (and don’t have to beg) and they promote my concerts nicely.
Monday’s park was Father Tucker’s Park, in the heart of Little Italy in Wilmington. I was hired by the Grand Opera House, a leading arts organization in the city. I was here several years ago, pre-covid and remember playing on this site. The turn-out was pretty small, with two dads with their boys, the Opera House folks and one 11 year-old girl, Asheka. She was great! She picked up on rainbow streamers and began to dance around the site, and was involved from the get go. She made my day. The Opera House provided a PA, and, over my objections, insisted we use it (for 10 people?), and the manager also insisted I perform on this natural stage, distant from the people. It seems he knew what he wanted to do, and not necessarily what was best for a slow session. Anyway, I plowed through, playing for the kids and adults and finished out my hour in front of nobody. So it goes. Back on the road for another hour and half drive.
Early drive to Wilmington on Tuesday with little traffic. I got to Haynes Park with time to spar, a large park in the northern part of the city. This one had a tennis camp going on, and I hoped they would stick around for the show. I’m glad they did. I had a group of about ten teens and sixteen tweeners so, at least today, I had critical mass to play for. And, as expected, the teens were less responsive than the younger kids, and, for a while, the younger kids got involved right away and made it easier to gradually win over the teens.
It was interesting that all my farmers’ market gigs converged this past weekend with four FMs in a row. Frankly, I was glad to exercise my repertoire again after a rather barren performance schedule this winter and spring. I was looking forward to see how my singing, guitar-playing and memory would respond after such a slow time period. I did okay.
Thursday was at the Bethlehem Farmers’ Market a block away from 4th Street, up at Lehigh’s Farrington Square. Lehigh is out for the summer so it was fairly empty but a couple of moms brought their kids to listen and play along. It gave me something to work with, and I got some cherries out of the deal. My pay went from $125 for two hours to $150 for three and a quarter hours (plus set up and break down and street parking fees). It took a toll on my voice, but it was good to be playing again. I used my PA for this one and it was worth the hassle. The market manager likes what I do, and got nice reponces from the vendors. I got a nice tip of a large Mason jar of hot pickles from a vendor. Those things are pleasant surprises.
The banter was particularly heartfelt and fun. Lots of history, mutual respect and, of course, some very funny moments. As it always is at the DNO’s, everyone, including us, seem to enjoy the warmth and intimacy of the club. Craig also brought out three wonderful Martins. During one of my songs, the 000-16 I had leaned against the stage wall fell over and I remarked, “It’s only a Martin.” Chuckle. They bounce, but only once.
Needless to say, Craig is one of great guitarists in the Lehigh Valley and to have him back me up on some of my tunes was special. I should be able to get some good cuts for my radio show. Craig also mentioned how these Godfrey’s gigs are special for him, as well, and how he relishes playing in this room. A good friend and a great evening.
We’ve been doing rehearsals for several weeks, and Mary suggested I learn Over in the Meadow, a Raffi folk song (gasp…), adapt it for the show and use it for the opening introduction to the fauna of the meadow. I started the show, sitting on a stump with my Martin and introduced the fish and duck families and the tadpoles and their father mother. I also added various musical motifs during the play, including Here Come The Sun for the dawn in the meadow. I had a few curmudgeon lines as well.
Mary Wright did a fantastic job, running the festival while directing our play. I did this all for her, and I’m glad she kicked my ass to do it. It was nice to be part of the Touchstone ensemble once again after 35 years. And I got to wear makeup!
This is another gig that I love, though it falls into the benefit category, and that’s okay by me. My friend Dave Reber, who volunteers at this educational farm, gathers various musicians and jammers to provide musical entertainment for the kids and families that come out to tour the farm.
This was a good one. Fellow folk programmers and musicians Tom Druckenmiller and Rick Weaver shared the stage with me. We played some tunes, talked about our radio shows and our gigs in the flesh. It was great to share our thoughts with the other programmers in the audience, Rob Reagan, Steve Capwell, Pat DeWolfe and Marcie Lightwood.
I took a step out of my usual musical theme for Dave’s Night Out tonight by inviting three women poets Ann Michael, Susan Weaver and Marilyn Hazelton. I’m good friends with Ann and Marilyn and have known Susan for a while. The initial topic was Tanka poetry, an interesting short poetry procedure that pre-dates Haiku. I’ve been a fan ever since Marilyn introduced it in a Lehigh Valley Teaching Artist session several years ago. I have several copies of Marilyn’s Red Lights magazine on my bedstand that help me drop the random thoughts that keep me awake and take me elsewhere.
I have been waiting expectantly for this evening, hosting two of my favorite esoteric songwriters on stage here at Godfrey’s. Several years ago, at a DNO with George, I noticed that Alex dropped by and sat in a pew in the corner. Ah ha! These guys gotta meet. They did.
It never dawns on me that I write songs, too, as I collaborate with students at residencies, so that gave me an entryway into the discussion. I think I added an intersting dimension to working with others to created something new. I played verses from We Gave Names To The Animals and The Cat Came Back. 
I had the chance to return to Godfrey’s stage for a Sunday family concert on Sunday afternoon, part of series of concerts sponsored by Just Born Candies (think, Peeps and Mike and Ike’s). I was feeling a little out of practise but figured once I was in the element, things would flow. And it did.
We did the Tutti Tah next and off we went. Lots of laughs, chat with some of the bright kids sitting up front (I always engage these kids, regardless of the show’s pace. The conversations always lead to curious thoughts). The Cat Came Back, I’m Gonna Tell, Bear Hunt, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Giants, We Gave Names to the Animals, A Place in the Choir, and Jelly in the Dish. I finished off with Magic Penny, a nod to Valentine’s Day this week.
It was a long time coming for me, returning to perform in an elementary school again, and I was glad to shake some of the rust off. I headed down the Blue Route to Wayne, PA for a 2 pm assembly for about 100 Kindergarteners and five teachers. I set up in a relatively small but carpeted assembly room. I parked my small amp, guitar in front of the stage, conversed with the PTA mom for a half hour and in came the kids. They seemed a little sluggish, but no matter.
Gigs are far and few these days, but I particularly enjoyed my Dave’s Night Out with old Shimersville Sheik band mate Roy Smith. The Sheiks were a really fine string band back in the 70’s, along with Jerry Bastoni, Chris Simmons and various other ne’er-do-wells. We were pretty esoteric in our repertoire, covering bluegrass, old country, jug band, Australian tunes and British Music Hall songs. We were an “art” band and got to play some interesting gigs at festivals, bars, and even opening night at Godfrey’s.
I was looking forward to sharing the stage with Doug Ashby, bluesman, fellow radio programmer and folk historian. His band Tavern Tan is a regular treat at Godfrey’s and my respect for him as a musician in the Valley is quite strong. We’ve never had the chance to swap songs before so this was a good chance. For extra credit, my sister Janet, daughter Rosalie and her fiancé Jourdan were in attendance.