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.
It’s a three and a half hour drive, and during morning traffic to get there so I leave about 5:30 am to beat the Jersey/NY traffic. I was smooth sailing this morning and got to the site in about three hours, in time to do my morning meditation with time to spare.
I was early so I asked if I could start at 9:30 instead of 10, and the staff said okay, and that it would give them a chance to change diapers before hand. Always a good thing.
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’ve broken up my routine by introducing the instrument bag earlier, and I got good support from the staff in distributing the goods and controlling the stampede. I’ve also introduced my “playing in the band” technique: Number One: silence. Number Two: with the beat. Number Three: full tilt shaking (great for endings). These kids caught on right away. We did Shoo That Fly, a good rockin’ tune that even had the younger teachers dancing. We all enjoyed watching the toddlers shakin’ that thing.
I finish up with the scarves, and, with the teachers help, we distribute the scarves with relative chaos. I’ve been doing a routine for several years now. Number One: disappear (scarves over the head). Number Two: make emotive faces (sad, silly, etc.). Number Three: the alphabet and letter shapes (first initial in your name). Number Four: dance to Jelly In The Dish with tossing the scarves in the air at the end of the verse, and then swapping scarves with neighbors. This is a great finale, with lots of movement, color and a sense of community that is hard to beat.
I packed up around 10:45 for the long trip back to PA, feeling good about the gig, the money and spending some time in thought on the way home. I got back in great time about 2 pm, ready for a restorative nap in the afternoon.
Always worth the trip.