I played my last school for the season on Tuesday, a delightful K class in West Haven, CT. Delightful, in that I didn’t have to set up sound equipment, just take my instruments, and delightful in being able to just play with the kids, dancing to Sally Walker. I had the luxury of stretching the time, ask questions. Nadine, the teacher…. I forgot to play Nadine for her and the kids…. oh, well.

Monday’s school was in Maple Shade, NJ, and, by golly, we played outdoors under the shade of the old maple tree. The kids were rammier than usual, but 3rd and 4th graders are always fun to play for.

I’ll be emceeing on New Haven Green for the CT CCT (Art’s Council) and its showcase of roster performers. I always enjoy meeting the the other artists and getting to see what they do so well. Performers rarely get to see each other. Til then.

This is a busy Monday for the lads – Eatontown, NJ at 9 am (in the pouring rain) in NJ and then out to Hellertown, PA this afternoon. It’s now a bright, sun-shiny day! (I Can See Clearly Now) The Saucon Valley MS show was a lot of fun, with 600 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Since Nick the Bass Player is in Europe, touring with Eric Steckel, we are featuring Steady Maides on his wonderful beat-up P base. What a guy!

I’ll be part of an CT Artists’ Showcase on New Haven Green, as part of the 12th annual International Festival of Arts and Ideas, from noon to 5 pm on Saturday, June 23rd. This is great opportunity to see 30 performances of my fellow CT performing and teaching artists: jazz, folk music, classical music, drumming, poetry, theatre, mime, storytellers, dancers and more. Stay tuned for my set time, but it should be a hoot and a half!

Thursday’s show is as close to a beer sponsorship as we’ll ever get. Actually, it’s part of a “Bring Your Child to Work” day for the folks at Anheuser Busch in Newark. These are great events, having done several recently, especially for the parents! Beats working for an hour.

We’re also working on a Blues Show as an addition to our regular RockRoots show. Stay tuned!

RockRoots celebrated Friday the 13th at the Village School in Skillman, NJ yesterday. Wonderful audiences – 3rd and 4th grades. The school is in the middle of the old Skillman Village, featured in Weird New Jersey, a deserted NJ State rehabilitation community. The site has ~ 100 buildings, soon to be raized this summer. Kind of eerie, but the kids and teachers are thriving. Another amazing visit on the old gig trail. There ya go.

Well, my visit with the moms and wee folk in Newark, Delaware, was a hoot, and a nice introduction to that area. I’ll be back on August 15th, and I’m looking forward seeing my new friends there.

Anyway, the answer to the question is: New Jersey. Thursday is a visit to Ridgewood, NJ with RockRoots in the morning, and then I get to hear a great French guitarist Pierre BenSusan back at Godfrey’s. Another day full of music…..

I’m looking forward to being able to be in better touch with you all. I’m liable to post thoughts, discoveries and tales of my travels on this site. Let’s see where it goes!

I’m off to a Toddler Concert in Newark, DE tomorrow, playing for the wee folk. It’s always neat to see little kids react to music, especially how they start to dance right away. I love it. How we lose that ability to let go and move has always been one of my big questions about becoming an adult. I can’t sit still listening to music. Oh, well. I’ll never grow up.

I’m working on Musikfest in Bethlehem and now Harrisburg, PA this summer. I’m also excited about returning to the Florence Griswold Museum in CT this summer.

Stay tuned……