I’m in Bethlehem tonight, so I headed down to the Terra Cafe open mike for an early set.  Born to be Wild (to get their attention), Sailin’ Shoes (to provide a groove), It’ll Be Me (to slow it down), Smokin’ Babies (to noodle with their brains) and finished with Shoo that Fly (exclamation point).  Opened a few eyes and ears.

Ah, a fine afternoon in Madison on the Green.  I decided, again, to go acoustic.  It’s the way to go on several levels. I’m loud enough to be heard where I’m playing, and not too loud at the other stands, but just loud enough to tickle people’s ears as they approach. 

The early flow is really tip-adverse, and it wasn’t til a lady in a propelled wheel chair tossed in two bucks that I felt appreciated.  Some friendly and familiar folks stopped by, and the Shop Rite worker did the Hokey Pokey with me and a few kids.  A nice moment. 

Great to see the kids (and the adults) warm up to the situation. 

Free heirloom tomatoes and herbed goat cheese and several nice nods from the venders, as well.  I got lots of playing done, worked on stuff, and played really well.  It’s a cheap gig, but I never play it like one.

A nice opportunity to share the evening with Ron Anthony, Knott Brothers and Pete Prizzi, along with emcee Bruce Johns.  In the acoustic cavern of an old stone church, the sound was spectacular, and helped us all have a good time.  Pete, with Denny on bass, did a fine set, his first at this venue.  Knott Brothers included Bill Morrel on some country tunes, and Ron did his usual nice set of his tunes including tunes with Denny and Jim and myself on mandolin.  After a short break, I finished up the evening with a strong set of Vegetable Song, Don’t Call Me Early, Mando tunes, and Pay Bo Diddley.  Nice reaction from all.  Worth the long trip.

Monday was our annual ‘last day of school’ at a special needs school in Whippany, NJ.  It’s a wide spread of ages, from El to Hi.  I was there as a solo a month ago.  Again, its great to see the kids get up and dance in a safe, and caring environment.  John Sanfilppo filled nicely, again. 

I headed out to the caverns of Allentown, in the shadow of the PP&L building for my annual downtown summer concert.  A slow and cloudy day for the most part, with few folks stopping for the lunchtime music.  I played my good guitar stuff early, and as kids, moms and day cares showed up, I switched to the interactive stuff.  Nice to stretch out and play for myself, and others, as well.  the folks from Grace Montessori came over, as well as twin girls (fans) and mom, a Latino family, and several folks from my nights at Cannon’s Bar and Grill.  We mixed it up nicely. 

Macungie this Saturday…..

A full and noisy house for my return to my home town library in Northford, CT.  What  a great scene, with kids, parents, babies, adults and Deb, the librarian on hand.  Lots of activity, great glitter tatoos, just what a library should be.

It was nice to see familiar faces from my other local gigs, including Austin and his family, who got me started on the East Wharf concerts in Madison.  Moms from the North Branford gym, and families from other library concerts.  Again, it is so nice to link kids and families in the community. 

I played a set under a tent in the hot summer time for some dedicated folks raising money for local families in Coopersburg.  Called on by Chris Thatcher (Craig’s wife), I gladly hopped on board.  Chris put together a fine array of music, with Kato, and Craig playing sets.

The small audience was across the macadem under a small tent, trying to escape the sun.  Nice to see a bunch of familiar faces, though few kids were there. 

The moment (s) of the afternoon featured a small collie in the audience.  I put ‘I Wanna be a Dog’ second in the set, and it was fine, but the dog started barking along with the applause, which really centered the crowd in the moment.  But, as the set progressed, the dog continued to bark along with the applause after a song, and  became many moments, all fairly unexpected each time. 

…..good to know I can still connect with any audience.

One of my favorite things to do, play Father Folk.  I get a free (and classy) T shirt, great sound and a bunch of hippies/ cool folks in a grove, down a dirt road…..  This was my third visit, after being invited by old Sheik Bob Flower.  The folk simply enjoy camping, hanging out with friends and family, and a full stage and sound.  I don’t get paid,  but it’s worth the experience, and a chance to play for hip people with a killer sound system.

I played ‘Born to Be Wild’ to start out with, to nice effect.  I said, “I started with my encore song to begin with.”  I played well and hard, and the ole Martin roared.  Back to Bethlehem for a benefit concert set in Coopersburg tomorrow afternoon.

A full three hours on the green in Madison, in spite of possible showers.  Never happened, and I continued my new technique of no sound, and imbedding myself in the walking traffic.  I serves as a more personal exchange with folks (tips, tips, tips), with the kids getting involved (tips, tips…), and enough sound getting out into the park.

Instead of setting up in the middle with sound, I really enjoy the difference, including not setting up sound…..  Off to Bethlehem for Father Folk on Saturday.

An interesting gig for the town of Granby at their town bandshell.  they have a good idea of coupling a kids act at 5 pm, a band at 7:30 and a movie after dark.  It started off very slow, so I actually played unplugged to a small group that started to grow as the set progressed.  I eventually gathered the sound I had set up and finished the set with mikes.  It was somewhat dislocated, but worth the trip.

A little girl came up at the end and gave me a hot dog….

I pulled in to the Easton Day Care center that I was scheduled for this morning at 10 am.  I heard kids singing to ‘If You’re Happy’, and sounded particularly loud.  I walked in and said to the folks at the desk that I was happy and I knew it.  Then I found out that another kids’ performer was already playing with the kids, and she thought he was part of my company.  (My company?) 

The YMCA staff pulled him over, and we found out he was never booked for the gig, and he packed up and left.  I was torn, in that he had the kids going, and I felt I shouldn’t interrupt.  But, I moved in as he moved out.   Strange.

The kids were charged and we did it up in style. 

It’s always different.  Tomorrow, a drive home for a Granby, CT family show at 5 pm.

I did a show for 20 or so kids and a YMCA daycare in Easton.  The kids were fairly good, but somewhat rammy.  Its tough being a counselor in these conditions, with few rules and courtesies worked out.  A couple of no responce kids. balanced by some hyper-active kids who are over-responding.   Stretching my skills, to say the least.  Good fun for the kids, though…  Tomorrow, back to Easton… got to work on my car payments….

I returned for another evening show at Weona Park in Pen Argyl, PA.  I played there two years ago, and had an interesting event with my friend , John Gorka.

Weona Park, from the founders’ “We own a park”, yes, its true.  A fine caurosel, old band shell, home-baked pies and ice cream.  and the weather was fine.

Tonight, again, it was mostly seniors who come to ’em all, and, unfortunately, few families.  But the first set was all the good stuff that is for both, though no polkas….  I did another set for the hardy, and it was fun. 

Another moment that was cool.  An elderly lady came up afterwards, and said she was just singing along.  And then she said she had played this stage with a 65-piece all-girls band, a band that also marched.  Just imagine…..  This is why I love what I do…..  It’s all connected, sometimes….

In what promised to be a scorcher, I headed on to Milford’s FM, from 9 til 12 noon.  It turned out to be not too bad, so I set up, without a sound system and played for two and a half hours, mixing it up with passerbys, kids, adults, collected my small fee and a mandolin case full of ones.  I headed off to PA for my Weona Park gig on Sunday.

It’s been six months or so since I played at Strong House for my senior friends.  Some familiar faces, and some new ones, too.  I worked out some newer material (for me), sang along with some old favorites, played some tunes on the mandolin and banjo, and clowned around.  It was nice to be back.

I met a young student who comes in twice a week – he was trying out some piano with the folks.  We chatted afterwards about the power of what we’re doing.  Very nice.

Monday was a trip to Whippany, NJ for a special needs school that RockRoots has played frequently.  This was a solo visit, and was tough in that I had age variations of 10 to 18.  Big separation of abilities, so I tried to encourage movement, singing and dancing.  It worked but it was hard.

The week was spent a the annual HOT (higher order thinking) Schools Institute  in New Haven. I got to catch up with fellow teaching artists, along with teachers and principals.  Great workshops, interesting speakers and networking.  I still have no gigs from these folks, but I appreciate the knowledge and support from these the CT Council. 

A superb family night at my local library in CT, with a full house of kids, parents and grandparents.  So nice to only travel 4 miles for a gig.  Big thunderstorm before I played, but a rainbow, I’m sure afterwards.  A very nice night.  HOT Schools again tomorrow, all day.

I took time off from HOT Schools for my annual summer visit to a day care in Clinton, CT, and we headed outdoors for some time on real grass.  The little kids were first (pre K) and we danced and sang, and I brought out some scarves for some musical play.  A nice addition to interaction with the wee ones.  The school age kids were next, a smaller group, but actually pretty hip.  Some familiar faces from last year.  A good session, and back to HOT Schools for the afternoon and evening sessions.  HOT Schools tomorrow morning and Atwater Library in the evening.

Saturday night featured sets by Ansel and myself, Knott Brothers and Ron Anthony.  A small crowd, but a nice evening of CT music.  I look forward to working on the audio of the evening.  The CT boys did themselves proud.