Kutztown, Acoustic Roadshow, and the Most Excellent Martin Family Band

While for most of my Seasons posts, I at least attempt to stay on the subject of Seasons and our comings and going, I am going to digress into one of my most favorite digressing topics: cool bands I like, that we get to hang out with.

For the next few paragraphs I am going to shamelessly plug the Martin family band. For those of you who follow my notes (and as loyal Seasons fans I hope you do, though actually my mom doesn't even follow them) you may remember when I first met the Martin family back at Patsy Fagan's Pub during an Irish session. Since then we have been hoping for a chance to hear them perform live, and just last weekend we got a chance!

Both Seasons and the Martin Family band were slated to provide music at the Kutztown Craft Guild Trade show (or something with those words in some order) thanks to Acoustic Road Show and Butch Imhoff (see note on Acoustic Roadshow...)

Seasons, startlingly, got to Kutztown University on time to hear the Martins play. At first I thought we were just improving our punctuality, until my mom told me that she had misread the time on the calendar and thought we started playing at 12pm instead of 1pm. Oh well, it was a happy thought.

Anyway, the happier thought was that by arriving early we had enough time to tune our eons of strings (though I think only in heaven will our hammered dulcimer ever be perfectly in tune) and watch the Martin's show.

And these guys are AWESOME. Not only do they have five kids who each play multiple instruments and Irish dance (as well as a four-year-old who waited quite patiently under the Martin's table for the show to be over) but the parents play guitar and bass as well. While we do have their CDs, which are great, it is even better to see them live not only because of the dancing but because they have a great energy on stage and it is fun to watch the inter-band connections onstage, which you can't get on a CD. If you do have the chance to see them perform, make sure you get a chance to hear them play "Cathasis" and "Tammlin," and if they don't just give them a rousing encore and shout the song names over and over, because they are not to be missed. Of course, I would hope that you would give them a rousing encore in any case....

After the Martins finished their set, we had a Seasons/Martin family band jam. Our first song we played was "The Butterfly," which our little sister Clare calls "ED the Butterfly" so she can remember the chord names. Clare was tickled to play with a bunch of other fiddle players (and to use one of their cool fiddle mics) and I think she would have defected and joined up with the Martins had I not hastily given her a raise.

We then got to play a rousing rendition of Morrison's Jig followed by The Road to Lisdoonvarna. Sadly, we then ran out of jamming time and Seasons had to play their set, but we are hoping that the Martin family band and Seasons will again join forces to become "Seasons of the Martin Family." Or "The Martin Family Seasons."

Well, maybe by then I'll come up with a cool name....

Stay tuned for more Seasons dates and happenings!

Below I've posted a link to the Martin Family Band Website, and also one of their videos:

http://www.martinfamilyband.net/index.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwmxwk1Rjb0

Seven Movies for Easter

Recently I was just searching online for some suggestions of great movies to watch over Easter and was woefully disappointed with what google had to offer me. For some reason, watching "The Martin Luther Story" does not sum up my feelings about Holy Week.

So, I decided to compile my own list of Easter movies that I hope will entertain you and also enrich your celebration of Holy Week.

Disclaimer:note that none of these films replaces the experience of going to Holy Week Services. These films are meant to be supplemental material for mediation and inspiration, not the main course!

1. The Passion of the Christ:

This one goes without saying, but I am going to say it anyway (since if I didn't I know at least one of you would comment "But how could you leave out..."). "Passion" is not for the faint of heart, and is not fun to watch, but is a reminder of the reality of the cross. The cross, and Good Friday, should not be something we neatly compartmentalize into a short prayer or static picture in our minds, and "The Passion of the Christ" can be a good way to shake us out of our comfort zones. However, "Passion of the Christ" is not for everyone. Some people will watch it once and that's enough. Some people will watch it every year. It might be your thing, it might not, and that's okay.

2. The Robe:

Okay, I LOVE this movie! It a 1958 classic, and tells the story of the Roman soldier Marcellus, who won Jesus' robe while gambling with the other gaurds at the foot of the cross. This movie has all the splendor of old Hollywood, the sets, the costumes, the bazillions of extras, and exciting sword fights, but at the heart of it is a great story of redemption, courage, and unflinching faith (and if you like it, there is even a sequal, Demetrius and the Gladiators). Speaking of epic, this leads me to my next suggestion...

3. Ben Hur:

Okay, if I said "The Robe" was epic, "Ben Hur" makes it look like a tea party. Like "To Kill a Mockingbird," is to literature, "Ben Hur" is one of those movies you absolutely have to see at least once if you are a movie person. Make sure you leave enough time to watch it, since it is a long one! I would suggest have plenty of hummus, bread and olive oil, and other Roman-type snacks on hand, as well as enough time to take a break in the middle, since it is about four hours long. I first saw this film in Oxford when I watched all four hours in one sitting with my friends Marie and Adam, and it is awesome. Again, like the Robe, it has its high spectacle moments, but at the heart of it is a story of a man grappling with the idea of faith and struggling to find his place in the world.

4. Godspell:

Now for something completely different. Every year I fluctuate between disliking this film and loving it, and this year, once again I love it. While some might complain that it is theologically innacurate (it is a musical) the music is wonderful, and the film brings the parables to life in fresh and memorable ways. Also, the way that the Apostles are called out of the world to follow Christ is not to be missed, since I think quieting oneself to hear God's call is a message we all definately still need today. And come on, if the song "By the Willows," still makes me cry after all these years, there must be something there...

5. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

For all you allegorical folks out there, you can't beat Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe! Personally, I still think the best way to experience this story is to read the book, but the new film version is decent (though having Liam Neesan's voice coming out of Aslan is a bit jarring at first) or you can go the route of the old BBC version, which has an excellent cast (and Beavers that look like potatoes...)

6. St. John in Exhile.

In this great, one-man performance by Dean Jones the audience is introduced to the elderly St. John (in exhile, duh) who speaks about the time he spent with Jesus and Christ's passion. This film might be hard to find, but it is by turns lively, humorous, touching, and always compelling. Dean Jones does a great job making Saint John come to life as a fully developed character, and not just the stuffy (or wimpy) stereotype that we tend to pin on John the Apostle.


7. St. Maximilian Kolbe

While this movie is not an Easter movie, per se, don't let that stop you from watching it! This is another incredible one-man performance in which Leonardo Defilipis portrays Maximilian Kolbe, the Saint of Auschwitz. Defilipis plays multiple roles in the film, and it is amazing to watch him playing Maximilian Kolbe one moment and a Nazi leader the next. So why is this in my Easter picks? Because it shows the story of a man living the Catholic faith boldly and unhesitatingly making the ultimate sacrifice in imitation of Christ.

Like the Passion of the Christ, I feel that I have not finished my note until I mention:

The Ten Commandments:
Now, this film is on television every year around this time, when networks feel that they should put on something that is somewhat spiritual (and the story of Moses seems safe enough). The problem is, this film is long to begin with, and what with commercial breaks every five minutes it takes Moses a good two hours simply to get to the burning bush! I have been watching this movie every Easter week since I was twelve and never have I seen the pivotal moment at the end of the film where Moses actually recieves the ten commandments, which is apparently the whole point of the movie. Once Moses parts the Red Sea the channel usually feels that three hours of spirituality is enough and is getting uncomfortable, so then they switch to the 10 pm news. So, at this point in my life I am a bit weary of The Ten Commandments, but if you are feeling daring, I would say shell out some cash and rent it and forget about the commercial breaks. Or just watch Prince of Egypt.

Life on the Rock on You Tube!

Okay, for everyone who didn't get to see the show (or who already watched it three times and wants to see it again) EWTN posted it on you tube so now we don't need to go through the bothersome watch it at this time and on this channel, blah blah blah

So for all the free and busy spirits out there, here is Seasons on YOUR own time:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhMXDm006e4

Let me know what you think, and thanks for all the prayers, we wouldn't have gotten down to Alabama without them!

MK

Seasons Makes the Examiner

If you are looking for some high-quality Celtic folk music to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day with your family, watch the videos below for samples from three excellent American Celtic folk groups who will be appreciated by parents and kids alike.

If you don't like bag pipes, you might want to skip Molly's Revenge, a California-based band, consisting of David Brewer (highland bag pipes, whistles, bodhran), John Weed (fiddle), Pete Haworth (bouzouki, vocals) and Stuart Mason (guitar/mandola), because you are going to hear a lot of piping in their concerts. On the other hand, once you hear or see David Brewer perform you may just be converted. He is a fiery player who will take your breath away with his incredible speed and virtuosity, be they sets of stately or lively Scottish and Irish tunes or his own traditional-style compositions.Through all this incredible music making, David dances around on stage as if the pipes were playing him. Think of Jimmy Hendrix on bag pipes and you get the idea. The wild stuff is interspersed with the lyrical sweetness of traditonal Irish and Scottish airs with David on whistles of all kinds, taking turns with masterful fiddle and guitar solos by Stuart and John. Stuart also plays his own compositions. For those who cannot do without song, Pete sings some great ballads, among them the one the band was named after: "Molly's Revenge".

Molly's Revenge are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year and have released their seventh CD for the occasion. It is called the Western Shore and, as a guest, features Irish singer Moira Smiley. If you missed last October's concert in Aberdeen, Washington, you will have another chance to see their wonderful show at the Skagit Valley Highland Games, July 10-11, 2010 and in Seattle, July 11, 2010.

Moving from the Western shore to the East, the Seasons, a sibling trio consisting of Mary Kate Spring Lee ( Harp/Hammered Dulcimer), Mary Teresa Summer Lee (Harp/ Mandolin/ Percussion) and Peter Winter Lee ( Hammered Dulcimer), will delight your family with the sparkling, bell-like quality of their very unique interpretation of Celtic dance music and songs. Seasons are a very young homeschooled group. Mary Kate and Peter attend Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. On their CD Which Way To Dublin Town (The link gives you some music samples), they team up with a number of musician friends to present traditional Irish jigs and songs along with original ballads composed by Mary Kate. The intricate sound of the Seasons' two hammered dulcimers plus harp gives their music the freshness and complexity of a running brook which is perfectly complemented by the clear harmonies of singers Clare, Hannah and Mary Callaghan. Mary Kate's Dalriada is a perfect Saint Patrick's Day song, telling the story of the saint's captivity in Ireland and ending with the words of the famous Saint Patrick's Breastplate:

"Christ before me

Christ beside me

Christ beneath

Christ above me

Christ all around me

Christ where it's too dark to see

Christ be within me

Upholding my soul."

If your family likes Celtic dancing, you will love the Boston Kiltics, a New England group specializing in the music and dance of Novia Scotia (New Scotland) where the Celtic music tradition was kept very much alive by the descendents of Scottish fiddlers who fled there from persecution in their homeland. The Boston Kiltics are Doug Lamey (fiddle), Cliff Mc Gann ( guitar/whistles/vocals), Matthew Phelps (bag pipes) and master step dancers Pam Campbell and Christine Morrison. TheBoston Kiltics have not published any CDs but you can watch some of their great Celtic foot-tapping music on youtube. Tri is the name of the three guys without the dancers who have released a beautiful CD A-measg Chairdean.

Take the time to enjoy the beautiful music of the Celtic tradition with your kids and rejoice in continuation and the ever-changing, wonderful variations on this music by musicians born in this country. Don't forget to tell your family the story of Saint Patrick whose feast day we will celebrate tomorrow.

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http://www.examiner.com/x-25538-Seattle-Parenting--Education-Examiner~y2010m3d16-Celtic-music-for-your-familys-Saint-Patricks-Day-celebration

Our Life on the Rock

Greetings from West Virginia!

Well, by the time that I post this we will be in Pittsburgh, probably having finished playing the Catholic Underground at St. Matthews. The amount of driving we have done since Tuesday has been pretty intense:

Tuesday: Drove six hours from Harrisburg to Roanoke, VA, and played at St. Andrews Church.

Wednesday: Drove eight hours from Roanoke, VA to Irondale, AL, home of EWTN.

Thursday: Filmed “Life on the Rock.”

Yesterday Drove eight hours from Irondale, AL, trekked on through Tennessee, Virginia, and, sigh, finally ended up in a Holiday Inn somewhere in West Virginia. Today: Working on getting to Pittsburgh, which is a four-hour drive, and then Catholic Underground (at which I hope to see Coleen Hair!)

Tomorrow: Peter will be heading back to Steubenville and the rest of us will be getting up early to drive five hours back to Harrisburg, hopefully to make it back to St. Lawrence’s in time to play at the Lenten afternoon of reflection with Martin Doman.

Total driving time: A lot! Since we have the instruments in the back of the big red van we have two benches for six people. I have spent my traveling experience between Luke and Clare’s booster seats, which on the whole has been fairly pleasant, except during the last hour of each of our driving stretches, at which point I am usually ready to blast anyone for the smallest infraction, including breathing on me. However, in my better moments of being in the car I have gotten to write quite a few belated notes and am working my way through the Stone Heart Series by Charles Fletcher, which is fantastic.

Anyway, I am going to rewind the blog back to Wednesday night, to recap our experience down at EWTN. After getting settled in the Regina Caeli guesthouse, one of the EWTN guesthouses where people can stay while they are filming shows, we went to the airport to pick up Mary and Clare Callaghan and Ben-David Warner, our vocalists and violin player. All of them where amazing in agreeing to come down, canceling classes, rescheduling work shifts, ect. Mary also came down with largengitis less then a week ago, which momentarily stopped my heart (since her doctor said absolutely NOT to sing for a week) but after consulting her vocal teacher Mary said she would probably be okay.

After returning to the house we set up all the instruments in the kitchen and started practicing. Playing “Dalriada” was a pretty cool experience, since technically Seasons has never played the song “with” Ben-David (except for the magic of recording technology). Then we had pizza and went right into more practicing. Our practice finished up around 10:30 p.m. at night, and then Ben-David, Pete and I continued to jam.

The next morning was consumed with getting enough sleep, figuring out what everyone would wear and doing make-up (Clare, as a professional television wardrobe consultant was invaluable here, and did makeup for all the girls) and making a list of what order we would try to record our songs. After noon mass we were set to go to the studio at 1:15 pm to record as many of our eight songs as possible until 5pm (which we were rather confident of).

However, television filming is basically the origin of the “hurry up and wait” saying, and after setting up our stuff we had to wait almost two hours while the sound, lighting, and camera guys did their thing.

So, with the clock already pushing three we started recording our songs, starting with the tricky ones: Helmsman, Irish Blessing, and Dalriada. While initially the EWTN guys seemed a bit skeptical that we would be able to get all the songs in, racing the clock seemed to push all of us to perform our best.

At 4:50 pm we got a good take of River Song but still had one song left, Sailor’s Lullaby. I told the sound guys and our producer that we didn’t have to try the song since we were short of time, but they said to go ahead and give it a shot, since the last four songs we had played we had gotten in one take. So Sailor’s Lullaby, which I wrote all of two weeks ago (and which Ben-David learned less then 24 hours ago) amazingly joined the list of first-take songs!

Once we finished up recording the songs we headed over for dinner with the show hosts, Doug Barry and Fr. Mark. Both of them are super personable and very funny, and they basically got an overview from us about what Seasons is all about, and what we would like to say to the “millions of people watching” (thanks for the calming words, guys).

The four Seasons then headed over to Mother Angelica’s conference room, where we got fitted with mics, Peter got makeup, Emalia (the former producer of Life on the Rock who first recommended up for the show because our Christmas CD was the favorite of her infant Beatrice) ran in the continually updating break-downs of the show as we got closer to the go time, we tried to figure what we wanted to discuss when, and we signed release forms. Mind you, all of this happened at the same time, so it was pretty hectic (when the “hurry up” part of television kicks in it seriously kicks in).

Then we walked out and once again were on the set on Life on the Rock, which (as Grace thought before we got there) is not a real house in the mountains. Ben-David, Mary and Clare ended up getting seated on the set too, which was awesome since we were able to introduce them during the show (though I think Mary and Clare were originally intended to sit in the back row of the audience).

The show flew by, especially since we usually had only three mintues to talk between each song (you can see on the cameras how much time you have before the next song runs) and then during the songs Doug was telling us what was going to happen next for the following live segment.

While we were doing the show I didn’t really think of people actually seeing it on television, but across the country:

The pub Clare Callaghan works at “The Grog,” turned off basketball and put on EWTN for the whole hour show (and apparently people were shushing each other to hear it and were texting Clare the whole time). So, technically we did get to play a pub for Saint Patrick’s Day! I think this may have the first for EWTN.

My grandma tuned in with my Uncle in New Jersey after calling all of her church friends to make sure they were watching.

My friend Whitney was flipping through channels with no idea that we were going to be on television and ran into “Life on the Rock” (which must have been a really shocking experience).

Amazingly, none of us were really nervous, by the grace of God, and we were just able to treat it as a normal conversation. Well, almost normal (there was that studio audience of people sitting in). However, the relief was palpable afterwards as we all celebrated in the guesthouse afterward!

Now, as we retrace our steps back I wonder what will be different when we return home. What a journey it has been since we found out we were going to be on the show last fall, and, as Bilbo would say “The road goes ever on…”

Right now what I am looking forward to most it getting back to my spot on the floor back home, rolling out my sleeping bag and getting a good night’s sleep!

Stay tuned for my upcoming note where I tell everyone about the secret Seasons bloopers on the show, and of course what happens at Catholic underground tonight!

Our write-up in Scholastic!

TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2010

Scholastic Award-winning Siblings Start Band

It’s true that alumni of The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards come from allcreative walks of life – we’ve got painters, writers, photographers, poets, video game designers, journalists, teachers and even a handful of lawyers and scientists. But if there’s one question we commonly hear, it’s: “I won an Award! What do I do now?”

For Mary-Kate Lee and three of her Scholastic Award-winning brothers and sisters, the answer was simple: start a Celtic folk band. Bands as diverse as the Allman Brothers, Beach Boys, the Kinks, the Pointer Sisters, Hanson, Radiohead, Van Halen and the Jackson 5 all hail from sibling roots, and musical families have been the subject of TV shows and movies. But Seasons enters the scene as the first sibling band we’ve heard of composed entirely of Scholastic Award winners.

The group was started almost five years ago by Lee siblings Peter Winter, Mary-Teresa, Mary Kate and Mary-Grace, who perform for churches, weddings, coffeehouses and even thePennsylvania Renaissance Faire and Appalachian Brewing Company. Music includes vocals,harp, hammered dulcimer, the mandolin, percussions and the penny whistle. The group has released two albums (Eventide Lullaby and Which Way to Dublin Town) and are hard at work composing original music for their third. Both albums have sold internationally and been reviewed by national publications. In addition to performing their own music, they've also been known to play selections from Lord of the Rings, Cold Play, Johnny Cash and Bach.

When Mary-Kate Lee isn’t writing new songs or performing, she still spends a good deal of time writing. She reports that in addition to working on a collection of short stories, she has her first novel in the works, and she recently won a writing competition that landed her short short story, Berceuse, in Central Pennsylvania Magazine. She reports: “I can say, as a professional musician and writer, that my life's course would not be the same without my experience in Scholastic Art & Writing Competition. What a boost in confidence, and a thrill to have my hard work recognized.”

Mary-Kate continues to balance her musical life with her writing. For her, the question isn’t “what can I do now?” but “what can’t I do?” Whether it’s a novel or a Celtic band, the possibilities are endless.

See Seasons' cover of Coldplay's Clocks - with two djembe accompanists - here.

Scythian (still) knows our names!

Okay, so it is pretty much official. After several meetings, Scythian still knows who we are!

This is a sobering thought. For me, it is similar to Bruce Springsteen not only knowing who I am but wanting to have a conversation. Okay, so maybe not that intense, but perhaps you can understand why all the words I ever learned desert me when a member of my favorite Irish band since the Chieftans asks me how we are doing!

Scythian severely tests my loyalties...

Ahh, the Chieftans. For me they are the Beatles of Irish music, great tunes, great musicians and great arrangements...however...

Let me begin at the beginning. Last night Seasons kicked off their official week of Irishness with a show at Warm Hearts Cafe from 8-10:00pm. Back in Harrisburg, Scythian was playing a show at Appalachian brewing company from 9 till an unknown hour in the evening or early morning...

We had known of Scythian's show for a while because Harrisburg is a new area for them and we were really excited to have them make this a new stopping point for the Church Bus! We were also really excited when Seasons and Scythian were mentioned on the same page of the Patriot News, which is currently magneted to our refrigerator (though technically the page belongs to 10-year-old Clare because she "claimed" it).

While I had every intention of going to the show, there were three obstacles that tested my resolve:

1. We didn't get packed up from Warm Hearts until 10:30 pm

2. Tickets were $20 dollars not $15 (just so you all know ABC Brewing Company does NOT sell advance tickets the day of. This is a common misconception.)

3. Peter had a paper on Paradise Lost due the next afternoon.

So, when we pulled into the ABC parking lot I was still going strong on a half hour of wavering between going to see whatever was left of Scythian's show or going home and getting caught up on LOST.

Luckily, I impulsively decided that we should just go in and at least check out how much longer they were playing. I also concluded that I will have many more chances to see twenty dollars bills than chances to see Scythian live, so decided to grab the opportunity while it was here!

Peter, Becca Delp and I climbed the staircase up to the Abby Bar

The Abbey Bar Stage. Insert tons of excited dancing fans, Scythian, and Seasons standing to the right of the stage. Oh, and beer. Lots of beer.

and found Scythian in full swing playing a blisteringly fast rendition of a tune that I know as "Ten-Penny Bit" (though Irish songs are famous for having a billion different names). Peter and I entered, basking in our over-21 year old glory and stood to the side of the stage. Initially we wove through the crowd looking for a good place to stand (which was rather like fighting our way through a herd of stampeding Impala who are holding glasses full to the brim of beer) and then decided that our original place was the best anyway. On our way, though, we ran into the awesome Jessy Hamel (and, with how tight the crowd was packed, we literally ran into her).

We were basically standing in arms length of the band, though we were watching everything in profile. I knew the minute we walked in that it was totally worth $20 dollars to see Scythian. Coming off playing a show I was watching and listening to them pretty closely, and as always was impressed with how technically awesome they are, and all the great subtle nuances in their music. I know what you are thinking, "It's fast Irish stuff," but Scythian does not cut corners, and while they could possibly get away with "Just playing the songs" without people noticing, they are super tight and have fantastic arrangements. Aas one of the main arrangers in my band I know how much work goes into taking an Irish song and making it sound different from the other Irish songs you play. Their arrangements are fresh and interesting, and make each song really unique with its own distinct flavor.

Anyway, we were clapping along, having a great time, when Dan looked over to our side. Suddenly, his face had that gradual dawning recognition of "I know those people..."

I waved, and thought "Wow, that was kind of cool," but then, when Peter wandered off to the bar to get a beer and I was contemplating following him I heard Dan announce "Hey Seasons is here! We have Seasons in the house, a great local band, raise your hands Seasons!"

I think Becca Delp had to practically grab my arm and raise my hand for me, so surprised I was! I think the rest of the audience was surprised to, but it was because they were thinking "Seasons? Who's Seasons?"

Then Scythian launched into "Dance All Night," which is an awesome song and one of my favorites of theirs.

Near the end of the show they mentioned us again (with the Delps supportively screaming "Seasons, Seasons is over here!") and played "My Son John" and "Final Song," as their encore (My Son John is awesome, and if you could wear a CD out, that song would be long gone by now I have listened to it so much).

Since I only had enough money for either a beer or a CD I figured that Scythian's live album part 2 would be a better long term-decision (you won out against a NewCastle Ale lads, be very honored)!

Oh beloved Newcastle...

but not as good as a Scythian CD!

After the show I got a chance to talk to both Lex and Dan, who were excited that Seasons was heading on its first mini tour to Alabama. When we told Dan that Ben David was heading down to EWTN with us, he knew right away that it was to be singing our St. Patrick song.

As you well may know, it is hard to have a normal conversation when you are

a. Amazed that you are getting to talk to your favorite band once again
b. Amazed that your favorite band wants to talk to you
c. Amazed that your favorite band remembers specific details about your band and likes your band!

With all this amazement going on, I think I can be given props just for answering basic questions. Though all you Seasons fans may groan that Mary-Kate AGAIN forgot 80% of her vocabulary and basic conversational skills, I am improving. The first time I "met" Scythian I was a college junior running into Heavenly Grounds Coffeehouse for Works of Mercy Van Keys while they were getting coffee, and I basically took one look, thought "Oh my gosh, it's Scythian", and ran away.

I am luckily getting over my "flight" instinct. So Scythian, thanks for the awesome show (Harrisburg's never had Irish music so good!), and next time you are in the 'Burg maybe I'll have advanced to a point where I can ask if you want to go to Neato Burrito...

On Our Own: Crimson Frog Part Two!

The day finally came last Saturday.

Seasons had to do a show without their roadies.

Sure, I've played harp gigs where I pack up the harp, drive to the location, harpify, and drive home, and have come through it unscathed, but never has Seasons had to do a two-harp, hammered dulcimer, mandolin she-bang all on their own.

Until now.

Basically our roadies (aka our parents) decided to take the night off and go see a musical and have dinner together, which I am a total advocate of. Once in a while roadies and parents need some time to themselves. And if you are roadies and parents to the band, you deserve even more time off!

Personally I was rather excited to take the reins of the big red fan and make sure Seasons got to Crimson Frog in one piece.

Mom was rather less excited about this turn of events however. She insisted that I take a practice drive to the location (which was all of fifteen minutes away) and asked about my directions and which route I was taking at least three times.

"You should probably leave around six o' clock if you want to get there by six forty-five to tune and unload," Mom advised. Remember this place is 15 minutes away...

I'll have you know that miraculously Seasons (sans Peter, so we are talking all girls and Luke) packed the car and arrived at Crimson Frog at six-forty five (we used mom's extra allotted driving time to lollygag at home).

We entered the empty coffeehouse, and at this point in the trip I started gaining a whole new appreciation for my dad, because it took us forever to lug all of our stuff in! Since Teresa and Grace are the size of twigs, Luke and I ended up lugging the harps ourselves. Actually Luke followed me and complained about having to come to another Seasons show (and asked if he could wear headphone and listen to the Ninja Turtles soundtrack) but I appreciated the company.

The coffeehouse surprisingly started filling up as we started tuning, and our first guests were...

The Martin Family Band!

Well, not the whole family, but Mr. Martin, Melissa and Christy were there, which I was thrilled about!

Well, part of me was thrilled...and part of me was regretting my decision to eschew a set list and just wing this show, as I assumed no one really would be there (why is it the shows you predict will be playing a exclusive show for the barista always turn out to be packed?)

In the end, though, it turned out well. Teresa, Grace and I took turns picking tunes, and we got to play out our Irish Polkas and "Cock the Pistol Charlie" for the first time, as well as playing our beloved "Flightless Bird" cover. I'm sure Peter is going to be thrilled when he comes back and discovers the band has resorted to playing songs from the "Twilight" soundtrack.

Crimson Frog, as usual, was a neat place to play, with a stage, lighting, and a diverse audience, some who were seasoned Seasons fans, and others who were hearing us for the first time. The Martins brought a copy of their CD for us (which is great, so check it out) and took some pictures of us at the gig, which you can find on our fan site on facebook. We sold a couple CDs, picked up some tips that we split between the three of us (even though Clare said that she should get five dollars just for coming and being good) and drove home quite uneventfully (after another twenty-five minutes of packing the car, of course).

Once we got home we celebrated our new-found independence with girl scout cookies and Muppet Treasure Island until our parents came home, quite relieved that everything had gone well.

"Thanks for keeping my family alive," mom said.

Anytime, Mom.