The evening of my birthday, after buskinhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifg, I performed at a real event! I recently came into contact through babysitting with Ellen Anthony, a local performer known for her children's work, Quirky Circus
She was getting ready for a show for adults and asked me to join her. Snap shows are short little shows based on the snatches of dreams one remembers when waking up. This performance had five shows: three short and two long. i played during the lone lighthearted show, called simply "Accordion," featuring two of Ellen's puppet/figures dancing to an original accordion composition. I played while they danced, once even dancing on my accordion. Ellen opened this number by removing the Kleenex from a travel pack, folding them, and playing them like an accordion, to the amusement of the crowd. I also played the interludes while Ellen changed the set. She wanted songs that were lighthearted (but I opted for some minor keys to match the background music) and not too cliche. I played Vals de Libunca (Milladoiro), Morir Sonando, Tico Tico, and La Noyee (from Amelie) for those who follow my repertoire.
This was a really fun creative expression. I got to use my music in a way that was familiar, since it my same old songs, but mixed with a whole new medium. I really would love to collaborate with her again. Additionally, Ellen has inspired me to try to compose my own music, and incorporate Flaca (my Mexican marionette for those of you just tuning in) into my act more. More on Ellen in another post, if I ever get caught up.
The show took place at Gallery Ehva, which is a nice space. The acoustics are good, although it was hot and buggy. The best part is that it scored me a gig playing a gallery opening there next Friday! Hopefully this will be a positive deviation from the usual use of my accordion. See you there!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Birthday Busking
Busked on my birthday. Last year, it was okay. I suffered a huge disappointment when it rained on my birthday, so I postponed my birthday money-making plans by a day. On July 20th my accordion and I donned our party hats and a confusing sign that said “It’s my birthday and our first anniversary!” and received birthday well-wishes, high-fives, and declarations of camaraderie from others who “shared” my birthday. I figured all this and more would happen again if I played on my real birthday, but, alas, it was a bit of a disappointment.
The good news is that I got my spot. I was there late enough in the day that not everyone was on the beach (3:30-6:30), but people weren’t biting. The only party hats that the Christmas Tree Shops had when I went were pink with pink fur that said "Princess." Good enough. Our sign was better this year, focusing more on the birthday, with a little "and my anniversary with my accordion" on the bottom. This would have been a good day for the Patio man to come complain, since the birthday card probably would have worked. Here's what happened!
Tuesday, July 19th, 2011 (my 23rd birthday):
1. A girl with a ukelele came by. Fellow musicians like to talk or donate, right? Nah, what she dropped into my box was a cigarette and a flyer for a piercing place. Thanks. There was a middle-aged couple sitting on the bench right there, and the man was smoking a cigarette. I gave it to him, after dismissing the idea of hanging onto it till I saw that girl busking and giving it back.
2. A little girl did a really good job of dancing Flaca! Usually they suck, but she got a good bounce going on. They're local, and her mom took a babysitting flyer!
3. Might as well bring out the good story: Crazy Dave. Two middle-aged men stopped to listen, and one was wearing a Key West shirt. I am once again looking into Key West as my winter spot, so I've been asking some strangers about it. This guy did offer some useful information about the busking rules, complaining that they messed up the whole town. I don't know if they messed it up by permitting buskers at all, or by making it difficult for buskers to get permits. I'm going to assume the latter. It came out that they live in Worcester! Apparently Dave is a co-owner of Ralph's Diner, a bar that gives gigs not infrequently to a friend's band. I guess the original Ralph gave it to Dave before he died? We talked about my birthday, and I admitted turning 23. Dave and his friend were immediately excited. One explained that Dave, for a while, only dated 23-year-olds because his birthday is on the 23rd. He said he can't keep it up now that he's past fifty, but jokingly texted his girlfriend Kim (who I guess is in on the joke) that he's leaving her because he found a 23-year-old. They told me to go up to the caricature artist, who I suspected shared my birthday, and mention "Crazy Dave from Ralph's" and that the artist would give me more wisdom than he possibly could. I'll have to do that. He said he always gives the artist weed that he's grown from Canadian seeds, and that he'll bring me some next time. Shades of San Fran? They left, but Dave forgot his iPhone. Sure enough, they came back later to retrieve it. Dave said, "I don't really care about my iphone; what I care about is my wallet" (which he pulled out, safe in his pocket). Even so, he was relieved to get it back and celebrated by taking their picture with me. I asked them to take my official birthday picture:
4. There were some kids. For one little boy, I played "I've Been Working on the Railroad." He lit up and smiled and watched, but his oblivious parents dragged him down the street. Some vacation! A little girl named Scout set up near me selling her artwork. That is all.
5. Believe it or not, people doubted it was my birthday! Lots of people stopped and asked, "Is it REALLY your birthday?" but didn't donate once I confirmed it. I actually taped my ID to the sign as proof. It was annoying that I got more congratulations and birthday wishes and fewer doubters last year when it wasn't actually my birthday. That was the big bummer. It was nice though when people did believe me and wish me a big happy birthday. I did get some tips that people said were specifically birthday presents. I went home that day with four 5-dollar bills which haven't been showing up much this year.
6. Amelie was big! Once lady responded to "La Noyee" with a simple "That's my favorite movie!" and another asked if I knew any Amelie songs. I played my favorite and she tried to sing along but it was obvious that it wasn't one she knew well.
7. I played "Chim Chim Cheree" and a young man came over and said "They made us learn the words to that in school!" "To Chim Chim Cheree?" "That wasn't [Russian title]?" "No." "Oh, well they made us learn the Russian words to that one. Do you know it?" [Sings.] I did not recognize it. "Oh yeah, that one! My favorite!"
8. A man introduced himself and asked if I came often. Turns out he works for a local TV station and has been trying to get footage of Provincetown, including buskers. It seems we both go out sporadically, but hopefully he'll make me a star!
9. I ran into some family friends who I've seen a few times on the Cape. They hung out and listened and suggested some songs, and "Ring of Fire" came up. I had forgotten where I got the idea to play it, but this was it! Last summer they suggested it and apparently I limped through it. I didn't add it to the repertoire till the winter, so I guess their suggestion stayed on the back burner. Cool!
10. Generally speaking, people were bad about taking my picture without tipping. One woman was guilty of this, and she was even named Sophie as well. You'd think Sophies would stick together!
11. A family stopped, and it was made clear that one of their children was, in some way, just like me. I asked the boy, "Do you play the accordion?" No. I asked the older girl, "Is it your birthday?" No. Turns out the younger girl is a Sophie as well! We took a picture together.
12. A family stopped and said it was their aunt's birthday too, who was approaching. I played her happy birthday and they tried to sing along, but it was a really bad key. So we played it again in a new key, but it was unrecognizable on my end due to accidental accidentals. The end.
13. A teenage boy asked if I could play any Zelda. I said no, and he said "I would have freaked out if you could!" Phew, good thing we avoided a freak-out!
14. I met a girl with an accordion tattoo! She said she was an accordion player as well, then confirmed it by lifting her shirt sleeve slightly to reveal a beautiful accordion adorned with "Main Squeeze," the New York based accordion orchestra. I've been thinking about getting an accordion tattoo, and hers was definitely a vote for it. I wish I had gotten a pic!
15. My co-worker Jamie came by with some ice cream, and gave me a lick. I decided that I wasn't going to leave Ptown that night without a free ice cream cone for my birthday. I succeeded at Twisted Sister's, but they didn't let me pick my flavor. The girl working gave me a twist soft serve and sang me Happy Birthday in her Eastern European accent, pausing so I could fill in my own name.
16. As I was headed out wearing my party hat, a brusk woman stopped and asked if I do birthday parties. The conversation continued for a while before she actually asked what was in the box. She said she'd hire me to play her friend's birthday the next day. I said maybe, and told her to call me once I checked my work schedule (such a good liar! I knew I was done at three!). I was relieved that she didn't call me. Professionally, I couldn't say no to my first birthday party offer, but I really didn't want to drive all the way to Ptown, risk embarrassment, and do business with this kind of scary lady. Good to know that wearing a party hat gets me gigs, though!
That is all! Time to quickly write other posts before the library closes!
The good news is that I got my spot. I was there late enough in the day that not everyone was on the beach (3:30-6:30), but people weren’t biting. The only party hats that the Christmas Tree Shops had when I went were pink with pink fur that said "Princess." Good enough. Our sign was better this year, focusing more on the birthday, with a little "and my anniversary with my accordion" on the bottom. This would have been a good day for the Patio man to come complain, since the birthday card probably would have worked. Here's what happened!
Tuesday, July 19th, 2011 (my 23rd birthday):
1. A girl with a ukelele came by. Fellow musicians like to talk or donate, right? Nah, what she dropped into my box was a cigarette and a flyer for a piercing place. Thanks. There was a middle-aged couple sitting on the bench right there, and the man was smoking a cigarette. I gave it to him, after dismissing the idea of hanging onto it till I saw that girl busking and giving it back.
2. A little girl did a really good job of dancing Flaca! Usually they suck, but she got a good bounce going on. They're local, and her mom took a babysitting flyer!
3. Might as well bring out the good story: Crazy Dave. Two middle-aged men stopped to listen, and one was wearing a Key West shirt. I am once again looking into Key West as my winter spot, so I've been asking some strangers about it. This guy did offer some useful information about the busking rules, complaining that they messed up the whole town. I don't know if they messed it up by permitting buskers at all, or by making it difficult for buskers to get permits. I'm going to assume the latter. It came out that they live in Worcester! Apparently Dave is a co-owner of Ralph's Diner, a bar that gives gigs not infrequently to a friend's band. I guess the original Ralph gave it to Dave before he died? We talked about my birthday, and I admitted turning 23. Dave and his friend were immediately excited. One explained that Dave, for a while, only dated 23-year-olds because his birthday is on the 23rd. He said he can't keep it up now that he's past fifty, but jokingly texted his girlfriend Kim (who I guess is in on the joke) that he's leaving her because he found a 23-year-old. They told me to go up to the caricature artist, who I suspected shared my birthday, and mention "Crazy Dave from Ralph's" and that the artist would give me more wisdom than he possibly could. I'll have to do that. He said he always gives the artist weed that he's grown from Canadian seeds, and that he'll bring me some next time. Shades of San Fran? They left, but Dave forgot his iPhone. Sure enough, they came back later to retrieve it. Dave said, "I don't really care about my iphone; what I care about is my wallet" (which he pulled out, safe in his pocket). Even so, he was relieved to get it back and celebrated by taking their picture with me. I asked them to take my official birthday picture:
4. There were some kids. For one little boy, I played "I've Been Working on the Railroad." He lit up and smiled and watched, but his oblivious parents dragged him down the street. Some vacation! A little girl named Scout set up near me selling her artwork. That is all.
5. Believe it or not, people doubted it was my birthday! Lots of people stopped and asked, "Is it REALLY your birthday?" but didn't donate once I confirmed it. I actually taped my ID to the sign as proof. It was annoying that I got more congratulations and birthday wishes and fewer doubters last year when it wasn't actually my birthday. That was the big bummer. It was nice though when people did believe me and wish me a big happy birthday. I did get some tips that people said were specifically birthday presents. I went home that day with four 5-dollar bills which haven't been showing up much this year.
6. Amelie was big! Once lady responded to "La Noyee" with a simple "That's my favorite movie!" and another asked if I knew any Amelie songs. I played my favorite and she tried to sing along but it was obvious that it wasn't one she knew well.
7. I played "Chim Chim Cheree" and a young man came over and said "They made us learn the words to that in school!" "To Chim Chim Cheree?" "That wasn't [Russian title]?" "No." "Oh, well they made us learn the Russian words to that one. Do you know it?" [Sings.] I did not recognize it. "Oh yeah, that one! My favorite!"
8. A man introduced himself and asked if I came often. Turns out he works for a local TV station and has been trying to get footage of Provincetown, including buskers. It seems we both go out sporadically, but hopefully he'll make me a star!
9. I ran into some family friends who I've seen a few times on the Cape. They hung out and listened and suggested some songs, and "Ring of Fire" came up. I had forgotten where I got the idea to play it, but this was it! Last summer they suggested it and apparently I limped through it. I didn't add it to the repertoire till the winter, so I guess their suggestion stayed on the back burner. Cool!
10. Generally speaking, people were bad about taking my picture without tipping. One woman was guilty of this, and she was even named Sophie as well. You'd think Sophies would stick together!
11. A family stopped, and it was made clear that one of their children was, in some way, just like me. I asked the boy, "Do you play the accordion?" No. I asked the older girl, "Is it your birthday?" No. Turns out the younger girl is a Sophie as well! We took a picture together.
12. A family stopped and said it was their aunt's birthday too, who was approaching. I played her happy birthday and they tried to sing along, but it was a really bad key. So we played it again in a new key, but it was unrecognizable on my end due to accidental accidentals. The end.
13. A teenage boy asked if I could play any Zelda. I said no, and he said "I would have freaked out if you could!" Phew, good thing we avoided a freak-out!
14. I met a girl with an accordion tattoo! She said she was an accordion player as well, then confirmed it by lifting her shirt sleeve slightly to reveal a beautiful accordion adorned with "Main Squeeze," the New York based accordion orchestra. I've been thinking about getting an accordion tattoo, and hers was definitely a vote for it. I wish I had gotten a pic!
15. My co-worker Jamie came by with some ice cream, and gave me a lick. I decided that I wasn't going to leave Ptown that night without a free ice cream cone for my birthday. I succeeded at Twisted Sister's, but they didn't let me pick my flavor. The girl working gave me a twist soft serve and sang me Happy Birthday in her Eastern European accent, pausing so I could fill in my own name.
16. As I was headed out wearing my party hat, a brusk woman stopped and asked if I do birthday parties. The conversation continued for a while before she actually asked what was in the box. She said she'd hire me to play her friend's birthday the next day. I said maybe, and told her to call me once I checked my work schedule (such a good liar! I knew I was done at three!). I was relieved that she didn't call me. Professionally, I couldn't say no to my first birthday party offer, but I really didn't want to drive all the way to Ptown, risk embarrassment, and do business with this kind of scary lady. Good to know that wearing a party hat gets me gigs, though!
That is all! Time to quickly write other posts before the library closes!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The Bear Went Over the Mountain
Bear week. The week when bears, gay men who embrace their natural hairiness (and often size) gather in Ptown. Some simply walk around with a beard and a Bear Week t-shirt, others full-on PDA on Commercial St. wearing only skimpy leather undergarments in addition to their beards. I'm more of the second type, naturally (jk). As we know, playing in costume on holidays is a moneymaker, and this is certainly a holiday. Last year I whipped off two pairs of construction paper ears for myself and my accordion. This year, I wanted full fur, but didn't have time to obtain materials to construct them. I was all ready to go, but when I went to get my old ears, I could only find one. D'oh. I got a later start than planned since I had to make new ones (I printed some kid printable bear ears from the internet). The only bear song I could think of was "The Bear Went Over the Mountain," which actually sounds nice on the squeezebox.
It was a great night of playing. I wasn't sleep-deprived, I was excited to show off my new hair color, I played well, and I had fun interactions. Here's what happened!
Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
I started getting compliments on my ears, mainly from bears declaring simply that they loved me, on my long walk from the car. There was a painter in my #1 spot, so I continued on (as I usually do regardless to avoid Patio upset). Surprisingly, the corner Town Hall pitch was open. The other pitch was occupied by a quiet man on guitar who didn't threaten my act (I just hope I didn't threaten his). This was the perfect spot for me this particular night, because I wanted to stay a long time (at the Pig I get the Patio problem, right in front of TH I get requests from other musicians for a turn).
This was a night full of long interactions. Maybe once an outing I'll spend a good chunk of time talking to/playing with another party, but I usually avoid those because they take up playing time. Last night's were all fun, so I let them happen.
Anyway...
1. Two bears (of the clothes-wearing type) stopped and complimented my ears. They had ears too, made of fur, just like the ones I wanted to make! One man was holding a bag with more fur. These two have a business of making bear ears for people in barter. On Bear cruises they exchange them for fancy cocktails like Mudslides; in Ptown they exchanged some for a primo parking spot. They joined me for a photo:
2. I met Rain and Ry (and Ry's sister). They are a wonderful mother and daughter pair from Bellington (?), WA that spends summers in Ptown. Ry is probably eleven or twelve, and she's learning the accordion as well! She's been practicing on Rain's friend's 48-bass, but they say it's too big for her. I let her try mine (and her big sister suggested she wear the ears while she played as well), and we all agreed it was a good size for her. I have these accordion conversations with other players ("Do you have Bb major?") but never with a musician so young. She's also a piano player, so she demonstrated her Bach accordion. She was a little embarrassed when Rain suggested she play the song she wrote about her pets, with Rain singing. I really liked the family dynamic these three demonstrated. I loved Ry's confidence talking to me and playing, and the non-pushy encouragement from Rain. It sounds like rainy days at their house (ample, I imagine, in Washington) consist of playing music all day. Buying Ry a 12-bass until she's big enough for a 48- went without saying. Rain said that their town is full of musicians, and invited me to look them up if I'm ever out West again!
3. After playing the current Bruno Mars' "Grenade," three teenage girls and one little boy ran over. One said, "You just played my favorite song!" I played it again and they sang. Then we did Dynamite. They perused my set list, but alas that was all we knew in common. These girls could belt. I've had my fantasy of being part of a trio that sings old Andrews and Boswell Sisters songs on the streets, and during this interaction I entertained the idea of managing the three of them as a trio and making them famous (we could be a quartet, but three Black teenagers makes more sense than three Black teenagers and a random white 20-something). During this the 8-ish-year-old boy was lurking, and a passerby asked if he was my son. The girls suggested I learn two Justin Bieber songs for next time. I truly would like to collaborate with these girls.
4. On the heels of this group, Topher and Francois came by (you know them, right? Topher my accordion student and Francois his Parisian boyfriend). They had just seen "Midnight in Paris." Since I saw it last night I've been practicing the lone accordion song from it: Parlez Moi d'Amour. I'm just noting their appearance because they are freakin adorable together. Francois makes silly English mistakes, but they don't stop his talkativeness. Francois was playfully teasing Topher for not practicing accordion or learning French. I told Francois that I am trying to learn French, and he suggested, "Just find a French boyfriend and you will learn" then added a bit about how that actually doesn't work, since Topher hasn't learned French in the two and a half years they've been together (I won't try to quote the mistaken English because it won't be as cute as it was in real life). Love them. As they walked away I played "La Vie en Rose," and Francois turned around to give me a thumbs up.
4.5. I ran into a former camper, Sarah! At the camp I worked at in 2008 there was this group of teenage girls who were friends who I loved. I've run into this particular girl a ton since then, and it was great to see her! All grown up!
5. I met two young men, Matt and Blonde Guy. Blonde Guy helped Jaia the face-painter pack up, then lurked with his guitar. Matt looks strikingly like Jackson Adams. I dramatically double took when I saw him. The two came to talk to me, and later I invited Matt to play with me. When I play with guitarists, we first do Beirut's "Elephant Gun" since it's just four chords over and over again. I love playing with guitar as a rhythm section, and two instruments draw more attention than one (although less money, it seems). Matt suggested a song which he played and sang and I played along with. I tried to pick up the chorus to harmonize, to no avail, but it made me miss singing. I would give up my solo act sometimes if it meant singing with other singers again. Matt is from Greenfield, and came with his family to Ptown about three weeks ago. Their stay was up, and Matt announced that he was staying. He's still figuring out where to live, but got a job as a videographer on the Dolphin Fleet whale watch (that's three I know, now). I don't know Blonde Guy's story. Oh, and Matt recognized Wallace and Gromit. Go Matt.
6. When Matt and Blonde Guy first came over, they noticed Flaca. They had her up in the air. A family walked by, and Flaca was suspended at eye level of the three-year-old girl. Her eyes widened and she just lunged for Flaca. It was adorable, and exactly what I purchased Flaca for. The boys hesitantly handed her over. The girl had some trouble making Flaca dance, since she couldn't hold her high enough, but she utilized her simply as a dolly. Her big sister took a turn, and Flaca danced well. When this happens, I play either Beer Barrel Polka, Lady of Spain, or the Milladoiro song since it's a waltz. The little girl seemed to get it when she saw her sister doing it, and grabbed Flaca back and bounced her around. After, she lay her down on the sidewalk and I asked, "Is she going night-night?" The mother thought I was talking to her about her daughter, and replied, "No, we're off to dinner!" The mom took pictures, which I asked her to send, so hopefully I can post them soon!
7. Older kids are hard to satisfy. Little kids are happy with The Wheels on the Bus, Old MacDonald, etc. Some older kids like Justin Bieber, some like the Beatles, some like musicals, but very few will talk! When they're with their parents and I ask if they have a favorite song, the parents will help them request something. I had my typical one-sided conversation with an older girl who stood and listened and smiled but wouldn't say a word to me: "Hi! Do you have a favorite song?...Um, do you like musicals?...The Sound of Music? The Wizard of Oz?...Here, here's a song from Mary Poppins." I really need to figure out set 8-12 songs.
8. Probably the best interaction yet: a man in his late fifties or so who looks like a combination of Bob Brooks (family friend) and Steve Martin was lurking and eating his ice cream. After a song, he said that he used to busk in Ptown as an opera singer. Okay, cool. We talked more, and it came out that he's not some amateur. He lives in New York and is a currently working opera star. I asked him his favorite role he's played, and his answer was "Don Giovanni." Now, this was THE best answer possible, since Don Giovanni's the one opera I can talk about and sort of sound like I know something, since I studied it in Music 102 at school and wrote a paper on it. Sounding like a total opera savant I told him, "I am simply enamored with Leporello's aria "Notte e giorno faticar" and sang him my favorite phrase. I love the cast of the version in that link (that's a link, Mom), particularly that Leporello. Nathan (the opera star) said that he loves playing Leporello as well and took over singing the aria! I forget how exactly this happened, but next thing I know I was playing the aria while he sang. He is freakin incredible. World class opera singer. Naturally, many heads turned when he started to sing. He has the volume of course to be heard over an accordion. Next we tried "Madamina il catalogo e cuesto" (sp?), Leporello's other fantastic aria, which Nathan said is so hard because it's fast and you have to remember the numbers. He said that he was surprised the first time he was cast as Don Giovanni since it's a baritone role and he's a bass. He now travels the world following Don Giovanni castings, but is worried that he's too old. I assured him he wasn't. He listed other favorite roles in Cosi fan Tutte and various Verdi. Although I don't know Verdi's operas as well, I have a soft spot for him due to my experience with the Requiem.
Somehow we moved onto La Donna e Mobile, which is now in my starting rotation. This was probably the most fun I've ever had. He sang it with full fermata and melisma, so I had to follow him closely. Amazing. And of course everyone knows that one. We went next to Funiculi Funicula, which he corrected me about, saying it's not opera but rather a Neapolitan song. Duh! Even so, he sang it with the English lyrics. He engaged passersby like only a vocalist can. I suggested the last song of my Italian repertoire: Santa Lucia (and pronounced it right, Dad!). For the first time ever, I played the intro perfectly. Guess Nathan's magical. That was a nice one. I asked if I knew "Retorno a Sorrento" which I don't quite know. I can hum it and have the music, but haven't learned it yet. No worries. We agreed on a key and slowly went through it. Nathan would pause and tell me "okay now back to minor" and he got me through the song. "Now the prettiest part, back to major!" I'm so glad I bought that Italian songbook! I need to learn them all for next time.
At one point during a song, Nathan stopped and cleared his throat the explained "Ice cream!" before continuing on. I loved loved loved this interaction. My huge choir geek side has been on hold since finishing school and not having a singing outlet. But we shan't forget that I AM a huge choir nerd, and I love classical vocals more than anything, and wish I could sing like that. Nathan proposed that we go get a lemonade. I assumed that meant "alcoholic beverage." I thought it would be interesting to sit and talk to him more, hear about the life of a true opera singer, so I agreed. I said I wanted to play four more songs then wrap up. He said he'd be back. Sure enough, as I was packing up, he came back with a plastic bag. He handed me a bottle of regular lemonade and said something like "You deserve this." Ha. Gotta stay hydrated! Anyway, here he is: http://resika.com/index.htm Oh, and did I mention that his day job is as a chess teacher?
There's more, but I can't possibly not end this post with that. I'll include the little things in the catch-up post for the 4th of July!
It was a great night of playing. I wasn't sleep-deprived, I was excited to show off my new hair color, I played well, and I had fun interactions. Here's what happened!
Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
I started getting compliments on my ears, mainly from bears declaring simply that they loved me, on my long walk from the car. There was a painter in my #1 spot, so I continued on (as I usually do regardless to avoid Patio upset). Surprisingly, the corner Town Hall pitch was open. The other pitch was occupied by a quiet man on guitar who didn't threaten my act (I just hope I didn't threaten his). This was the perfect spot for me this particular night, because I wanted to stay a long time (at the Pig I get the Patio problem, right in front of TH I get requests from other musicians for a turn).
This was a night full of long interactions. Maybe once an outing I'll spend a good chunk of time talking to/playing with another party, but I usually avoid those because they take up playing time. Last night's were all fun, so I let them happen.
Anyway...
1. Two bears (of the clothes-wearing type) stopped and complimented my ears. They had ears too, made of fur, just like the ones I wanted to make! One man was holding a bag with more fur. These two have a business of making bear ears for people in barter. On Bear cruises they exchange them for fancy cocktails like Mudslides; in Ptown they exchanged some for a primo parking spot. They joined me for a photo:
2. I met Rain and Ry (and Ry's sister). They are a wonderful mother and daughter pair from Bellington (?), WA that spends summers in Ptown. Ry is probably eleven or twelve, and she's learning the accordion as well! She's been practicing on Rain's friend's 48-bass, but they say it's too big for her. I let her try mine (and her big sister suggested she wear the ears while she played as well), and we all agreed it was a good size for her. I have these accordion conversations with other players ("Do you have Bb major?") but never with a musician so young. She's also a piano player, so she demonstrated her Bach accordion. She was a little embarrassed when Rain suggested she play the song she wrote about her pets, with Rain singing. I really liked the family dynamic these three demonstrated. I loved Ry's confidence talking to me and playing, and the non-pushy encouragement from Rain. It sounds like rainy days at their house (ample, I imagine, in Washington) consist of playing music all day. Buying Ry a 12-bass until she's big enough for a 48- went without saying. Rain said that their town is full of musicians, and invited me to look them up if I'm ever out West again!
3. After playing the current Bruno Mars' "Grenade," three teenage girls and one little boy ran over. One said, "You just played my favorite song!" I played it again and they sang. Then we did Dynamite. They perused my set list, but alas that was all we knew in common. These girls could belt. I've had my fantasy of being part of a trio that sings old Andrews and Boswell Sisters songs on the streets, and during this interaction I entertained the idea of managing the three of them as a trio and making them famous (we could be a quartet, but three Black teenagers makes more sense than three Black teenagers and a random white 20-something). During this the 8-ish-year-old boy was lurking, and a passerby asked if he was my son. The girls suggested I learn two Justin Bieber songs for next time. I truly would like to collaborate with these girls.
4. On the heels of this group, Topher and Francois came by (you know them, right? Topher my accordion student and Francois his Parisian boyfriend). They had just seen "Midnight in Paris." Since I saw it last night I've been practicing the lone accordion song from it: Parlez Moi d'Amour. I'm just noting their appearance because they are freakin adorable together. Francois makes silly English mistakes, but they don't stop his talkativeness. Francois was playfully teasing Topher for not practicing accordion or learning French. I told Francois that I am trying to learn French, and he suggested, "Just find a French boyfriend and you will learn" then added a bit about how that actually doesn't work, since Topher hasn't learned French in the two and a half years they've been together (I won't try to quote the mistaken English because it won't be as cute as it was in real life). Love them. As they walked away I played "La Vie en Rose," and Francois turned around to give me a thumbs up.
4.5. I ran into a former camper, Sarah! At the camp I worked at in 2008 there was this group of teenage girls who were friends who I loved. I've run into this particular girl a ton since then, and it was great to see her! All grown up!
5. I met two young men, Matt and Blonde Guy. Blonde Guy helped Jaia the face-painter pack up, then lurked with his guitar. Matt looks strikingly like Jackson Adams. I dramatically double took when I saw him. The two came to talk to me, and later I invited Matt to play with me. When I play with guitarists, we first do Beirut's "Elephant Gun" since it's just four chords over and over again. I love playing with guitar as a rhythm section, and two instruments draw more attention than one (although less money, it seems). Matt suggested a song which he played and sang and I played along with. I tried to pick up the chorus to harmonize, to no avail, but it made me miss singing. I would give up my solo act sometimes if it meant singing with other singers again. Matt is from Greenfield, and came with his family to Ptown about three weeks ago. Their stay was up, and Matt announced that he was staying. He's still figuring out where to live, but got a job as a videographer on the Dolphin Fleet whale watch (that's three I know, now). I don't know Blonde Guy's story. Oh, and Matt recognized Wallace and Gromit. Go Matt.
6. When Matt and Blonde Guy first came over, they noticed Flaca. They had her up in the air. A family walked by, and Flaca was suspended at eye level of the three-year-old girl. Her eyes widened and she just lunged for Flaca. It was adorable, and exactly what I purchased Flaca for. The boys hesitantly handed her over. The girl had some trouble making Flaca dance, since she couldn't hold her high enough, but she utilized her simply as a dolly. Her big sister took a turn, and Flaca danced well. When this happens, I play either Beer Barrel Polka, Lady of Spain, or the Milladoiro song since it's a waltz. The little girl seemed to get it when she saw her sister doing it, and grabbed Flaca back and bounced her around. After, she lay her down on the sidewalk and I asked, "Is she going night-night?" The mother thought I was talking to her about her daughter, and replied, "No, we're off to dinner!" The mom took pictures, which I asked her to send, so hopefully I can post them soon!
7. Older kids are hard to satisfy. Little kids are happy with The Wheels on the Bus, Old MacDonald, etc. Some older kids like Justin Bieber, some like the Beatles, some like musicals, but very few will talk! When they're with their parents and I ask if they have a favorite song, the parents will help them request something. I had my typical one-sided conversation with an older girl who stood and listened and smiled but wouldn't say a word to me: "Hi! Do you have a favorite song?...Um, do you like musicals?...The Sound of Music? The Wizard of Oz?...Here, here's a song from Mary Poppins." I really need to figure out set 8-12 songs.
8. Probably the best interaction yet: a man in his late fifties or so who looks like a combination of Bob Brooks (family friend) and Steve Martin was lurking and eating his ice cream. After a song, he said that he used to busk in Ptown as an opera singer. Okay, cool. We talked more, and it came out that he's not some amateur. He lives in New York and is a currently working opera star. I asked him his favorite role he's played, and his answer was "Don Giovanni." Now, this was THE best answer possible, since Don Giovanni's the one opera I can talk about and sort of sound like I know something, since I studied it in Music 102 at school and wrote a paper on it. Sounding like a total opera savant I told him, "I am simply enamored with Leporello's aria "Notte e giorno faticar" and sang him my favorite phrase. I love the cast of the version in that link (that's a link, Mom), particularly that Leporello. Nathan (the opera star) said that he loves playing Leporello as well and took over singing the aria! I forget how exactly this happened, but next thing I know I was playing the aria while he sang. He is freakin incredible. World class opera singer. Naturally, many heads turned when he started to sing. He has the volume of course to be heard over an accordion. Next we tried "Madamina il catalogo e cuesto" (sp?), Leporello's other fantastic aria, which Nathan said is so hard because it's fast and you have to remember the numbers. He said that he was surprised the first time he was cast as Don Giovanni since it's a baritone role and he's a bass. He now travels the world following Don Giovanni castings, but is worried that he's too old. I assured him he wasn't. He listed other favorite roles in Cosi fan Tutte and various Verdi. Although I don't know Verdi's operas as well, I have a soft spot for him due to my experience with the Requiem.
Somehow we moved onto La Donna e Mobile, which is now in my starting rotation. This was probably the most fun I've ever had. He sang it with full fermata and melisma, so I had to follow him closely. Amazing. And of course everyone knows that one. We went next to Funiculi Funicula, which he corrected me about, saying it's not opera but rather a Neapolitan song. Duh! Even so, he sang it with the English lyrics. He engaged passersby like only a vocalist can. I suggested the last song of my Italian repertoire: Santa Lucia (and pronounced it right, Dad!). For the first time ever, I played the intro perfectly. Guess Nathan's magical. That was a nice one. I asked if I knew "Retorno a Sorrento" which I don't quite know. I can hum it and have the music, but haven't learned it yet. No worries. We agreed on a key and slowly went through it. Nathan would pause and tell me "okay now back to minor" and he got me through the song. "Now the prettiest part, back to major!" I'm so glad I bought that Italian songbook! I need to learn them all for next time.
At one point during a song, Nathan stopped and cleared his throat the explained "Ice cream!" before continuing on. I loved loved loved this interaction. My huge choir geek side has been on hold since finishing school and not having a singing outlet. But we shan't forget that I AM a huge choir nerd, and I love classical vocals more than anything, and wish I could sing like that. Nathan proposed that we go get a lemonade. I assumed that meant "alcoholic beverage." I thought it would be interesting to sit and talk to him more, hear about the life of a true opera singer, so I agreed. I said I wanted to play four more songs then wrap up. He said he'd be back. Sure enough, as I was packing up, he came back with a plastic bag. He handed me a bottle of regular lemonade and said something like "You deserve this." Ha. Gotta stay hydrated! Anyway, here he is: http://resika.com/index.htm Oh, and did I mention that his day job is as a chess teacher?
There's more, but I can't possibly not end this post with that. I'll include the little things in the catch-up post for the 4th of July!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Headaches
Played on Monday! I was really surprised I was up for it, since I had gotten up for work at 6:00 that morning. Phew. I just felt like I hadn't been in a really long time, and it was a gorgeous day, so I went. I wore my red and white polka dot dress, which always gets me compliments, and set up at the Pig. I really have to get my trailer done, since I parked super far away.
Not a ton of crazy stuff happened, but then again I didn't stay very long. But here's what happened!
Monday, June 20th, 2011:
When I set up, there was an older couple sitting on the benches. I already had a small crowd: a table inside the Pig waiting for me to play and a family nearby watching in addition to the older folks. I usually start with "Vals de Libunca," the Milladoiro song that I learned first and that my dad loves, but with this many ears on me I wanted to do something recognizable. I played what is probably the Ace song in my repertoire: Beyond the Sea. These older, recognizable songs went over very well ("Fly Me To the Moon" and "La Vie en Rose") being the others. It was just one of those days.
1. I might as well go right into the big drama of the day: the owner of the Patio restaurant. He gave me trouble last year, and has not backed off this year, it seems. He came over and offered to pay me to leave. Hm, maybe I should have considered that. He said that my music was "headachy" and it was distracting his staff. Unfortunately, he knows the rule that buskers can't be heard more than 50 feet. We're exactly 50 feet apart. If it got to the point that he called the police on me, technically he'd win. Ugh. He also complained about my playing the same song over and over. Ha, he's wrong about that. I told him that too: last summer I did in fact loop the Lady Gaga medley over and over, and his first complaint involved that repetition. Since that, I've been careful to not repeat songs for as long as possible for the sake of storeowners/other workers nearby. Anyway, I told him that if he sent someone down to Town Hall to check if there was anyone there, I'd move. He actually did, and two of his employees came to deliver that news. They were super nice about it, and one confessed feeling uncomfortable having to be involved in it. They were surprised when I told them that Patio customers often complimented my playing, and said that they would tell the boss that. They are Ian and Arturo (the latter from Lithuania), and they were super nice. Once I moved they came to talk to me more and apologize. Perhaps they'll be characters in my story this year. The whole thing is really a pain in the ass, since that spot is so good. I really don't want to deal with him all summer. Maybe next time I'll go talk to him and tell him nicely that his customers, staff, and neighboring businesses all like it, so maybe we could come to a compromise. Maybe he'll decide to leave the restaurant business! The irony is that he seems to be German or something: a culture rich with accordion. C'est la vie.
2. As you know, I did move. There are two spots at Town Hall: the big one right in front with ample visibility and audience, and the one on the corner that's a little more private and secluded (Cady's corner). I prefer the less public one, since I'm not yet an expert at my instrument. However, both were open today and I decided to go big or go home (specifically, go big). I set up at the big spot next to Ellie's memorial, where tons of people sat on benches. This meant I had to play well. I use my busking time to try out new songs and practice ones that aren't solid yet, but here people weren't listening to every note. I tried a few weaker songs, bombed, and tried to seamlessly transition into songs I can do in my sleep.
3. Three women were among the crowd on the benches, and Diane came to talk to me. She said she busked when she was younger, and recently picked up the Harmonium. She might try out busking again! One of her friends was Lois, who suffers from Alzheimer's but loves to hear music and sing. Diane danced to all my songs, and lead those around me in rounds of applause. She hooted through both the Beer Barrel Polka and Dynamite. When I packed up I showed her Flaca, whom she gave a spin.
4. A not really mentioned character in my Provincetown story: the tour bus driver. This dumpy middle-aged woman drives the quaint tour bus through provincetown and explains the sights via loudspeaker. I love when she drives by, because I play and smile and her passengers wave and take pictures. She parked the bus in front of Town Hall right as I was playing the Wallace and Gromit theme song. A while later, she waddled over and said "Anyone who takes the time to learn Wallace and Gromit deserves a tip." Thanks! I hope to get to know her more.
5. There's a new henna guy this year! Last year, a young, fit, foreigner was employed strolling the streets of Ptown covered in henna to advertise henna tattoos at the West End Salon. He was usually orange and animal-print. There's a new guy this year, and he's been more purple. I hope to get to know him too!
6. I saw Butch! I'm going to write about Butch when I finally write about last summer, as he is a very important character. Great to see him.
7. A young French guy was excited about Buddy Holly! I was playing Dynamite and was pleased that I saw some young folks approaching, since they usually love it. This group didn't react, but the next song was "Heartbeat." One guy ran back with a big smile and gave me money. Love when listeners surprise me.
8. I finally officially met the man who has been known as "funny hair guy with the cool bike." He is GEORGE THE QUAKER! He was among the crowd sitting on the benches, and he commented on songs as well as Diane. He LOVED Dynamite, which surprised me. When I talked to the group after, he told me about a project he has in mind (Flaca brought it up). He is going to make seagull puppets and set up a puppet show next to the recycling bin in front of Town Hall. The seagulls will discuss recycling and taunt tourists. They're hoping to increase recycling through this initiative. He estimated that it would bring in $800 a day, half of which would be donated to something (I forget what). Great idea. However, no busker is going to let him stay out for as long as it'll take to make $800. George also talked to me about the media activism movement and how easy it is to spread a message or know what's going on through cell phones, cameras, the internet, etc. Cool!
One last thing, before I run off to work:
I realized on Monday that what I am doing is no longer about the money. I don't even look in the box while I'm playing to assess my earnings anymore, nor do I count right away. The only reason I count is because I have to take the money out before playing again, so I might as well see how I did. My goal with this is the story I can tell. I judge the success of each outing not by the money earned, but by the funny comments I get, characters I meet, and crazy stories gained. I'd rather make a little money but have a long post than make a lot of money but not having anything to share about that day. That said, I still have to "play back student loans!"
Okay time for work. Then tomorrow's the big bike trailer building day!
Not a ton of crazy stuff happened, but then again I didn't stay very long. But here's what happened!
Monday, June 20th, 2011:
When I set up, there was an older couple sitting on the benches. I already had a small crowd: a table inside the Pig waiting for me to play and a family nearby watching in addition to the older folks. I usually start with "Vals de Libunca," the Milladoiro song that I learned first and that my dad loves, but with this many ears on me I wanted to do something recognizable. I played what is probably the Ace song in my repertoire: Beyond the Sea. These older, recognizable songs went over very well ("Fly Me To the Moon" and "La Vie en Rose") being the others. It was just one of those days.
1. I might as well go right into the big drama of the day: the owner of the Patio restaurant. He gave me trouble last year, and has not backed off this year, it seems. He came over and offered to pay me to leave. Hm, maybe I should have considered that. He said that my music was "headachy" and it was distracting his staff. Unfortunately, he knows the rule that buskers can't be heard more than 50 feet. We're exactly 50 feet apart. If it got to the point that he called the police on me, technically he'd win. Ugh. He also complained about my playing the same song over and over. Ha, he's wrong about that. I told him that too: last summer I did in fact loop the Lady Gaga medley over and over, and his first complaint involved that repetition. Since that, I've been careful to not repeat songs for as long as possible for the sake of storeowners/other workers nearby. Anyway, I told him that if he sent someone down to Town Hall to check if there was anyone there, I'd move. He actually did, and two of his employees came to deliver that news. They were super nice about it, and one confessed feeling uncomfortable having to be involved in it. They were surprised when I told them that Patio customers often complimented my playing, and said that they would tell the boss that. They are Ian and Arturo (the latter from Lithuania), and they were super nice. Once I moved they came to talk to me more and apologize. Perhaps they'll be characters in my story this year. The whole thing is really a pain in the ass, since that spot is so good. I really don't want to deal with him all summer. Maybe next time I'll go talk to him and tell him nicely that his customers, staff, and neighboring businesses all like it, so maybe we could come to a compromise. Maybe he'll decide to leave the restaurant business! The irony is that he seems to be German or something: a culture rich with accordion. C'est la vie.
2. As you know, I did move. There are two spots at Town Hall: the big one right in front with ample visibility and audience, and the one on the corner that's a little more private and secluded (Cady's corner). I prefer the less public one, since I'm not yet an expert at my instrument. However, both were open today and I decided to go big or go home (specifically, go big). I set up at the big spot next to Ellie's memorial, where tons of people sat on benches. This meant I had to play well. I use my busking time to try out new songs and practice ones that aren't solid yet, but here people weren't listening to every note. I tried a few weaker songs, bombed, and tried to seamlessly transition into songs I can do in my sleep.
3. Three women were among the crowd on the benches, and Diane came to talk to me. She said she busked when she was younger, and recently picked up the Harmonium. She might try out busking again! One of her friends was Lois, who suffers from Alzheimer's but loves to hear music and sing. Diane danced to all my songs, and lead those around me in rounds of applause. She hooted through both the Beer Barrel Polka and Dynamite. When I packed up I showed her Flaca, whom she gave a spin.
4. A not really mentioned character in my Provincetown story: the tour bus driver. This dumpy middle-aged woman drives the quaint tour bus through provincetown and explains the sights via loudspeaker. I love when she drives by, because I play and smile and her passengers wave and take pictures. She parked the bus in front of Town Hall right as I was playing the Wallace and Gromit theme song. A while later, she waddled over and said "Anyone who takes the time to learn Wallace and Gromit deserves a tip." Thanks! I hope to get to know her more.
5. There's a new henna guy this year! Last year, a young, fit, foreigner was employed strolling the streets of Ptown covered in henna to advertise henna tattoos at the West End Salon. He was usually orange and animal-print. There's a new guy this year, and he's been more purple. I hope to get to know him too!
6. I saw Butch! I'm going to write about Butch when I finally write about last summer, as he is a very important character. Great to see him.
7. A young French guy was excited about Buddy Holly! I was playing Dynamite and was pleased that I saw some young folks approaching, since they usually love it. This group didn't react, but the next song was "Heartbeat." One guy ran back with a big smile and gave me money. Love when listeners surprise me.
8. I finally officially met the man who has been known as "funny hair guy with the cool bike." He is GEORGE THE QUAKER! He was among the crowd sitting on the benches, and he commented on songs as well as Diane. He LOVED Dynamite, which surprised me. When I talked to the group after, he told me about a project he has in mind (Flaca brought it up). He is going to make seagull puppets and set up a puppet show next to the recycling bin in front of Town Hall. The seagulls will discuss recycling and taunt tourists. They're hoping to increase recycling through this initiative. He estimated that it would bring in $800 a day, half of which would be donated to something (I forget what). Great idea. However, no busker is going to let him stay out for as long as it'll take to make $800. George also talked to me about the media activism movement and how easy it is to spread a message or know what's going on through cell phones, cameras, the internet, etc. Cool!
One last thing, before I run off to work:
I realized on Monday that what I am doing is no longer about the money. I don't even look in the box while I'm playing to assess my earnings anymore, nor do I count right away. The only reason I count is because I have to take the money out before playing again, so I might as well see how I did. My goal with this is the story I can tell. I judge the success of each outing not by the money earned, but by the funny comments I get, characters I meet, and crazy stories gained. I'd rather make a little money but have a long post than make a lot of money but not having anything to share about that day. That said, I still have to "play back student loans!"
Okay time for work. Then tomorrow's the big bike trailer building day!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Terrible Student
I was just thinking that I'm my own worst music student. I say I'm self-taught, but I'm not really teaching myself. If I were to be studying with someone other than myself I would have set days to have lessons, practice daily if possible, and be ashamed if I hadn't mastered the previous week's lesson by the following lesson.
That said, I need to step it up! I need to organize my "to-learn" list and actually spend time building my skills. My work schedule's too crazy to pick a day now, but once it's set I'm going to declare "Accordion Lesson" time. Preferably on Wednesday afternoons, because that's when piano lessons were in high school. Starting now, I WILL pick up my accordion every day, and have at least one new song every time I head to Ptown to perform! Or else I don't get a sticker.
That said, I need to step it up! I need to organize my "to-learn" list and actually spend time building my skills. My work schedule's too crazy to pick a day now, but once it's set I'm going to declare "Accordion Lesson" time. Preferably on Wednesday afternoons, because that's when piano lessons were in high school. Starting now, I WILL pick up my accordion every day, and have at least one new song every time I head to Ptown to perform! Or else I don't get a sticker.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Tiens, bonjour! Ça va?
I should be sleeping, not blogging. Misty is snoring next to me and I'm simply beat (completed a triathlon today of biking, swimming, and accordion playing), but I'm going away for the weekend so if I don't write now I'll forget everything that happened tonight, and it was a great night.
It was also an emotional night, at least during my drive home. I get in this weird reflective mood sometimes after playing when I get stuck in a bubble of confusion and don't know if I should cry or eat a sandwich. Anyway, I was stringing words together on my drive that I thought described that bubble well that I intended for the blog, but now I'm too tired to compose. This will just be a quick recap of tonight.
Friday, June 10th, 2011
I got to town early tonight, around 4:30. I'm not sure why I did, because I planned to play from 6:00-9:00. I didn't want to start right away and get burnt out before the evening crowd even strolled by. So often I play across from the Squealing Pig, but I had never set foot in it. I decided to go have a beer. I did my first sketches of the accordion bike trailer I will be building, and piped up when the bartender and the guy next to me were talking about dumb injuries to tell them about my rake incident.
It came time to play, and I wandered to Town Hall to see if those pitches were free. They were, but I chose to play across from the Pig after all. Town Hall just seems to public. I went back and ate my delicious goat cheese and avocado sandwich and a kiwi and played. On the walk back I had a deep thought about curbs. Curbs are my worst enemy, since my accordion is on wheels. I hate having to pull it off one, because when it doesn't land on it's feet I fear for the whiplash my instrument inside the box suffers. Also I sometimes hurt myself going up the curbs. I pretty much have the Ptown curbs memorized, and know exactly where the sidewalk dips down and where it doesn't. Despite leaving, my brain hung onto the synapses that kept track of that. Few people pay attention to curbs, and I contemplated the connection I have to those in wheelchairs or strollers or who pull things like I do who also get to know the sidewalks. This deep thought about curbs was finalized by imagining a really boring poster: Curbs of Provincetown, on sale next to "Doors of Santa Fe" or something. It would show where there's extra pavement right where buses turn onto the pier that's easy to descend, for example, especially because the area next to it has no dips in the curb! I would totes buy that poster.
I found myself getting annoyed with daylight. I looove playing after dark, It feels more mysterious, that my sound is coming out of nothingness, and it's just generally romantic! In SF I'd go out at this time and it would be dark. I forgot that darkness is way later this time of year. Ah, well.
Anyway, here's what happened:
1. I ran into a ton of people! First was Alec Nelson of Leverett and his wife. Nice to see him! Second was a classmate of mine from Clark U., and thirdly was a mother and daughter who I know from my parents' rec softball days. The daughter is in college now and has a summer internship in Ptown. Excellent.
2. Beer Barrel Polka was super popular. I played it four times! I don't usually play it anymore unless it's requested. And old couple asked for it. Then this drunk guy at the Pig (who kept coming over) asked for a polka, and chose it over Pennsylvania. Then this other pair asked if I could play Rosamunda, which I had forgotten is the same thing. Lastly, Flaca danced to it. We'll talk about that later. I messed up the ending! I can't let myself go too long without playing the staples or I'll forget them!
3. Ah yes, the drunk guy kept coming back. He was fine. I asked him to bring my water bottle to the bar with him for a refilling. He said he'd bring it back full of vodka and seven up. Unsurprisingly, that was not allowed, which didn't bother me. I drink so much water when I play! I like to take quick breaks between songs to give my arms a break, but I don't like to just stand there, so I usually drink water in those times whether I want it or not. These are my most hydrated nights!
4. I ran into a family from Wellfleet who stopped to listen. There were three little girls, and they all told me what instruments they play. We talked about Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber, but they settled for Lady Gaga songs since they're all I know.
5. I got to practice my French! I started learning French literally last night. All I can say really is "je parle trés bien français" which isn't technically true. Some wonderful French folks came by, and I was able to use this phrase. Mid-conversation some French-Canadians joined and started speaking French. I played La Vie En Rose quietly in the background while they discussed something in French. This couple asked for "La Mar," which Americans know as "Beyond the Sea," which happens to be [the best song] in my repertoire. I played it, and they sang in French. If only May had witnessed that!
6. I learned Madonna's "Like a Prayer" last year but rarely play it. I played all my B-string songs tonight because I was worried that the hostess outside of the Pig was getting sick of my songs and I wanted to mix it up. Turns out, folks love Madonna. I've got to bump that one up on the set list.
7. That spot also happens to be a taxi stand. A van taxi pulled up and parked. This was annoying because I could no longer look in at the big TV screen in the Pig and watch the Bruins game to assess whether or not I should play the Canadian national anthem. But the driver got out and chilled for a bit. He requested Michael Jackson's "Bad." Then Hey Jude, which actually sort of worked. He sang. I have to remember to learn it.
8. I was aware of a man waiting outside his car to talk to me. Sure enough, after a song he came by and introduced himself as John Roberts (?), the man who wrote the Provincetown Busking Bylaws 15 years ago. My first thought was that I was in trouble, breaking a rule or something. But that was not the case. He's running a world fest thing and wants musical acts to play international songs. Can do!
9. Betty, Ptown's violin player, came by and said she reads my blog! I'm super flattered. Thanks, Betty! :)
10. A couple came up right as I began to play "Funiculi Funicula" for the first time in public. The man said "Oh no." As the end neared, he prepared aloud for the big finish, which disappointed all in earshot. Not quite ready yet! He said he played the accordion for nine years. That couple came back again later and asked what I went to school for. The woman laughed when I said "Psychology." That's actually the response I go for, recognizing the irony of doing what I'm doing despite having an expensive degree in a notable field. The man asked if I have a bigger accordion, and I told him I didn't but I'm starting to look for one. I'm not getting the timing right, but he asked, "So will you have to get a Master's for that?" And it sounded like he was making a genuinely good joke about upgrading to a 48-bass. Turns out he meant Psychology. Boooo. Gypsies don't need Masters' degrees.
11. People are responding well to my student loan sign in general! One woman gave me a ten dollar bill, saying that she's 44 grand in debt right now. Eek! Others confirmed that they, too, are paying back student loans. That sign was a great idea of Tim Finn's, host dad in San Francisco. I owe him big time.
12. The girl holding menus outside the Pig was super nice. She recognized "Lies" from Once (The Swell Season) and said she sings that song. I meant to talk to her after about singing and see if she wants to start a new trio/quartet with me, but then I didn't. I'll get her next time.
13. I want to purchase more arrangements. My best songs (Beyond the Sea, Fly Me To the Moon) came from online sheet music databases, and I paid for them. Paying sucks, but good arrangments rule. I try to use movement and chord things from these arrangements in my own, but it's hard.
14. Kyle, mentioned in the previous post, came by in a top hat with his ukelele. We tried playing together, but I drowned him out. He turned over the instrument and banged on it as percussion instead. Awesome. Then I gave him Flaca, the Mexican marionette who lives in my box (not sure if I've introduced her) and he made her dance on his hat and play her cymbals. It was really great. He's sort of a natural circus ringmaster, and he gave this radio-voice introduction all in Spanish that was really awesome ("Damas y caballeros, esta noche tenemos aqui Flaca! Baila, Flaca, baila!") except way more awesome. I tried to improvise the Mexican Hat Dance, and the combo certainly got people's attention. It turns out Kyle spent the winter in the Valley, so he knows all about the music/busking scene there.
That's all I can think of! I need some new songs! I'm super sick of my repertoire!
Oh wait, one more thing:
15. A couple said "Do you live in Wellfleet?" "Yes." "We met you last summer on the beach." On the Fourth of July I wandered around Mayo Beach in Wellfleet playing accordion while knee deep in the bay. I remembered having talked to super nice people, but didn't really see their faces. It was them! So cool.
Okay I think that's it. Au revoir, a tout a l'heure!
It was also an emotional night, at least during my drive home. I get in this weird reflective mood sometimes after playing when I get stuck in a bubble of confusion and don't know if I should cry or eat a sandwich. Anyway, I was stringing words together on my drive that I thought described that bubble well that I intended for the blog, but now I'm too tired to compose. This will just be a quick recap of tonight.
Friday, June 10th, 2011
I got to town early tonight, around 4:30. I'm not sure why I did, because I planned to play from 6:00-9:00. I didn't want to start right away and get burnt out before the evening crowd even strolled by. So often I play across from the Squealing Pig, but I had never set foot in it. I decided to go have a beer. I did my first sketches of the accordion bike trailer I will be building, and piped up when the bartender and the guy next to me were talking about dumb injuries to tell them about my rake incident.
It came time to play, and I wandered to Town Hall to see if those pitches were free. They were, but I chose to play across from the Pig after all. Town Hall just seems to public. I went back and ate my delicious goat cheese and avocado sandwich and a kiwi and played. On the walk back I had a deep thought about curbs. Curbs are my worst enemy, since my accordion is on wheels. I hate having to pull it off one, because when it doesn't land on it's feet I fear for the whiplash my instrument inside the box suffers. Also I sometimes hurt myself going up the curbs. I pretty much have the Ptown curbs memorized, and know exactly where the sidewalk dips down and where it doesn't. Despite leaving, my brain hung onto the synapses that kept track of that. Few people pay attention to curbs, and I contemplated the connection I have to those in wheelchairs or strollers or who pull things like I do who also get to know the sidewalks. This deep thought about curbs was finalized by imagining a really boring poster: Curbs of Provincetown, on sale next to "Doors of Santa Fe" or something. It would show where there's extra pavement right where buses turn onto the pier that's easy to descend, for example, especially because the area next to it has no dips in the curb! I would totes buy that poster.
I found myself getting annoyed with daylight. I looove playing after dark, It feels more mysterious, that my sound is coming out of nothingness, and it's just generally romantic! In SF I'd go out at this time and it would be dark. I forgot that darkness is way later this time of year. Ah, well.
Anyway, here's what happened:
1. I ran into a ton of people! First was Alec Nelson of Leverett and his wife. Nice to see him! Second was a classmate of mine from Clark U., and thirdly was a mother and daughter who I know from my parents' rec softball days. The daughter is in college now and has a summer internship in Ptown. Excellent.
2. Beer Barrel Polka was super popular. I played it four times! I don't usually play it anymore unless it's requested. And old couple asked for it. Then this drunk guy at the Pig (who kept coming over) asked for a polka, and chose it over Pennsylvania. Then this other pair asked if I could play Rosamunda, which I had forgotten is the same thing. Lastly, Flaca danced to it. We'll talk about that later. I messed up the ending! I can't let myself go too long without playing the staples or I'll forget them!
3. Ah yes, the drunk guy kept coming back. He was fine. I asked him to bring my water bottle to the bar with him for a refilling. He said he'd bring it back full of vodka and seven up. Unsurprisingly, that was not allowed, which didn't bother me. I drink so much water when I play! I like to take quick breaks between songs to give my arms a break, but I don't like to just stand there, so I usually drink water in those times whether I want it or not. These are my most hydrated nights!
4. I ran into a family from Wellfleet who stopped to listen. There were three little girls, and they all told me what instruments they play. We talked about Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber, but they settled for Lady Gaga songs since they're all I know.
5. I got to practice my French! I started learning French literally last night. All I can say really is "je parle trés bien français" which isn't technically true. Some wonderful French folks came by, and I was able to use this phrase. Mid-conversation some French-Canadians joined and started speaking French. I played La Vie En Rose quietly in the background while they discussed something in French. This couple asked for "La Mar," which Americans know as "Beyond the Sea," which happens to be [the best song] in my repertoire. I played it, and they sang in French. If only May had witnessed that!
6. I learned Madonna's "Like a Prayer" last year but rarely play it. I played all my B-string songs tonight because I was worried that the hostess outside of the Pig was getting sick of my songs and I wanted to mix it up. Turns out, folks love Madonna. I've got to bump that one up on the set list.
7. That spot also happens to be a taxi stand. A van taxi pulled up and parked. This was annoying because I could no longer look in at the big TV screen in the Pig and watch the Bruins game to assess whether or not I should play the Canadian national anthem. But the driver got out and chilled for a bit. He requested Michael Jackson's "Bad." Then Hey Jude, which actually sort of worked. He sang. I have to remember to learn it.
8. I was aware of a man waiting outside his car to talk to me. Sure enough, after a song he came by and introduced himself as John Roberts (?), the man who wrote the Provincetown Busking Bylaws 15 years ago. My first thought was that I was in trouble, breaking a rule or something. But that was not the case. He's running a world fest thing and wants musical acts to play international songs. Can do!
9. Betty, Ptown's violin player, came by and said she reads my blog! I'm super flattered. Thanks, Betty! :)
10. A couple came up right as I began to play "Funiculi Funicula" for the first time in public. The man said "Oh no." As the end neared, he prepared aloud for the big finish, which disappointed all in earshot. Not quite ready yet! He said he played the accordion for nine years. That couple came back again later and asked what I went to school for. The woman laughed when I said "Psychology." That's actually the response I go for, recognizing the irony of doing what I'm doing despite having an expensive degree in a notable field. The man asked if I have a bigger accordion, and I told him I didn't but I'm starting to look for one. I'm not getting the timing right, but he asked, "So will you have to get a Master's for that?" And it sounded like he was making a genuinely good joke about upgrading to a 48-bass. Turns out he meant Psychology. Boooo. Gypsies don't need Masters' degrees.
11. People are responding well to my student loan sign in general! One woman gave me a ten dollar bill, saying that she's 44 grand in debt right now. Eek! Others confirmed that they, too, are paying back student loans. That sign was a great idea of Tim Finn's, host dad in San Francisco. I owe him big time.
12. The girl holding menus outside the Pig was super nice. She recognized "Lies" from Once (The Swell Season) and said she sings that song. I meant to talk to her after about singing and see if she wants to start a new trio/quartet with me, but then I didn't. I'll get her next time.
13. I want to purchase more arrangements. My best songs (Beyond the Sea, Fly Me To the Moon) came from online sheet music databases, and I paid for them. Paying sucks, but good arrangments rule. I try to use movement and chord things from these arrangements in my own, but it's hard.
14. Kyle, mentioned in the previous post, came by in a top hat with his ukelele. We tried playing together, but I drowned him out. He turned over the instrument and banged on it as percussion instead. Awesome. Then I gave him Flaca, the Mexican marionette who lives in my box (not sure if I've introduced her) and he made her dance on his hat and play her cymbals. It was really great. He's sort of a natural circus ringmaster, and he gave this radio-voice introduction all in Spanish that was really awesome ("Damas y caballeros, esta noche tenemos aqui Flaca! Baila, Flaca, baila!") except way more awesome. I tried to improvise the Mexican Hat Dance, and the combo certainly got people's attention. It turns out Kyle spent the winter in the Valley, so he knows all about the music/busking scene there.
That's all I can think of! I need some new songs! I'm super sick of my repertoire!
Oh wait, one more thing:
15. A couple said "Do you live in Wellfleet?" "Yes." "We met you last summer on the beach." On the Fourth of July I wandered around Mayo Beach in Wellfleet playing accordion while knee deep in the bay. I remembered having talked to super nice people, but didn't really see their faces. It was them! So cool.
Okay I think that's it. Au revoir, a tout a l'heure!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Grand Return to Provincetown
Last Friday, my squeezebox and I jumped in the car and headed to Ptown for our long-awaited (by us, at least) return.
We went first to the Police station to get our new permit. I remembered it taking longer last year, but I just had to show them my driver's license. We found a parking space way down the East End on Bradford St. and spent a long time parallel parking.
We walked down Commercial St. grinning (well I did, at least), and heard someone yell, "Back from San Francisco?" It was Dana, referenced in a SF post, a guy who a busker in the Castro sent out to scout a spot. This scenario annoyed me, and we got in each other's hair. I had forgotten that we made the Cape connection later in the winter (he lives in Truro), and he happened to be out and about when I was. It was nice to see a familiar face!
Speaking of familiar faces, I'll talk about that first. I obviously saw a bunch of people I knew. Not May or Butch, who you don't know about since I didn't blog last summer, but some other folks:
1. Topher, my accordion student and friend. He biked by on his shiny gold and purple bike and recorded my playing my newest Amelie song on his iphone for Francois, his Parisian bf. It was so lovely to see him. We'll resume lessons soon, and also work together to learn French. And bike and swim and be best friends and have adventures under the name "Soph and Toph."
2. Kyle. Kyle runs a variety show on Thursday nights at a local bar. I wasn't a regular due to my past transportational issues, but I performed once and it seemed like a really cool scene. He was wearing a royal blue button down shirt with red suspenders and driving a cab. He said that this year he'll be organizing a circus with themed acts. Hope to hear from him soon!
3. Will. Will is the sweet now-15-year-old boy who took up busking last summer. I saw him his first time, and we started talking. He plays guitar and sings and plays keyboard sometimes, too. We rode the same bus sometimes. I took him under my wing, and he gave me a beautiful little toy accordion last summer which I displayed in my case. He was out playing a little but mostly gallivanting, with local teens, and he gave me a nice big hug.
4. The guy on the bike with the funny hair. I know this doesn't narrow it down very much in Ptown, but there's this one guy I would see all the time. He never acknowledged me last year, but on Friday he biked by and yelled "Hi Soph!" Score.
5. Aimee, aka the Bearded Lady. She runs a piercing parlor in Ptown and used to run one in Northampton as well. She strolled by with her bull terrier, Joy, and casually said "Hi Soph." There was no "welcome back!" or "how was your winter?" which I kind of liked. It's as if November-May don't exist in Ptown. "Hi Soph." I said "Hi Aimee." She corrected me: "Ah-mee." Guess that's new this year.
6. It's fun seeing who's back! I recognized some of the Pedi-Cab drivers, but they were definitely using their B-string pedalers (like this out of shape middle-aged woman huffing and puffing her passengers around, in stark contrast to the tan, buff Bulgarian men who usually do that job).
I was the only busker out at first. Later on Will came out, then this lady with a guitar and too much amplification, but at first it was just me. I set up across from the Squealing Pig, my fave spot. It wasn't until Boston and the Elf life that I realized my setup can be independent of a sturdy object. Last summer I leaned my open box against a bench, or fire hydrant, or something, and tossed the wheels aside. Now, I just lean it against the wheels, which are actually necessary to hold my student loan sign. This gives me more flexibility, and I can trip people less (or more, if I choose).
Here's what happened!
1. A woman biked by and just said, "You're tall!"
2. There was some kind of conference or something happened, with a lot of people walking around with nametags. I overheard a snippet of a conversation between two women: "Network and socialize. If someone says hi to you, you say hi back." It's really the only way to get anywhere in Ptown.
3. I had my first attentive child, who requested the Itsy Bitsy Spider. An older guy (I think it was funny-hair-bike-guy, actually) suggested I play "Alouette" next. I was about to, when he pointed out that it's the same tune. Huh, I hadn't noticed that one. I told him about kids requesting multiple of "ABC," "Twinkle twinkle" and "Baa baa black sheep" despite them having the same tune. The kid asked for Baa Baa Black Sheep to prove my case.
4. "Dynamite" went over very well! Pop songs really do well in Ptown, and I simply must add more to my repertoire. People were singing and dancing along, and looking puzzled then celebrating when they figured out what song it was. Gaga too, but that's old news. (Old gnus)
5. Perhaps the best Ptown story yet: a man, who I later identified as gay and drunk, commented that he couldn't tell where the piano ended and my skirt began (I wore a black and white striped skirt). He asked for a song, and I asked if he wanted Johnny Cash. He said "I love her!" with an unmistakably gay inflection. Maybe Johnny Cash would get a kick out that. After I played, he made a comment about his own "ring of fire." Shoulda seen that coming. It was a great reminder of playing in Ptown! The Castro really doesn't compare.
6. A woman asked me for a tango. I asked if she new "El Dia Que Me Quiras," a tango I just discovered through the cover by the Baguette Quartette. She said she might know it if I played it. I told her I couldn't yet (I've been meaning to learn it!) I said the closest I had in my repertoire to a tango was "Hernando's Hideaway," which she accepted. What tangos can I learn easily, do you think, dear readers? (Plural's ambitious)
7. A man with purple pants asked me if I could play "Lady [of] Spain." I told him of course I could. He said that was surprising, given my age. "It used to be that all accordion players had to learn that song!" "And it is still that way," I told him, "because if you're seen with an accordion, people will ask for that song so many times that you finally give in and learn it." I need to practice, though; I took it out of the starting rotation due to the cliche and now it's rusty.
8. Some foreigners gave me a ten dollar bill and couldn't help but wonder if they hadn't mastered US dollar conversion yet. They didn't even smile or anything. I'll take it! Similarly, I've become a tip snob. My dad loves telling the story of how when we were in Italy in ought one and an accordion player came up to our table at a restaurant. My dad put 100 lire in his hat. A hundred! It seemed so generous! We were similarly slow on the conversion, evidenced by the fact that we had given this man the equivalent of a nickel. Offended, he returned it to the table. We laugh about that story, but ten years later I can now side with him! I'm used to dollar bills. Handfuls of coins are great. Single coins are not so great. I have to really force myself to say thank you in those cases, and just hope that it's a cool foreign currency or an outdated metro token from a cool city or something worthwhile.
9. Hooligans. I guess this goes in the "people I saw" section. I moved to the town hall to play later on, which is the local hangout for hooligans, mostly teenagers (but some not). My interactions with them are usually just stepping aside mid-song so they can pass me to get back to the statue, or dramatically coughing when they light up cigarettes to teach them a lesson. A year later, and these hooligans have matured a bit. Two teenage boys independently came up to me with compliments. The second said, "Keep it up. I mean it, okay?" in the encouraging voice I expect from middle-aged folks who wish they had done more with their twenties. It was a strange sentiment to get from a 15-year-old, but I loved it. He can already tell that I'm doing something worth doing, and he won't let me quit even if he has to drag me there himself. I look forward to getting to know these kids more and keeping them off drugs and into music lessons and stuff.
10. And now....possibly the best comment I've ever gotten, from a primly dressed middle-aged-woman: "I feel obligated to chip in!"...[wait for it]..."Because I COLLECT student loans!" Hell yes. You'll be getting that dollar bill back before too long, lady. Good to know you're on my side!
Anyway, it was so so great to be back on my home turf! If Friday was that great, I can't even imagine how great it's going to be once folks are actually in town.
But I should mention, Cady, the statue lady, has retired from statuehood. I was sad to hear this news because she really was my inspiration and mentor, despite not knowing it, both last summer and as I followed her travels and planned my own during the winter. It will be nice to be able to use her spot sometimes, but Provincetown will really miss her.
Till next time! Friday again, most likely!
-S^3
We went first to the Police station to get our new permit. I remembered it taking longer last year, but I just had to show them my driver's license. We found a parking space way down the East End on Bradford St. and spent a long time parallel parking.
We walked down Commercial St. grinning (well I did, at least), and heard someone yell, "Back from San Francisco?" It was Dana, referenced in a SF post, a guy who a busker in the Castro sent out to scout a spot. This scenario annoyed me, and we got in each other's hair. I had forgotten that we made the Cape connection later in the winter (he lives in Truro), and he happened to be out and about when I was. It was nice to see a familiar face!
Speaking of familiar faces, I'll talk about that first. I obviously saw a bunch of people I knew. Not May or Butch, who you don't know about since I didn't blog last summer, but some other folks:
1. Topher, my accordion student and friend. He biked by on his shiny gold and purple bike and recorded my playing my newest Amelie song on his iphone for Francois, his Parisian bf. It was so lovely to see him. We'll resume lessons soon, and also work together to learn French. And bike and swim and be best friends and have adventures under the name "Soph and Toph."
2. Kyle. Kyle runs a variety show on Thursday nights at a local bar. I wasn't a regular due to my past transportational issues, but I performed once and it seemed like a really cool scene. He was wearing a royal blue button down shirt with red suspenders and driving a cab. He said that this year he'll be organizing a circus with themed acts. Hope to hear from him soon!
3. Will. Will is the sweet now-15-year-old boy who took up busking last summer. I saw him his first time, and we started talking. He plays guitar and sings and plays keyboard sometimes, too. We rode the same bus sometimes. I took him under my wing, and he gave me a beautiful little toy accordion last summer which I displayed in my case. He was out playing a little but mostly gallivanting, with local teens, and he gave me a nice big hug.
4. The guy on the bike with the funny hair. I know this doesn't narrow it down very much in Ptown, but there's this one guy I would see all the time. He never acknowledged me last year, but on Friday he biked by and yelled "Hi Soph!" Score.
5. Aimee, aka the Bearded Lady. She runs a piercing parlor in Ptown and used to run one in Northampton as well. She strolled by with her bull terrier, Joy, and casually said "Hi Soph." There was no "welcome back!" or "how was your winter?" which I kind of liked. It's as if November-May don't exist in Ptown. "Hi Soph." I said "Hi Aimee." She corrected me: "Ah-mee." Guess that's new this year.
6. It's fun seeing who's back! I recognized some of the Pedi-Cab drivers, but they were definitely using their B-string pedalers (like this out of shape middle-aged woman huffing and puffing her passengers around, in stark contrast to the tan, buff Bulgarian men who usually do that job).
I was the only busker out at first. Later on Will came out, then this lady with a guitar and too much amplification, but at first it was just me. I set up across from the Squealing Pig, my fave spot. It wasn't until Boston and the Elf life that I realized my setup can be independent of a sturdy object. Last summer I leaned my open box against a bench, or fire hydrant, or something, and tossed the wheels aside. Now, I just lean it against the wheels, which are actually necessary to hold my student loan sign. This gives me more flexibility, and I can trip people less (or more, if I choose).
Here's what happened!
1. A woman biked by and just said, "You're tall!"
2. There was some kind of conference or something happened, with a lot of people walking around with nametags. I overheard a snippet of a conversation between two women: "Network and socialize. If someone says hi to you, you say hi back." It's really the only way to get anywhere in Ptown.
3. I had my first attentive child, who requested the Itsy Bitsy Spider. An older guy (I think it was funny-hair-bike-guy, actually) suggested I play "Alouette" next. I was about to, when he pointed out that it's the same tune. Huh, I hadn't noticed that one. I told him about kids requesting multiple of "ABC," "Twinkle twinkle" and "Baa baa black sheep" despite them having the same tune. The kid asked for Baa Baa Black Sheep to prove my case.
4. "Dynamite" went over very well! Pop songs really do well in Ptown, and I simply must add more to my repertoire. People were singing and dancing along, and looking puzzled then celebrating when they figured out what song it was. Gaga too, but that's old news. (Old gnus)
5. Perhaps the best Ptown story yet: a man, who I later identified as gay and drunk, commented that he couldn't tell where the piano ended and my skirt began (I wore a black and white striped skirt). He asked for a song, and I asked if he wanted Johnny Cash. He said "I love her!" with an unmistakably gay inflection. Maybe Johnny Cash would get a kick out that. After I played, he made a comment about his own "ring of fire." Shoulda seen that coming. It was a great reminder of playing in Ptown! The Castro really doesn't compare.
6. A woman asked me for a tango. I asked if she new "El Dia Que Me Quiras," a tango I just discovered through the cover by the Baguette Quartette. She said she might know it if I played it. I told her I couldn't yet (I've been meaning to learn it!) I said the closest I had in my repertoire to a tango was "Hernando's Hideaway," which she accepted. What tangos can I learn easily, do you think, dear readers? (Plural's ambitious)
7. A man with purple pants asked me if I could play "Lady [of] Spain." I told him of course I could. He said that was surprising, given my age. "It used to be that all accordion players had to learn that song!" "And it is still that way," I told him, "because if you're seen with an accordion, people will ask for that song so many times that you finally give in and learn it." I need to practice, though; I took it out of the starting rotation due to the cliche and now it's rusty.
8. Some foreigners gave me a ten dollar bill and couldn't help but wonder if they hadn't mastered US dollar conversion yet. They didn't even smile or anything. I'll take it! Similarly, I've become a tip snob. My dad loves telling the story of how when we were in Italy in ought one and an accordion player came up to our table at a restaurant. My dad put 100 lire in his hat. A hundred! It seemed so generous! We were similarly slow on the conversion, evidenced by the fact that we had given this man the equivalent of a nickel. Offended, he returned it to the table. We laugh about that story, but ten years later I can now side with him! I'm used to dollar bills. Handfuls of coins are great. Single coins are not so great. I have to really force myself to say thank you in those cases, and just hope that it's a cool foreign currency or an outdated metro token from a cool city or something worthwhile.
9. Hooligans. I guess this goes in the "people I saw" section. I moved to the town hall to play later on, which is the local hangout for hooligans, mostly teenagers (but some not). My interactions with them are usually just stepping aside mid-song so they can pass me to get back to the statue, or dramatically coughing when they light up cigarettes to teach them a lesson. A year later, and these hooligans have matured a bit. Two teenage boys independently came up to me with compliments. The second said, "Keep it up. I mean it, okay?" in the encouraging voice I expect from middle-aged folks who wish they had done more with their twenties. It was a strange sentiment to get from a 15-year-old, but I loved it. He can already tell that I'm doing something worth doing, and he won't let me quit even if he has to drag me there himself. I look forward to getting to know these kids more and keeping them off drugs and into music lessons and stuff.
10. And now....possibly the best comment I've ever gotten, from a primly dressed middle-aged-woman: "I feel obligated to chip in!"...[wait for it]..."Because I COLLECT student loans!" Hell yes. You'll be getting that dollar bill back before too long, lady. Good to know you're on my side!
Anyway, it was so so great to be back on my home turf! If Friday was that great, I can't even imagine how great it's going to be once folks are actually in town.
But I should mention, Cady, the statue lady, has retired from statuehood. I was sad to hear this news because she really was my inspiration and mentor, despite not knowing it, both last summer and as I followed her travels and planned my own during the winter. It will be nice to be able to use her spot sometimes, but Provincetown will really miss her.
Till next time! Friday again, most likely!
-S^3
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