I can’t believe Dave mentioned David Bromberg playing at the Higher Ground this week in his latest email newsletter without remembering we went to an acoustic jam session in Wilmington, Delaware a few years ago that Bromberg hosted. Now that I think about it, the seeds of the Acoustic Coalition might have been planted that night.
We had a great time and had been meaning to go back. We have missed our chance, however, since the 4W5 Cafe is now closed.
I am currently sharing piano duties in a production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” at my niece’s high school. Hanging around the school has brought back memories of my own high school musical experiences, and other general high school memories. Also, this particular choice of musical is steeped in 70s culture.
Compared to my niece’s school, I went to a big, anonymous suburban institution. There were some 700 kids in my class alone. My younger brother graduated with 900 in his class. My niece’s school has 150 kids total by design.
I’m not particularly nostalgic for high school. When I was about 23 years old I felt immensely relieved that I was no longer subject to the vagaries of high school popularity. It wasn’t bad, but I was perpetually ill at ease during my four years. I was quiet and moderately well-liked. I had a few good friends, a “safe” boyfriend who wasn’t likely to break my heart, activities I enjoyed. But I never really relaxed into anything.
How does one get to be so wary? Is it some kind of survival instinct? Empirically, I was never treated badly. I was never elected prom queen only to have a bucket of pig blood poured on my head for a joke. I’m sure someone must have been a little bitchy to me at some point, but nothing stands out in memory. I had no excuse for hanging back so cautiously.
This week of rehearsal immersion has been a lot more fun than I remember high school being. There’s an enormous co-operative spirit that is uplifting. And the music really does rock.
Saturday was a wedge of sunny, warm weather between two gray, rainy days. The Harvest concert went really well. Dave led off with support from members of the group Upstream, including Geoff Dates, Kevin Dann and Jed Dickensen. Pete Meijer followed up with a set of original songs. I love the warmth of his voice.
Next, everyone grooved to the Ethiopian rock of Kiflu Kidane and the New Nile Orchestra. And finally, the Gully Boys would have blown the roof off the joint if we’d been indoors.
Thanks to everyone who attended and helped make it happen, especially Tad Nunez at the Hartford Parks and Recreation Department and the kids of the Youth Garden project in White River Junction.
“Over hills and over valleys,
Over mountains, over seas,
Nations shall sing unto nations,
Until nations cease to be,
Unison in harmony.”