The month of August has been a wonderful time to share music with friends,family, neighborhoods and community here in beautiful cache valley, Utah. I have been reflecting upon how much people may be missing attending concerts, recitals, jams and other musical events during this challenging time of social distancing due to the covid virus. Events are happening again more, with caution. Over the last couple of years I've been able to lead an organization in our valley called "Cache Valley Bluegrass and Celtic Music Connection" a group that can be found on facebook and through email updates. Each month the goal is to meet together with people of varying ability and interest to share music with one another and jam. Most of our songs are within bluegrass, celtic and folk genres but we sometimes break out into the blues or enjoy hearing and playing with a friend's new song in the making. We also try to hold a performance once or twice a year where we can perform for each other or an audience.
A couple of weeks ago around twelve musicians planned and carried out either individual or group performances for an audience at a beautiful property of some generous dear friends, surrounded by fields, mountains and neighboring goats and canines. Jim and Eleanor Wellings prepared their backyard for performers and an audience. Jim, who is a sound engineer, kindly operated and allowed us usage of his high quality sound system. Friends and neighbors, many in masks spread out with their own chairs across the spacious lawn and listened for over two hours to the various performers/groups. We started out with two Highland bagpipers, and ended with a large group of bluegrass players on "Bile them Cabbage Down." Children and adults danced and clapped along, hearts were lifted and musicians longing for performance opportunities were appreciated. People have been missing the feeling of community and being with one another. And what better setting, than with music that uplifts and inspires?
The last week of August I also enjoyed performing with one of my music groups called "Wildwing," in a private backyard performance for some dear family and friends,often homebound with challenging health conditions. We performed in a spacious backyard covered with abundant flowers, herbs and trees. Throughout our show birds and crickets added to the ambience and enjoyment of the evening. The music and cheer brought happiness to our four dear attendees.
The next evening with our brightly colored wings, we arrived at the beautiful downtown
Logan, Utah Ellen Eccles Theatre. (https://www.cachearts.org/) Due to covid and several much anticipated performances being cancelled, the Cache Arts Organization opened its stage to local performers to share an hour program for a limited number of ticketed attendees. "Wildwing"is a trio of three sisters, Jessa, Amy and I who include occasional guest musicians and a variety of instrumentation. Our mother Paula, who gifted us with our musical beginnings along with our father, joined us on keyboards and accordian. She had helped create a wondrous program and script, including choreography and poetry about life and beauty of the seasons and creation. We also recruited an experienced local percussionist, Emily Ashcroft. We invited a handful of young dancers, including my daughter, our nieces and a young neighbor friend who leaped, and twirled adorned in flower skirts, crowns and rainbow colored butterfly wings on two songs, including one of my originals, "Rainbow Fairies."(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khvb9R9oYFA) The music we perform has primarily a celtic/folk flavor with a few suprises mixed in! For samples of our live performance, you can visit facebook @fiddlinmomma, @annabananafiddle on instragram. (https://www.instagram.com/p/CEfBuS7hysk/)
The response of the crowd gave us a night to remember and the feeling of community bonding and appreciation for one another was remarkable. Music bonds us and brings us together in so many ways and I am so grateful for this gift!
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