Wow, what a great night last night! I went to the Freight for the first "Take the Stage" workshop performance. The Freight was lit up by a beautiful Christmas tree and white lights on the walls. The house was filled with a buzzing crowd of 70 or so people - friends and relatives mostly, of the band members who would be performing. I saw some friend I did not expect to see: Jim K was there to cheer on his dentist who played banjo and sang in the first featured band: Sadie's Grove. My buddies Searle and Lou and Elle were there. Lou played in Sadie's Grove also. Mary C played fiddle for the second band (oops I forgot their name!). The songs were great, the musicians were just beaming joy and enthusiasm, there were some wonderful harmonies and solos - it was really a nice night.
The idea for this workshop started when I had finished 2 workshops with the Closet Musicians Workshop (CMW) and a few of us who live in the East Bay were sitting around talking about what next. We thought why don't we start up a workshop in the East Bay: with a bluegrass focus and in partnership with the Freight & Salvage? We know so many people who would love to come out of the closet and sing and perform publicly and learn about working up a set of songs. There are lots of jams - and they're great - but a lot of people (we thought) want to hone in a set and work up songs for performance. So Lou P and I approached Dan Barbee, who had helped create CMW, and he was very excited about the idea. Dan has a way of creating community and fun that helps bring people out of their shells. The three of us met with the Freight and they liked it...and we were off!
We knew we needed teachers who were very good not only at the music but at teaching - and who could give immediate credibility to the workshop. I study with Laurie Lewis and was asking her whether she knew anyone who would be good - honestly, secretly hoping she might be intrigued herself, since she and Tom tun some great bluegrass camps. She met with Dan and it was a deal. Laurie and Tom have generous, warm spirits - in addition to load of talent and experience. Great senses of humor and a love of sharing what they have with others. With Dan and his talent for finding people and creating excitement and community - this was so exciting!
Apparently there were plenty of hiccups along the way - several people who signed up were not able to keep up the rehearsal schedule, one singer broke her foot the day of the performance and could not make it. But Laurie stood in on bass, Tom sat in on mando for one of the bands, they lent their voices. Clearly the 'closet musicians" were fired up to be singing and playing with the likes of these two.
So....if you have a secret wish to sing or perform...or you know someone who does. Go for it! Here's how you can learn more: www.myindmusic.com or www.thefreight.org
