Artist Date Roman Holiday Style

Quote of the Day:  It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness. ~ Charles H. Spurgeon

Whenever I'm invited to view and review a show at The Guthrie, I try to think of one new thing I can do when I go to the city. Sometimes, my guest is someone who is attending a show here for the first time. I love watching them experience something new. My publicist/friend Krista has accompanied me the most, so we try to plan something new to do, like eat some place new, or walk around somewhere. We didn't get there early enough for the Stone Arch Festival, but we did  have time for a delicious Greek Salad at the Spoon River restaurant, right outside the Guthrie. They're all about fresh, local ingredients, food that makes you feel good.

You know I love taking pictures of scrumptuous food like this. Plus, I just got a new lens for my Nikon camera. So, Krista and I had fun taking photos here, and again after the show down by the river. Because we were having so much fun with our cameras and our dining experience, we met these two lovely ladies.

Bernie and Chris

We exchanged cards. Chris is a writer, too.

They were going to see Amen Corner.

I invited them to read my reviews on this blog.

They asked Krista to take their picture.

Bernie took one of us.

Then, we all went in to see our shows.

You can read my review by clicking on The Guthrie tab above.

After the show, we went out of the theatre to take a walk and shoot some photos by the river, and discovered this cute motorbike that reminded us of the scene from Roman Holiday.

Just a fun shot using reflection.

One for the website whenever I get that up and going.

Plus, wanted to show off the outfit I found at a local Brainerd shop, The Olde Open Window.

I found the most awesome sandals there. Just like Princess Anne in Roman Holiday, they set my soul (soles) free and I was off on another Artist Date in the MinnieApple.

You can have an Artist Date wherever you go, or even if you stay at home. Do something new. Find a hot, new pair of shoes and a new place to where them. Invite a friend along, and don't be afraid to talk to strangers, at least not the ones who smile and say, "Hi." Life is an adventure...

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Where have your soles (or souls) taken you lately?

Seth Doud at The Last Turn

Quote of the Day:  Thriller by Michael Jackson
It's close to midnight
Something evil's lurkin'in the dark
Under the moonlight
You see a sight that almost stops your heart
You try to scream
But terror takes the sound before you make it
You start to freeze
As horror looks you right between the eyes
You're paralyzed

'Cause this is thriller
Thriller night
And no one's gonna save you
From the beast about to strike
You know it's thriller
Thriller night
You're fighting for your life
Inside a killer
Thriller tonight, yeah
You're singing it in your head, now, aren't you?

The gal with the blue hat is dressed as a golf bag - hilarious!

My vote for best costume of the night

I was out with the ghosts, ghouls, guys and gals on Saturday night. I went to hear local talent, Seth Doud. The interesting costumed customers were the bonus.

I first heard Seth at the Dreams concert this spring. A completely different venue, the bands were on the biggest stage in our town, each one doing two numbers. Seth was at the end of the show. I sat up from my sleepy seat and paid attention. He came on with such energy that I woke up. His rendition of America gave me chills. He had the same energy at The Last Turn on Saturday, but it was harder to hear him, and concentrate on the music. I think the sound system distorts the vocals - something they could work on.

I was with a nice group in a booth. Here I am with Krista. I grabbed a couple hats on my way out the door and said we were going as Royal Wedding rejects.  We tried to listen to the music and listen for songs that were originals vs. cover songs. In the end, we learned that Seth does mostly his own stuff, and when he sings cover songs, he puts his own style into it so much that it seems like his own.

Like I said, the bar atmosphere doesn't really work for just listening to a performer. It also hinders conversation, so we resorted to old-fashioned texting.

Texting - the old-school way, with paper and pens.

Since we're all middle-aged and hearing and vision challenged, we resorted to writing notes and yelling at each other to communicate. To make it even more difficult, none of us brought our "cheaters" (reading glasses). Naturally, the writer at the table (me) provided the notecards and pen.

They say that The Turn is haunted.

Here's proof of a phantom fan.

Seth's style is soulful. His voice is gravely, at times, and his guitar playing is bold. He has a talent for making it sound like more than one instrument - steel, accoustic, even some rock beats are in there. He said that he loves so many kinds of music and artists and uses parts of all of them in his work. I had one minute to talk to him and off the top of his head he named Bob Dylan and Martin Sexton -R&B, Blues, Rock, as favorites. Oh, ya, I can hear it all. I asked if he had CDs to sell. He did, but I didn't get back to him to see if he had any with him. But, Seth, I'd really like to buy a couple. I love listening to your voice, your guitar, and your style. Click here to read more about Seth Doud and have a listen.

Thanks for the fun night, Seth, Amy (owner of the Last Turn), all you creepy customers, and the spirits that float through the rooms.

He somehow reminded me of Edgar Allen Poe

Every good party needs a pirate.

Outside the Turn

Queen Elizabeth?

Go. Create. Inspire!

And, beware the creepy caped kiddos invading your neighborhoods!

Journaling Prompt:  What's your favorite Halloween costume?

James Keelaghan

Quote of the Day:  I have a dream, and I gave it a name, and the name that I gave it was your name. - James Keelaghan, lyrics from the song he used for the audience participation part of his concert. It set me to dreaming.

James Keelaghan is a singer/songwriter from Winnipeg, Canada, with roots in Calgary.  His folk songs are often historical ballads, rich in story, soothing in tone. His guitar is part of him, which he plays masterfully and musically. I'm pulled into the song with the first chord. He kept tweaking and tuning it throughout the concert and explained that with his extensive travel, his guitar was suffering from "tune-lag."

In fact, Keelaghan sprinkled humor throughout the show, which is good because many of the subjects of his songs are dark - death, tragedy, loss.  He shared stories of people and places he's been.  And, that's what I love - the stories.  He has a story about where he got his inpiration for a song. The song itself is a story, and how the song goes out into the world and takes on a life of its own, is a story.  Hillcrest Mine is a tribute to 189 men and boys who died in a mining accident near his hometown, long before he was born. (I don't remember what year he said it happened.) One of his most famous songs, Kiri's Piano, is about the Japanese internment camps in Canada during WWII. (I thought it was just us paranoid Americans who did that. But, our neighbors to the North were just as afraid.) This song then became part of a family's story and they shared it with him - about a young man, a miniature guitar, Pearl Harbor, 1941, a sunken ship, a dead serviceman, and a gift.  You'll need to attend one of Keelaghan's concert to get the full details. I wouldn't be able to do the story justice from a one time hearing.

Which brings me to the main reason I was at this concert in the first place. It took place in a new kind of church building called Live Well, also a Nightclub and Coffee Bar. My friend and I were up for some local entertainment. We'd walked into a bar that smelled like beer and popcorn with way too many guys oogling us. So, we went to the town's best pizza place then headed over to the concert. We left our dollar in the basket and helped ourselves to a sparkling water, lime flavored, and settled into the rocking chairs.  Yep, this church has a variety of seating, including loveseats, couches, and soft chairs. I sat down, kicked off my clogs, put my feet up on the automan and commensed to giggling. What a hoot! I've never been so relaxed at a concert.

I'd spent the previous day baking a variety of goodies to bring to a funeral, which I'd worked at all morning. It was good fellowship, a celebration of the life of a wonderful woman who was dearly loved by her family and communities where she lived, taught, and worked to make this a better world. Evelyn was 93.

So, when I got to the concert, I was tired. I felt relaxed in my rocking chair and soothed by the music.

Thanks, James Keelaghan, for coming to little Nisswa, MN for their Grassroots concert series. Thanks for your gift of music, writing, and storytelling. As he said, "That's why I write. Because we need to share our stories." I gave an "Amen." He certainly made a connection with me.

Mary relaxing at a folk concert

Photo by Joey Halvorson who didn't have her nice camera with her, but happened to be sitting behind me at the concert. (I thought I felt a nudge from back there.)

So, she took the pic from Wadeen's phone, who sent it to Joey, who emailed it to me, where I saved it to my computer, and pasted it onto my blog, so that you could see what a wonderful and relaxing time I had on Friday night.

I think this shot captures the mystical feel of the evening.

Go. Create. Inspire! And, attend live shows. They are so worth it!!

For more shows at the Grassroots Concert series in Nisswa, MN, click here.

Next stop for James Keelaghan, the United Kingdom. Perhaps, he's bringing a bit of our Minnesota spirit with him. Seems like his guitar is handling the "tune-lag" just fine.

Journaling Prompt:  What is the story behind a song, or group, that you like?

Making a Scene

Quote of the Day:  The play's the thing. - William Shakespeare (Hamlet)

( Photo by Joey Halvorson)

Here we are, folks, making a scene at the Coco Moon in downtown Brainerd, MN.  I needed to set up a photo shoot with local photographer, Joey Halvorson, for an article I wrote for our local women's magazine, Her Voice. The article is called "The Committee" and it's about the gremlins that sit on your shoulder and tell you that you're not good enough and who are you to write a novel, or play, or sing, or do any art, or be special (you know the voices).  They were drowned out today, I'll tell you!

I said, "I'll be at the Coco Moon this afternoon working on a coffee shop drama that I just started."

She appeared, camera in hand.  I sat there with my laptop, book bag, numerous pens, stack of notecards, a single tall Thumper latte (treated myself for this event. Ingredients: white chocolate and roca almond, mm-mm), a glass of ice water and two napkins.  (I was setting up shop!)

She asked me what I was planning to do with my drama.  I pointed to the coffee bar in the above photo and said, "I picture it performed right here."

The people in the photo are normal, everyday patrons who had innocently come in for a cup of coffee.  Suddenly, we're rearranging the furniture, snapping pictures, talking loudly (that was me), giving directions (both Joey and I), laughing (I think everyone), and the sweet, young gal at the table with me is leaning in because she's truly interested in acting in my play.  We made a great connection!

The guy on the left, near the pillar, was a little surprised that he'd be making his modeling debut in a magazine called Her Voice.  He came over to me afterwards to ask what it was and when it would be published.

The sweet, young gal talked to me about her gifts and talents and hopes for the future.  She'll be graduating high school this May.

Joey took fabulous shots, as always.

The proprietor was all smiles and encouraging.  Thanks, Lorie!

The photographer lifts her lens.  The script writer directs the patrons.  Connections are made in a flash (or is that with the flash).  And, fun was had by all!

Journaling Prompt: Describe a great day that included making a fun connection with someone.