Dec 3/99; caught the ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles, WA, performed at the open stage at Huckleberry's Books in Vancouver, WA and were received warmly. Huckleberry's is an interesting blend of bookstore/coffee bar/lunch counter that offers a venue for local and away musicians every Friday night.
Jan/2000; Morro Bay, CA, Coalesce Books has a magical atmosphere made so by the staff and the beautiful garden chapel that is used for weddings, get-togethers and recording. I was fortunate to be a part of a Christmas Eve celebration with the 'New Beginnings' church group.
Windrose Farms owned by Bill & Barbara Spencer is an organic endeavour east of Paso Robles, CA. Barbara, a "recovering" musician, has played with Magical Strings ( maker of my harps ) so we had much to talk about. Their gracious invitation for Boxing Day was much appreciated.
Feb/2000: Bisbee, Az Thanks to La Chasse Gallerie for its 1st and 3rd Saturday night poetry venue; F.N.Weird is a wonderful shop with entrepreneurs Robert & Carmen & Bob-Bob. Thanks for all your support. Special thoughts go to Timeless Treasures and its owner Tony Ballesteros for his support and love of my music. Located in the Copper Queen Plaza, the shop will bring you hours of nostalgic pleasures.
March/2000: Greenville, Mississippi, The Old River Coffee House and Trading Co in the heart of the downtown provided me with a pleasant venue for my music. All were enthusiastic and enjoyed the evening. Good food and staff deserve thanks. Little Rock, Arkansas; From the Rackensack to the Celtic jams to the Whiff 'n Sips and the gracious hospitality of Suzanne Michell and Fred Wilson, we have been privileged to know "Little Rock".
April/2000: Special thanks to Mr. Ben Selman for the Apr 2/2000 House Concert. His home is beautiful and spacious. The music room is a magical place to have a house concert. Once again, thank you Ben. I look forward to doing it all again.
April/2000: Birmingham, Alabama; Stephen & Julie Steward put together a House Concert with the greatest of speed and efficiency that I have ever seen. Good spaghetti, good children, lots of smiles and music for everyone to touch and enjoy. Very special thanks go to Barbara & Jack Steward of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas for finding me between tornadoes in the county park. Thank you all!! I WILL be back.
For a magical place to jam every Saturday, go to Homewood Musical . Bob Tedrow provides a venue for musicians, both local and travelling, to meet and play and learn together. Thanks, Bob! April has proven to be a full month for us with the next venue being at the foot of the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee. Wood-N-Strings Mike and Connie Clemmer provide a pickin' porch every Tuesday and Saturday nights from Apr 15 to Oct 31. Local as well as travelling musicians come and play for the outdoor audience. A pass-the-hat and good comraderie afterward makes for good evening all around.
Locally handcrafted Appalachian Dulcimers are on display and made from local woods. We also travelled into the Smokey Mountain National Park and recorded 2 pieces for the upcoming Yuletide cd. There are 3 heritage churches within the Cades Cove Loop. We recorded at the Missionary Baptist Church.
Thanks go to Dick & Donna Parker, hosts at the Natural Tunnel State Park in Virginia for their interest in my music. They filmed me playing Danny Boy on the Irish Small Harp as well as my newest song; The Deaf Woman's Courtship. We found a wonderful campground in Maryland where we met up with Dave & Anne Devilbiss from Pasadena, Maryland. We had an evening of good food and music with the children especially involved with the harps. Greetings and lots of luck go to the Professional Fire Fighters Local 1563 - Cindy Ell and David Dohler and all the others around the campfire - Anne Arundel County - Maryland.
30 April 2000:What a way to end the month! Morgantown, West Virginia The Jerome Park General Store - and a house concert! Heart felt thanks go to Larry Dent for his hospitality, his organizational skills and his good cooking!!! A musician extraordinaire! in his own right, he provides a loving and safe and smoke-free environment for musicians and gatherers of all ages. Special thanks go to the Appalachian Gallery, downtown Morgantown for giving me the opportunity to play for them.
May 2000: Haley Farm Bed & Breakfast and Retreat Centre is beautifully located on Deep Creek Lake, Maryland amid rolling hills and scenic vistas. They so kindly provided their setting for a magical and special House Concert on May 3, 2000. It couldn't have been done without the task mistress, Patti Wells!!! Thank you, Patricia!!!!!
May 2000:My final house concert couldn't have been in a more grand and panoramic setting than Port Jervis, New York. After some years of absence from our wonderful friend, Anne Barclay Priest, our get-together was perfect. Her graciousness is unmatched! Thanks, Anne!! The sheep and donkeys provided a morning serenade and the 'dogs' were a hoot. We loved it all! And we will be back.
25 June 2000:The first house concert upon our return to Canada was held at the home of a dear friend and her family in Ottawa, Ontario. Teri Jones & her partner Reynald Cote along with her children Marc and Danielle provided us with an intimate place to play. We played music and shared food together with lots of laughs and a promise to return. Special thanks go to Danielle for giving up her room and treating us to her gifts as an animation producer. A huge hug goes to Marc for his fine stories, especially the one given to us to read on our way home. We love you all!
Summer/Autumn 2000:These two seasons have been busy. Included in the whirl-wind time was a round-trip across Canada. We spent two months back in Victoria, BC house-sitting, busking, giving a concert, performing at a wedding on Whidbey Island, in the San Juans and recording the latest cd There Comes A Pilgrim. Ray, too, has pursued his story-telling by recording a cd called The Dust Devil and other Stories. Together we will be a formidable duo! This time next year we will be heading off to Europe to make music and tell stories. We will be there for a few years.
Winter 2000: Who would have believed that the year would come to its conclusion with my acquiring a wee harp student. She is 7 and vibrant, funky, creative and inspiring. It is a dream come true to be able to teach one so gifted. Her parents, Carmine and Rose Vito are dedicated, encouraging and at the top of our list as people who we would love to love forever! This year-end saw my final house concert performed at their home. They have an exquisitely sweet accoustic space made comfortable by deep couches and much ambience. Their hospitality still lingers in my mind as one of the most memorable house concerts I have done. Thank you all: Carmine, Rose, Vanessa, Rosanna Vito!!!