Hallelujah... from azooosa on Vimeo.
It felt a lot like spring today and so I played the love song I wrote earlier this year when I was feeling ridiculously romantic about someone...and it almost worked out :)
I am in love with this city. What a vibe it has! Sunday night was the Burning Man Decompression Party - funny, since if you haven't decompressed a month after the festival you'd be better moving into the wilderness or a commune somewhere! I suspect it's just an excuse to party - and apparently the san fran folks throw a party at the opening of a letter :) Meghan, ever willing for adventure, came down ahead of me and met the Jugtown Pirates who we played with Monday night. They made me realize that bluegrass without grit is just boring, I love these guys! They do want to pirate Meghan though, hahaha - well, I'm going to pirate Zack on double bass! The bookstores, my god, so many to peruse...you can feel the beat and bohemian roots of this city still pulsing. There are plenty of places to play in this city, too. One of the most interesting places I have ever played at was at an open stage at the corner of 16th and Mission. People gather around every Thursday to listen to spoken word and music performed without amplification, and without too much organization. It's a joyous free for all, where the homeless people are just as entertained as the hippies!
Awww! I want to be back in Black Rock City! Burning Man was everything I had hoped it would be and more. Meghan Engel - my viola player - and I played shows everyday. The desert environment was harsh and beautiful. I fell in love. I made so many great friends and contacts, and will be touring down the coast very soon. I am on the path of the musical shaman. My gift to this world is the pouring my soul into my singing and guitar, and more than ever make this offering to the world.
Last week I was playing at Chai at the end of the night, it was a small intimate crowd. Friends and new friends sometimes meditating, sometimes dancing, listening deeply, I grateful and flowing. One of the new friends invited me down to Burning Man, offering me a ticket and an opportunity to play at Entheon stage Tuesday and Thursday night. Originally I wasn't going to go as I had a wedding in Rhode Island I was going to, but the idea kept growing in my mind and eventually I just felt I had to go...that was yesterday actually. So it's Tuesday now, and I have found a ride and am heading down to play music and experience the wonder that is Burning Man. So excited!
Last weekend we went to Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast in a large entourage to play music at an art opening at Raquel Fors' gallery. I will post some more pictures and some live recordings soon. Not only did Red Light Monastery and Bucky Coe play, but we were joined by new members Ben Brown on drums, Meg Engel on viola, and Vi An on the ancient Chinese Guzheng (pronounced Gu-Jung or just Jung). The show was for the opening of some incredible art and the party was "epic" (not my words :) ). I am definitely going back up to Gibsons for more music and other adventures...apparently there are dreadnecks, pirates, elves, and fairies all up the coast!
