Yup, it's time to think about Christmas…because if one wants to be ready to perform Christmas stuff in December, one has to start practicing way before Halloween. At least it isn't ballet – Nutcracker auditions are in July/August. Oldenfeld Ensemble had the first of a couple of organizational meetings last night, to choose which pieces to work up for the season.  There's a Google doc online with EIGHTY-SEVEN choices.  About half are in English, which is a lot more than usual for this group – most of the stuff we've done this summer has been in Spanish, with a bit … Continue reading Choosing Christmas repetoire of early music

I had a BLAST at armoring night on Tuesday.  One of those "SCAdians are the Best People" experiences. First, Jac took my empty plate away and put a sword in my hand.  Then when I declared that arm numb, she moved it to the other hand.  I like whacking a pell. Then I went inside and danced with baby Brooke (8 mos.) to the salsa music for a while – Brooke likes to dance in front of the mirror.  The cook noticed that "hey, you've got rhythm"…and then I had salsa dancing lessons in the kitchen. Finally Bastion got out … Continue reading So apparently I have more of a voice than I thought…

No, I’m not picking up another hobby.  (My categories are disappointing me though, perhaps I need a GGG one now?) One of my talents seems to be picking up interesting people at events.  One such is a musician named Constanta Innocenti, whom I found at Saltare, and generously gifted me with one of her cast pilgrim’s badges, a dancing porkchop inspired by the cantatas of Alfonso the Wise (X, I think).  Well, in pointing out that Musicians Need Garb, Too, she’s sent me a picture of her other goodies.  Here they are: Which puts me in mind, Constanta – as … Continue reading Casting Stuff

Saltare is billed as an ‘all-dance’ event, but apparently there’s some broader history having to do with performing arts. There were three tracks of classes: two European, and one Middle Eastern.  I took: Gracca Amorosa – which is a fun and detailed Italian dance with lots of foot wiggles.  Tap dance memory skills.Safavid Persian Dance – 16th c, with Mistress Sindokht.  This was a great intro to Persian, and Sindokht was very helpful about pointing out differences and common themes ("I’m so cute!").  I’ll be doing more of these.Improvisational Dance, European – This really shot over my head; it was … Continue reading Saltare 2008

On the Tally trip this past weekend, we went to see friends (Eoin and Theadora) dance at the Mission San Luis. Now I had no idea there was a historical site this old in Tallahassee.  I went to graduate school there, and HAD NO IDEA.  And it’s right in the middle of town! If you’re in Tally, go.  The campus is wonderful, and apparently I should be forgiven for not learning about it sooner, since it’s only in very recent years that it’s been so well taken care of.  There’s a bunch of wonderful adobe buildings that are very cool … Continue reading Mission San Luis