Friday, October 24, 2008

Postponing and Developments

Hey Barefoot Bloggers - I'll post Thursday's entry this weekend. I've had a busy week and I'm getting used to a new schedule, so I wasn't able to get the ingredients in time. However, if everything goes according to plan - and when does it ever? - I should have something pretty cool to share.

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So, remember when I said I was breaking out the old saxophone again? After about a month of practice on my own, I have indeed joined the Pleasanton Community Concert Band! I've been with them for three weeks now, and have three performances coming up: November 2 we're playing at a Veteran's Day Ceremony, marches and military music. November 16 we're playing at a family night geared for children, so it will be Peter and the Wolf (with the story narrated), a few other pieces, and Star Wars. And we have a Christmas concert in December.

I sit near a tenor player named Ken who has brought me into another band (and lent me a soprano sax to play around with!). In addition to the PCCB I also play with the USS Hornet Swing Band on Wednesday afternoons at a senior center. This week was my first time with them and it was fantastic. Its literally a bunch of old men and me, and I sit front and center. They're really nice guys, and the entire afternoon I heard:

"You're the best looking sax player we have."
"You probably bring the average age of the group down to about 60."
"What do you think about playing with a bunch of old guys?"
(this from a senior in the audience)

And since my name is Misty, we had to play the song (unfortunately it wasn't a very good arrangement, but I was happy nonetheless). While I'm at it, check out Ella Fitzgerald singing Misty here. That woman is amazing; I could listen to her forever. Anywho, I had a great time playing jazz and Latin standards with the band and watching the senior citizens dance. And they paid us at the end, a whopping $2! I felt bad taking it, but everyone else took the proffered money so I couldn't refuse. I suppose it buys a 2/3 gallon of gas. Chris says I should save it up to by a new sax. At $2 a week, it would only take about 19 years.

Tomorrow Ken is taking me with him to perform at what I think is an Octoberfest at a Masonic Temple. I'm guessing we're playing polkas and oom-pah music? They are giving us lunch and beer, so I'll play whatever they want. I'm off to iron my outfit for tomorrow and find my music and sax stands. I think they're in a box under my bed somewhere...

Before I go though, here's tonight's dinner:


Delicata Squash Bisque from Vegan Yum Yum (I used real cream instead of cashew cream), mixed salad with Balsamic vinaigrette, cheesy garlic toast, and since its Steak Friday, I grilled up some skirt steak for Chris in my cast iron pan.

1 comment:

Liz and Kurt said...

I've played Misty, but I don't think I had ever heard it sung, Ella has such a great voice... Yeah for Band Geeks!