First of all.. I want to wish my leeeeetle seeeeester SPG (aka Mary) a very happy birthday. 

Tonight we went with Jen and Tim out to Instabul House for an early Turkish dinner before a show at the Flynn Space

I love Instabul House.. because it reminds me of Living with the Erol’s in Vienna in 1979-80. The dad, Necat Erol ws from Turkey.. and they always had great Turkish food..   One of my favorites was Cacık, a cold cumber soup a little like Tziziki   I t brought back great memories when I ordered  it tonight ! 

We walked over to the Flynn space.. which is a really nice small venue under the Flynn Theatre. Tonights show was called “Trouble and Together”.. it was organized by my old friend Jim.. Jim and I are long time members of VoMIT (Vermonts own MIT club)..  He’d invited us.. but I really didn’t know much about what we were here to watch.

It turns out that it was a wonderful musical review that Jim put on with 6 (I think) friends… (I mean I think they were 6.. they were definitely friends !)   Jim played base .. and long time acquaintance Paul A played lead guitar .. there was also a keyboards, drummer, procussionist.. and an amazingg fretless bassist. They were joined by  the ‘crackwall choir’ which was made up of  Jim’s wife  Abby and their daughters Hannah and Phoebe.   Jim explained that the  shows tile “trouble and together”  was about the trials and joys of living.. The group had had an saxaphist named Joe.. but Joe died recently.. seems like only months ago… Though not officially, this show was dedicated to him . 

The evening took us through old rock/blues.. some jazz  and some folk.. I remember a Frank Zappa cover, a Moby grape cover a Joni Mitchel cover (coyote) , a John print cover (Lovely and Dead)  and a great cover of the Nick Lowe song (made more famous by Elvis Costello) “What’s so funny about Peace Love  and understanding” 

The show was great fun and wonderfully curated.. The band sounded great.. even my watch said so !

Ran into several old friends there, Jeff, Biz, Michelle, David… 

Super fun evening.. and great being out with Tim and Jen !

note all, nite sam

-me

Tonight we had a real treat. Our friend Averie was playing  a show iat FireFolk n Waitsfield along with her old UVM roommate Blair Borax and traveling musician Bethany Ann Tranbaugh .  Blair and Bethany are touring the east coast and they met up with Avery for the first show. It was a very cool building.. lots of interesting  art and botanical cocktails. Very vermont !  Lots of friends there, Averys parents, Jane, Joe and Morgan, 

The evening opened with an original poem by Harmony (whom I just found out is the youth poet laureate for the state of vermont) 

Avery was up first.. playing original songs..with a clear voice, great energy and .. I’d never seen her play solo before and she was wonderful !!!   As I watched her play I was thinking about how she and Jane Keir (also in the audience) play “Keepsake” but State Radio at Sam’s memorial. She was only 14 then.. so was Sam.   I still listen to it sometimes.. Har do believe that was 17 years ago). You can listen to it here .. or below.. Always makes me cry to hear it.. .. (just did)

Then up was Bethany. she labeled  herself as ‘queer americana’..   She was super fun.. Great lyricist and great guitarist.. You can check out some of her stuff here. 

Then Bair Borax came up.. she was also a great songwriter. She had been Avery’s college roommate about 10 years ago.. at the time she couldn’t sing or play guitar.. now she does both really well. We loved hearing her too !  Check out her stuff here 

It was a real special night.. 

nite all, nite sam

-me

Things are getting back to normal after an insanely busy last week.. Today we spent putting finishing touches on some of our carbon fiber demos for  our hiring fare next Sunday.. 

I love working with this team. 

nite all, nite sam

-me

I took Max in to catch an insanely early flight this morning.. it’s been so great having hime here. !

 I guess the eclipse helped  us get the first signs of spring ..   

Nite all, nite sam

-me