Second tour is done

This time we had a full group of about 15.  Most of them seemed pretty enthusiastic although there was one guy who must have been along for the ride, because he didn’t seem to be into it while the woman with him asked me a lot of questions.  Probably the most unusual thing about this tour happened when I brought the group by the Julia Ward Howe and Samuel Gridley Howe home on Chestnut Street.  After describing how Julia was inspired to write new words to the tune of “John Brown’s Body”, and how the new lyrics became tremendously popular, a woman on the tour asked if I could sing it for her, and then a bunch of the other women on the tour chimed in too.  So I went ahead and sang the first verse.  I got a round of applause, hopefully not for comedic value and/or pity.

-Geoff

Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act

We’ve all seen the photos that float around on the internet.  They show soldiers in Afghanistan or Iraq with their German Shepherds curled up together after a long day of work.  The MP off duty with helmet for a pillow, her dog sitting dutifully by her side.

What you may not know is that the military currently classifies these animals as “equipment” and that when their working careers are over there is no guarantee that they’ll end up adopted or go home with their handlers.

Continue reading “Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act”

Black Cat Appreciation Month

No, not Black Cat Awareness Month, Black Cat Appreciation Month.  Just ask Geoff how much he likes the phrase “raising awareness“.  Go ahead ask him, I’ll wait.

Continue reading “Black Cat Appreciation Month”

Musical Offering: Les Grâces sacrées‏

Matthew Halls sends greetings and news of his latest concerts.  They’re coming up soon so don’t miss them!

~Kelly

Dear friends and colleagues,
You’re warmly invited to attend a concert of sacred music from the Versailles chapel this weekend.  Performances on Oct 6 and 7.  See the missive below.
Yours,
Matthew

Dear Friends of Musical Offering,

We invite you to join us as we open our second season, Le Goût Français!  Naturally, we will be exploring French music of the 18th century.  We begin with program entitled Les Grâces sacrées, featuring Claire Raphaelson and Julia Cavallaro singing stunningly beautiful sacred music, by Boismortier, Campra, Clérambault and Couperin.  For programing and venue information, to listen to excerpts from previous concerts, and find out more about us, visit www.musical-offering.org

Claire Raphaelson, soprano
Julia Cavallaro, mezzo-soprano
Sarah Darling, violin
Sarah Paysnick, flute
Rebekah Ahrendt, viola da gamba
Matthew Hall, organ

 
We offer two performances with receptions following each.  Tickets are $15 at the door.
 
Saturday, October 6, 4:00 PM
Lindsay Chapel at First Church, Cambridge
 
Sunday, October 7, 2:00 PM
Lawrence Room at Church of Our Saviour, Brookline

Women’s voices and the election

This was in my inbox from Ultraviolet.  They have a petition going and everything.  There’s not much to be said that I can say better than they’ve said.  Take a look, sign it, add your question and add your voice.

Continue reading “Women’s voices and the election”

The first Civil War walking tour seemed to go well…

and the second one is coming up this weekend.  There are already a bunch of people signed up for it.  I am excited.  Needless to say I have had the Civil War era on the brain for a while, but especially lately.

Continue reading “The first Civil War walking tour seemed to go well…”

What will this year’s winter be like?

I have been reading some of the long-range forecasts for this upcoming fall and winter.  Generally speaking, it seems they are predicting a pretty mild fall with temperatures above normal, and then it looks like this winter will most definitely not be like last winter.

Continue reading “What will this year’s winter be like?”

Meravelha presents “Daydreams and Desires”‏

This is from Teri.  I hope you can make it to one of these concerts.

~Kelly

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Hello Friends!
I wanted to invite you to Meravelha’s debut full-length concert, “Daydreams and Desires.”
This is my first self-directed concert, and I am very excited to be bringing this soulful music to life with such talented colleagues!
Performers:
Teri Kowiak, voice
Jaya Lakshminarayanan, voice and harp
Josh Schreiber Shalem, vielle
Catherine Stein, voice
Tim Whipple, voice
October 13, 8PM    Parish of the Messiah, Newton — Wine and Cheese Reception to follow
$15/General  $20/Priority Seating
Free upgrade to priority seating when reserving tickets in advance!  Reply to this email to reserve tickets.
October 21, 3PM    The First Congregational Church of Natick — Reception to follow
$15/General
Sweetest day special!  Come with a loved one (or just a friend) and get two tickets for $25!
November 4, 3PM   The Loring-Greenough House — High Tea to follow
$15/General–This is a small, intimate venue, best to reserve tickets in advance!  Contact lghouseconcerts@aim.com
You can find more information on us at www.meravelha.com.  Check back periodically, as I will be making updates!