Cambridge Open Studios is back, and this year it is all of Cambridge in only one weekend. Just like last year there will be a shuttle bus that will take you, for free, all over town. And, lucky for us all, the primary departure point will be at Cambridge College, 1000 Mass Ave, every hour on the hour. That also happens to be where I’ll be showing my work this year. I love it when a plan comes together.
Continue reading “Mark your calendars! Cambridge Open Studios is coming!”
Yesterday there was another tragedy in our fair city. A fire broke out in the Back Bay, one of the more tightly packed areas of the city, both architecturally and in terms of traffic. It quickly went to 9 alarms, sent 18 people to the hospital, destroyed the 4 story building where it started, and killed 2 firefighters.
9 city blocks were closed through this morning as 40+ mph winds whipped the fire into a frenzy. Backdraft type conditions made the fire merciless and the brave men and women kept fighting even when they knew that one of their comrades lay dead at the bottom of the building. Even when the fire leapt through the roof and reached for the sky, when floors collapsed and sprayed the surrounding houses with showers of embers, and when the smoke was so thick we could see it from Cambridge, they fought on for hours.
I have concert listings. Lots of concert listings. These are upcoming concerts that I’m not performing in but will try to attend. You should try to go as well. Music is good for the soul. Also, Bach rocks. And, there may be cake.
Continue reading “Go out and get some culture! Concerts for YOU.”
A little while back I had commented about how we were experiencing winter’s “last hurrah”.
Oh, man was I wrong.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Central Sq, Cambridge is in need of a Baritone or Bass sub for Sunday services on 3/30 and 4/6. No weekday rehearsals are required, call is 9:00am and the service is over by 12:00pm. Pay is $50 per appearance. Preference is for one person to perform on both dates. Strong sight-reading and leadership skills are necessary, familiarity with Episcopal liturgy is desirable. St. Peter’s is accessible by the Red line, the 1 bus, and street and lot parking are available.
Please forward this announcement to interested parties. Responses can be directed to the Music Director, Josh Lawton.
~Kelly
Well, after taking some time to process it, I guess I can go ahead and say (officially) that I am not going to the police academy this year. I just wasn’t high enough on the list, I guess. But the people involved in the process have been highly encouraging and supportive towards me, and so I will make another effort whenever they put together another class, either later this year or early next year.
In the meantime, it has been a humbling experience to get back into the job hunt full-time. And to be honest, a little depressing. But since I am Mr. Silver Lining, I am trying to find the bright side of the experience and move on.
So there’s a few things I am doing to keep myself entertained while I continue the (seemingly eternal) job hunt.
This is happening at our church. If you’re available to come and sing or to come and listen please stop by. It sounds like great fun.
For Immediate Release- Tuesday, March 11, 2014, starting at 7:00 pm, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 838 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, the weekly “Tuesday Nights” concert series presents Open Mic Opera. Local opera singers, younger and older, amateur and professional, are invited to sing their hearts out. Collaborative pianist Juliet Cunningham, who has accompanied opera, oratorio and musical theater singers (and produced operas with her Janus Opera Company) will play whatever you bring. Suggested donation of $10 at the door. For more information about the weekly “Tuesday Nights” concert series please visit www.saintpeterscambridge.org/news-events/announcements/tuesdaynightconcertseries
Open mic opera? In Boston – the home of the Red Sox, the Bruins, the Celtics? Yes, and it isn’t new either. Many lovers of Italian food will remember a restaurant near Quincy Market that used to feature singing waiters. In other parts of the country, such as California, there have been restaurants with nights given over to singers performing opera arias and scenes for the past two to three decades, according to Duff Murphy, host of The Opera Show on Los Angeles’s radio station KUSC. In case you thought opera was just for the old folks, Murphy also has observed that it has become popular with many 20- and 30- somethings. Robert Hansen, executive director of the National Opera Association has been quoted to the effect that open mic opera is growing in popularity because “there is a huge population out there now of singers who want some sort of opportunity to sing, whether they make a living doing it, for pocket money or just for the love of singing.” Boston is brimming over with opera singers. This is an opportunity for them to strut their stuff in public, with encouragement and at no risk. All singers are welcome to participate, and you can bring your accompanist and audience with you.
Me, I’d probably bring some Musical Theatre just to shake things up a bit.
~Kelly
You may have heard that we’ve gotten some snow this winter. You may have heard that it’s been a little, um, chilly this winter. You’d be right on both counts.
Greater Boston, and especially our home of Cambridge, is undoubtedly one of the technology capitals of the United States, and certainly of the East Coast. And yet Kelly and I have struggled for years to find a decent, reliable Internet provider for a reasonable price. Currently we are using Comcast, because we simply could not get reliable service from Verizon no matter how hard we tried. It was depressing, but at least we figured it probably wouldn’t get any worse.
And then earlier this week I read that our Internet/phone/cable provider, Comcast, is going through yet another merger.
Sigh. No good can come from this.
Continue reading “Internet in Greater Boston – fewer options for more money”
I have a doctor appointment in the morning, and then work in the afternoon and evening. I don’t know exactly what the morning rush hour will be like but I am guessing it will be a hell of a mess. Hopefully the Mini will be able to handle it. I am hoping it does not turn out to be more trouble than it is worth. I don’t consider wrecking the car and/or injuring myself to be a fair trade for trying to make my appointments and getting to work, but I will give myself extra time to dig out the car and try to beat the traffic that I know will be coming. We shall see, I suppose.
-Geoff
The Books are Taking Over... 