Harp and heartstrings with Calvin Arsenia
Had he noticed me, leaning in from the edge of my seat, grinning like a lunatic and mouthing to everyone I knew, "Isn't he great?" Calvin Arsenia might have been tempted to file a restraining order. I...
View ArticleBut it was right on time
Lightning tried hard to interrupt the Brandi Carlile "These Silent Days" concert at Red Rocks Saturday night, but the force of those glorious, million-year old rocks and the will of 10,000 people kept...
View ArticleA big night for the Little Girls
They invited me to come along, but I honestly had more fun watching my two little sisters have a big night at the Phil Collins Genesis concert Tuesday night in Chicago. My sister Jenny (who also goes...
View ArticleEarth, Wind, Fire and DeeJay Tre
The only thing better than seeing Earth, Win & Fire perform live, is seeing their concert with DeeJay Tra. My nephew Traveain, a DeeJay by trade, has been an EWF fan his entire life. His playlist...
View ArticleOne love: Let’s join together and a-feel all right
Pita Kotobalavu can sum up his life philosophy, musical ambition and aspirations for the world in one word. “Love,” he said. Reggae ambassador, lead singer and founder of Unity the Band, Pita has been...
View ArticleIf love be the music of life
Born on the banks of a river that sings in any season and predated by a renowned conservatory, Appleton exhales music with every breath. Notes wafting out from open windows, street corners and...
View ArticleOur Irish eyes were smiling (and our Scottish toes were tapping)
I didn't realize Appleton had its very own leprechaun until I treated myself to a whole Saturday (and most of a Friday) at its second annual Irish Fest. What but Irish magic (and a slew of volunteers'...
View ArticleBecause the night belonged to us
Tuesday night belonged to the E Street Band, my sisters and me. Well, mostly it belonged to me and Bruce, but it was also fun to have my sisters along. I last saw Bruce Springsteen perform live back in...
View ArticleWalk a mile in our town
Walk a mile in our town on a perfect August afternoon. You’ll hear music for sure. You’ll feel it too, rising from the river, from courtyards, patios and parks; easing in through your ears and touching...
View ArticleA festival of luck and leprechauns
My favorite kind of luck wafts up from the shepherd's pie you eat in a park on a warm Friday night in September. It sails out over a gathering crowd and touches each heart with its glow. Notes carry...
View ArticleAnd Miles to go before I sleep
I thought the lightning and rain had ended our night early when they rudely interrupted Ben Mulwana’s set yesterday. But, there’s always magic in the mile. The rain sent us scurrying to the Stone Arch...
View ArticleThe Captain and the Kid
We mixed right in with the Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters Wednesday afternoon during the matinee showing of Piano Men Generations. You’d be surprised how raucous that kind of crowd can be, especially when...
View ArticleThe Parachute Show is coming to Appleton!
The Parachute Show is coming to Appleton and I could not be more excited. A brainchild of Appleton native Hillary Reynolds and fellow LA-based, Wisconsin-born musician Madison Malone, the Parachute...
View ArticleWhen Irish eyes are smiling
We tried to sing “When Irish eyes are smiling” to our granddaughter Saturday night, but it turned out none of us actually knew the words. I can tell you this, though, Irish eyes were smiling all...
View ArticleA Mile of Love
The support Dave Willems and his Mile of Music community offers their performers extends miles, even 850 miles, beyond College Avenue. Starting Wednesday night and extending through the weekend, the...
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