Iowa Veterans Choir 

I direct a small-but-mighty choir made up of Iowa Veterans and their spouses who are residents of the Iowa Veterans Home.  We practice once a week, and perform at least once a month.  Most of our performances happen in the dining hall, and are fairly low-key affairs.


Today, though, we got to sing two hymns as part of the Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day service.  Seeing these veterans, now all elders, sing and pray and speak and cry together, remembering what this war and their lives were like, hits a little differently.


I am barely a veteran.  I was injured early on, and worked random details while being treated at Martin Army hospital.  My primary weapon was a mop.  Doing this work, with these people, is how I make up for the service I was unable to give before. 

And I am grateful.

Folkie at a Punk Show 

Tonight, I’ll be attending the Celebration of Life for a child I cared about.  I’ve been a friend of the family for many years, and losing Raxus at the age of six is heartbreaking.


The memorial service will be folded into the first of what the family hopes will be an annual series of benefits for childhood epilepsy.  It’s a punk show, because they are deep into the punk scene.  I am not, but I love this family, I am coming to support, and I plan to play my music my way to share my honest and unfiltered grief.  They plan to let me.

In a way, that’s pretty punk too.

Godspeed, Raxus.  Rest in power.


 

Farmers Market! 

Cedar Falls!


I just arranged to play the CF Farmers Market on Saturday, June 21st.  You should all stop by, buy some baked goods, and drop them in my tip basket. :)


 

Cedar Falls! 

I just heard from the organizers, and it looks like I’ll be playing 12-3 both days of this festival.  So stop in, say hello, and get your fix of local arts on Mother’s Day weekend.


 

Back in the Saddle Again 

Part of my return to music and poetry involves getting over myself and going to strange places to play for strange people.  It’s easy at home or at work or when there is an actual stage between me and the audience.  It’s a lot harder at an intimate bar show.


Last night, Lindsey and I made the trek to Waverly, Iowa to share a little musical space with our friends Uncle Chuck and Perry Miller.  I played to a full bar for the first time in years, and it felt like home.  We even managed to make a few new musical friends along the way.

Onward and upward.  I got this.



 

Gratitude! 

My friend Sarah’s friend Cat was able to get a couple good photos of me at last Friday’s show at the Oster Regent.  This local arts community just keeps on giving.  I’m feeling very grateful right now both for the event Nicole Sallis put together, and for all the momentum we’re already seeing from it.

For more of what Cat does, www.cicadavideo.com.  

Also, be sure to check out the various projects of Nicole Sallis (Creative Director), Larvos Jones and Nia Wilder (Hosts), Matthew Anderson and Jardez Hollingsworth (Musicians), and the leadership of Cedar Falls Community Theater (Greg Holt, Chris Hale and Noah McLaughlin).