I remember just where he sat. Third seat, fifth row in my horseshoe of chair desks in room 203, Linganore High School, middle of the corn fields, Maryland. It was his ninth grade year, and he already had that “certain something” that made me fight the notion that good teachers don’t have pets.

Over the next four years, I watched. Just sat and watched. Watched a young boy whose writer’s voice had already found him. Watched as Michael began auditioning for Carl’s stage productions. Watched the flow. And, boy, was there a flow.

So, when Michael contacted Carl about being part of the concert at Baltimore’s Creative Alliance, there was no hesitation. Carl called some of Bmore’s best musicians and they were in. So, with Pat Peregoy on the beat, Tori Morse on the fiddle and me on the back up . . .Carl gave new life to I Ain’t Got No Home with a Springsteen Highway Patrolman fuel injection. Sweeeet.

In the course of the evening, we were able to jam with Linda Nelson, Dave Huber, Caleb Stine, Ben Curtis, Ben Forstenzer Jennifer Restivo, John Bolten , Allison Smith, Sarah Seely, and Bob Friedman . . . and if you know Baltimore, you know it was a Guthrie throw down the likes of which this town ain’t neva seen.

The Creative Alliance’s Megan Hamilton and Baltimore’s folksinging darlin’, Caleb Stine. Doing HUGE things for art in Baltimore.

Caleb Stine, he of the velvet voice, hosted the evening.

Ben Forstenzer sings Union Burying Ground.

I’m still watching. Watching Michael living his dreams out loud. Watching as his play, Woody Gurthrie Dreams, the one into which he’s breathed his soul for ten years, opens in New York City. And, yes, I will be there with a whole crew that LOVE Michael.

Watching, I am humbled, proud, and inspired, all in the same moment. Sweet. Life.

WOODY GUTHRIE DREAMS.

September 8 – October 1, 2011

Theater for the New City
155 First Avenue btw 9th & 10th Street.

I am definitely drawn to the creative overflow of the artist’s heart and no better way to stand in the flow than to cook for ‘em. Bread and Jam is a way to feed my friends that I love so completely. And it’s a way to feed my soul. It goes down like this. . .

We set up the sound system, and hook up the Korg, the amps and the drum kit. (that’s Carl’s domain)  We throw out a FB event page and then the musicians start coming out of the woodwork. The ground rules are easy. You get a set on to play your heart out, and then a set off to hang, call out requests, eat and meet new musicians.

The food . . . well, that’s my domain. And it doesn’t hurt that my good friend, Pat Peregory . . . chef at O’Lordan’s brought a whole vat of crab bisque . . . rock star chef moonlighting as uber cool drummer.

And for me, it gives me good purpose to make my house look festive and inviting . . . and to get the kids in on the action of pre-party excitement. That’s when Carl gets to put chores on the list like . . . clean out the sports equipment shed- so you guys can find your laser guns when it’s time to run around in the dark. (it’s all in the delivery:0)

Then, when the sun falls behind the hill, the cars start to arrive . . . and out of them fall some of my most favorite people in the world. People that live full and free and aren’t afraid to unleash the freak flag of  joy that stays safely tucked away most days. That’s where the Conte’s come into play- one of our favorite families who taught their amazing kids that there are no limits to what God will do! Jono- (remember his out of the box senior session last year that involved a drum set, a corn field, and a swimming pool??? Check it out in my Seniors category.)He walks exuberance every single day.

Then meet our town’s newest, coolest girl band, Morse Code. Seriously? These guys have so much soul and joy I kinda just want em to move in. Actually, we’re heading in that direction, as Tori served as Carl’s musical director for BatBoy this spring and Katie played in the pit.  Tori’s also the Freundel’s resident violin teacher/ goddess of coolness for my daughters.

Kaila Conte, just home from Messiah College and her friend Bess . . . when they sing together- it’s a butterscotch  candy sliding down your throat. Warm and rich.

It’s a total free flow evening, guided by some random charts. And it is wayyyyy fun.

Our good friend, drummer Mike Landavere brought this guy out of the woodwork. Rob Powell is a classical guitarist from Nova Scotia. We all made some assumptions about him standing on the sidelines in his Pink Floyd shirt. Then he took the stage. Whoaaa. Fingers like lightening.

And my Carl played mandy like nobody’s business.

Steve Drummond and Jono Conte. Holding down the back beat. Tight.

Then, during the wee hours of the morning . . . this guy from the UK who had been hanging in the background all night finally took his seat. Nick Beatty. Oh my lands. . . .that guy started playing his guitar and mouths fell open. I turned to his wife and said, “Mindy  . . . . he’s reaaaallly good. She just gave me a wink and a smile and mouthed “I know.”

So, maybe you’re thinking, wow, I wish I had a cadre of super creative, talented friends so that I could do something like this . . .

Good news is, you do! Guarenteed among your every day acquaintances is a whole slew of people who have creative fire springing out of their soul  just begging for the outlet.

And if you don’t believe you could really put something like this together, get in touch with me. You’re coming to our next bread and jam, which is so life giving, so full of joy that we had several musicians threatening to come back tonight for the next session. We’re just gonna leave that sound system hooked up for awhile:)

Oh happy day.

Oh, and next session will go out on a live feed, compliments of MIT techie super cool guru,  Jamie Hanson!!!

Reserve your tickets here.

Art is the great unifier uniquely eqpipped to inspire, encourage and restore healthy relationships within a community. That’s why I LOVE September Song, attend their show every year and take every chance I can to gush about them.

I think I told you last year that Septmenber Song’s Sound of Music was the very first play that I saw when I was eleven years old. I fell in love with those seven Von Trappes that night, and with the whole experience of theatre. I even tried for my own cast of Von Trappes, but we overshot and got Oliver.  (classical “Brady” allusion)

So these days, I grab a whole block of fifteen or so tickets . . . and I look for kids that I know that would not otherwise get that taste of live theatre . . . and I pile them into a couple of cars . . . and we go fall in love. Because we all know that if you don’t keep those appetites fed, you lose them.

Life does get packed really quickly. But I purpose to make room for museums, Howard Pyle read alouds, live music of any genre, and live theatre. If you find your internal monologue  complaining, “yea, but I can’t afford all that . . . ” you need to contact me, because SOO much of it can be had for free. I’ll tell you how:)

The delight of watching Sarah Snead and Erica Claire create their June and Louise characters was so much fun. Once again, producer Joan Eichorn, in conjunction with director Allen Cross, musical director, Zayna Null and choreographer Amy Hyde have created a priceless experience . . . completely family friendly (’cause I asked, and I know that Joan shares this love with her own grandkids!)

So really. The proceeds go right back into our community, it’s a taste the live theatre experience, and you never know who you”ll  bump into that you’ve not seen for way too long. Just do it.

I’ve actually enjoyed seeing my kids a little sleep deprived. Once I get them out of bed and rolling, they’ve got that punchiness that only sleep deprivation can bring. Easy laugh. Easy cry. Wearing life right out on their sleeve.  That’s when I get to hear to good stuff . . . secret crushes,  disappointments, buried hopes and dreams. It’s a mother’s paradise.

I love Lora’s productions . . . she highlights each actor’s strengths and makes every single person on stage shine. She stages productions for private schools and community groups and usually  has at least three shows going at a time. I would definitely NOT want to trade calendars with Lora. But she LOVES every second of theatre for youth, and the kids know it. That’s why she has a cadre of kids that come back show after show after show.

View the entire gallery here . . . and proud parents . . . feel free to snag ‘em.

Tink. She’s got stars in her eyes, sasses with her arms akimbo, and feels passionately protective of her Peter.

I’ve told the kids since January that the hours and hours of rehearsal would turn to sweet bliss once opening night comes. They are in the zone now. Two shows down, four to go . . . and they’re already talking about the next play.

The real gold happens backstage, before the show, where the kids laugh, sing, pray and bond together. My sis, Nancy, and Shirley take each actor into the seat and fill their hearts with love and encouragement while they’re painting, glittering and spraying.  May these kids bank this one as a highlight from childhood. A priceless snapshot in the scrapbook of the good ole days.

Visit the entire gallery here. And cast members . . . feel free to snag ‘em

I am inspired by their level of dedication and enthusiasm. Whether you have little ones or not, come see this show- you will leave feeling the love.

Directed by Shirley Dooley and Nancy Howard (who have both pitched their tents at the warehouse!) and supported by donations from our whole community, this production is everything that’s right and beautiful about community theatre! Several key builders in our community have dedicated hours and hours building our set and rigging the flying system and a special shout out goes to Jeni of Fandango Events who even got us a ship’s wheel!

And the best part? Every penny goes right back to the kids of Carroll County.

Young Life Carroll County Presents

Peter Pan

Six Shows to Choose From!

Friday              May 7      8pm                 Friday                 May 14  8pm

Saturday          May 8      8pm

Sunday            May 9      7pm                 Sunday                 May 16  2 pm & 7pm

Location:

Crossroads Community Church

895 Leidy Road in Westminster

(The old TSC Building off of 140)

Reserve Tickets in Advance: Call 410.239.0562 and leave your name, number of tickets needed, and date/time of performance.  Cash or check payment due upon pick up of your tickets from at the venue.

Purchase of tickets at the door cannot be guaranteed.

Ticket Prices:  $10.00  adults, $8.00  students,

$5  children 12 and under

Proceeds from the play go to Young Life Carroll County

So we must dream.
We must not be dreamers of the night.
Dreamers that sleep through inspiration.
Let us be dreamers of the Day. Dreamers of action
And vision.
Of reconciliation and peace.
So dae.
To dream.
So dae.
To reach.
So dae.
To arrive . . .
At a place.
That place is here.
That place is now.
We have arrived.

Upon His Back He Carries Them:  The Prempeh Play

Carl Freundel

The strength of many lies in unity.

“There is an African saying, so dae, that means “to dream.” I have a hope that with this performance we can right a wrong. The wrong resides in the fact that history has largely overlooked this man, Prempeh, and the heroic choices he made to preserve life. How can the world not know of this great man from Ghana, known as Asantehene Agyeman Prempeh I? In a world weary for peace, for examples of personal sacrifice and putting the needs of others above their own, you would think we would be parading this great man’s life as an example of legendary vision, courage, and victory.”

You know who wrote all the words you’ve read in this post? One man. My man.

Carl continually humbles me with the words that flow from his hand.  And when the script is put to words and action, it’s pure magic. Several years ago Carl was commissioned by the Smithsonian to write a play about this great Ghanian leader. James Brown-Orleans played the part of Sunsum and later left D.C. to enjoy a successful run in The Lion King on Broadway.

Carl staged the play again this fall, with the very talented Ke’an Black as Sunsum and Duke Ellington School for the Arts graduate, Nailah Gosnon as Bogya.  Bill Hauserman’s set boasted a “tree of life” that was twenty feet across and a stage full of dirt. Wild!  James Fasching crafted a full sized Adinkra cloth which replicates one held by the Museum of African History in Washington D.C. It was an incredibly powerful production and it’s message of self sacrifice and peace really hit home considering our current global state.

The play will run through Saturday night at CCBC Catonsville. 8 pm both nights.  It’s live theatre. It’s an experience that requires audience investment, interaction and the return is precious.

And the icing on the cake? James drove down today to watch the show with us He headed back right after the show to sing “The Circle of Life” tonight at 8.

Carl, your gift is from God. And I am excited to watch Him continually use you to speak life giving words . . . words of peace . . . words of love. You amaze and humble me with your artist’s heart.

I am so blessed to be your wife.

The BSO opens rehearsal to the public.  To me, that’s  even better than the concert,  because you get that “behind the scenes look” at unbelievably talented artists, followed by a Q & A.

Pianist Jean-Yves  entered the Thursday morning rehearsal, dressed in Ed Hardy bling, Diet Coke in hand, and the show began. What joy it must be to hear the music inside and have it  flow through your fingertips, without an obvious thought to the mechanics. Such a gift from God.

Marin Alsop was all business. She ran that rehearsal and did brush ups in a way that was so professional and respectful. Every bit the artsit. And boy,  Rhapsody in Blue . . . you know the clarinet solo that starts with a glissando/ slide? Can you hear it in your head???  It was bliss.

I want my kids to see that each gifted musician up there was once a kid who struggled through the self-discipline of practicing an instrument when they would rather be outside playing baseball. And that all of those incredibly talented musicians are just normal people who made a choice each day. All shapes. All sizes. One thing in common. They weren’t afraid to dream.

Did I mention that these open rehearsal are free? Along with admission to the BMA. And the Walter’s Art Gallery!

All free. And with a family of ten, we are always looking for affordable opportunities to expose our kids to all the possibilities. Sweet. deal.

Do you know of any other great cultural opportunities??