A jam session and reunion

Tags

13th Avenue Blues Band, Blues, Calgary, Diana Schwenk, friends, growing up, Hump Day Chronicles, living in the moment, love, memories, music, Relationships, reunion

Rob Webster, Annelie McKenzie, Herb White, Sue Webster and Guy Plecash of the 13th Avenue Blues Band in the 1990s

IN THE EARLY 90’s the 13th Avenue Blues Band was formed with members Herb White, Guy Plecash, Annelie McKenzie, Rob and Sue Webster.

They played weekly at The Mustard Seed Street Ministry when it was located at 521 13th Avenue SW.

They gave Amazing Grace a raw bluesy feel and took classics like Knock, Knock, Knocking on Heaven’s Door to a whole new level.

Suffice it to say that the 13th Avenue Blues Band was the favourite house band.

Well that was almost two decades ago.

Recently Annelie came back to Calgary to visit. Back in the 90s she was a cool 15-year-old drummer.

More recently, she’s been living in LA for 14 years. She recently completed her Masters in Fine Arts and loves her life south of the border.

On Saturday seven of us gathered to talk about the good old days and watch three of the original band members engage in a jam session.

Herb arranged this reunion of sorts when he caught wind that Annelie was visiting. He offered Cornerstone Youth Centre ,where he is the executive director, as the place that we could meet up.

Cornerstone provides a place for kids to go after school. One of the programs kids can participate in is the music program; and cornerstone has the coolest music room to facilitate that.

Photos of many of my favourite artists of the past hang in the music room. Greats like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and more.

Once we spent some time catching up, Herb, Guy and Annelie headed to the music room and played together. It didn’t take them long to get in sync with each other again. They played some of their old covers and Herb played some of his new originals with the others joining in.

The rest of us watched and danced and sang along to the songs we knew. A great time was had by all.

Below some pictures I took on Saturday.

Guy and Herb

Annelie: drums

Herb: guitar and vocals. Guy: Keyboard and vocals

Karen, Guy and Herb

Herb and Bruce

Annelie and Audrey

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

I always enjoy getting together with people I haven’t seen in a while. Do you like reunions? What one reunion did you attend that had the most years since the last time you saw an old friend? Can you play a musical instrument? Which instrument?

The Hole in the Wall

Tags

bar, Blues, community, dancing, Diana Schwenk, dream, Floyd Dixon, Hole in the Wall, Hump Day Chronicles, Jazz, love, relational, social

Before I get too deep into this post I want to explain something. I’m not an artist, but I know when I like a painting. And I’m not an author but I can appreciate a good book. I’m also not a musician but I know good music when I hear it. Or as I used to say as a teenager, I may not be able to make a watch, but I can tell the time!

Off and on since I was 16 years old I’ve dreamt of owning my own bar.

I think it’s the social aspect, the idea of people gathering and enjoying each other’s company that appeals to me.

Over the years, what that would look like has changed many times, yet the idea of owning a bar has continued to visit me from time to time.

Maybe one day I will own one. Maybe I won’t – but either way I want to share the following concept with you and hear what you think.

About a year ago I came up with a conceptual idea for what this bar would look and feel like. The following song would be the indicator that the entertainment is about to begin.

And that’s why I would call my bar The Hole in the Wall.  Imagine if you will; a red brick building. On the outside wall, a mural that looks like bricks have been knocked out and left a hole that allows you to peer inside to see the silhouette of a band and folks dancing. There would be plenty of parking and an outdoor courtyard to cool off from all the dancing you would do.

Me and my friend Sandra out and about at some dancing joint.

Inside is a big open space with an elevated stage large enough to accommodate a 7-man band. The stage overlooks a large dance floor with plenty of room for people to dance. Tables would seat six and it would be the norm to expect people you don’t know to sit with you if you and your guests are not taking up the entire table.

The Hole in the Wall would not have a restaurant. We know you get hungry so to sate your appetite and save ourselves the hassle of cooking, we would promote our neighbouring eateries by providing their take-out menus at each table.

That’s right – just pick up your iPhone and call your favourite restaurant and have them deliver to your table!

The motto of the bar would be: For the love of people, great music and dancing

For the love of people

I would want to create an unpretentious and relaxing atmosphere – a place where everyone would feel comfortable, regardless of age or station in life. A place where you could spend time with your adult children – where all of you would have fun together – imagine that!

The Hole in the Wall would hire staff that are energetic, fun-loving people lovers! It would be more important to be relational than to have previous experience. Bar-related skills can be taught!

Philanthropy would be highly encouraged and expected. Staff would have opportunities to share the causes they believe in and engage with charities to organize regular fundraisers that not only raise funds but provide opportunity for organizations to volunteer at the event and engage with patrons.

Because we love people, alcohol consumption would be monitored. The Hole in the Wall is not about getting drunk, it’s about enjoying the music, dancing and the company of good friends. Don’t be surprised if we bring you a glass of water or a cup coffee with a kind word to encourage you to slow down. Sound unusual? I’ve seen it work in other places!

For the love of great music

The Hole in the Wall would strive to make a name for itself by attracting the best blues and jazz bands for the weekends. These bands would love the large stage and acoustics and would be compensated well. During the week, The Hole in the Wall would be a place where talented ‘up and comers’  could become known and kick off their careers.  Who knows perhaps The Hole, as it will be affectionately called, will become so well-known that professional artists will sneak in for impromptu sets after their concert at the Saddledome!

For the love of dancing

Does it matter if you can dance? Nah, as long as you’re having fun – that’s what it’s all about!

Maybe organized activities could include riding bikes that are too small for you?

Whether you’re a trained dancer or just a hotdogger like me, if you love to dance – The Hole in the Wall would be the place for you. We won’t judge you!

The Hole in the Wall would be a safe and fun place to dance and enjoy a night out. During the day we would organize fun activities like they do at resorts. If you can’t laugh at your best friend making a fool of himself, who can you laugh at?

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

What do you think?

Would you come to a place like the Hole in the Wall?

Spring is in the Air

Tags

blossoms, Blues, Buddy Guy, butterfly, Chevy, coffee, Garden, gardening, humour, Latin lover, Mailbox, morning, pretend, Spring, Swing, veranda

Many of you have been writing about the ‘signs’ of spring.

You’re raking the remnants of autumn’s leaves, planting seeds and drinking coffee outside.

Your photos capture daffodils, budding trees and cute kids in pink sweatshirts playing in the yard.

You are painting such a beautiful picture of spring – I can almost smell the blossoms!

(Insert sound of needle being scratched across a record)

Out my window I see a blanket of white and although our temperatures peak above freezing (slightly above) and mostly during the workweek, our weekends continue to bring snow.

However, instead of complaining I’m going to revert to something I did as a child when things weren’t going my way…

Pretend

~

The warm breeze pushes past my drapes and caresses my face.

My eyes flutter open and I breathe in the perfumed scent of blossoms.

A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth as I glide out of my four-poster bed

(well I am pretending, remember?)

and walk to my clean kitchen (p-r-e-t-e-n-d-i-n-g)

where the coffee has brewed (gotta love those timer thingies)

I pour myself a cup and head out the French Doors of my modern kitchen to the veranda (that wraps completely around my house) and sit myself down on the porch swing.

I take in the glorious view while the birds sing sweetly by the quaint wooden bridge and the old oak tree by the stream. (again, I am pretending so why not?)

The mailman nods as he delivers my mail into my mailbox.

(you know the old-fashioned kind that kids knock over with baseball bats when they drive by? Yeah that kind)

He’s probably delivered a notification of a trip I’ve won.

I look toward a plot of ground recently tilled and contemplate a day of gardening.

Yes…

this is the life

I can already smell the life-sustaining soil and am relishing the thought of digging my hands into it.

I hear the rumble of an old  truck and frown.

“What the…?

Who is messing with my perfect morning?”

Annoyed, I walk around my veranda (the one that wraps around the house) and my frown turns into a smile.

It’s Juan.

My Latin lover.

And I think to myself

…the fecking gardening can wait. 😉

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

Here’s a little something to keep you warm until spring is in full swing…

Dancing – Hell Ya!

Tags

Blues, Country, Dance, Diana Schwenk, Mikeys Juke and Eatery, music, Two Step

Dancing – A lot of people are intimidated by it and think they need to drink copious amounts of alcohol before stepping out onto the dance floor.  And that, my friends, is a dang shame!

I love how other cultures consider dancing something you learn as a matter-of-fact part of growing up just as one learns to walk and talk.

They seem to ‘feel’ the music and watching them so free and graceful in movement is a beautiful thing.

Music and dancing are so ingrained in their culture and daily lives.

I’m a huge fan of dancing.

The way I see it, it’s a great way to have fun and exercise all at once.

It’s not unusual for me to walk into a dancing establishment and head straight for the dance floor.

Truth be told  – I’m not a technical dancer (more the free-style hot-dogging variety)

and I’m still desperately trying to learn how to ‘follow.’

It’s not a Feminist I-am-woman-hear-me-roar because ‘I want to be in charge’ thing.

I just struggle with following.

I went to Mikey’s Juke and Eatery on Saturday night to help a friend celebrate her birthday. Mikey’s is a great place to chill out with down-to-earth people – a neighbourhood bar with many regular customers.

They have a tasty menu selection and believe me; they’re not in business for the money – I do advocate tipping well though – the staff are super friendly and work hard.

Mikey’s does it for the love of music and the joyful expression of dancing.

Mikey’s usually books Blues bands, but in honour of the Calgary Stampede they booked a Country band. Now I’m not a huge fan of Country, but I gotta say, it’s growing on me!

It had been a long time since I went out dancing – too long in fact! Luckily three delightful and patient gents took turns dancing with me throughout the night.

Although they knew how to Two Step well, they didn’t judge me

[A-HEM]

for not being as well-versed as they were

– they took the time to show me how it’s done.

I asked one of them if he thought I was finally getting it.

He just laughed and asked me if I was having fun.

“Yes, I’m having a great time!!”

“Me too,” he said, still laughing.

Aside from the rubbery legs I had the next day, the thing that seemed to hurt the most was my cheeks.

Must have been the big smile that was pasted on my face the whole night and all the laughing I did!

I’m not sure why I love dancing so much. Maybe it’s the one child-like expression of joy left to me as a grown up.

Maybe it’s the way that music and dancing connects people, even if you’ve never met before. Sure, I wish I was better at following, but when I’m concentrating on that it becomes more like work and less like fun.

So I’m thinking…maybe technique isn’t as important as feeling the music…

…letting it awaken your spirit and seep into your body inspiring you to move

in an instinctual response to the beat.

Hell ya – Country is growing on me!

In the mood for Two Steppin’? Watch the video below

Does music make you silently pray that no one will ask you to dance?

or does it make you jump out of your seat and dance?