Scottish Festival January 27, 2008 Lawrence, KS!

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Jay jammin' with the Scots.

More Tooting.

Behind the scenes.

Me high steppin'.

My guy.

Sweetie Jess with Mary in background.

Havin' a friendly conversation.

Reverend Douglas Phenix on accordian.

Maria Anthony on sitar, Megan Hurt on electric violin.

Maria planin' guitar, Megan playing the acoustic guitar.

Cordellia Brown Singing and playing the violin. Larry Carter on guitar. Clark Jamison and John Findlater on drums.

Connie Dover singing and playing the keyboard. Mason Brown singing and playing the guitar.

What a fun event. On January 27th Jess and I drove to Lawrence for the Scottish Festival that was held at the Lawrence Art Center downtown. We met Mary there and Jay (Mary's son) joined us for a while. Before the performance there was an hour and a half jam session. Anyone could join in. Jay had fun playin' his little flute and learning to drum.

I thoroughly enjoyed doin' the gig or fling or whatever it's called. I followed the bagpipers, one in particular who was very nice letting me dance to his playing. Sometimes other young women would join me in dancing.

The performance of the pros was awesome and very well done. I enjoyed myself very much. I also tried some of the Scottish dishes that were loving made and brought to the event for to be sampled and savored.

Hawkfest June 7, 2008 Topeka, KS!

The tent we sat under

Jazzy Smiles

Watch out world here we come.

Hey there James

The Stage

A Jazz Group

Well it's cool with the breeze blowin through the tent.

Mary

Me

That "Oh no not another picture" look.

Yummy fixin's

An accidental Photo

Sisters

Nicely craved bench

El Mezcal Restaurant Topeka, Kansas

Saturday June 7, 2008

James, Mary, Jess and I went to the 13th Annual Hawkfest, Jazz & Blues Festival on the grounds of the Kansas Expocentre, Topeka, Kansas. Silly me I thought it was called the Hawkfest in honor of the KU Jayhawks. No, not even close. It is called the Hawfest for Coleman Randolph Hawkins (November 21, 1904–May 19, 1969), nicknamed "Hawk" and sometimes "Bean", was a prominent jazz tenor saxophonist. The event was free.

At the Hawkfest the four of us had an interesting time. We were kept cool by sitting in a large tent where there was excellent air flow. I personally liked the groups that were not so well known. Sam Rivers was an important honoree at the fest but I didn't like the style of jazz he and his group were playing.

After leaving the Hawkfest Mary, James, Jess and I went to The El Mezcal Restaurant at 511 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS. The food was very good and the atmosphere was excellent. All in all we had a good time on June 7th taking in a Jazz Fest and good Mexican food. That's a fun combination.

It has been fascinating to broaden my musical and cultural horizons this year by going to some Jazz events. In January of this year Jess and I met Mary, Krista (her daughter), Will (Krista's husband) and Krista's friend at the Blue Room, Kansas City. The Blue Room is part of the American Jazz Museum in the historic 18th and Vine District, it is both a jazz club and a museum that celebrates Kansas City's connection to swing, free-funk and anything in-between.