Productivity

I had my first Saturday off in two months today.

I got up at nine, had cereal and coffee for breakfast, and then watched "Lords of Dogtown" (great movie). I RSVP'ed to Mike's NYE party ('most likely will attend'). I jumped online for a bit, and then was showered & out the door a little after 11 am to run some errands.

I drove to the Westminster post office to buy stamps and mail four t-shirts from last summer's WPMF III to the very patient winners of the blog sign-up. I stopped in at Dad & Ma's to pick up the three bags of whole bean Sumatran coffee they got me for Christmas (shipping delay), plus my gift from the California Crew (J & Stacie & kids), a $25 GC from AMEX. I went to the Leominster Barnes & Noble to snag two blank journals (my last one is neary full). And then I foodshopped.

We are supposed to get a lot of snow overnight, so I am ready in every way I can think of. And so is he (my cat Sabrino)!

I finished reading "Ozma of Oz" and then watched the newer "Clash of the Titans" (not bad). Then I ran out to get gas and to buy booze for Mike's party. There were already 3 inches of snow on the ground! I wound up getting a bottle of Appleton Estate V/X and a 2010 Malbec from Dona Paula Estate.

I made angel hair & ground beef covered in Ragu (and accompanied it with half of a Redhook ESB), and then read "Dorothy and The Wizard in Oz". Then it was a bored websurf for awhile. There were 6 inches of snow on the ground by 9 pm, and it is still falling...

WPMF3

Well, it didn't turn out quite as I'd imagined, but this year's Wyman's Pond Music Fest happened.

The Rafters (minus Miki, who was packing for her & Dave's trip to Disney World) played a great set while the sun lasted. Sarah Blacker (and her percussionist Sheesh) performed for an hour under the canopy while it rained. And finally, Kristin Cifelli played a handful of sings w/o plugging in during the downpour that followed. Chris (Almanac Mountain) and Elizabeth (Lorrey) were gracious enough to agree to perform at a later date, in either August or September, since the weather was ridiculous, and everyone had left by 4:30 pm.

Since the first two years were both sunny, warm and dry, the weather was bound to catch up to us...

There was a good crowd. The usual Oakmont suspects (Mike, Pete, Luc, Jody and Dave, plus Ann and Courtney); Paul and Nick both came from work, with their respective girlfriends (Tori and Anna) and friends; each of the musicians had at least one 'special guest' with them; and Sarah had two of her friends' families over with their kids. Relatives in attendance: Dad & Ma, Sarah & Jon and the kids, Holly and the kids (Kevin had to work), Ted & Wendy, Jeff & Jill and Lyndsey, Aunt Carol & Jim, and Jean Marie. Side note: Gavin drove down around 5:30 after everyone had left!

The Rafters

Sarah Blacker

Kristin Cifelli



WPMF3 Tee

Here is the first iteration of the tee shirt I am going to raffle off at this year's Wyman's Pond Music Fest. I thing the orange is too dark on the green background, so I am going to modify the screen printed ones I order in two weeks. [image later]

Random Music Notes

Here are a few music-related items from my life:

• I got the new Cranberries cd "Roses" and it's great! It sounds like their vintage early stuff. I snagged copies for Jay & Erik too, and mailed them off so they can absorb the new songs before we all go to the House of Blues show on May 11th.
• Kristin Cifelli has agreed to play this year's Wyman's Pond Music Fest! I think fans of the missing Vanessa Kafa will enjoy Kristin's voice equally...
• Other WPMF3 news: I'm still waiting for responses (either 'yea' or 'nay') from The Rafters, Barnaby Bright, Whitney Doucet, Winterpills, and Casey Sullivan.
• Last but not least: I just backed Natalie Royal's Kickstarter project. I am not a huge country fan, but she isn't traditional country, more of a folk musician who just happens to reside in the Nashville area.

Random Bits of Music Business

Here are some music-related happenings in my world (over the last few days):

• I sent WPMF3 invites to Boston legend Sarah Blacker and local pop-country chanteuse Whitney Doucet. Also, Almanac Mountain confirmed, and I am waiting for final decisions from The Rafters and Kristin Cifelli.
• I received my Kickstarter reward from Robin Rutenberg & Friends - the EP I helped to finance with my $35 donation, plus a whole lot more (see photo below - how cool a package o'stuff is that?).
• I just snagged two tickets to see The Wedding Present at Brighton Music Hall on Friday March 23rd.

2012 is going to be a year FULL of live performances!

WPMF3 Notes - 1

I sent out invites to Almanac Mountain, Elizabeth Lorrey and Vanessa Kafka for this year's Wyman's Pond Music Fest. They are the acts that have performed both years to date, and I hope to keep them on the Musicians' Roster (as 'permanent' guest artists) for as long as they are willing to set aside the last Saturday each July. I also sent 'repeat' invitations to Abbie Barrett and The Rafters, and I extended one to potential newcomers Brooklyn duo Barnaby Bright and Boston's own Kristin Cifelli.

Elizabeth replied almost immediately, and is in!
Alas, Vanessa is otherwise occupied, and will most likely not be able to perform.