SEBASTOPOL, CA. ~ I was in DC shopping for colleges with my daughter. I had the evening by myself, so I bussed down to the Potomac River for a tourist’s stroll. The


Georgetown


waterfront bar wait- ress replied, “Well, we used to have a piano here. There’s a nice one around the corner at the Ritz Carlton.” It was an ebony Steinway in a large plush living room.


I quietly eased on to its quilted leather


bench, tossed a quiet motif into the room just below conversa- tion level. Soon Abraham’s Theme filled the space, then some George Winston, Will Ackerman and my own works. A concierge stopped doing busywork; the room changed energetically. While I was playing, a 7 yr old African boy left his family at the fireplace, approached the piano, watched the hammers striking the strings, and con- templated the sounds. In an interlude, he asked sweetly, "How did you learn to do this?"


I said, "I don't really know.


Gopher Spotted on Street in Santa Rosa!


joined in, played with him a bit. It was a very lovely moment. Later I thought that someday this kid will be a musician, and I played an encour- aging role in his musical life. I said good night to the doorman and walked alone into the nightlife, amidst sidewalk café’s. I felt a tin-


gling in my feet. I just played The Ritz in Washington DC.


Jerry Green’s Feedback Piano is online at: http://www.greener- mediations.net/piano


His embodied communication and conflict resolution work is at www.greenermediations.net.


becomes hard. ~Standing Bear


Man's heart away from nature


BOY INSPIRED AS SONOMA LOCAL PLAYS THE RITZ IN DC


I have something like this at home, and I put my hands on it often." He reached out and gently stroked the strings. I


"Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins"


SANTA ROSA,


recounts the true story of Florence Foster


Jenkins, a wealthy,


tone deaf


socialite who dreamed of being a great opera singer. Memories and experi- ences


recalled her


are by


accom-


panist and friend, Cosmé McMoon in this poignant comedy that celebrates the spirit of a woman who defied criticism and followed her bliss.


Perhaps more famous


now than when she pursued her dream, Florence Foster Jenkins efforts to become a great coloratura soprano led to fame and notoriety with annual private recit- als at the Ritz Carlton Hotel; a sold-out


concert at Carnegie Hall in 1944; and an impres- sive list of celebrity fans of her day including Cole Porter, Enrico Caruso and Tallulah Bankhead. Florence Foster Jenkins


"They may say I can't sing, but they can't say I didn't."


Florence Foster Jenkins celebrity contin-


ues even today by enthusi- astic fans who discover her


 


     V. Doyle


 


Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson


Don't let Instruments of song collect dust! We'll buy them from you and fi nd them a great home!


People’s Music THE WORLD’S GREATEST MUSIC STORE


122 N. Main St.  Sebastopol  707-823-7664 www.peoplesmusicontheweb.com


Instrument Sales & Rentals  Repairs  Books & Lessons UPBEAT TIMES • May 2012 • 17 CA. ~


"Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins"


Graham


Florence Foster Jenkins


and John Shillington as accompa- nist, Cosmé McMoon - "Souvenir"


takes audi- ences into Jenkins'


world com- pletely and


even reveals the beautiful voice she believed to possess. Directed by Michael Fontaine


LOCATION: 6th Street Playhouse Studio Theatre PHONE: 707-523-4185 Order tickets by telephone, online or purchase at the door. Reservations recommended.


UPBEAT TIMES • May 2012 • 17 JOKES & Humor # 7


story and her notorious vocal recordings on the Internet. Featuring award-winning actress Mary Gannon


as


A man goes to the doctor and tells him that he hasn't been feeling well. The doctor examines him, leaves the room and comes back with three different bottles of pills.


The doctor says, "Take the green pill with a big glass of water when you get up. Take the blue pill with a big glass of water after lunch. Then just before going to bed, take the red pill with another big glass of water."


Startled to be put on so much medicine the man stammers, "Jeez doc, exactly what's my problem?"


Doctor says, "You're not drinking enough water."


Your Used Instruments Are Like Gold to Us!


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