Open Mike @B&B, Dec 1

Last night, Tuesday December 1, the open mike session at Brooks and Browns showed us something new, as Lefty Lucy led a rousing set of classics.

Every week, the regulars gather and are joined by some new faces to produce new combinations of performers and music the bar of the Holiday Inn.

Last week, Sabin brought her guitar down from her room and launched into a Dylan song, followed by John Prine and a song she wrote. It wasn't the first time a guest at the Inn came down and joined the party.

Part of the attraction is having a professional handling sound.

Three days and counting...

Bridgebuilder @Palace

Dave switched from guitar to drums, to electronics, as he celebrated 12 years with the Bridgebuilder name. It was an exciting night, as This Band Kills Fascists opened. 

Santa at the Mall and the Archetype

Some people aren't serious enough about taking care of their kids. This photo was emailed to me and I am using it again, because it illustrates a problem in this country. As Santa, I'm seeing a lot of it. We must all take responsibility for the children. In short, I'm taking my Santa duties to brighten the lives of all the children I encounter very seriously.

Some children are filled with desires for presents. The Wii is very popular this year; Dsi is often repeated, because it has the music options. Musical instruments are desired by more 7 and 8 year olds than I would have thought. Barbie is still popular. Having a special gift for Mother or Father was the uppermost concern to about one-third. Some children were brilliant shining with good will, intelligence and creativity, while others screamed in terror as their parents forced them towards the strange guy in red.

My prejudice against Santa comes from the kitschy Coca-Cola Santa I grew up with. The roots of Santa are deep, going back to Scandanavian, German and Celtic gods. It turns out he is an ancient archetype, and can be found in many forms in many cultures. He carries a sack and arrives at each village with a jangle of bells or a flute trill. Kokopelli was thought to be a hunchback, because of the bag he carried. Hotei also carried a begging bowl. He ate the food people gave him, and used money place in his bowl to buy toys and treats for kids.

The image at the top of this post was captured by an RMSP student, while I was modeling for a class. The beard is longer now, and it really works for the Santa gig. I don't have the belly, however, and the pillow we used yesterday was uncomfortable. My ho,ho,hos are improving, but I can't do them and smile at the same time, which is what I am required to do most. My face is already half frozen. The Santa suit is so hot I'm thinking of doing a weight loss video entitled Sweating with Santa. Of course, the weight loss will be due to dehydration. Note to self: keep water handy.

Life is looking good. I invited the American Humanics Student Association to share the Palace with my photo show 5-8 pm, during the First Friday Gallery Walk in December. They needed a venue for a benefit. They bring a raffle, two bands and Mayor Engen to the event. How does it get better? Mark December 4 on your calendar, come see my photos of Missoula Women Making Music, hear Butter make music and meet the mayor.

Good-bye Prophets

Full Moon Prophets performed their last set together at the Top Hat on Sunday. Then friends and fellow musicians joined the Prophets remaining on stage, and the jam began. A number of drummers participated with the array of drums,

Including Ed Stalling,

and Roger.

Ellie Nuno

Teri loves to invite her sisters on stage for some fun.

Some of those who played this night are regulars at Brooks and Browns open mike on Tuesdays 7-10pm. Find B&B in the back of the Holiday Inn at the end of Pattee.

After this party wound down, I caught the last act at the Palace. Electric Dandelion has its own set on flickr, and there is a large set of the Prophets farewell.

I Survived Another Birthday to Play Santa

Way independent, baby, so far out in left field I'm invisible sometimes, but here's a chance to see the Kitchenpoet.

My first print exhibit will open in the Palace, on December 4, during the First Friday Gallery Walk, 5-8pm. It should be a smashing affair with music and a full bar. The American Humanics Student Association will hold a raffle, and there's a rumor Mayor Engen is coming. 

Here's an image I should have included in the Halloween coverage. It was taken in one of my favorite places, a vortex of zootown energy.

Don't worry; be happy.

It's never too late to have a happy childhood.

It is never to late to be what you might have been.

The tyranny of the rat race is not yet final.

Follow your dreams and do what you have to do.

Give it your best.

Perseverance furthers.

etc., etc., etc.

Hey, the old kitchenpoet had another birthday. I was all right with having it the night before, but on the morning of Friday the 13th, when I faced the reality of being 62... I wasn't in my best frame of mind, when I arrived downtown, but my friends quickly turned that around. Allow me to repeat again, I love Missoula and the people who live here. The creative energy of the young people making music and pushing the arts in zootown blows me away.

All the woulda, shoulda, couldas in the world don't mean shit to a tree. I won't focus on my regret for not arriving here sooner, but I will emphasize how glad I am to finally be home.

I have many plans for the future crowding into my head. By next fall semester, I want to be a student at the U. The photojournalism program is excellent, and I want to be part of it. On the home front, I must learn post production skills with Photoshop CS3. Anybody out there already moved up to CS4 have old instruction books you could pass on? I must learn to make posters and flyers. Also, survival depends on learning to actually do business with my art and make it pay.

Plenty to do, and right now I have to clean out a closet. See ya on the flip side.

Day of the Dead 2009

My timing seems to be improving some, as I age (more on aging in the next post). I found myself in perfect position to capture the Day of the Dead parade from beginning, as seen above, to the end.

My favorite thing is the steamroller prints.

I like this shot because of the juxtaposition of the moon and the street light. This appears to be an ode to librarians, but I'm not sure.

Due to popular request, there are 45 images from this event on flickr. Since the archive is overflowing with 6000+ photos, I've been limiting most of my music coverage to 10-15 images per band, or event, but Day of the Dead is too big for that restriction.