Once again Real Life (RL) has been messing with our Second Life (SL) time, meaning we have been so caught up with issues and concerns that we have had to limit our time on the net.
Last Monday, we played back to back sets. The first one at ArrowandBow's venue Entschleunigt. This is a nice intimate little German venue. Arrow had moved from where the venue was before and I think this one is much nicer. We were about three songs into our set when Sunwolf had to stop the song we were performing as a tendon in his right forearm decided to seize up. He gave it a moment and tried again, but to no avail. We managed to get through the set playing songs that didn't put so much pressure on the arm, but our anxiety levels were quite high because we knew we had another hour after that one to get through. We could have cancelled but that is not something we do if we can manage, and Southbound is a venue we play at regularly so we did not want to let Crystal down. We managed OK and the few folks that were there seemed to enjoy what we were doing, making it all worthwhile.
The extremely talented Ronnie Mayes followed us, and it was nice to kick back and enjoy his set.
We live and learn and I don't think Sunwolf and I will be doing back to back shows again in a hurry.
Tuesday we had to cancel our show at the Drunken Drow, we were not happy about that but Sunwolf's arm was very painful by this time making playing out of the question. He had been hoping all day that it might ease enough, but by the time we got to 3 hours before we were due on stage he had to admit defeat and let Raredread know we were not going to make it, how we hate having to do that.
Wednesday, we were hosting at our place. Ronnie Mayes was first up followed by Gweeb, both great sets well worth catching, so if you didn't..........
Our little Dragonette, Ari finished of our performances with a gentle soothing set guaranteed to calm anyone down in time for bed.
Thursday is turning out to be a day away from the PC. We had not intended for this to be so, as we loved getting to Spice in the evening (our time) and seeing out friends Katja and Tim, but lately this has not been possible as there has been just to many calls on our time.
Friday saw us playing at Guthries, and luckily Sunwolf arm was OK, it had been rested all week and that seemed to do the trick. This time we were able to stay and catch Moses Rae, Lazarus Doghouse and Quinton Whitman's sets. Guthries is in my opinion the only place to be on a Friday if you enjoy real music played live and from the heart.
Later that day we were again hosting at Ye Olde Wolf n Hawk. We had a new performer playing, not new to SL just new to the pub.
Seamore Wildheart did a wonderful set and we thoroughly enjoyed it as did the rest of the people who came in. Seamore has already agreed to play another set for us on June 1st and I would like to think he will become a regular at the pub.
Cailidgh Spires should have been following Seamore. but we had a call to tell us she was unwell and as there was not enough time to get a stand in Seamore was our only act that day.
Instead we went off to watch Russell's performance at Philadelphia Museum. As I have stated before, it is always a joy to hear Russell and we don't get to nearly as many of his gigs as we would like to.
Saturday, we went off to Cuddlers Cove where we always like to spend our time on a Saturday. Cuddlers used to run on a Friday too, but for this last few weeks that has not been happening and I think those days are probably over at least in the short term. Anyway we enjoyed Quinton's opening set and were able to Greet Suka before she had to dash off to RL.
As it turned out, the second act could not make it and Quinton asked us if we could fill in. I always get nervous when we have to follow someone so talented as Quinton but he is a dear friend and we will always help out when we can. We felt sure we would empty the place, but that turned out not to be the case and it was so lovely to see folks out there enjoying themselves.
Steeley Da Costa was due to follow us, but for some reason he did not show up, so we took the opportunity to log out early and get a longish break before we were due back at out place to play another set.
Our Saturday set is turning out to be something of an intimate, friendly hour, where we can try out new stuff and chat to the few friends that make it in. At first I admit I was a little disappointed with the low attendance, but lately I have begun to enjoy the chance it gives us to get to know the folks that do come in a way you can never do with a larger audience.
After our set the smooth Mr Steveeolio sang some wonderful tunes. This man has such a lovely voice and his guitar playing is so competent and inspiring. It was a small group again and I can't help wonder why that should be for a man with such obvious talent. What are you all thinking of.......or doing that you can't find the time to come and see him.
Again, though the group was small there was a lovely atmosphere and folks were so kind in showing their support both for Stevee and the venue.
Ummm what can ya say..when you ask sunwolf to put
a nice picture on...my blog
So there you are, that was our week, but before I go I want to say a few words.
The first is about our Live Music Scene in SL. We don't want to loose it, SL would be so much poorer for it.
So if you agree with me, please make an effort to put time aside to come to the venues. It has been noticed by many performers and venue owners, that the venues are not drawing as many folks as they used to. Please don't leave it to someone else, speaking from both points of view, we need you if we are to remain. Without you the music scene will slowly but surly fold.
There are several ways for people to show their support for the live music scene. The first and most obvious one is to give a few lindens when you can. Venues need them to pay rents, and there is so much hard work running a venue, it is nice to know folks understand that and support you. Performers tend to feel valued and appreciated when given a tip however small.
Another way is to remember to hit your applause button now and then. This costs nothing but a thought.
Speaking as a performer, it takes a lot for most of us to get up there in front of you folks and offer what amounts to a piece of ourselves to you. It is a kind of reaching out, trying to connect, and hoping we can bring something posative to the encounter both for you and for ourselves. So if you hit that applause gesture, or say something encouraging, it is a way of letting musicians know we are getting something right.
I once went to a charity gig where no one said anything, not even the hosts, except who was up next. Several acts were given this silent treatment and it just did not feel at all right.
BUT the one most important single thing you can do IS TO BE THERE, or oneday you may TP over to a venue and find only a vacant lot as I did just the other day.
I am not trying to give a lecture here, just trying to reach out to you, if you do really care then please show it.
As usual if you wish to comment on anything I have said please do so it is always lovely to hear other folks point of view and please don't think what you may want to say is not important enough, all contact with one another is important otherwise we are just whistling in the wind.
Till next time Love, Light , Health and Bright Blessings to you all.
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