Hootenanny

Something special happened today in Carmel Valley, California.

Around 40 people who for years got together at a funky little house in Pacific Grove drove 10+ more miles to plan the next version of Tree House Concerts.

It was a combination housewarming and hootenanny, and in the end, I think we successfully revived our tradition of acoustic music in an intimate setting on the Monterey Peninsula.

Singing "American Pie" with gusto.

[ Photo by Tracy Henderson ]

[ More pictures ]

SETTLED IN

Juliet and I sold the original Pacific Grove Tree House in November 2007 and rented in Carmel Valley for about a year as we studied its real estate market. In January 2009, we closed escrow on the exact home we were looking for, within walking distance of Sonoma's eventual elementary school.

MUSIC

Tonight we probably had three different "sets" of music, from bluegrass, to blues, then folk. In between we had a taco bar, a great view and just a tad bit of rain (aka liquid sunshine).

But it sure was fun to see the lil' ones dancing around to all the acoustic music. That's the way I would have like to have grown up!

STAGE

I quizzed quite a few of the guests on where they want to sit next time for an actual house concert, and I think there was general agreement that we could hold a concert both inside or outside.

Outside it seems like folks agree that the patio to the right of the deck would work, but I know I would have to purchase a small PA (public address system) for most solo performers. Many thought the stairs at the edge of the patio that lead up to the gate would be a good spot for a stage, making the performer high enough for the crowd.

Inside everyone thought it wasn't too small of a space to host a solo or duo act standing in front of the fireplace. Making the pathway to the bathroom through the kitchen, having folks enter the house from the backroom, and removing the dining room table ... we could probably fit 30-40 comfortably. I'm inspired but admittedly I was skeptical at first.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Steve (banjo) and Bill (slide) started things off with some straight ahead bluegrass.
• Young Duncan was channelling Woodie Guthrie throughout with his version of "This Land is Your Land" on his pink ukulele.
  
• We got Pamela to take a few turns on her C harmonica, until she got a little winded!
• The kids that stayed later all got faces painted, so the dancers became a little more wild and crazy as the evening wore on.
  
• Don (guitar) wore his Kate Wolf Festival t-shirt and started to play a lullaby that my daughter, Sonoma, listens to every night, played by Nina Gerber, who was part of a Tree House Concert in 2006. Turns out Nina is Don's guitar teacher!
• JP (guitar) and Don (guitar) were both catalysts for many guests to start singing, aided by Greg and Sharon, who brought some song books. You know, artist Brian Eno thinks that makes you live longer!
  
• Don finished up the music with some very nice folk selections, including an inspired "Give Yourself To Love" (Kate Wolf), assisted by lyrics shown on an iPod Touch.

I think if we do this again, I'd love to find a way to project a laptop screen so we could show lyrics and chords for everyone in the room. Like hootenanny karaoke!

GIFTS

Thanks for the housewarming gifts. You weren't supposed to bring anything other than a musical instrument and your voice, but we appreciate it so much.

• Thanks to Greg and Sharon for the ice wine. New to us!
• Thanks to Pamela for the beautiful flowers.
• Thanks to Audrey for her gourd artwork. She's made some for you, too!
• We had some guests make quite a drive to see us, and that's high praise. Many, many thanks to Bev and Greg, who came down from San Jose from their house concert series, and to Don, who came from Mountain View. Wow!