"You Deserve A Gold Coin Tip!"

Great gig today at the Pinole Senior Center for their Valentine's Lunch.  These people know how to put on a luncheon that really brings in their senior community.  For special occasion luncheons they usually have about 200 people.  The center has a lovely lobby with a welcome counter, then further in there is a four-sided open fireplace that had warmed the room and made everything very cozy.  As you enter the actual dining room area you notice the large round tables covered with white clothes with lovely raised centerpieces.  Also twinkle lights sparkle around the whole perimeter of the room.  At the back wall a bar is set up and two volunteers, a man and wife,  sell wine, sodas, water and margaritas!  It adds such a festive feel to the event. 

The participants got a big laugh when they looked at the decorative table that sits in the lobby before you enter the dining room....on the display were normal Valentine type items...heart candy boxes, stuffed animals, framed pictures, but also a red, satin, lacy bra and adorable red, diamond adorned bikini panties!  I actually had to take a second look too!  The sexy items were a big hit!

Everyone was  served an incredible hot lunch and I was the entertainment as they visited and ate.  We all had a good time.  After the show, the bartender said he really enjoyed the show and exclaimed, "You deserve a gold coin tip!"  I wasn't sure what he was talking about.  Then he produced a gold Abraham Lincoln coin, worth $1.00, I didn't know these coins even existed!  The gentleman explained that he collected the coins and he had extras of Abe and he wanted me to have it.  I tried gracefully not to accept it, but he was determined to give it to me!  So I thanked him profusely and I will keep it as a souvenir. 

I wish other senior centers from around the bay area could see how the Pinole Senior Center operates.  They all have the potential to draw crowds like this, but seem to be stuck in doing things a certain way and unable or unwilling to change.  Way to go Pinole Seniors!  I look forward to singing in Pinole next month for their St. Patrick's Day luncheon! 

"That's How I Found Out Pearl Harbor Was Being Bombed!"

I sang in Antioch on Saturday afternoon.  It  wasn't a "happy-hour", just an afternoon of entertainment.  The usual cast of characters were there in their usual spots.  I perform in a medium-sized room off to the side of the lobby.  It features large sofas that look very uncomfortable and difficult for the residents to get in and out of so needless to say they usually sit empty.  Surrounding the sofas are occupied chairs and then many of the residents are in wheel chairs. 

The gas fireplace had just been turned off and it was very warm in the room.  The lights weren't on either so the whole room seemed very gloomy....yet, filled with people waiting to be entertained.  I try to be over-the-top upbeat when I enter this place because usually there is very little energy given off from this group of people.  I'm guessing it's the mixture of personalities, the age of the group and their overall health.

They know me well as I have been singing there monthly for about four years.  Most remember me and ask  about my famliy and music students.  However, there is one woman in particular that meets me for the first time each show.  She comes to the performance from the memory care unit and is always beautifully dressed with extrememly kind comments to share with me about my singing.  We go through the formality of exchanging names and look forward to seeing each other again....and again....

In the middle of the show I danced around the room during an instrumental part of one of the songs.  I took hands of a few of the ladies and men, one at a time and swayed with them as they remained seated.  I enjoyed watching the faces light up while we shared the experience of moving to the music.  When I returned to the microphone and finished the song, one of the lady residents who speaks quite loudly yelled out, "Why didn't you dance with me?"  Oops, I let her know I would be back to dance with her in the next number!  When we did dance she gave my left hand such a death grip I had to ask her to lighten up as my wedding ring was cutting through my fingers! 

After the show and I made my rounds to greet everyone. Later, while picking up my equipment one of the residents who normally stays to visit with me came by.  He's a real sweetheart who shares stories and likes to get copies of the words to the songs I sing.  He had his file folder with him and a list of requested lyrics he had written down during the show.  While we visited he started telling me about a job he had as a teenager ... he was a  Harbor Master's Assistant in the San Francisco Bay.  He shared that early one Sunday morning he was guiding a small boat up to a dock when he noticed a bunch of guys gathered along the pier with radios blasting.  He yelled to them wondering what was up...they screamed back, "Shut up kid, Pearl Harbor is being bombed and all hell's breaking loose!"  My friend's eyes filled with tears and it looked like he was re-living the horror from that moment.  Then we were both quiet just remembering the sadness of it all. 

I drove away from this show reminding myself of how lucky I am to be able to spend time with so  many wise, loving people...

"I'll Tell You Why We Like Your Show!"

I sang in Walnut Creek Friday afternoon at a large, beautifully decorated senior living facility.  I performed in the lobby part of their establishment which consists of a check-in desk, large gathering area sounded by full wall windows and a grand piano near the far end of the room.  I set up my equipment near the piano and was happy to have people greet me by name as they remembered my performance from last month! 

After I had everything set up, I ventured into their large dining room nearby.  They have a full bar with granite counters and dark wood that was all arranged with snacks and drinks ready to be either picked up or delivered to the audience waiting in the lobby.  After all, this was happy- hour...and the residents were ready for some "happy" and entertainment!  The first time I saw this bar area I smiled as I noticed that there were no bar stools...almost everyone standing around the bar was propped up with a walker.  It's a strange site at first, but it has grown me. 

It was about four months ago I noticed one spry gentleman maneuvering up to the bar in his wheelchair.  He had a large wooden tray arranged with a napkin on his lap and he was well prepared to get his drink and snack.  I remarked to him, "You must have been a Boy Scout, because it looks like you've thought this all out!"  He replied back, "I'm an Eagle Scout, and yes, this makes it all much easier for me to manage."  We then exchanged a fun conversation about his Boy Scout days and I shared that my son was also an Eagle Scout.  I always look forward to seeing him each time I perform.

I returned to the lobby and got ready to start the show.  Most people sit in the same places for each show so it's easy to start discovering the personalities.  There were the women on the sofa along the back wall who love a cocktail, especially the olives.  The few who stay in the library-game room off to the side of the lobby, and the ones who like the seats up front. 

I sang "My Funny Valentine",  and made reference to Valentine's Day as it was three days before the event and they had many decorations up for the festivities.  I included "Papa Loves Mambo", "Chattanooga Choo Choo" and several other fast numbers, I can tell they really enjoy them just as much as the slow love songs.  They all sang along when "I'll Be Loving You,Always" came up.  There's something magical that happens when we all connect in a song. 

After an hour of singing,  I always make my rounds to say hello and thank them for coming out to share their happy-hour with me.  I had to laugh as I greeted the cocktail ladies along the back wall.  With their empty glasses and all smiles the one sweet woman in the middle declared, "You know what we really like about you?  You don't talk too much, you get down to the business of singing!"  I thanked them for their compliment and made a note to myself, to not talk too much in the future! As I made my way around the room, most audience members shared kind comments  and  I felt we had all had a good time! 

It's Been Forever!

UGH! It's been awhile, but I will try to catch up... I haven't written since I had what I thought was a pinched nerve...well it was actually a bone spur! YIKESS! Thanks to meds, steroids to be exact I was able to make a comeback! It took several weeks, but was finally able to regain the feeling in my left fingers! Hooray!

Lots of gigs and music lessons have gone by. Most recently I sang in Fremont CA for a retirement living facility. It was a new place for me. I had sent them a flyer and they responded with an engagement opportunity for January 29th 2011. This place was a bit different than my usual venues as the residents were ALL Asians. I wasn't sure how I would be received, but anxious to give it a try.

My husband, Bob came along, as it was our anniversary that day and we planned to go out for dinner after the engagement. Frankly, it was one of the toughest crowds I had been in front of. There seemed to be very little interaction except for a lovely woman and man who got up for three different songs and danced in front of the audience! Although the audience clapped after each song, they were so quiet and had very little response to my chatting in between songs. I felt I was putting on a good show, but they just were emotionless! It makes for a long hour when there is little interaction. Bob took a short video clip of me singing "The Very Thought Of You".. There was some chatter in the room, but overall they were mostly quiet during my performance.

When I finished the performance, the woman who hired me said that the show was great and asked me back for an April appearance. Yippee! Hopefully in time, they will have a warmer reception for me!

I am up to 16 music students at this time. They are all wonderful children,teens, and adults. I count my blessings when I consider how lucky I am to be able to share my love of music with so many people! I am not a high stress teacher, I don't believe in that. We have fun, we laugh, we enjoy the music and are amazed together at what can happen with a little work and practice!

In my real life I continue to be blessed and loved by my beautiful family. My grandkids are so much fun and bring me such joy. My grown children and their loved ones fill me with pride and love. I can't ask for much more....

The weather has been fabulous, we've had enough rain to keep any kind of guilt at bay.

I've been in contact with some family members that I had drifted away from, and for that I am so thankful. It's funny how life works out..... Great to be in contact with my nephew Jeff, his wife Carla, and their beautiful daughters McCall and Callie! We're pulling for Carla to get better soon, and admire her for her incredible courage as she fights Leukemia... Go Carla!

Until next time.....