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...
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...
nice...i'm so glad they enjoy you and that this group gives back as much energy as you give them!
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