Learning to draw

I've been learning to draw and really enjoying it. When I was a young girl, I drew all the time.  My art teacher says that drawing soothes you and makes you feel calm. I do think that is true.  Here is my first drawing and I am holding a shell. I wrote a song about this drawing and that is why I am posting it here. Creativity is an amazing thing, huh?

FOCUS Art Opening

Tonight I played for the art opening at the FOCUS Flea (the best thrift shop in town--and fundraiser for the women's resource center). The art show show featured the art of women inmates at the Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail. I really enjoyed the colorful paintings on the walls.  


Here is one I liked of a portrait of Ray Charles above some really cool shoes:

Here are Jennie (the Director of FOCUS and a volunteer from the jail hanging out before the rest of the crowd came. Notice the colorful pictures on the wall behind them. It was a fun gig!

The show will be up all month --go by and check it out! Here is the webpage with the info and directions to get there on W. Main St in Charlottesville: FOCUS Flea


Here I am playing under the Ray Charles portrait. Jennie made me laugh by making a face before snapping this picture:

Teaching American songs to an ESL @ International Center UVA

This was one of the most fun projects I have ever worked on! I taught some traditional American songs to a group of ESL (English second language) at  the International Center at UVA. I included all genres from blues, bluegrass, gospel, country, ballads, cowboy, children's, lullaby, jazz. It was quite a challenge to find songs that would also be simple enough for them to practice their english language skills. They were a delightful group and I so enjoyed it. I made a powerpoint presentation with the lyrics on it and they sang along! Here are a couple of the pictures from the event.

check out their smiling faces in this one:

 I believe I was singing, "This Little Light of Mine" in this one.....

Third Street Coffeehouse

What a sweet little place  this is. It is an coffeehouse in Roanoke, VA in the bottom of a church. It is celebrating its 25th anniversary next month. I fell in love with folk music back in the 70s from going to places like this. I am really enjoying this traveling singer lifestyle!

Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar

Last night was a lot of fun being part of a local singer/songwriter night at the Twisted Branch. It's such a unique place. When my neice was visiting one year (when she was about 9 or so), I took her there and she thought the place looked like where Professor Trelawney (Harry Potter). I'd say it's a good description of the place. Here's a photo from it but it doesn't do it much justice:

my other instruments..

The guitar is my main instrument but look how much fun I am having with my Galax dulcimer below? 

I also love to drum and that is what I began with as a musician 40 years ago! I was a drummer in high school band. Here I am getting ready to play my doumbek with Peter and already loving it...

These photos were taken by Candy Schoner at my concert at Cville Coffee  Sat. March 10, 2012 

Poetry & music debut

Last night I played a gig a the C'ville Coffee and had my friend Jean come and read some of her poetry and Haiku along with my songs. We had such a good time doing that, we plan to do more. This was just one highlight of the evening. My friend Peter also played his cello on my songs. We also did some fiddle tunes with me playing my Galax dulcimer. It was such a good time and I looking forward to the next event.