The next day I spent over near Lewiston, MI at the Rally America Sno-drift auto race. Believe me, I would have never done this except my son was racing a car that he and a friend had spent the last year putting together for this race. Unbelievably, I had a great time. It was cold, to say the least, but exciting and fun to watch. We only stayed for one of the runs, watching cars bounce off the snowbanks. In spite of their efforts, they finished last…

Sunday, I did something else that I have not done in quite a few years. That was to attend a chamber music concert sponsored by Chamber Music North at the Milliken Auditorium in Traverse City. This non-profit group has been started through the tremendous effort of Debbie Fayroian, a former longtime cello player with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, only one of the many musical accomplishments in her career. Her goal has been to bring world class chamber music to northern Michigan and she is doing a great job. The next concert in the Sundays at Three series will be February 22nd, featuring the Euclid Quartet, one of hottest groups in chamber music right now. Ticket and other information can be found at the Chamber Music North website.

Just when you thought life in the north couldn’t be any fuller. I have to tell you that I also attended a much different concert last night at Sleder’s Tavern in Traverse City. The Irish musical group, Chulrua, was here playing traditional Irish music. They conducted workshops for musicians prior to the concert. My husband and son both attended the guitar workshop and thought it well worth it. The concert was great with their selections of traditional jigs, reels, and ballads.

So between all of these types of events, then fitting in exercise classes, tennis, knitting, etc., life can be pretty full in the north country during the winter!

the main Watson stage.  The setting was beautiful.  At night, lights were shining up into the trees for a really charming outdoor environment.  This was the reserved seating with lots of general admission spots in the grass behind, playgrounds for the kids and a great sound system!

Many of the entertainers could be found other places when not on the stage performing.  This is Jorma Kaukonen from Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna fame conducting a pickin’ jam session with fans and dobro player Sally Van Meter.

All of the players that were asked were more than happy to sign Dane’s old Kay guitar that he refurbished.  Everybody wanted to play it, it is so funky looking.  Go figure, with all of the expensive Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Guild and other fine guitars that they have available to them, almost every guitar player that signed it had to play it, too.

Joe Kyle, Jr. from the Waybacks

Acoustic blues player Kenny Sultan

Seamus Egan and Eamon McElhom from Solas.

Karen Casey and John Doyle performing at the Lounge Stage.

Tim O’Brien with Peter Rowan on the main Watson Stage

guitar player extraordinaire, Mike Dowling, on the Austin Stage in a moment of sunshine between storms.

     

 Jack in the Wood pub -  downtown Asheville

Carolina B&B located in Asheville’s historic Montfort district