Wow, the calendar has been gig-free for a few weeks, and I’ve neglected to check in! But that doesn’t mean nothing is happening. Last week, for example, The Fuzzy Lemons had a great session with Dan McLoughlin in our rehearsal studio–he gave us copious pre-production notes to help us prepare for our next sojourn into the recording studio.
On a personal note, I had two awesome weekends in a row–first I got to go to a ManKind Project bonfire, the first I’ve been to in a whole year, and it was fantastic to connect with some old friends again. Then, last weekend was Memorial Day and I got to take my li’l family up to CT to visit my folks, my sisters, and assorted spouses, nieces and nephews. I even got a waterski run in, as my aching shoulders will attest 2 days later.
And now it’s time to gear up for a whirlwind of activity: I have 5 gigs in the next three weeks!
May 30: The Fuzzy Lemons at the Waterfront Museum, which is a way-cool restored barge. I’m excited to play there but concerned because ticket sales seem low.
June 4: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday tribute, featuring some of Hoboken’s top musicians! This is the first of the town’s Thursday-night summer concerts, and it’s an honor to have been invited by Geri Fallo to be a part of it. My original fantasy of doing a duet with Jim Mastro fell through (he’s out of the country apparently) but I’ve been in touch with The Demolition String Band and they’ll be backing me up on a song, it seems. Also, the New York Times asked for photos of the performers for an article on the event. Below is the photo I sent. Exciting!
Photo by Fred Eisner
June 6: June-A-Palooza in Jersey City: We just got confirmation that we’re on for 2:30. We’re not getting paid but it’s a big deal in Jersey City and we’re hoping to sell some CDs and build our fan base outside of Hoboken.
June 7: TFL at the OLG Fun Fest at Church Square Park. Outdoor show #2 of the summer; we’ll be in the gazebo at Church Square (you last saw us there in August).
June 14: TFL at Kiddiepalooza on Pier A. Outdoor show #3 of the summer! We’ll do three big sets.
Then we’ll enjoy some time off until we’re back at the Shipyard in August (and I have sets with Music Together, Erin Lee & Marci, and the Gordys around the same time–everything happens at once!)
Well, a moderate success. About 25 people showed up, which isn’t a HUGE number, but when you consider who they were: representatives from CASA, the Boys & Girls Club, the Mankind Project and the local school board… well, I’m pretty pleased with the turnout. Several men indicated an interest in MKP, and I think the representative from CASA generated some interest in that organization as well. As I said at the conclusion of the evening, if even one teenager gets some much-needed support as a result of this gathering, I’ll consider it a roaring success.
I’ll be doing the whole thing again in about six weeks. I want to get a whole bunch of Hoboken guys interested in the Mankind Project!
Dave
I’m trying to figure out how to repost a blog entry from Hoboken411.com, but in the meantime click the link to see the announcement about Journeyman this Thursday.
I’m in the process of bringing a screening of this film to Hoboken. Anyone who has a boy or knows a boy or was a boy is invited. Watch this space for details.
Dave
Your friend and neighbor Music Dave isn’t a wacky cult member. I’m just happy to say I have a great support network that helps me really be who I am, authentically and fearlessly. I went on the New Warrior Training Adventure in 2000, and have been on staff eight times since then, and I love having a circle of men in my life who provide support, encouragement, wisdom and a loving boot-to-the-butt when I need to move forward.
The Mankind Project itself is a non-profit, non-denominational network for men. MKP puts on weekend retreats (called “The New Warrior Training Adventure”) for men who are ready for a life-changing adventure. It’s not an Outward-Bound type of thing; the adventure is inward–the staff creates a safe place for men to take a long, hard look in the mirror, and provides some tools for dealing with whatever may pop up there.
There are usually about 40 men on staff, and about 30 new men, which tells you two things:
This isn’t a cult, with some wide-eyed guru in charge
It’s a safe container that can hold whatever it is men find in themselves
What MKP is:
A safe environment - we emphasize physical and emotional safety at all times. There’s always a medic on site, and any man may “pass” on any of the work.
A place to learn Accountability (do my actions match my words?), Emotional Literacy (how come my fear usually comes out as anger?), Who I Am (what does it mean to be “a man” at the dawn of the 21st Century?) and What’s My Mission? (What was I put here to do and what’s keeping me from doing it?)
What MKP isn’t:
It’s not a religion, sect or cult. All beliefs and non-beliefs are welcome.
It’s not a He-Man Woman-Haters Club. MKP wants to send men home joyfully to their women, partners, and families—not separate them.
My wife tells anyone who will listen that it’s the best thing I ever did for myself and for my family. Here’s how I hear it described fairly often: It’s a place for men to discover what their wives and families have known about them all along.
I’ll be hosting an open-house event with some other men in NYC on Monday, Sept. 8 at 7:00. All men are welcome. Drop me a line if you have questions or want to talk about it.
