Upcoming Shows | Past Shows | Tour Diaries: 2002/2003

Dates: July 11 - 22, 2003
Subject: Second Tour of Oregon (and Washington)
By: Margaret Davis

"We left with hearts high and coolers full"

Tour 2003 started during a time of record temperatures -- were we ever glad we'd fixed the air conditioning. We had, perhaps foolhardily, arranged to play our first gig on the first day, after driving 6 hours to get there. Kris had gone on ahead to scout out the territory and to catch her friend Robert Greygrass' original one-man show, "GHOSTLANDS". Kristoph, Karl and I squeezed into the Voyager along with a goodly selection of Doc Watson, Grateful Dead, Alan Stivell, Nada Lewis and other multifarious and multiethnic music. On the way up Karl regaled us with tales of hitch-hiking through the Maritime Provinces, we sang old P.D.Q. Bach favorites, and we determined that Brocelïande really ought to sing more songs about ghosts, princesses, and castles. Once in Ashland, we reconoitered with Kris at the Black Sheep pub, where many ciders were drunk in preparation for our concert that night at the aptly named Talent Barn. Olof and Seeta were once again our delightful hosts. The intrepid audience of 10 included Bay Area expatriate and current Wake the Dead member Kevin Carr, who regaled us with his glorious voice and Spanish bagpipes to start the second set.

Up early the next morning, and on to Corvallis, where we checked into the KOA that was to be home base for the next 5 days. We had booked a "Kamping Kabin," a log cabin-like contraption that could indeed sleep 4 small people, albeit very cozily, so Kris opted to pitch a tent on our tiny patch of lawn. Quick costume changes, and on to the home of Diane Arney, who had graciously agreed to host a concert as part of her house concert series. Diane is a creative person, to say the least, and her beautifully decorated home was an inspiration to all -- with hand-painted hearth and kitchen tiles, chairs, and cabinets, her living room sported a statue of an Egyptian queen holding a large tree wreathed in mini-lites. Diane's large and lush herb garden was also a sight to behold, and we were able to enjoy the fruits of her labors with some pre-concert pesto dip. The concert was appreciated by the local folklorists and contra dancers, many desserts were consumed, and it was back to the KOA.

Sunday we got up bright and early to play at the Eugene Unitarian Church service. We've become quite fond of Unitarians, as the Palo Alto church is one of our stomping grounds. We meshed our music as best we could with the theme of the day, "Loss and Change;" Karl's mournful version of "May Morning Dew" was particularly well received. There was a couple who had sung Gilbert and Sullivan with Kris' dad (in the 60s!!) at the Palo Alto Unitarian Church and several other Bay Area connections in that congregation. A quick jaunt to the KOA to rest up, and then back to the Unitarian Church for an evening concert. The acoustics were amazing and the large crowd was most appreciative. Unitarians are an intellectual bunch -- many asked searching questions about our instruments and repertoire, and one concert-goer came up and told me more about Anne de Bretagne (who inspired two of our current songs) than I knew myself. Thanks to all our new Eugene Unitarian friends who made us so welcome...Ken and Ruth Ross, Diane and Judy, Libby (of the sparkles), the Weicks....We will surely be back....My childhood friend Zoe was in attendance, and she invited us back to her house for gin and tonics, Karl's first taste of gin and tonic, which he pronounced admirable.

We had a bit of a rest the next day, as all we had on tap was a noon-time concert at our favorite Corvallis pub, the Fox and Firken. What started as a somewhat humdrum littleshow was lightened considerally by the presence of fans David and Caroline, plus Cider Tom, down for the day from his mountain home. David and Caroline are music and sci-fi fans and ended up attending a record three of our gigs on this tour. Huzzah! Cider Tom told stories of volunteer firefighting and his blacksmithing escapades, including a surprising number of orders for metal anti-overeating devices ... The show dissolved into a rousing rendition of "Rattlin' Bog" around the bar & the pub's owner Jim (whom we all thought looked suspiciously like Mark Twain) was so impressed he asked us back for St. Pat's. We again terrorized the local music store, and since this was our big day off, we all resolved to attend a showing of "Pirates of the Caribbean." I fell in love with Johnny Depp (again), whereas Kris found Johnny a bit too fey in this one and preferred the swashbuckling of the more appealing Orlando Bloom character). We declared it a most worthwhile movie. Our friend Henry (Paradise Waits) had joined us and recommended a fine Mexican restaurant for our post pirate party...where we celebrated with Mexican food and margaritas. Later, back at the campsite we lit a fire and told the old stories of love and war ...

Next day -- Kris and Karl attended a noon time concert by Celtic group Skye, of which Caroline and David had informed us, and Margaret & Kristoph wandered off to gather blueberries and such. And in the evening, it was time for our first -- BORDERS CONCERT! We headed back to our old stomping grounds, the Corvallis Borders, and were much gratified to see former Bay Area denizens Wolf and Sil, with new addition Kesrianne in tow. The music and coffee flowed smoothly and afterwards we all celebrated with a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Jelly Beans. Kristoph's expressions were priceless as he munched down on "sardine," "ear wax," and "grass."

Wednesday breakfast was fresh blueberry pancakes over the camp stove and later was the weinie roast (with the original addition of asparagus and beans -- thanks, Karl!) No stay at a KOA would be complete without a game of putt-putt golf, so we indulged and although the battle was fierce, I eventually emerged the victor (victress?). In the evening we played the Salem Borders, where we met up again with Cider Tom and played to an appreciative crowd.

Thursday we sadly bid (K)adieu to our Kamping Kabin, and drove North to Portland, where we played live on KBOO, during Robyn Shanti's "Dharma Wheel" show. Somebody was listening, because they called in for the free tickets. KBOO is a comfortable, hippiesque place (as is Portland) and we felt quite at home. We wandered the boutiques; in the Goddess Gallery I tested Kristoph's chakras with a dowsing wand (they were open) and Kris bought some interesting statues, including a Ganesh for Kristoph and I. Our concert that night was at the beloved Tigard Borders, which once again opened its doors to us with remarkable hospitality, Our friend the Irish stepdancer did a few turns on a few tunes and we made many new fans, including a Serbian meatseller. Lodging that night was the lovely turn-of-the-century Craftsman house belonging to Callie, a friend from filkdom, who was exceptionally hospitable, demonstrated her bass flute, and previewed her new album for us.

Friday was one of our biggest gigs of the tour -- Portland's Artichoke Music Backgate Stage. A beautiful wooden room with great acoustics and a lighting system so complicated we never quite figured it out. We performed to an enthusiastic group of die-hard folkies, including the Serbian from yesterday and David Craft, who won the tickets from KBOO, and who turned out to know our friends 4 Shillings Short.

Saturday it was on to Seattle, by way of Olympia. We stopped in Olympia at Yenney Music (no kidding!) where Kris was a celebrity. Their selection of flutes and flute music was quite impressive, and the current owner, Don Urlich, told Kris a bit more about the store's history, and of original owner, James Yenney. He promised us a concert in their nifty backroom venue, he played our CD over the store loudspeaker as we browsed, and then insisted on accompanying us into town to see another possible venue, "Traditions" Folk Art/cafe. We talked with the owner about playing there and had lunch in the wonderully ethnic cafe.Then said good-bye to Don and to Olympia, a friendly town which was all out enjoying their Summer Festival that day in the Central Park. On to the new home of our friends Jordin & Mary Kay, longtime sci-fi fans and Irish music afficionados. Seattle fandom turned out for the house concert, as did a couple of fans who had seen us at East/West Books in Mountain View, CA, prompting us to wonder at their long drive, but it turned out they had a summer house in Vancouver (a few hours away). The Kare's kitties Dominic and Loki remained well-hidden, but Jordin and Mary Kay were gracious hosts.

Sunday was our biggest day of the tour -- 3 gigs in one day. We started bright and early with a return to the Ballard Lutheran Church, to play music for their service, which was ably led by Pastor Eric Wilson-Weiberg. Then, off to the Lake Union house boat dock for "Broc on the Dock," an annual musical tradition started several years back by Kris and her good friend Doug. We balanced precariously on the gently swaying dock and did our thing in the 100+ heat, as audience munched hors-d'oeuvres and a passing French family commented on our accent. Kris was persuaded by other dock-dwellers to take a post performance plunge in the Lake just off the end of the dock....time being short, and the heat being fierce, Kris just went on of the end in some of her clothes ... "MOST refreshing!" Thanks to Doug and all the good neighbors (Flo, Margie, Barry.....) who brought delicious food and drink for the Dock experiance...always a highlight (and a generous passing of the hat plus cd sales made it especially worthwhile). Then, back to the church for the last concert of the tour. In the middle of the second song, who should waltz nonchalantly in but our Bay Area friends Kim & Rima, who had apparently flown in just for the concert (no, not really). Thanks to Eric, Kristen, Henrik, and Anders for putting up with...I mean, putting us up...again.

After 13 gigs in 10 days, it was time to go home...by way of Dusty Strings, the birthplace of my harp. We drooled over mandolins, guitars, harps, flutes, and bodhrans, and tried out everything in the store. I still like my harp best. They agreed to carry some of our CDs before leaving. We made it to the Sunny Valley KOA before sundown & collapsed into bed.

Next morning, the last morning, we were once again granted the amazing opportunity to visit Jack Schuman and his instrument collection, and completed our tour to the lovely strains of his centuries-old harp, lutes, guitars, flutes and gamba. We said goodbye to Kris at Milton's Key of C Bagle shop in Ashland, and she spent one more day in Ashland, attending a fiddle session with Kevin Carr and Barbara and a number of wonderful Ashland musicians, then an out-door play, "WILD OATS" at the Elizabethen Theatre..a nice topper for a travelling minstrel...

...and then we drove home and that was that.

---margaret davis

 

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For information about shows, call Margaret at
(510) 569-0437.