AJ's Ale House NB 12/14/12

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I drove to New Braunfels, TX from Houston tonight for my second gig of the evening. This show, I was blessed with the presence of Chris Wallis (after he made it through one of the worst traffic jams he'd ever been in) and the crowd cheered loudly as Chris took the stage. I had fun, although driving from San Marcos to Houston to Deer Park to New Braunfels and back to San Marcos was a bit much!

AJ's Ale House MF 12/15/12

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My wife and I got a cool little new camera for Christmas, so I brought it to Marble Falls, TX tonight to shoot some pictures of the show I played tonight with Joe Resnick. We had a pretty fun crowd, and they wanted to hear lots of dance tunes and slow ballads. Just about every other song for the majority of the evening was a "Brick House" or a "New York State Of Mind". Thanks goes out to the crowd who joined us after they watched the Marcia Ball show at the theater across the street!

Jack's Roadhouse 12/17/12

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San Marcos people were out to have a Christmassy good time with DHG tonight at Jack's, so we did our best to entertain them! We pulled out every Christmas tune we knew, and a handful we didn't know, and rocked them all. Ian was digging into his licks and impressing both Chris and me. Chris, of course, was just as funky as ever, and I had a great time playing tunes tonight! See you back at Jack's on Saturday, 12/29/12.

Triple Crown 12/20/12

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San Marcos, TX was the site of a pre-apocalypse party with the Hill Country Gentlemen at Triple Crown. Jeremiah, Pete, Kevin, Troy and I played a couple of hours of Americana funk, including a special version of "It's The End Of The Word As We Know It", look for it on YouTube. You need to make it out to see a show soon. Fun music for the last night on earth. Are we still here?

AJ's Ale House NB 12/21/12

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Unbelievable. The world didn't end. I thought for sure, this would be my last gig, but the world just kept spinning. How do I handle 1,000+ years of hype? I haven't been this disappointed since Geraldo opened Capone's vault. Oh, well, I still played like it was my last night on Earth. Joe Resnick drummed out every tune I dished up, and the only song not requested tonight was "It's The End Of The World As We Know It". Silly Mayans.

St. Louis Central Library Reopening: 19th Century Art

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There is a lot of interesting art around the restored library. No idea how much of this was on display before the project began. I could only shoot parts of what's now on the walls because of the crowds.

The first piece is a illustration of the downtown waterfront in 1855. Almost no resemblance to what it looks like today. The only link is the dome in the center, the top of what we now call The Old Courthouse. All of the surrounding warehouses and tenements were cleared out for the Arch's park in the middle 1960s. 

I didn't see any date on the second picture. Propeller screws replaced paddle wheels for propulsion some time in the 19th Century. Any St. Louisan knows that the building in the background is the Anheuser-Busch brewery and that opened in 1852. 

We will go a century forward tomorrow.   

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

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There is an annual skating with Santa event at venerable Steinberg Rink in Forest Park.  We'll get jolly St. Nick himself in here shortly, along with his eerie connection to me. For today, we will look at small girls learning to skate and having a good time at it.

Significant news in our family last night. We learned that our first grandchild is expected in late summer. I'll be 63, so about time. Grace, that proposed trip to Australia in August is right out.
 

Skating With Santa

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Every December Steinberg Ice Rink in Forest Park sets aside a couple of Saturdays for a Skating With Santa event. I seem to get around to photographing it about every other year.
The same charming gentleman plays the role year after year, and he's good at it. For one thing, he can ice skate. (I can't ice skate, or ski, or snowboard, or even hit a %^$@^ golf ball, for that matter.) He's been on the blog before. The creepy thing is that his name is John Crowe, my father's name. My father may have known how to ice skate but I never saw him do it. Never wore red velvet and ermine to his job in New York's Financial District, either. If someone did that today, they might end up in the New York Times' fashion section.

Quiet Anticipation

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Downtown has gotten very quiet over the last few days. The hoards are all in the suburban shopping centers where I, though no angel, fear to tread. What little shopping we do is online and we don't buy much. We'd rather have each other than more useless stuff.

Christmas Eve will be quiet in our home. Our two children are off with their S.O.s visiting their families in Texas and Michigan. I'm happy just to have Carolyn, peace and health. Oh, and that news about the grandchild is okay.

Christmas Afternoon

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Most of the excitement is over. Everybody who is interested in loot has got theirs. It doesn't matter whether you're naughty or nice any more. Santa is exhausted and needs a ride home.
We are visiting my family in Ridgewood, New Jersey, for a few days. The other divisions are driving distance, coming in from suburban Boston and central Pennsylvania. We have to fly. Something got my attention at New York's La Guardia airport while we were waiting for our bags. Those of us who watch Jon Stewart's The Daily Show will recognize it as one of those moments of zen. Stare at it long enough and it could drive you mad.   

St. Louis Central Library Reopening: 20th Century Art

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Almost all of the 20th Century art I saw in the library was from the 1930s. That's a strong suggestion that the works were part of the many federally-financed arts projects during the Great Depression.

The first two images are from a painting called Adult Education. That was one of the main reasons for libraries according to the spirit of the day. If I remember correctly the painting was dated 1936.

The third image is a mosaic on a fireplace in the children's room. It's a little difficult to decipher. My guess is that it shows a Native American man building and/or using a fire. I had to zoom way in on the original to see small inscriptions on the bottom of each of the three main panels. The best I can tell is that the first two contain the letters DS and the third the number 38, probably referring to 1938.

The last is a painting of the Mississippi River, seen from a wooded hilltop. It's called Rival of the Rhine. Wrong. I've seen the Rhine and it is nowhere near as magnificent as the Mississippi.     

St. Louis Central Library Reopening: Old Design Restored

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The interior of the 1912 Central Branch Library contained a sampler of architectural styles. Much of it has been lovingly restored, yet enhanced with modern technology.

I'm afraid that I buzzed through the building rather quickly, grabbing images rather than learning the purpose of each room. The top image, though, is the transept inside the main entrance. The stairs lead up to the pair of large stained glass windows, one of which we saw a few days ago.

The second picture is something of a great hall. Not exactly a main reading room - it doesn't have any books - and I suspect that the library would like to rent it as event space. Since the library is ten minutes walk from my office, I can see the possibility of going there to get some work done without interruption.

The next two rooms are notable for their ceilings. I don't know enough to identify the style of the green and gold molding, but a staff member told me it was made of painted plaster. The last room has a decorated wood beam ceiling in a Renaissance style.

Other parts pf the library are quite modern. The transition can be jarring but the new parts are, in their own way, just as powerful. Some of that tomorrow.     

St. Louis Central Library Reopening: Dream

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I think I'll wrap up this series with today's and tomorrow's posts. There are more images from the library on Flickr here. Might even edit a few more in my spare time, should I ever have any.

The top picture is of a special room for teens. It's good advice. Nothing will change unless you consider a different future. However, the people involved in the opening of the library in 1912 could not have dreamed of what it has become today. Sometimes people try to predict the future. That's useful, too, because such predictions are never right. They just sort of narrow the range of possibilities.     

A Final Note From The Library

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There were probably rare or historical documents behind this heavy glass door at the restored library. However, I want to get a sticker made just like the sign and put it on my forehead. The world is too intrusive, too much stuff shouting for my attention.

After that's done, I might have the time and peace of mind to enter the room in the second picture. The specter of that dark reflection in the center might put me off, though.

PS: if you would like to see something that will make you feel good - I mean really good - in this sorry world, look at this five minute video that was in the web edition of yesterday's New York Times. A self-styled preacher, known in this country for his virulently anti-Muslim views, started spewing in Times Square one day last summer. A passer-by started singing a song very loudly. Soon the whole crowd joined him in a Beatles tune everyone knows, drowning out the hate. Made my day.

The Twilight Zone

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The best time to shoot outdoor light decorations is the half-hour right after sunset. I was working Sunday afternoon and, of course, sunset is very early now, so I walked over to Citygarden to see what I could find. The holiday displays are inventive.

This is Bernar Venet's mathematical abstraction 2 Arcs X 4, 230.5 Degree Arc X 5 showing some unexpected charm. The view is southeast toward 8th and Market, with a couple of office buildings and the two towers of the Hilton Hotel in the background.

We'll do some more of this but it's the Thursday Arch Series tomorrow. And now for something completely different.  

Jack's Roadhouse 12/3/12

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San Marcos, TX tonight gave Chris Wallis, Ian Lee and me a great gig at Jack's! We had a crowd who wanted to be our buddies (except one guy, but I didn't want to be his buddy anyway). Ian's tone was fantastic tonight, and the crowd agreed with me by applauding his solos. Chris tore up his drums with fat beats. The patrons at Jack's were generous with our tip jar, too. My favorite tip was a $2.00 winning lotto ticket, which we had a problem tearing into three equal pieces at the end of the night...

AJ's Ale House NB 12/13/12

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A fun crowd gathered tonight in New Braunfels, TX to listen to Joe Resnick and I play all the hits. We had some pretty interesting stuff hitting the piano. I'd say the crowd was in a blues mood, judging by requests like "Crossroads", "The Sky Is Crying" and "Mess Around". Many Beatles tunes we requested as well. I had a good time with Joe, but now I need to rush off to bed. I've got to be on the road by 7:45am to make it to Houston for my first gig tomorrow on time, but I'll be back in New Braunfels at AJ's tomorrow night!

Techstar Holiday Party 12/14/12

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I stopped by Houston Howl At The Moon to meet up with Chris Saucedo for a Piano-Show-To-Go private party in Deer Park, TX for the lively employees of Techstar! We performed our dueling piano show for a couple hours, including some dress-up time fun with costumes the president of the company brought with him. The people were in a great mood , and before the end of the afternoon, they were trying to get us to perform for an extra hour. Normally, I would have, but both Chris and I had evening shows, and my evening show was three hours (actually, over four due to rush hour) away! Thanks, Techstar for being a great audience!

AJ's Ale House NB 12/14/12

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I drove to New Braunfels, TX from Houston tonight for my second gig of the evening. This show, I was blessed with the presence of Chris Wallis (after he made it through one of the worst traffic jams he'd ever been in) and the crowd cheered loudly as Chris took the stage. I had fun, although driving from San Marcos to Houston to Deer Park to New Braunfels and back to San Marcos was a bit much!

AJ's Ale House MF 12/15/12

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My wife and I got a cool little new camera for Christmas, so I brought it to Marble Falls, TX tonight to shoot some pictures of the show I played tonight with Joe Resnick. We had a pretty fun crowd, and they wanted to hear lots of dance tunes and slow ballads. Just about every other song for the majority of the evening was a "Brick House" or a "New York State Of Mind". Thanks goes out to the crowd who joined us after they watched the Marcia Ball show at the theater across the street!

RSVP Calendar Partners With The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign

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Help Fill the RSVP Calendar Red Kettle!We’ve heard from you, our loyal readers.  Salvation Army and the Red Kettle Campaign is one of your favorite holiday charities.  What better (and easier) way to give than to toss some change into our Virtual Red Kettle.  List your name or make an anonymous donation. Either way, give from your heart, and know that you’re joining our mission -- "doing the most good" for The Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army is a worldwide Christian organization that in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex provides more than 70 different programs and services to help make life better for individuals and families. The Red Kettle Christmas Campaign, first started in San Francisco in 1891, enables the Army to provide food, toys and clothing to over 6 million people during the Christmas season and helps more than 34 million Americans recovering from all kinds of personal disasters nationwide. You’ll find our Online Red Kettle on the top right of this page. You can also join our campaign here:http://www.onlineredkettle.org/RSVPCalendar The 2012 Red Kettle Campaign will bring The Salvation Army's iconic kettles and 25,000 bell ringers to street corners and storefronts nationwide through December 24.

Wine & Help Dine for North Texas Food Bank

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WINE & HELP DINEHotel Palomar Dallas' Holiday Wine Hour benefiting theNorth Texas Food Bank 
Tuesday, Dec 11th5-7pm
Hotel Palomar Dallas – Living Room Lobby
Join Hotel Palomar Dallas for a holiday wine hour with the North Texas Food Bank and its Round Table of young professionals and other community supporters!
Mix & mingle around the tree with complimentary wine, festive craft cocktails & delish bites by Central 214’s Chef Graham Dodds & mixologist Amber West. 
$15 minimum donation at the door to help NTFB put food on tables for neighbors in need this holiday season.

Volunteers Needed: Dallas Marathon

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Dallas Marathon (formerly Dallas White Rock Marathon) is this Sunday, December 9, 2012.

It takes literally thousands of volunteers to make the event go smoothly. The organizers still need volunteers in two areas - water stops and Finish Line Crew.

Gather some friends and be a part of this well-known event. If you know someone participating, it's a great way to get involved and be there to cheer them on along the way.

If you would like learn more about the volunteer opportunities available this coming Sunday, please contact Ashleigh Falk, Director of Development for MetroPCS Dallas Marathon at ashleigh@dallasmarathon.com

Wine & Wags

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Raise your glass or wag your tail and toast to DFW Rescue Me and our K-9 friends so dear!
Sunday, December 9, 2012
5:00pm – 9:00pm
Veritas Wine Room
$30 Donation includes: entrance for you and your K-9 friend, hors d' oeuvres, glass of wine, raffle ticket, and cake for your pooch.
There will be a silent auction, raffle prizes and you and your pup can have your picture taken with Santa.

Celebrate the Holidays at Klyde Warren Park

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Klyde Warren Park will host a holiday event on Saturday, December 15.Stop by for one or all of the activities! Admission is FREE and open to the public.
·         12:00 – 5:00 p.m. Kids crafts·         1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Photos with Santa: Bring four cans of food to donate to the North Texas Food Bank and get a photo with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and the North Pole elves. ·         12:00 p.m. Arts District Chorale·         1:00 p.m. First Baptist Dallas Day One Band·         3:00 p.m. Dallas Youth Ballet and The Conservatory C.A.S.T. Performance·         5:00 p.m. Music by Dallas-based pop artist, Bean·         6:00 p.m. Tree Lighting
Additional holiday programming is also planned throughout the month of December, including seasonal music performances by the Hunt Brass Quartet, the Hillcrest High School Orchestra, Nick Ballarini, Yancey Stevens & the City Slickers, The Texas Twisters and the Razzmajazz Holiday Trio. For a full schedule of events, visit www.KlydeWarrenPark.org.

Jack's Roadhouse 12/1/12

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What a beautiful day to perform an outdoor fundraiser! Jack's in San Marcos did a chili cook off and silent auction today to benefit different children's charities in time for the holidays. Chris Wallis and Ian Lee joined me on the stage, and once again, sounded great. It was actually hot in the sun, but the breeze and the clouds made for a very pleasant feel to the day. My wonderful wife, Christine Barton-Holmes, took some fantastic shots for us. Check out some of them on Facebook!

AJ's Ale House MF 12/1/12

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Between the two birthday parties and Elliott Electric's (ellahlahlahlectric) Christmas party, Joe Resnick (drums) and I had our hands full tonight in Marble Falls, TX. Early in the evening, the requests started pouring in, and we were forced to start a "Freebird" fund. Before our first set ended, we found ourselves playing every last note of it for the appreciative crowd. Thanks goes out to Joe for making it an enjoyable night!

Jack's Roadhouse 12/3/12

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San Marcos, TX tonight gave Chris Wallis, Ian Lee and me a great gig at Jack's! We had a crowd who wanted to be our buddies (except one guy, but I didn't want to be his buddy anyway). Ian's tone was fantastic tonight, and the crowd agreed with me by applauding his solos. Chris tore up his drums with fat beats. The patrons at Jack's were generous with our tip jar, too. My favorite tip was a $2.00 winning lotto ticket, which we had a problem tearing into three equal pieces at the end of the night...

Indiana Roof Ballroom 12/8/12

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The Barnes & Thornburg Holiday Party was great fun tonight. It was a reunion of a few of my closest Indiana musician friends as we assembled like the Avengers to bring a night of music to the wonderful Roof Ballroom. Special thanks to Sandy Klapper for organizing an amazing Oscars-themed event. We started the evening as a three-piece, with two of my musical brothers, Bill Ritter (upright bass) and Steve Brunner (drums) playing light dinner music. During dessert, the three of us backed a father/daughter duo, Eric and Lynsay Moy, for three jazzy tunes.

After dinner was finished, the great Cory Pitre grabbed his guitar, and we began our band set. Shortly, into our show, I had the lovely vocals of Kate Hurst helping out, while two more folks from Barnes & Thornburg came up to sit in with the full band. Ray Biederman played violin while my old friend Brian Weir-Harden tore up the guitar!

For the remainder of the night, Bill and Jack traded off on the bass duties, while Cory, Kate, Steve and I played a bunch of tunes from the movies! Great fun was had by all, and I felt lucky to be surrounded by such talented musicians and friends all night!