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Monday, April 9, 2012

Life's joys,

Here we are at a free concert, enjoying the sunshine and the company of fellow citizens at a small town festival.  (These events occur all the time, you just have to find them, keep the date on the calendar, and manage to attend.)

We sat here and had lunch, fish and chips and slaw prepared by a local establishment, and could have remained here all afternoon, a good three hours of free entertainment, both on stage and off stage.

From the touristy crowd I learned about the latest fashions and hair do's.
From the advertisements, I learned about local businesses I didn't know about.
From the musicians, I learned how joyful it is to perform for a receptive audience of retirees, all looking for some free entertainment, all appreciative.

Mid-way through the concert, we got up and deposited appreciative contributions in the thank-you jar on stage.

My daughter and her husband are musicians, traveling to different venues and entertaining various audiences, just as these musicians are doing in this setting.  I know these folks do what they do for the joy and pleasure they derive from this activity. But, they do have to live and meet expenses, such as meals, gas, overnight stay.  Whatever they receive in these jars might be all they have to continue doing what they are doing.

So, enjoy the freebies wherever you go. But, don't forget to be generous to those folks who provide you joy and pleasure. Buy the CD  from these musicians, and be generous at the thank-you-jar.

Imagine if Bob Dylan and the Beach Boys were never appreciated, never encouraged to stay focused on their passion






26 comments:

The Broad said...

A very good reminder, very well made. Most musicians give up a lot to do what they do -- they give us so much and often for very little.

Roberta Warshaw said...

Sunshine? Really? Yay for you! Looks lovely!

Linda Myers said...

Sounds like a very fun activity for a sunny day.

joeh said...

It always amazes me that prople will tip someone for carrying a suitcase that they would prefer to carry themselves, but don't think to tip musicians that they sit and listen to for hours. Good reminder.

Cranky Old Man

Brian Miller said...

i hear you...we def try to take advantage of free concerts and festivals...fish and chips sounds good too...and yes on taking care of them too...

Hilary said...

These free venues are a gift. There's a lot of work that goes into this sort of thing and I'm sure that everyone involved is happy to be appreciated. Thanks for sharing, Rosaria. :)

Unknown said...

What a good message!

yaya said...

Fun times! It's so great when communities have these events. Our small town has wonderful free concerts in the park all summer and yes, it's good to show appreciation with a free will donation. Glad you had a good time and learned about fashion trends!

Rob-bear said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time at the local free concert. And left an appreciable "thank you."

ds said...

A sunny day, a basket of fish and chips, and a wonderful concert. Perfect. Perfect also your reminder: everyone needs to be appreciated, and sometimes that appreciation is best shown in monetary form.

Ruth said...

It sounds great. I would partake of more concerts if they were free. :-) But yes, it's hard to make a living as a musician, even when you are paid! I love how you live your life!

the walking man said...

i too think it important to show some appreciation for them who perform on stage. I host an once monthly open mic and could pocket the donations but I can afford the wine and cheese so I give the contributions to the two features just to thank them for their time.

the walking man said...

i too think it important to show some appreciation for them who perform on stage. I host an once monthly open mic and could pocket the donations but I can afford the wine and cheese so I give the contributions to the two features just to thank them for their time.

janis said...

so very true!
Sounds like a splendid day.
love to you~

Lisa said...

What a wonderful discovery day.

rjerdee said...

This makes me think of our gazebo in Centennial Park where musicians have a wonderful stage...many times tourists and townspeople can gather around the white pavilion for an afternoon of listening pleasure.

Perpetua said...

A generous response to a lovely experience. You're so right about the need to show appreciation.

Unknown said...

What a lovely time! Thanks so much for the reminder to be generous to those who share their gifts of music and entertainment!

Lydia said...

What a lovely way to leave an important reminder. They deserve our appreciation in more ways than applause only!

Vagabonde said...

I read your stages of retirement – we are still in stage number 3 – feeling like we are on a holiday and trying to travel as much as we can.

Nice to go to free concerts – we don’t have many around here but I would go if there were some, even if we had to pay a little bit. It is harder to live in the suburbs than in a small town I think – small towns have more get together events. Enjoy them!

Rosaria Williams said...

Note:
Ever since we moved to this small town, we are appreciating the little things, the tiny ways that life can be made special. An outing to a nearby town always involves dropping by to eat, and to purchase something or other. I love antique stores, looking for nothing in particular, but always coming out with a little something.

On our shared bathroom vanity, for instance, we each have an antique silver vase for our medicines. This way, there is no mix-up, and no clutter-look of medicine bottles on the counter!

I want you to notice that the event above is a Cranberry Festival. This region grows great cranberries, and most of them are kept on the vines until they turn dark purple, not red as you see in supermarkets in November. The dark purple berries are ripe and SWEET. Naturally, we also specialize in cranberry products, such as chutneys, jams, salsas, dried fruit, honey and wine.
Visit Misty Meadows website for more ideas.

Thanks for the visit, everyone.

Vera said...

Sounds like a wonderful time was had by all. I look forward to visiting similar sorts of musical events in our local area once we have the smallholding ticking along.

Phoenix said...

A great reminder, Rosaria! Whenever I see street musicians play I try to give them a little to encourage them. People should be paid for what they're worth and how much enjoyment they provide. :)

I hope you're doing well!

That Janie Girl said...

Sounds like a loverly day!

NitWit1 said...

Our little city owns an abandoned theater which provides a venue for local musicians to"jam" for a donation jar weekly. It is divided between theater to deter expenses and the performers who probably will never move to high levels. Some are retired from groups that have made a regional name for themselves.

Yes the offering helps to keep the musicians, comedians, etc. coming back. Almost all travel a few miles to get here. Some van-pool, etc.

Maggie May said...

How lovely to have musicians in the family. Free concerts are wonderful ways to spent an afternoon. I would love that.
Maggie X

Nuts in May