11/15 Newsletter-Whirlwind and Quiet

Into the Quiet Time

Hello my friends - 

In this newsletter:

  • Upcoming gigs and radio shows in November and December
  • Whirlwind and Quiet

Upcoming shows:

  • November 11, 5:30 - 8:30p - Acoustic Sound at the Crystal Lounge
    The Merion - 1611 Chicago Ave., Evanston, IL
    donation/tips for performer enthusiastically accepted
    Drinks and refreshments available for purchase 
    For more information: 847.864.6400
    Events@MerionEvanston.com
  • November 25 - 2:00 - 5:00p - In the Nutshell w/Al Weissman - radio show
    WHIW 101.3 FM - Harvard, IL.  Syndicated throughout the Chicagoland area and archived after the fact at Spreaker.com (type in radio show name)
    For more information go to: www.facebook.com/inanutshellwithalweissman
  • December 9 - 7:30p - The 7th Annual LeftOvers Christmas Extravaganza w/The Stage Leftovers
    Stage Left - 125 E. Van Buren, Woodstock, IL
    Open to all
    I'll be sharing the evening with a host of incredible musicians who are The Stage Leftovers and many invited guests.  Always a fabulous evening with the Stage Leftovers and the Christmas Extravaganza will be no exception.  
  • December 13 - 12:00p - 8:00p - The Folk Festival's Holiday Hoot
    Student Services Center, College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL
    All Day Pass - $20.00   Half Day Pass - $12.50
    Admission will be available soon online at www.wdcb.org
    For more information, email lkupbeat@aol.com
    Described by its creator, Lilli Kuzma, as the 'biggest Hoot yet', this eight-hour holiday music festival will feature a number of local and nationally known performers.  SongSisters (myself, Sue Fink and Patti Shaffner) will be part of the festivities.

Whirlwind and Quiet

October was a whirlwind of activity that came and went in a flash!  My goal of celebrating autumn with periods of contemplative walks and meditations rather went by the wayside.  Between traveling, conferences, presentations and gigs in Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa, as well as some beloved house guests and the everyday craziness that is our lives, October sped by before I knew it.  

What I love best about the path I have chosen as a singer-songwriter-performer-presenter is the chance to widen my community of friends, acquaintances, and folks who just love the chance to sing and share together.  October was certainly the month for that.  At the beginning of the month I headed up to Michigan to do a show for the Small House Concert Series hosted by Michelle Everett Wilbert.  I had never met her before, but Bob and I got to know her through Facebook.  Traveling up to the Detroit area, and meeting Michelle and her family felt like visiting dear friends that we just hadn't met.  Her husband Ben and daughter Mary welcomed us as long lost buddies and the gig was an absolute delight.  My community widened to include a number of folks from a suburb of Detroit that weekend.
Other gigs and gatherings last month allowed me to share the stage with some incredible singers, songwriters and musicians.  Helping friends record a new CD, rehearsals, getting fiddle lessons, giving guitar lessons and having deep conversations about the meaning of songs, why we do what we do, how we get better in this musical existence, all made for an important time of sharing and growth.
I was also blessed to be able to go to the Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM) conference in Iowa City.  Oh, the music!  Oh, the community!  Oh, the lack of sleep!  Too many people to meet, to hear, to talk to and to play with.  Four days of like-minded musicians getting together and sharing their art, their expertise, and their joy for what we do.  I'm not a twenty-something anymore, so staying up until 3:00 and 4:00 in the morning is not how I roll, except at FARM.  We have such a limited time together on this scale, so we want to make the most of it.  It inspires me every year - but it does take a number of days to recuperate.  And how my community grows by leaps and bounds each time I attend!

The chance to do music, present workshops, travel, see old friends and make new ones - the one thing I've learned about the life I've chosen is that there will never be a lack for community if I'm willing to go out and meet folks, share some music and stories, and listen to what they have to share with me.  How lucky am I?
Now, November has arrived and with it, finally, a sense of relative calm.  The winter holidays haven't yet arrived, the autumn colors are just past their prime but still holding on in certain places, and I have a chance to breathe in the quiet.  Sit, think, write, play, and keep communicating with this fabulous community.  I've come to the quiet time that I so desperately need to process and internalize the fabulousness of October, and of my life.  The next goal is to take all that and turn it into story, poem and song.  I'm thankful for this October, thankful for the quiet of November, and thankful for all those who are a part of my community, and my musical journey.  

May your November be filled with quiet joy, music, community and thankfulness.  

Drop a line when you have a chance -
Amy
 

Contact: info@amydixonkolar.com  © Amy Dixon-Kolar 2023