Neighbourhood Folk - Nov 3 - 2024 11 03

 

I had no idea what to expect for the second monthly Neighbourhood Folk gathering the first Sunday of November. The clocks changed today, so I felt a little disoriented with the time of day, especially when it got dark at 4 pm. It didn't matter. 

It turned out to be a wonderful gathering, a unique combination of family and neighbours. It turns out our neighbourhood stretches beyond East Vancouver, out to Maple Ridge, to Chilliwack and even as far as Brazil. Holly came in from Maple Ridge and she brought Eridanus, Anna and Sophie. Our immediate and extended family was joined by several neighbours. It was fun to introduce each other and realize we have been living one or two blocks from each other and didn't know, or we live far away from each other but share music in common.

We started off with a song I wrote many years ago, when Azriel was a baby, 'Hush Now Little Baby'. It was our first time playing it together and we did a lovely version of it. I still didn't get it recorded, I'll just have to make a solo version for rehearsal. It was lovely to hear all the instruments and all the voices. 

Anna led us on the piano to learn a new song, 'Lady Starlight' by the Scorpions. It is a beautiful song. I had never heard it before. Very much attuned with the season. 

All week Eridanus, Anna and Sophie had been learning Leif's song, 'Never Mind' with Holly. It resonated with the work they are doing to restore riparian zones out in Chilliwack. Anna added a refrain in Spanish to the English and French lyrics.

Eridanus and Holly led us in singing 'We Can Run' by the Grateful Dead. They lyrics continue to be true today.

Michel led us in singing his fun two-step, 'If You Want to Dance'. It is a great song for singing along, and practicing playing instrumental leads.

Al got us to play Buffy St. Marie's song, 'Piney Wood Hills'. 

Holly put us through our paces with a rousing rendition of 'Woodstock'. 

We got around the circle and then it was time for nourishment. We broke bread with a selection of cheeses, meats and olives from Bosa. The breaktime gave us a chance to learn more about each other and get to know more about where we have come from and what we are doing these days.

We played through our sea shanty for landlocked caregivers, 'Caregiver Shanty'. 

And that ended our second Neighbourhood Folk gathering. It is nice to gather on the first Sunday of the month and get ourselves oriented for the work ahead, whatever our goals are for the month upcoming.

We are not alone. Singing together is a nice way to remind ourselves that we belong, we are important and we are making a valued contribution.