We've had a great time in Washington and are looking forward to our last date in this beautiful state tonight. The "Music Up Close" house concert series will be home to us tonight and I've gotta say I'm especially looking forward to some homemade pizza fresh from their brick oven! I'm honored to be one of the first in this blossoming series.
We had a great experience at Seattle Children's hospital and had such a warm reception from the children, parents and staff, I have a renewed fire for a project I've been dreaming up for years now. "Project Patience" is a special tour I've been thinking of, a tour of children's and veteran's hospitals around the country.
Played at KBCS on Richard Gillman's show that afternoon, a return invite as I had been on the show as part of the Patience Pays tour in 2008. Thanks Richard!
That night, with nothing on the schedule, I opted to take the advice of Joel Tepp and Larry Murante and show up at the Q Cafe in Seattle for a Victory Music Open Mike. I was really impressed with the turnout and the way they moved quickly through the large crowd with just one song each. What a great group of musicians, many veterans that were just wonderful to us and welcomed us into their fold and showed us lots of encouragement to make another NW tour next year. I think that sounds like a great plan and after such a nice time in Portland as well, I think it may have to happen.
We played at Egan's Ballard Jamhouse to a small but mighty audience including Bill Lippe who has a thriving concert series in the Seattle area. Joel Tepp sat in with his clarinet and harmonica expertise and we had a nice time in a beautiful room. Ted and Suzanne who own the place are just great and work hard to provide a cool, listening room atmosphere at this intimate venue. We talked about putting something together as part of Project Patience for the next visit.
We then pointed east and headed out to Redmond for a show at Soulfood Books, an amazing oasis/bookstore/music venue owned by Clint & Sara McClune, an extened branch of my deadhead family tree. We spent the night at the friendly, local home depot and ate Racheladas that night and slept like dogs with the rain tapping the metal roof of the bus. Michael Morales, another friend from the Folk Alliance opened the show and made the night by getting all his people to come out for the show. Van, Heather & Tyler were wonderful as part of the crew that keeps things moving there, thanks for the hospitality! Since my last visit, they've added amazing video and streaming capabilities. I'll look forward to getting the videos posted to show what a neat place this is. I'll definitely be back to this home away from home on the road. Thanks Soulfood Tribe!
Bainbridge Island was the next stop, an intimate show at Stephen's House who lends the facility to Norm Johnson for his music series presented in conjuction with Music Community Resources in the Seattle area. Despite the small crowd, we had a great time and the audience was appreciative and generous. Thanks Bainbridge and thanks to Norm for having me back.
Saturday morning we woke up early to make a 9am performance at the Proctor Farmers market in Tacoma, hands down one of the best farmer's markets I've seen. A constant parade of dogs and children, the view from the stage was great and we truly enjoyed playing for the crowd who bought CDs and put money in the tip jar, showing us much needed support. That night we played at the Mandolin Cafe a very cool cafe/venue that welcomed me back, with one of their own in tow. Nick had worked there years ago and played music there so the return was extra special to him. Nick's family turned out in force and made the night for us. We stayed at the family property in Gig Harbor and thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality, the BBQ, the hot shower and the laundry facility. A nice break from the road, we are refreshed and ready to head south for our last Washington date tonight.
So that's the jist for now. We have just under a week left in the tour and I am feeling ready to be home again in beautiful Ventura County.
Love from the road,
Rachel
We had a great experience at Seattle Children's hospital and had such a warm reception from the children, parents and staff, I have a renewed fire for a project I've been dreaming up for years now. "Project Patience" is a special tour I've been thinking of, a tour of children's and veteran's hospitals around the country.
Played at KBCS on Richard Gillman's show that afternoon, a return invite as I had been on the show as part of the Patience Pays tour in 2008. Thanks Richard!
That night, with nothing on the schedule, I opted to take the advice of Joel Tepp and Larry Murante and show up at the Q Cafe in Seattle for a Victory Music Open Mike. I was really impressed with the turnout and the way they moved quickly through the large crowd with just one song each. What a great group of musicians, many veterans that were just wonderful to us and welcomed us into their fold and showed us lots of encouragement to make another NW tour next year. I think that sounds like a great plan and after such a nice time in Portland as well, I think it may have to happen.
We played at Egan's Ballard Jamhouse to a small but mighty audience including Bill Lippe who has a thriving concert series in the Seattle area. Joel Tepp sat in with his clarinet and harmonica expertise and we had a nice time in a beautiful room. Ted and Suzanne who own the place are just great and work hard to provide a cool, listening room atmosphere at this intimate venue. We talked about putting something together as part of Project Patience for the next visit.
We then pointed east and headed out to Redmond for a show at Soulfood Books, an amazing oasis/bookstore/music venue owned by Clint & Sara McClune, an extened branch of my deadhead family tree. We spent the night at the friendly, local home depot and ate Racheladas that night and slept like dogs with the rain tapping the metal roof of the bus. Michael Morales, another friend from the Folk Alliance opened the show and made the night by getting all his people to come out for the show. Van, Heather & Tyler were wonderful as part of the crew that keeps things moving there, thanks for the hospitality! Since my last visit, they've added amazing video and streaming capabilities. I'll look forward to getting the videos posted to show what a neat place this is. I'll definitely be back to this home away from home on the road. Thanks Soulfood Tribe!
Bainbridge Island was the next stop, an intimate show at Stephen's House who lends the facility to Norm Johnson for his music series presented in conjuction with Music Community Resources in the Seattle area. Despite the small crowd, we had a great time and the audience was appreciative and generous. Thanks Bainbridge and thanks to Norm for having me back.
Saturday morning we woke up early to make a 9am performance at the Proctor Farmers market in Tacoma, hands down one of the best farmer's markets I've seen. A constant parade of dogs and children, the view from the stage was great and we truly enjoyed playing for the crowd who bought CDs and put money in the tip jar, showing us much needed support. That night we played at the Mandolin Cafe a very cool cafe/venue that welcomed me back, with one of their own in tow. Nick had worked there years ago and played music there so the return was extra special to him. Nick's family turned out in force and made the night for us. We stayed at the family property in Gig Harbor and thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality, the BBQ, the hot shower and the laundry facility. A nice break from the road, we are refreshed and ready to head south for our last Washington date tonight.
So that's the jist for now. We have just under a week left in the tour and I am feeling ready to be home again in beautiful Ventura County.
Love from the road,
Rachel