Gold Star 4 Trying!
I used to give these out, now I just give them virtually through writing...
I used to give out gold stars for trying. I carried these puffy glittery gold stars around in my bag, and I would whip them out when a conversation with a stranger hit a point where what they spoke of implied expending effort. Sometimes it was someone who was having a hard time and seemed to be banging their head against the wall (which is how I was often feeling in my life, as a stay-at-home mom of two young boys), or sometimes it was someone who was quite successful but finding it challenging to keep up. In either case, the person at hand seemed to need some sort of acknowledgment for their efforts, some positive motivation to keep at it.
I wrote about many of the people I gave stars to, for about a year. It felt so good to be able to in some way offer people something. I would see people I’d given the star to, like Alex, who owns the deli by my apartment, and they would speak happily of their star and what it meant to them to receive it. It was a joyous thing.
I feel that way sometimes now when I write about musicians. It feels good to acknowledge people’s efforts. We are all trying in our own way, but many days it can feel like no one really notices. I guess that’s why I do the things I do. I realize firsthand the need for that voice that tells you, keep going!!!!
Sometimes you find that voice externally, and sometimes you don’t. Lately I’ve been recognizing more and more the importance of finding the voice inside that says to keep going. Whether it’s losing weight and getting fit, like I’m trying to do, or building up an audience for my newsletter and sound baths (which I try intermittently to do:), keeping the peace in relationships (always trying), writing, the list goes on and on. I have to keep it straight in my mind how to prioritize, how to take care of myself and build up that inner cheerleader voice so that I can do the things I want to do, so that I can more authentically cheerlead for others.
Last week was filled with opportunities to take care of myself, and cheer on others.
SpacePilots wowed with its mesmerizing music at Nublu on Tuesday. Loved seeing Joe Hertenstein on drums, reunited with Leo Genovese on keys and Elias Meister on guitar. The addition of Dafna Naphtali’s funky electronic beats and vocals lent a particular depth and intensity. It was cool.
I have decided to “lean in” to summer this year rather than resist in any way its temperatures or tempo. So far so good! Starting with celebrating with a visit to Plumb Beach. I posted on social media how sometimes I forget that Brooklyn is a beach town…until I remember. The joys of sinking bare toes in the sand are immense. I have once again donned a bikini, age and imperfections be damned. To swim in the salt water and then lie back to absorb the sun…mornings and evenings are my fave beach times, and I’m going to push past any boundaries to make it there much more this summer and revel in it like a joyous child!!
On Wednesday, finding myself in the city after dinner with family, I decided to see what was happening at Mezzrow. It said sax player Caleb Curtis was playing so I wound my way around, strangely (like a rookie) finding myself in the middle of Times Square en route to the West Village. It is funny sometimes to take in the wonderment of visitors to this great crazy metropolis, to imagine that some believe Times Square is what New York is all about, instead of just a handful of strange packed flashing blocks. Amazing how many cities exist here in one.
Running out of time, I subwayed to 14th St. and the vibe of the West Village was, while crowded, still a refreshing shift from 42nd St. I thought maybe to stay outside in the gorgeous air and just listen to Triad Brass playing around the neighborhood in front of packed outdoor seating areas of local restaurants.
But I did in the end continue on Mezzrow. Seated, I was surprised to see pianist Marta Sanchez, Caleb’s wife, and even more surprised not to see Caleb. It turned out Caleb was playing at Small’s across the street and it was actually Marta’s beautiful trio playing at Mezzrow. Small strange world. The two clubs are jointly owned and promoted, so I saw where the snafu happened, and could hardly complain as the music was first class, Marta playing her spectacular piano while Chris Tordini played amazing bass like he was playing the heart strings, and Savannah Harris blew it away on drums. Gold stars to all. The three have been on a European tour for the new album release, Perpetual Void. I told Marta the funny twist, and Caleb as well. Will have to see him another time!
My Summer Solstice sound bath was beautiful on Thursday, with my guests offering much appreciation for my quinoa/kale salad as well as the sounds that took them on unique journeys inside their minds. Always relish hearing where people go as I play!!
On Friday, I joined a friend with season passes to Celebrate Brooklyn. I haven’t been to the gorgeous outdoor venue for years for some reason, never making it a point to go, strangely, largely because I rarely know the people playing. But I had eyeballed Latin pop star Anna Tijoux as a cool artist I’d want to check out, and so I did.
It was a lovely high-energy night under the stars, both at the show and afterward when a roving DJ played to enthusiastic concertgoers for a while, until the NYPD came along…
I started toward home afterward but the dancing had me revved up so I popped over to Barbes, my local. I ran into one of my fave musicians, Troy “Mobius” Simms, of Brooklyn Gypsies—always a pleasure, especially as it had been YEARS since recently—and found that he was going to be sitting in with the band, Anant Pradhan & Larry McDonald.
“Do you know these guys?” he asked as we headed back to the packed room where they were playing. “No,” I said. And in a moment it was clear: I needed to know these guys. An homage to 60s and 70s Jamaica, this eight-piece powerhouse collection features Anant on sax and famed reggae percussionist Larry McDonald along with Yoshi Takemasa and Jeremiah McFarlane on percussion; Rich Terrana on drums; Preet Patel on bass; Brett Tubin on guitar; and Mike Sarason. Troy was a beautiful addition, as was trombonist Buford O’Sullivan. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face, or prevent my body from moving hypnotically to the rhythms. Hypnotic. Notably, the band is playing Aug. 9 at Celebrate Brooklyn, will be awesome.
On Saturday, I had the great pleasure of taking a voice workshop with Silvia Nakkach, Contemplative Music for the Voice, at the Zen Center of NYC’s Fire Lotus Temple in Brooklyn. I had never met Silvia in person, though she led the Sound & Music Integration Certificate Program I took online through the Open Center a few years back. Sadly, we met our amazing sound teachers only on Zoom, so it was such a joy to vocalize with Silvia in person and in collaboration with other beautiful voices, including a couple folks from my program.
A lot of gold star moments, appreciating the immense talents that abound in this great city as usual!! Hopefully you find your own efforts rewarded, and take time out to reward others. Lots of opportunities this coming week!
I’m not going to do the regular weekly calendar format, opting instead for easy summer format list of suggestions for the week of Monday, June 24th - June 30th if you’re in the city or around upstate where I’ll (mostly) be…
*COLONY OPEN MIC in WOODSTOCK, NY ON MONDAY NIGHTS, STARTS AT 8!
*CATSKILL CREW INDUSTRY NIGHT WITH MUSIC on TUESDAY, JUNE 26th FROM THE INSOLENT WILLIES & FOOD FROM THE SAMOSA SHACK at WEST KILL BREWING in WEST KILL, NY, STARTS at 3 PM! (ALSO FORMER WOODSTOCK FAVE RESTAURANT JOSHUA’S POP-UP AT THE PINES, 5 PM-9 PM)
BRIAN MITCHELL & JAMES MADDOCK WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27th AT THE PINES, MT TREMPER, NY, 7-9 PM
*MUSIC IN THE PARK AT DUTCHMAN’s LANDING PARK on MAIN STREET IN CATSKILL, NY, THURSDAYS, 7-9 PM
*OUTDOOR LIVE MUSIC CONCERT SERIES FRIDAY NIGHTS AT THE COLONIAL COUNTRY CLUB IN TANNERSVILLE, 5 - 8 PM
*SOUTHERN FOLK SINGER JAKE XERXES FUSSELL FRIDAY, JUNE 28th at THE AVALON, CATSKILL, NY at 8 PM
*BRANDI CARLILE at the CMAC, CANANDAIGUA, NY, SATURDAY, JUNE 29th (MIGHT ACTUALLY TRY TO DRIVE UP AS I LOVE HER!!!)
CUMBIA NIGHT WITH SON ROMPE PERA, at OPUS 40, SAUGERTIES, NY, SUNDAY, JUNE 30th, 6 - 9 PM
Wherever you are, try to go out and see and support LIVE MUSIC! I saw someone with a t-shirt the other day that said SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC! and I should have asked her where she got it. Need to get one:)
One last note, I am hosting a small women’s retreat upstate, a few spots left, the weekend of July 12th — sound healing, hiking, art, writing, reiki, flower arranging…should be a blast! No fee, just contributions for food, travel. Email me at stephsthompson@gmail.com if you’re interested!!
Be well! Enjoy summer! Whatever you do, keep on trying, and GIVE YOURSELF A GOLD STAR!!
In Peace & Harmony,
Steph