Eclectic Edge Ensemble

I had the day off Monday.

In that day, I managed to do several times one of the things I generally truly avoid: shopping. However, my first trip panned out to be quite enjoyable because it was my first stop to Garrison Keillor’s book store, Common Good Books (located just around the corner from Nina’s Coffee Shop at the corner of Selby and Western in St. Paul). I have had a gift card for the store for about two years now and finally got the chance to stop in. I am so glad I did!  The store is carefully curated just like a great visual art gallery, so you know each book is bound to hold great value.

My hands eventually found their way to this book:

Joined at the Hip, written by Jay Goetting and published by Minnesota Historical Society press just last year. I have not yet cracked the cover, but am pretty excited for when I do. I am especially grateful to have stumbled over this book on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a holiday celebrating a man who fought for the rights of black and African American people because the influence of these cultures upon music in our country was one of the most important building blocks for our jazz tradition. If you love both jazz and the Twin Cities like me, this book is likely for you.

Remember, another way to enjoy jazz is to come see the Eclectic Edge Ensemble's upcoming show Reeling Over Love, opening in just a couple short weeks on February 16th, 2012 at the Ritz in NE Minneapolis!

Groove on,

Erinn

It's Martin Luther King Jr. Day and, across the country, people are celebrating with dance.  Get connected with the dream of an important man from history by seeing how people are celebrating today!

Click on the headlines below to visit each event page

Martin Luther King celebrations in story, song and dance abound

"Looking for ways to enjoy the long holiday weekend and honor the memory of civil rights giant Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.? Here’s a handful of suggestions, starting with the Joffrey Ballet Academy’s African dance master class."

MLK Celebration will include music & dance

 Taos DJ dance to celebrate MLK

Peabody Museums celebrates MLK with two days of song, storytelling and dance

"When Edwin Cedeno looks back on the civil rights movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he recalls the vital role art and music played to advance political and social freedoms for all Americans."

Tear up the dance floor for MLK

Martin Luther King Day in Minneapolis and St. Paul

This New Year's Eve celebration was my first while living on the eastern seaboard.  Naturally, when I imagined how I would ring in the new year the "east coast" way... I imagined big.  I saw myself shivering in the cold on the streets of Times Square, shoulder to shoulder with thousands of my fellow party-goers, over-sized glittery 2012 glasses on my face and an obnoxiously loud kazoo in my mouth.  Not exactly a dream scenario, but something that I've never done before and would probably be worth experiencing once, right?  Well... after much debate, it was decided that no, it in fact was NOT something I needed to experience once.  These die-hard New Year's Eve fans huddle in Times Square for a minimum of 7 hours without food, water, or a bathroom.  It is usually freezing and unless you are one of the lucky few, you better bring some binoculars for the actual ball drop.  In fact, when I looked up "How to Celebrate New Years in Times Square" there were TONS of articles with advice, warnings, and step-by-step instructions.  I was not prepared.  

I'm still not convinced that I'll never try it.  I can see myself, someday, standing amidst the crowd in New York on December 31st thinking back on the montage of training it took for me to feel ready to face the Times Square New Year's Eve challenge.  Maybe they'll make a movie about me.

Until then, I will be satisfied to turn on the tube, sit on the couch in my pajamas and toast to the New Year with a glass of champagne... never losing sight of my eventual goal; those glittery glasses are still in my future.  After all, 2013 is a year away... and training montages take far less time than that.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Desiree

P.S.  Feel like preparing yourself for a NYC 2013 bash?  You can start here: Times Square New Year's Eve How-To List

1. Heat water to boiling. Add tea bags; reduce heat. Simmer 2 minutes. Remove tea bags. Stir in remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling.
2. Stir with wire whisk to foam milk. Pour into cups.

For many years, the television show Friends has been an entertainment staple in homes across the country.  It is one of my personal favorite TV series and this episode in season 7 is one of my favorites!  "The One With the Holiday Armadillo" focuses on Ross and his son, Ben.  Ross wants to teach his son Ben about Chanukah in order to get him excited about his Jewish heritage.  Ben, however, only wants to talk about Santa.  When Ross can't find a Santa Suit at the costume store, he takes the opportunity to dress as something a little... different... to surprise Ben.  His plans, however, are interrupted by his well-intentioned friends Chandler and Joey, making for a hilarious, but eventually successful, telling of the story of Chanukah.

-Desiree