What a wonderful night we had at The Open Door! But I always say that, don't I?
The weather's been so strange this week, from Sandy's "visit" Monday, thru gloom and breaks of sunshine, and from unseasonably warm temps to dips down into "it feels as though it might snow!" range. The moods expressed last night were similar, in their contrasts, to the weather week just passed. We heard silly, sing-along songs and deep, feel-the-hardship songs. With the election looming next week (can't wait for those phone calls and ads to end - how about you?), some performers shared songs that touched on politics. Thankfully, though, the lyrics were cleverly couched in humor or euphemism.
Hardtacks, our featured act last night, provided the audience members with songsheets of lyrics to tunes that we all learned as children. We heartily sang along as the banjo(s) and fiddle played such favorites as "The Old Folks at Home" (which, btw, I thought was entitled "Down upon the Swanee River") and the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," among others. Marek and Woody explained the deeper social meaning of these and other folksongs from the Civil War era, deepening our understanding of the trials of the times, and forever changed how we view these familiar songs. Education is the goal of these talented people and I so appreciate their sharing of themselves to promote our better understanding of the attitudes of the 1800's and, specifically, the struggles of the common folk concerning the Civil War itself. If you are part of a civic organization, library, school, etc. and would like to have Hardtacks share their knowledge of the Civil War era through songs of the times, check out their website and apply for a NH Humanities grant today!!
We got the news last night from Larry DeLacy, Senior Deacon of Smith church, as to how much money we (and by we I mean Just Desserts and all of the Open Door supporters) raised at last weekend's concert, to benefit Smith church's "Paint the Church" fund. I was blown away to find that the total came to a whopping $1,140! A HUGE thank you to everyone who bought tickets and attended, or made a donation. Without the use of Smith church's function hall, The Open Door would not be the successful event that it is, and this annual concert is Just Desserts' way of thanking the people of the church for their generosity. I am humbled by this outpouring of support, especially given the economic challenges the people of this country are facing these days. It just goes to show that each of you feels an ownership in this little old coffee house we call The Open Door.
And remember, without YOU, The Open Door wouldn't even exist at all. For that we are fortunate and endlessly grateful.
Toni
for Just Desserts
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