Happy May Day ~ Buon Primo Maggio!

I’m writing this on May Day, a day for the artists, the workers, the dreamers, the activists, the magical. The makers of the bread in all its possible meanings.

FYI I’m going back to sending this out monthly rather than seasonally, and I’ll still share in-between musings and longer form writing on my site.

I’m coming off a busy few months of vast and varied work, culminating in a few big shows last week and this very weekend. Read on for what’s coming up, a little poll about what I’m dreaming of (spoiler alert: TEACHING DANCE AGAIN CUZ I MISS YOU), and some inspirational reads, listens, images, videos, and people.

xo!

Teaching

I’m dreaming of having a regular dance class again, in person, with people who want to move to wonderful music in ways that make our bodies and souls sing. Basically, I want to make dances for you - for us - and let you - let us! - shine. I see us joined by musicians now and again, making dances, sharing them out when we please, and learning together. I have even gone so far as to find the space I want to do it in.

Would you let me know if that appeals to you?

Performing

Anthems from the Margins

Saturday, May 2, Aragon Theater, San Mateo, California, 7pm
This is Aswat Ensemble’s Spring concert, and it promises to be a memorable one. Satirical music that is rooted in history and yet still relevant. Just a few tickets left!

Duo Pizzicato & Friends at Vino Rosso

Saturday, May 9, San Francisco, 5 to 7pm
&
Saturday, June 6, San Francisco, 5 to 7pm
We play monthly and outdoors at this sweet Bernal Heights San Francisco spot. They have delicious food, a thoughtfully curated Italian wine list, and the best space heaters I have ever met. No purchase necessary to enjoy the tunes played on mandolins, guitar, tambourine, castanets, and voices.

Sirenland - Book Release Party & Poetry Reading with live music by Duo Pizzicato

Friday, June 5, Telegraph Hill Books, North Beach, San Francisco, 6:30 to 8pm

I’m so excited to play music for San Francisco poet Jen Barone’s latest book release, Sirenland, a mythic conversation across time with the poet’s ancestors from the Bay of Naples, Italy.

Reading/Watching/Listening

Listening to tons of Ziad Rahbani and Sheikh Imam in preparation for an upcoming show, interspersed with some wild tunes from Lavinia Mancusi. Her mash up of A curuna and Mamma damme centro lire is mindblowing.

My band is learning to play the Tarantella del Garagano. Also loving the Strike While the Needle is Hot cassette, a companion to the book with the same name.

No surprise I have XTC’s Green Man in my head today, though.

Cool peeps doing cool things

Fundraiser for the Rainbow and the Machine

Ephemera