Wow! Time really flies when you're having fun. I can't believe it's already October- and so much as happened! It's been an absolutely beautiful weekend in Rīga, sunny, blue skies, but the smell of Fall is definitely in the air. Today I even collected some of the first fallen, colorful leaves.
But to keep you up to date with what is happening?! Where to begin. The past week has been full of new musical endeavors. I had already been speaking with my friend Vēsma (a violin playing, Latvian-Australian chica full of positive energy and ideas!) about jamming together, maybe put together an act for local bars. She already plays a few nights a week, but as she's moving back to Australia for a while (to get married!), she's looking for someone to replace her and I'm slowly getting into the system. Last week she invited me to sing a few folk songs at her friends' wedding, in an impromptu way to congratulate the new couple as they were coming out of the church. It was a beautiful ceremony and nice to give some background music to a someone's special day!
Then this weekend I joined Vēsma and Kārlis at their usual spot- Kiwi Bar- for a midday gig. It's rugby season here in Europe and the bar needed a way to entertain the guests between games. We hadn't practiced one bit, but luckily the songs in their set are pretty well known and we just made up some harmonies on the fly. For such a raw performance we sounded pretty darn good! And I'm proud to say that even Uncle Joe's mandolin joined us for a few songs. Despite my absolute nervousness about playing it in public, I'm loving the mandolin. It's easy breezy and I think adds such a flavorful layer to songs.
Saturday night was the one-year anniversary of my favorite bar in Rīga- ALA Folkklubs (ALA Folkbar), where we go quite regularly to get our folk dance, folk song fix. In full on celebration, the bar was hopping with free snacks, shots and even a pig roast! But of course, the best part was the music. Two groups switched on and off entertaining guests with upbeat arrangements of folk songs, there was such a great energy in the room and it's always so refreshing to see young people enjoying the folk traditions of our culture. SO COOL!
And just like that, another weekend has passed. I'm pumped and a bit stressed about the coming week, it's the beginning of presentations and handing in topic proposals, etc! Work has begun, oh my. But it's all good and interesting. Happy October to all and to end, some pictures of the Fall market/festival last weekend in Rīga.
But to keep you up to date with what is happening?! Where to begin. The past week has been full of new musical endeavors. I had already been speaking with my friend Vēsma (a violin playing, Latvian-Australian chica full of positive energy and ideas!) about jamming together, maybe put together an act for local bars. She already plays a few nights a week, but as she's moving back to Australia for a while (to get married!), she's looking for someone to replace her and I'm slowly getting into the system. Last week she invited me to sing a few folk songs at her friends' wedding, in an impromptu way to congratulate the new couple as they were coming out of the church. It was a beautiful ceremony and nice to give some background music to a someone's special day!
(Vēsma and I with the newlyweds!)
Then this weekend I joined Vēsma and Kārlis at their usual spot- Kiwi Bar- for a midday gig. It's rugby season here in Europe and the bar needed a way to entertain the guests between games. We hadn't practiced one bit, but luckily the songs in their set are pretty well known and we just made up some harmonies on the fly. For such a raw performance we sounded pretty darn good! And I'm proud to say that even Uncle Joe's mandolin joined us for a few songs. Despite my absolute nervousness about playing it in public, I'm loving the mandolin. It's easy breezy and I think adds such a flavorful layer to songs.
(Vēsma and I at Kiwi bar!)
Saturday night was the one-year anniversary of my favorite bar in Rīga- ALA Folkklubs (ALA Folkbar), where we go quite regularly to get our folk dance, folk song fix. In full on celebration, the bar was hopping with free snacks, shots and even a pig roast! But of course, the best part was the music. Two groups switched on and off entertaining guests with upbeat arrangements of folk songs, there was such a great energy in the room and it's always so refreshing to see young people enjoying the folk traditions of our culture. SO COOL!
(Clip of the hoppin' group at Folkklubs!)
And just like that, another weekend has passed. I'm pumped and a bit stressed about the coming week, it's the beginning of presentations and handing in topic proposals, etc! Work has begun, oh my. But it's all good and interesting. Happy October to all and to end, some pictures of the Fall market/festival last weekend in Rīga.
(Carrot festival! Yes, those are carrots NOT hotdogs...)
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