Why do I have to be differnt?

Busking update

Yesterday, after busking for a bit over an hour, Molly hit her target.

She made $32 and now has enough to buy the snazzy new I-pod Nano that she is lusting after.

I asked her if this meant that she wasn't going to busk anymore.

She said "No way. How about next weekend?"

The Road to Lisdoonvarna played by Molly

Mairi's Wedding

Molly has pretty much polished this one or close to it. And, it only cost me 3 Girl Scout cookies this time; thin mint, a classic.

It got me thinking about who was Mairi? And, how lucky she was to have such a cool song named for her wedding. She must've been something else.

Wiki says:

"Mairi's Wedding (also known as Marie's Wedding, the Lewis Bridal Song, or Mairi Bhan) is a Scottish folk song originally written in Gaelic by Johnny Bannerman for Mary McNiven. Written using a traditional Scottish tune, it was first played for McNiven in 1935 at the Old Highlanders Institute in Glasgow's Elmbank Street. Hugh S. Roberton translated the Gaelic version into English in 1936.

It is also a Scottish country dance, 40 bar, reel time."

Anyway, whatever keeps my girl opening up the old violin case to practice as we move toward the 5 year anniversary.

Keep it up, babe!

Gravel Walk - An Irish Pub Tune played by Molly

When Molly was 3 or so, she nagged for 2 years for violin lessons until we finally gave in. Neither Jake or I had any experience with this instrument but knew it was "hard". Molly started at 5 1/2 and did the Suzuki method with a very experienced Suzuki only teacher for 3 1/2 years. Molly hung in there but in the end, she did not like the excessive structure, the lack of flexibility, there wasn't enough creativity, she wanted to learn different songs. She had hit a brick wall and her heels were dug in hard. I was seriously bummed.

We were lucky to find Sarah. She welcomed, encouraged and promoted a much more flexible, creative, student friendly violin experience. And, Molly has been able to discover a strong interest in Celtic music. And, yes, her classical training has helped her be a better violinist. Nothing is wasted.

Gravel Walk is a beautiful example of the caliber of tune Molly is playing these days. She has worked on this one long and hard to the point where I have paid her for the "rights" to post this piece on my blog. It cost me $2 and it is worth every penny.

We are also lucky to have access to the Vashon Celtic Players website; born and fostered here on our little old island. There are literally hundreds of Celtic tunes with their scores, some chord charts and an audio sample of each song. This is a HUGE resource for us. Gone are the days of buying various Celtic song books hoping there will be a new song that will capture Molly's fancy.

Fabulous Sarah suggested Gravel Walk. She knows that if Molly doesn't have a challenging piece to work on, she won't even open up the case. Which is honestly the hardest part about practicing; just...opening...up...the...case.

Thanks Sarah. You have made all the difference. I am so proud...of both of you.

Christmas tunes at The Vashon Bookshop

Molly played her violin at our favorite bookstore here on Vashon yesterday. The owners of The Vashon Bookshop are so incredibly wonderful and very welcoming when Molly asked if she could play.

This is her 2nd year doing this and her Christmas tune repertoire has grown from last year. She even broke up the pace with a couple of Celtic tunes that she has been working on over the year.

People are always very supportive and encouraging when she plays; they just go about their business of shopping but manage to clap a little after each tune. For Molly, she gets another taste of performance in a low key setting.

I used the time to get some last minute shopping done. Books are always considered a winner under our tree. Jake scampered to the the hardware store for some foul-weather preparedness stuff. Shea zipped around; they have a nice big children's book area with puzzles and toys and many, many books to tempt. It's a very kid friendly place. I can honestly say, I just love it there.

I encourage you to go see them when and if you are in town. And, when you are there, go across the hall and visit Kronos too, a truly dazzling emporium of fun and cool things. Those gals are awesome too.

Annual Community Tree lighting

We had another "must see it to believe it" Vashon event tonight. The Community Tree lighting with Santa & Mrs. Clause parading down the center of town on a fire engine. All who want to can get a candy cane or two from Santa and even hug him. I do every year.

This is also the night of Molly's 2nd annual holiday violin busking.

Last year, she thought she would just try it out and see what happened. The concept got her all the way through the fall with her happily (or not complaining too much) practicing holiday tunes to prepare for busking. On the night of the Tree Lighting, she set up her violin case on the sidewalk and started banging out Silent Night, Hark the Herald and others. The results were pretty electrifying. Not only did she make over $50 in less than an hour but she got tons of encouragement and kudos for being brave enough to go out and do it all by herself. I was, of course, hovering near by.

This year we did the same. The night was cold and clear so it was an excellent turn out, lots of people, families out and about. We set up right after the tree lighting near a hot dog vendor. With the poise and assurance of someone many years older, she started playing, a bit softly at first but building as she got comfortable. I stood to the side. She told me not to hover too close but I am there. I wouldn't miss this for the world.

It really is quite interesting to see how the crowd reacts. The kids are drawn immediately and it doesn't really matter what age. I saw just-walking tots hanging out to dance to "Santa Clause is coming to town" and not wanting to leave and various big, cool middle school kids dropping a few coins into the case and saying, "Good job" and "Thanks for the true Christmas spirit". Kids from Molly's grade walk by and shyly wave, they foget that her hands are occupied but she acknowledges them with a smile.

The adults, of course, are enchanted. Many, like myself, could never imagine themselves putting themselves out there like that. I see it in their eyes and expressions as they drop a bill in her case. I shrug and make jokes about pimping my kid but it is obvious that this is her thing, her idea, her show. I am just the groupie and/or manager. I help make it happen but this is not about me.

It was a fun night. She made about $40 in about a half an hour. It was cold and her hands were getting numb. We wandered off to hug Santa and get another candy cane. Even did a little shopping with all the loot she hauled in and ran into some of her little buddies.

When I see her playing music alone on the sidewalk, I get the overwhelming feeling that she will be fine. She is strong, smart and beautiful and will make a good future for herself. I figure if she has the resourcefulness to make holiday money playing songs on the sidewalk, then she will make a creative, productive life for herself. I know, a mother's hope but a very nice holiday feeling.