I just looked at my calendar and realized that September is almost over. Honestly, when I was a kid I don’t remember time going so quickly. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m so busy or if it’s because I’m getting older…but think I’m going to go with “busy.”
SOMERSET, KY
September started with workshops and performances in Somerset, Kentucky. We appeared on the stage of The Center for Rural Development for the 4th time in our touring career. It’s always such a pleasure to work with the people here. We started our visit working in the schools with two different groups of students – children with learning differences and gifted/talented children. What always fascinates me about integrating the arts into the classroom is the way it levels the field for everyone. Each of these students – regardless of their abilities – was able to experience success and achievement. I’m heading back in November to do some additional work with the Hocus Focus Project in Somerset!
The performance drew a very diverse and fun audience – children, adults, college students, and senior citizens. From load in to load out, the team at The Center was fantastic!
After 3 days in Somerset, we were off to Greenville, KY. We drove for a couple of hours after the show and finished up the trip the following morning.
GREENVILLE, KY
This was our first time at the Felix E. Martin, Jr. Center for the Arts – and I hope it’s not going to be our last! What a fun day! And the genuine excitement in the air about the evening show invigorated my entire team, right up to show time.
Once all the equipment was unloaded from the truck, we spent the day getting the show set up. Ticket sales had been very strong and we were very close to having a sold out performance. Once the doors opened at 7pm, we sold out very quickly and they turned aways lots of people. And what a GREAT audience they were!!
Here’s where the tour gets a little tricky. After the show in Greenville, we all drove to Louisville, KY to spend the night. The next morning, Keith and I flew to Austin, TX for some meetings while Cindy and the guys rented a car and drove back to Virginia for a few days.
AUSTIN, TX
This is the view of Austin from my hotel room. What a great city! I had some very productive meetings and enjoyed being in the downtown area. One of my guilty pleasures – Gourdough’s! This place was amazing – made-to-order doughnuts topped almost any way you can image. The one I consumed – literally – was called Sarah’s Joy: a huge doughnut filled with coconut creme, drizzled in warm chocolate and tossed in coconut. It was so big it came with a knife and fork – amazing!
And there was the Downtown Burger place…literally, a small hole-in-the-wall in downtown Austin with the best burgers! And the squirrels were very friendly too. Check out this video:
From Austin, we flew back to Louisville while the others drove there to meet us. We settled back into the rig and were on our way to Richmond, KY.
RICHMOND, KY
This would be our first performance at the new Performing Arts Center at Eastern Kentucky University…but not our first time working with Joel. Can I just say I love this guy? We worked together in Bloomington (IL) a few years ago and it was an amazing experience. We got the rig to the loading dock and the day started!
This Kentucky run of dates was proving to be a good thing. Every crew, every audience was fantastic and Richmond didn’t disappoint us either. This theatre is spectacular and the audience was phenomenal!
After the show in Richmond, we all made the trip back to Virginia. I had a fast turnaround on this one and would be home for less than 15 hours.
COLLEGE STATION, TX
My trip to College Station was “exploratory” in nature. We are going to be working and performing there in March 2014. Shanna and Anne invited me to come down early so we could have some planning meetings with different schools and healthcare organizations. This would give me the opportunity to explain, personally, exactly what we hope to accomplish when we return. The meetings were so powerful, productive, emotional, and engaging. Everyone we talked with about working with their students or clients was enthusiastic! Now the problem becomes, “How do we fit all of this in with only 2 days to do it?” I guess they will figure that out!
NASHVILLE, TN
Nashville is another amazing city! I had some meetings but also had the chance to visit the Ryman Auditorium and get my picture taken with Dolly Parton…well, not the “real” Dolly but…
But one of the best things that happened in Nashville was the opportunity to reconnect with two people with whom we’ve been friends for many years – Craig and Charlotte Karges. I only wish Cindy had been with me so we could have spent some time with them together.
At the moment, I’m in Ocala, FL. I flew into Gainesville today, rented a car, and drove here. We have two shows here and then some workshops in the community. I’ll keep you posted!