At the Inlander
8 July 2005 08:08So far all I have written for the Inlander has been a book review, a concert preview and a bunch of 200 word calendar write-ups on upcoming events. Most of them have been (from my standpoint anyway) pretty dry and boring. I think I've discovered that if I have to write about something that is real I get pretty bored with it (especially if I am trying to hit a specific word count) maybe that will change as I get better at it. A couple of times now I've been able to just play with whatever I was assigned. This is what you get when you ask me to write up an accordian festival:
Finding Accord — FESTIVAL
Somewhere in the fabric of all creation there is a world where the accordion reigns supreme -- where Jimi Hendrix wowed Woodstock pounding out polkas with his teeth on his pearl red Hohner, where Bob Dylan shocked the world by putting electric pickups on his Iolite accordion. They Might Be Giants and Weird Al would be superstars, playing sold-out arena shows across the globe and being featured on such MTV hits as “Pumpe Mein Ride.” Fathers and mothers would bemoan the wheezing racket as impressionable youth squeezed out tunes in their parents' garages, dreaming of making it big in popular music.
Well, this weekend presents a chance to experience the Bizarro World of the Accordion as Leavenworth plays host to the festival where accordion is king. Not only will it feature international stars such as Bernadette Conlon and Tony Lovello, but throughout the weekend, fierce warriors of the squeezebox will face each other in competition for prize money, trophies and pride. When the musicians aren’t engaged in competition or performing in halls, they group together for impromptu jam sessions. For a brief time, we can all visit an alternate dimension in which unity and accord reign — courtesy of "the stomach Steinway."
Or my personal favorite: give me only a couple of hours to write about the sold out Kenny Rogers concert.
Ask Kenny Rogers’ Lyrics — COUNTRY MUSIC
Q: You are a permanent fixture in country music. You founded a restaurant based on your name. Is there a downside to being such an iconic figure?
KRL: So many nights I sit by my window, waiting for someone to sing me his song.
So many dreams I kept deep inside me, alone in the dark.
Q: I understand that it can be lonely at the top of any profession, but certainly it has its perks as well, doesn’t it?
KRL: Every hand's a winner and every hand's a loser, and the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep … But now you've come along. You light up my life, you give me hope to carry on.
Q: I’m certainly flattered that we’ve managed to make connection in such a short time -- but don’t you think this is rather sudden?
KRL: For so many years I thought I'd never find you. You have come into my life and made me whole.
Q: Really, you're making me a little uncomfortable. I’m in a committed relationship right now. Do you think it would be all right if we just remained friends?
KRL: [He bummed a cigarette and asked for a light. The night got deathly quiet. His face lost all expression.] If you're gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right.
Sadly none of my little write-ups never make it to the website (le *sigh*) so I cannot link to them. But I do get to wear flip flops* to work if I want. Woo!
*Man that is horrible name for sandals.
Finding Accord — FESTIVAL
Somewhere in the fabric of all creation there is a world where the accordion reigns supreme -- where Jimi Hendrix wowed Woodstock pounding out polkas with his teeth on his pearl red Hohner, where Bob Dylan shocked the world by putting electric pickups on his Iolite accordion. They Might Be Giants and Weird Al would be superstars, playing sold-out arena shows across the globe and being featured on such MTV hits as “Pumpe Mein Ride.” Fathers and mothers would bemoan the wheezing racket as impressionable youth squeezed out tunes in their parents' garages, dreaming of making it big in popular music.
Well, this weekend presents a chance to experience the Bizarro World of the Accordion as Leavenworth plays host to the festival where accordion is king. Not only will it feature international stars such as Bernadette Conlon and Tony Lovello, but throughout the weekend, fierce warriors of the squeezebox will face each other in competition for prize money, trophies and pride. When the musicians aren’t engaged in competition or performing in halls, they group together for impromptu jam sessions. For a brief time, we can all visit an alternate dimension in which unity and accord reign — courtesy of "the stomach Steinway."
Or my personal favorite: give me only a couple of hours to write about the sold out Kenny Rogers concert.
Ask Kenny Rogers’ Lyrics — COUNTRY MUSIC
Q: You are a permanent fixture in country music. You founded a restaurant based on your name. Is there a downside to being such an iconic figure?
KRL: So many nights I sit by my window, waiting for someone to sing me his song.
So many dreams I kept deep inside me, alone in the dark.
Q: I understand that it can be lonely at the top of any profession, but certainly it has its perks as well, doesn’t it?
KRL: Every hand's a winner and every hand's a loser, and the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep … But now you've come along. You light up my life, you give me hope to carry on.
Q: I’m certainly flattered that we’ve managed to make connection in such a short time -- but don’t you think this is rather sudden?
KRL: For so many years I thought I'd never find you. You have come into my life and made me whole.
Q: Really, you're making me a little uncomfortable. I’m in a committed relationship right now. Do you think it would be all right if we just remained friends?
KRL: [He bummed a cigarette and asked for a light. The night got deathly quiet. His face lost all expression.] If you're gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right.
Sadly none of my little write-ups never make it to the website (le *sigh*) so I cannot link to them. But I do get to wear flip flops* to work if I want. Woo!
*Man that is horrible name for sandals.
Wow
Date: 9 Jul 2005 06:58 (UTC)Some customer wondered what happened, I made up a lie about a co-worker tripping, or something. I dont remember what I said.
Incredibly hillarious stuff...
Re: Wow
Date: 9 Jul 2005 21:03 (UTC)