The Music Festival

This is us in our usher uniforms :-)

How’s everybody doing? Hopefully all is well, and you all are keeping a positive attitude. Things are going fine down here, but we miss our Amherst folks. Today, Jesse had a bout of homesickness. It’s not so much the town itself, but it’s the special people there that matter.

We have been doing pretty much the same things as before -- it’s getting routine now, but there’s always something to do. We are still volunteering with the Savannah Music Festival until April 5th.

On Saturday the 28th, we saw an excellent performance by Marcus Roberts and Sebastian Knauer who played music from the George Gershwin songbook. Knauer was strictly classical, straight from the score, note-by-note. Roberts, of course, improvised with a lot space in his interpretation. Needless to say, we really enjoyed it.

Then on Sunday, we went to the Nicholsonboro Baptist Church which is right around the corner from us. We had mentioned this community in our blog a couple of weeks ago. The church service was “old time” where folks still have a tradition of lining hymns from time to time, and everybody seemed “regular”. The preacher gave an inspiring sermon and the well-behaved children sat on the back pew. We felt right at home. Here are some pictures we took of the church.

Ellis Marsalis and his Quartet put on an outstanding show the next day during the music festival, and we felt fortunate to be able to see and hear some great music. We recommend volunteer ushering as an excellent way of hearing world-class musicians for
‘free.” Latin musician Eddie Palmieri and his orchestra, La Perfecta torn the place up with a Latin Dance Party on Thursday. We ushered the 2nd set starting at 10:30pm, late for us, but the people jumping to the music kept us going.

The last performance of the week was an exciting one, featuring world-famous tap dancer Savion Glover and The Otherz. Building on an almost forgotten art form, and influenced by many other “tappers” (Gregory Hines, the Nicholas Brothers, Bojangles etc.), Savion and The Otherz put on an amazing performance. The “Otherz” consisted of an outstanding 4-piece band. While the band was playing some straight ahead Coltrane, Monk, and Bird, Glover was directing them using hand gestures, and by laying down some extraordinary rhythms with his feet. After the intermission, two young tappers came out, and along with Glover, did some spectacular choreography. The audience erupted with spontaneous applause. If you haven’t had a chance to see them in person, do so. The talent in those feet is unbelievable. Not only the talent, but the generous spirit with which Glover performs is amazing. He acknowledged every person in his “show.” Even gave props to the bus driver. Impressive!

Next week, our grandson Kofi is coming down to Savannah to spend a week with us. We were talking the other day and figured that we have to enjoy these visits now; Kofi is nine, and in a few years, he may have outgrown the need to hang with his grandparents. So, we’re looking forward to having some fun. That’s all for now, folks. Stay well, enjoy the blessings as they come, and keep laughing.

Jo Ann and Jesse
P.S. We forgot to send pix of the Forsyth Park azaleas a few weeks ago. The blooms are done for the season, but they were beautiful.