Some original tunes

Jonathan has written some contra tunes over the past couple years & we've now gotten them written up & posted in our charts directory.

Shooting Star, which we've also recorded

Ship's Whistle - I've also got this one programmed into my cell phone, so I hear it often.

Pinellas Reel

A Taste of Tennessee - A Father's Day gift - written on our trip to Tennessee last year

Through the Woods

Lilac Bush

Discovering the roots of our music (and country)

Man, it would be cool to go back in time and see Patrick Henry play the fiddle! I thought as I skimmed my history packet in order to collect information for an american history project. I had been looking over this packet, pausing to read the text box below the main article. To my surprise, the text box stated that playing celtic jigs and irish reels was one of Patrick Henry's greatest hobbies. It even said that Patrick Henry met Thomas Jefferson at a fiddling session! Of the three people I could research, I had received the one that I could directly relate to by my music. Furthermore, I could bring in my button box and play the class something that Patrick Henry might have played when he met Thomas Jefferson. When sunday arrived, my dad and I searched 17th century tunes on the web. There were many names I recognized, but I wasn't really excited until we saw Fairy Dance listed. Fairy dance is a tune we play almost every dance along with Batchelders reel. We learned that it was by Scottish Composer Neil Gow, who lived from 1727 to 1807.

I was able to quickly learn it on my accordian. In the end, I didn't get the chance to play it for my classmates, but it is interesting to realize some of the things we play connect us to famous politicians from the past. How fun to think that centuries ago, Patrick Henry might have played the same songs we play every dance.

Double Apple Crisp Thursday, 8 p, Springstep

Can you smell the apple crisp baking? I sure can. For that extra special ingredient, I listened to some Apple Crisp tunes while making it.

In case you missed the news, a deluxe version of Apple Crisp is playing at Springstep tonight at 8 pm--that's the contradance formerly located at the VFW in Cambridge and sometimes still referred to as the VFW. (No experience necessary. Bring a friend or ten.) I've been psyched about tonight's dance ever since Avi told me he and Jonathan had landed the gig. I even weaseled out of a regular commitment to be at the dance the entire time. I've been encouraging all of my dancing friends to come out. Apple crisp to those who do.

If you can't come out dancing tonight, perhaps you could download some Apple Crisp tunes and make your own dessert treat. Here's how I sometimes prepare mine.

Crumb 1 cup flour, 1 cup oatmeal, 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to taste with 2/3 cup margarine. Toss in some toasted nuts or chipotle or dried fruit for something special. Fill a greased 9" X 13" pan with apple slices. (Rome apples are great baking apples, but they're not available in all areas of the country.) Top with the crisp. Bake at 350 degrees till the crisp is golden brown and the apples are tender. My recipe says 35 minutes, but it never works that way. For optimum results, bring it to the contradance tonight to share with your dancing friends. Don't forget to bring a serving spoon.

Charts & Tunelist update

I added some small updates to our tune list, and also started up a basic repository for charts. Some entries in the tune list now link to their charts.