“A story circle is a simple way to for a group of people to share personal stories,” said Katie Roche, who plays accordion, xylophone, penny whistle, recorder and washboard for the group. She also is the development director for The Englert Theatre and the professional grant writer who wrote the grant from the Iowa Arts Council for the Awful Purdies.
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There was no Purdies Jello (aka Kale) but we still had a lovely time meeting with some of the folks from Working Group Theatre, who we are collaborating with to create a new play featuring our music. All Recipes Are Home is about family, food, farms and our music will be woven throughout.
Read MoreThe drive into the Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival (Madison, WI) through Lake Farm County Park was beautiful and made us wish we could have camped out with all the festival goers the night before. Our main stage show was not until 4 that afternoon, but first we were to host the Bloody Mary Jam at the Roots and Reason Stage.
Read MoreWe started our time at Cedar Ridge Vineyards and Distillery in the afternoon when we walked the vineyard with Jay Pietkiewicz, the Cedar Ridge winemaker. Our videographer Craig Lemire Tierney was on hand to film us speaking with Jay and our friend, the artist, Miriam Alarcon Avila took some great pictures as well. It was great to learn about the attention that is paid to the grapes in order to make a great wine, while sipping some of the fruits of his labor (pun intended.) Then we set up and played a sweaty, raucous three hour gig to a couple hundred people on one of the most beautiful nights of the summer. What a gorgeous setting! Thank you Cedar Ridge!
Look for an upcoming post reflecting on our conversation with Jay and sharing a schedule of activities related to our newest project, All Recipes Are Home #iacgrantee #iowaarts
The weather had looked like it might turn to rain, so we set up inside. The vineyard can be seen behind us, out the windows.
The Purdies website is going through a major overhaul and will have new a new look and new information very soon. If you find anything that doesn't look right, or doesn't seem to be working please let me know at webmaster@awfulpurdies.com
Thank you,
Bob
