May … With What Pretty Music Shall We Charm the Hours?

May … With What Pretty Music Shall We Charm the Hours?

"May! Queen of blossoms,
 And fulfilling flowers,
With what pretty music
 Shall we charm the hours?
Wilt thou have pipe and reed,
Blown in the open mead?
Or to the lute give heed
 In the green bowers?" -  Lord Edward Thurlow, May

 “Tra la, it's May, the lusty month of May
That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray;
Tra la, it's here, that shocking time of year
When tons of wicked little thoughts merrily appear.”

(fr. Camelot, sung by Julie Andrews)
 

On April 7th, we gave a very successful poetry and music performance at Poetry Express in Berkeley, the weekly poets reading now held at Himalayan Flavors on University Avenue. We presented a combination of poetic songs such as Chappell’s Dance of the Desert, and my poetry that was part workshop, part demonstration of the interweaving of the two art forms. We will be reprising this idea in Alameda in the upcoming months. Also look for pending house concert announcements in the summer. Stay tuned!
 

We had a wonderful concert at our Bread and Roses show at Novato Healthcare Center on April 23, 2014. Tracey Rose was our host, and “host in training,” Carrie Sownie gave us a great writeup that gives you a very good picture of what our Bread and Roses shows are like: 
 

“The audience was ready for the show with warm cups of coffee or tea and wrapped up in blankets. Chappell and Dave Holt were charming performers and took us on a journey through the classics like Frank Sinatra to old New Orleans jazz tunes. They played love songs from the 40’s, boogie-woogie tunes from the 50’s and even some original songs they had written. At one point Chappell asked the audience if there were any Cole Porter fans out there and a spirited 'Yes!' came from the audience. 
 

“Many of the boogie-woogie tunes were a favorite. Some guests danced in their chairs, clapped along and tapped their feet. The staff loved it too and danced while assisting the folk. Some staff even poked their head in to enjoy the music before getting back to their work. A favorite moment was when Chappell sang a song that she had written for Dave for their 35th anniversary. It was a beautiful song that inspired an audience member with a purple sweater and beaded necklace to get up and waltz with another staff member.
 

“The performers sang many sing-a-longs, such as 'My Favorite Things' and 'Peace like a River' where the audience sang along softly. There was even a request to sing 'Over the Rainbow' that Chappell promised to sing next time. Afterwards the performers received many thank yous and hugs from the audience.”
 

Our Chappell & Dave Traveling Americana Poetry show is on the road to promote the CD Stone & Fire which we just released. If you’d like to order it directly, please send a $17 check (includes $2 shipping) payable to Dave Holt to 1335 Kenwal Rd., #A, Concord, CA 94521. 
 

We will be traveling for the first half of the month of May as many of you know.  Please follow us on Facebook as we post photos and updates from the road.