My friend and flatfooting buddy, Alex Barron recently sent me this video.

Anyone who knows me will not be surprised to learn that I freaked the heck out. I have watched this video many, many times in writing this post and I am still in awe (and “aaaawwwe”) at the simple, beautiful spirit that this man is living. His timing is impeccable. His phrasing is perfect. He is dancing as he plays. He is joyful and so expressively ALIVE. And he is living proof that the spoons (much maligned and with good reason) really CAN be an instrument.

Mostly, what grabbed me is that you can SEE the music in this man’s body. When I teach, especially in the context of teaching Irish music on the bodhran, I talk a lot about the idea that the music is not in the drum or in your hands but in your body. Playing well demands that we not only listen to the music, but actively hear and express it with our very molecules. This embodying of the music is something I see in all of my very favorite instrumentalists and dancers, regardless of musical form or idiom.

This is also one of the great challenges of being a student of music. To embody music in this way, you have to learn not just how to listen to the music, not just actively hear it as you are playing… you also have to learn how to make it a full-body, physical experience. I would offer the opinion that any good musician does this after a point, without thinking, whether they realize it or not. It is what makes their music exceptional.

I really cannot get enough of this guy. Spoons Playing Man, I salute you.

Well played sir!

And hey, if a documentary gets made about your dad, you’re allowed to brag, right? You can join us in Charlottesville for the Virginia premier of Jem Moore’s brainchild, March 16th at 7pm. We’ll watch the film and celebrate at Cville Coffee.

Oh, and FYI, the aforementioned establishment makes these things called oaty snacks, or oat bites, or hmmm. I can’t actually remember what they are called. But they are as close as you are likely to get to nirvana without some serious meditation. Not kidding, your eyes will roll back in your head, and you may make a sighing noise. They are worth the trip even if we weren’t going to screen a film about awesome flutes and their awesome makers…

Need we say more? You should definitely come. These are some of my very favorite people to play music with. This thing is going to be awesome. As a special bonus, if you come say hi after, I will teach you a clogging step in the lobby…

We will be teaching at the Flatfooting Fiddle and Banjo weekend in Harper’s Ferry, WV. November 9-11. It is going to be amazing. You should come!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/goodfoot/vaudevival-old-is-the-new-new

Hope to see you at the show, next weekend, June 30th and July 1st at Dance Place!

Dancing at RVCC

Just finished up two very intense weeks of dancing in Virginia. A local paper did a nice spot on our retreat, even if they did get my name wrong. Ah well… Take a look.

An aside. Why do I love Virginia so much?

Announcing The Beat Retreat 2012! Two days of master classes and performances with a star studded cast of special guest dancers and musicians to take place at RVCC and the Earle Hamner Jr. Theatre in Afton Va.

The dates are June 8th & 9th, 2012. The above video is a sampling from last year’s hijinks. More details on our “live” page. We even have a pay-what-you-can night, so no griping about how you’re too po’.

Won’t you join us?

The lovely and talented Jem Moore is making a documentary film about my dad’s flute business. This video was filmed in April of this year at Rapunzel’s Coffee and Books in Lovingston, VA. It’s one of several teaser videos. Stay tuned for more info…