October first. A Day of Treasures!

October first. A Day of Treasures!

We started our day at The First Congregational of Long Beach, CA. What a beautiful place. We were told that this is the oldest church in Long Beach, originally built in 1912! Hey, in Southern California that counts as old. The Patchwork Players had been invited to help kick off a four weekend event designed to get young folks interested in the treasures of their lives and in their family histories. So we came to represent our cultural heritage. Patti wore a Viking Era costume and James wore one of his Kilts, to represent our Scandinavian and Celtic lineage. We told some of our favorite folktales from those treaditions, as well as shared some personal stories about our family histories. After our tales were told out, the audience was invited to create their own treasure chests out of shoe boxes, construction paper, magic markers and more. We watched as everyone created their own special story and memory box. Over the next three weekends, Kara, the event coordinator, has invited storytellers who will bring stories from the Pacific Islands, Latin America, and the African-American experience. Kara shared with the group her personal treasure box which she started when she was 14. It was indeed filled with treasures, the most interesting a little mimeographed book that he mother was part of creating when her family lived in Alaska. This was entitled “The Eskimo Cookbook”, a recipe book that native kids used to collect family recipes. Our favorite was Blubber Ice Cream. We hope to get a copy. Amazing and fun! Thanks Kara, for putting together a wonderful event. We look forward to coming back some day.


We ended the day in San Diego's Normal Heights neighborhood, at a very special Fandango! There is Patti playing the Jarana, jamming with friends old and new. This was a special fund raising event in support of a wonderful program in Veracruz, Mexico. Patti had the privilege three years ago to travel on a group Fulbright grant for a month with twenty artists and teachers in Veracruz (a state way south on the Gulf Coast of Mexico.). There were studied Mexican art, music, dance, and storytelling. One of the most amazing results of this trip was that we learned how to play and dance the music of the local region. Throughout the area, people would regularly gather for fandangos-community gatherings where people come together and play and dance, often all night. Being part of this was a life changing experience. A number of our group have now traveled back to Veracruz on several occasions, with a couple of folks assisting in creating a dvd of local musicians playing and singing, as well as publishing a book of the stories of the region. And back home in southern CA, we now gather at least once a month to play and share this music. Community in the making. It is truly a joy to gather with friends and play dance and sing (even if you aren't the best at any of these...it doesn't matter, because it is about joy and community.) Let us know if you are in the area and would like to be invited to come to a fandango. You are most welcome!