Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone. We hope you all had a safe, sane and fun night last night. The Patchwork Players spent the evening at one of our favorite events: First Night Escondido. Much of the event, and indeed, the Storytelling Stage, was outdoors. Last night it rained. Last year we had a few scattered showers. But this year it RAINED. Luckily our stage was nicely covered with a canopy, and had plenty of dry seats for the audience. We were glad to see many hearty folks brave the elements to be a part of the First Night Celebration. We did two shows, to packed audiences! That’s a lot of folks to show up in the pouring rain. We even saw that about a half-a-dozen kids caught both shows! Thanks kids, for not spoiling “The Baby Coyote” story in the second show.

Also on The Storytelling stage were our friends Mindy Donner and Eduardo Garcia, AKA, The Spinning Wheel Players. It was great to catch an Eduardo and Mindy’s show as they mix music and story to create a wonderful show. They are both so talented and had they audience in the palms of their hands.

While not on stage as The Patchwork Players, Patti & James wandered around and took in some of the other great acts there. We saw Brad French, a fine juggler and friend of ours from our LEGOLAND stints. And look what got us on the front page of the 2nd largest newspaper in San Diego, the North County Times, this morning...

We danced to the gospel rhythms of Theophonic and the Christian Rock of The Ridgeview Church band. For a bit of time, we were “the crowd”. And why let a little rain keep you from dancing? I guess that’s why we ended up on the front page. Later we enjoyed The Moon Dawgs and their great mix of 50’s 60’s and Surf hits. At that show, there was this little girl, maybe four years old at most. She loved The Moon Dawgs and danced, danced, and danced. She was too cute. Everywhere you turn at First Night there is music, food, fun and entertainment. Bouncin’ Dan, The Dragon Knights, drummers, dancers and magicians and more. We Love First Night! There should be a First Night event every weekend! (Okay, it would be hard for every weekend to really be the first night of the new year, but today is the first day of the rest of your life….)

In keeping with our New Year’s tradition, we got some great pizza at Fillippi’s Pizza Grotto. James has been eating Fillippi’s Pizza nearly all his life. They are a San Diego area institution. The last few years The Patchwork Players have enjoyed their New Years Eve feast at Fillippi’s. Last year it was Lasagne, this year, The Works Pizza. YUM!!!

And speaking of food…today we will continue our New Year’s tradition with a fine morning meal of Dim Sum. Okay, you have heard of eating black-eyed peas and greens on New Year’s day (haven’t you?). Well, having Dim Sum on New Year’s day is a long those same lines. Dim Sum? Delicious Chinese finger food. If you have not had Dim Sum, find some soon. Dim Sum rocks!

Speaking of the New Year…Patti and James are very excited about this year. There are so many great projects and events in the works. 2006 is going to be a great year for The Patchwork Players. Watch this space and http://www.patchworkplayers.com/ for more information.