A bit more...

Us playing in a simple still photo form. Try not to get all hot and bothered staring at it.

So, the last post's video was taken on Nov 8, 2008 in London at Regent Hall, which is just off Oxford Circus. Wonderful area for shopping and looking around. Here's a picture from after the concert with the pianist, Carol Minor, and the composer of that piece, Yumi Hara Cawkwell.

The stage was quite off the level, as it dipped dramatically coming from the rear towards the audience. I guess the stage crew folks are always scared of the piano flying off the stage. Thank the FSM I don't have to deal with that kind of stuff anymore.

If I get around to it, I'll see about posting a link to the other giant piece we played that night, Joan Tower's "Fantasy (Those Harbor Lights)", but I wouldn't count on it. There's a photo somewhere of us with the London New Winds Festival's director, which I will certainly post as soon as I can find it. She was lovely and just treated us so well while we were there. Can't thank her enough.

We were also lucky enough to have photographer (and friend) Marie von Kampen at the Boston recital, so I have some super fancy-type photos around here of that. I'll post sooner rather than later, I'm sure.

I think that I have some downtime coming up as far as performances are concerned (maybe a couple of weeks). It will give me a chance to catch up on researching Gunther Schuller and the 3rd Stream movement as well as try to set up a couple of commissions, an electroacoustic performance in March, and maybe clean up my living space a bit.

UK Premiere of Yumi Hara Cawkwell's "Six Flowers" at Regent Hall, London, UK

Look Kids! Big Ben! Parliament! ....Look Kids! Big Ben! Parliament!...Look kids....

Thank the FSM I didn't have to drive anywhere in London. After standing for 3-4 hours for the Remembrance Day ceremony, we did manage to stroll down the street and see Big Been and Parliament. No sign of the Griswolds.

Alright, that's enough picture gawking for now. I"ll see if I can't turn up a video or two from the touristy stuff or the concert later.

Look Ma, no Hands

Now, anyone can learn to ride a horse. Many people can learn to play the clarinet. Can you do both at once? I can't. These damned British people just have it all, don't they? First, the Queen, now this kind of showing off? What's next, English actors playing American doctors on Fox tv shows?

Oh yeah, these coffee shops were everywhere, along with Starbucks and a million others. Every country needs its liquid crack, I guess. I've already had mine today.

Another in my Blurry Famous People Series

In between the two grey-coated guards there? With the black hat? It's the freakin' Queen!

Ted Kennedy was neat and all, but this is the Queen. All I really need now is a blurry picture of Michael Jackson and I'll have the complete set.

DHS, TSA, .gov, and the Kitchen Sink Too

Apparently, the Department of Homeland Security has a Google notification set up for mentions of the TSA (Transportation Safety Administration). My last post earned my site a visit from a Durham, NC-based DHS.gov isp. It's nice to see that they're spending their time so wisely. Maybe in 2 months or so, you guys will have bosses with other focuses...or at least more discriminating search terms.

The TSA Let Me In!

Well, the Transportation Safety Administration did not seem to find any problems with my passport and let me back into the United States. Phew...

So, we've returned triumphant...or something. Right now, I'm exhausted after getting back to my apartment at 12-ish am and then dealing with a large university all day. I promise that I'll post some pictures, some commentary, and maybe a video and/or audio file in the coming days. I'll probably have to wait for the weekend, as I'm pretty sure that I'll be exhausted for the next two days. We'll see.

Suffice to say, London was amazing and I highly suggest that everyone give me all their money so that I might move there.

All right then...

London Rock City...

Tomorrow (maybe today, by the time I actually post this entry...regardless, on Thursday), pianist Carol Minor and I leave for London. Saturday night, we'll be playing Yumi Hara Cawkwell's "Six Flowers" (remember the video I posted last time?) and Joan Tower's "Fantasy" in London at Regent Hall.

I suggest that everyone get tickets, posthaste. Go to the London New Wind Festival website for the relevant details. See you there...yes...you.