Kidgig & First Friday

We had a blast at the library kid singalong. Ended up doing two sets instead of four, but the folks still paid us the same amount. It got quite cold outside after 4 pm, although the first hour before that I was afraid I'd overdressed with my thick sweater and Uggs. Was I ever glad to have them later! We got a good crowd for both sets--it's always nice to play for more than 5 people. The kids seemed to enjoy the songs, and the grownups were singing along too. Can't get better than that! Library Lady Lauren said next year they'll start and end earlier because of the weather. Apparently we were on TV again too. (When will I learn not to leave home without makeup?) I think this might have been the first of many child-oriented performances for us. It's definitely something we'd both like to pursue.

Last night's First Friday was the best since we started last year. We played at the Halltree antique store in Oldtown, and had a quite a few bustling shoppers stop to listen and applaud. Some even gave tips too--always a plus! The store owners loved having us there. Afterwards we went outside and saw all the folks around Main St. going from one venue to another. It's great to see Oldtown Salinas come to some vestige of life, especially compared to what it was a few years ago. The Christmas lights were on and there was a general sense of joviality in the air--people laughing and lingering, children smiling in their fancy Folklorico getups, musicians comparing notes as to their respective gigs. First Friday is one of the most positive things to happen to this city in many years.