Bluesy Kind of Summer
By Eric Benson
Ritual brings us comfort and meaningful patterns that fulfill our lives. One for me is a family camping trip I have attended each summer since I was 12 years old. New and old friends unite, reminisce, and look toward the future. The day, wake up for Pete’s coffee, go to breakfast, and find a shady spot to read or strum the six strings. More coffee, a mid-day nap, and on to barbecue outside, night, a bit of square dancing, Ping-Pong, and a glass of red wine or two. This is where I rejuvenate, create list of things to do, and catch up on books I didn’t get to during the year. Enjoy your summer.
I want to talk about an issue that many of us don’t know about: Please share sites where dogs and animals are on lists to be put down. Most of my dogs are from rescue, and I try to do what I can to help them deal with unnecessary suffering. Please share and help foster them.
Blues Monday Party is back on July 9th and the 23rd. Café Urbano. The band features John Burt Sax, Cortez Flores on drums, and Kevin Marin on Bass. Trumpeter and myself, Eric Benson Keyboards, special guest Gene Radino, Jazz guitarist. The alumni include John Adey Bass, Conrad Johnson Bass, Dave Hawks’ drums, and Andrew Rosenblum Sax. We have had some high school horn players that have come down that can really play some Jazz. We also would like to thank Chris Murphy and Gary Nelson for their loving support and sponsorship of the Blue Monday Scene, which I truly appreciate! Please come down for some music, food, and a full bar. I can’t do it without you! We need more places to play live music, especially downtown. Let me know if you have any ideas or ways to make it happen.
We all need to work on supporting the venues that support the arts and creating new venues, as there are many great bands that need to be heard. Together, we can make it happen and see things strive!
There are some great shows at Gallo Center, but you can also check out some great venues out of town: The Newman Theatre, Vinhose Tapas Bar in Merced, Yoshi’s Oakland best jazz shows, Khumba Music Center Santa Cruz, Piedmont Piano Company, the Back Door, and the Sound Room located in Oakland.
