It's Only a Matter of Degree

The Band is playing for eight weekends in a row. That's a first for the Ron Palangio Group, and in my humble opinion, not bad for a bunch of hobby freelance musicians! Here's the setup, for the record:

1. The Innsville
2. The Brassie Pub
3. Waltz Live Music
4. The Old Powerhouse
5. Private Party
6. The Innsville
7. Winchester Arms Pub
8. Magna International Corp. Christmas Dance

We finally get a weekend off on December 10th, but if we had our way we would book up for that night as well. We must love what we're doing.

Tonight is a first for us, however, because we're taking a stab at self-promotion. Waltz Live Music and Eatery is an established joint located downtown in Jackson Square.

A few of us went in on Karaoke night last Thursday to check out the PA. Sketchy setting: About 25 regulars scattered across the 125 seat room, one guy singing not too bad, and one guy on the dance floor dancing with himself. Oh well, I guess the regulars feel pretty comfortable!

Looks like we're going to have a "real" sound system tonight, which takes the performance angst up a notch. Usually, with our own PA, we're pretty comfortable, but with the new "showcase" concept and a new PA, I'm feeling nervous/excited.

That is a good thing. Way better than being bored with the gig and with the songs. Boredom would ruin our show and our edge. We need just enough UNCERTAINTY to keep us on our toes and in the moment. We must constantly eradicate the "ho-hum" factor. These 8 weeks in a row will be a success if we keep our edge, and keep it fresh.

The Ron Palangio Group, August 2011

Closing Up for Another Year

Just a handful of days left before saying goodbye for the summer. Report cards are pretty well finished, except for some touch-ups. This week I'll be having my students make a special craft that can be assembled into a big display for my room, something like a quilt. It should be a pretty low-key time as we clean up loose ends around the room.

At the end of my first year of teaching primary, I'm feeling like I can do this again. This summer I'll be taking some math training to improve my approach for next year's group. I'm looking forward to getting the room "emptied out" and having a fresh go at setting it up again.

What are the things that are the same from year to year? Let me try a list:

1. The feeling of being done; of having finished a race; the sense of closure with a certain group of children.
2. The cleaning up and storing away of materials.
3. The huge pile of throw-away papers- literally, bags full.
4. Empty walls and bulletin boards, full of possibility for another year.
5. The constant thought of: what will I do differently next year?