Episode summary
At this point in the summer, camps would be in full swing and we’d be dancing together under the stars. Instead, we’re at home, which is definitely the safe place to be. However, there has been an amazing flourishing of online culture. While it’s not the same as being together in person, it does offer new accessibility to people who couldn’t attend events in person for whatever reason. We’re creating amazing tools as a community to stay in touch, and I really hope that we can continue doing many of them to keep our community inclusive. This week we have music from Callithump, Elixir, the Oshima Brothers, Haley Hewitt, and the Bright Wings Chorus. Julie reads a poem by Susan Reid, and Sam Sanders and Aaron Marcus perform a poem by Danny Dover. As always, you can send in music and reach out to us at starsintherafters.com. We’d love to hear from you and add your voice to the podcast. Take care, everyone.
Episode notes
1. The Man in the Moon – Andrew Marcus (Takoma Park, MD). This track comes from Callithump’s upcoming album. Callithump is Glyn Collinson (vocals and bouzouki), Andrew Marcus (accordion) and Abe Joyner-Meyers (fiddle). They and their ceilidh-band alter-ego Frog Hammer end many of their sets with this song. froghammerband.com
2. Meredith – Owen Morrison (Washington, DC). Owen wrote this waltz for his wife for the occasion of their first dance as a married couple. From Elixir’s album Anybody’s Guess. www.elixirmusic.com
3. The world rolls on, by Susan Reid (Montpelier, VT). Read by Julie Vallimont (Brattleboro, VT).
4. These Cold Nights – Jamie Oshima (Belfast, ME). This song by Sean Oshima is found on the Oshima Brothers’ album Under the Same Stars. www.oshimabrothers.com
5. Knightstown – Haley Hewitt (East Hartford, CT). Michael O’Sullivan wrote this tune for the sleepy fishing village and ferry port to the County Kerry island of Valentia. This is the first and last sight when you approach or depart the island, so there are many fond and poignant memories of this place. www.haleyhewitt.com
6. May You See Diamonds – Brendan Taaffe (Brattleboro, VT). This song by Ali Burns is sung by the Bright Wings Chorus. www.brendantaaffe.com/
7. A bat is living, by Danny Dover (Bethel, VT). Read by Sam Sanders (Montpelier, VT), with piano accompaniment by Aaron Marcus (Montpelier, VT). You can find more of Danny’s poetry in his most recent book, Tasting Precious Metal. www.antrimhousebooks.com/dover.html. This recording is from Aaron Marcus’s solo album Men Don’t Cry. aaronmarcus.bandcamp.com/releases
The opening music is “The Pearl in Sorrow’s Hand” by Julie Vallimont, from her album Dark Sky, Bright Stars. Produced by Julie Vallimont. Mixed and mastered by Dana Billings. All content courtesy of the artists, all rights reserved. This series is supported in part by the Country Dance and Song Society, NEFFA, and Pinewoods Camp.