A Real Performance...

And so it goes....

Another regular morning at Skoog Farm.

I woke up at 5:15 and could not get back to sleep.  Tried a mid-morning nap but that didn't work either.

This was convocation day at the college and there was a drumming gig to be performed in front of a few thousand people.  I decided to participate for the first time.  In the past I have drummed at a couple half-marathons and at one college student event, but this was going to be a pretty big deal.  It was our job to lead a procession into the SERC, drum for a dance performance, then lead the entire group out of the building...playing until it was empty.

 We met in Hartwell Hall and then went over to the SERC around 1:15 for a walk through.

A little rehearsing was going on while we waited off stage.

This is part of our drumming group during the regular Saturday practices.  The young woman on the right (on the floor) is from Russia and while participating in a dance workshop, joined us a couple of times (her photo).  As you can see, we are not a bunch of spring chickens.  I think the average age is almost 60, and it was quite a surprise to me when I started drumming.  I am one of the very senior members (center, red sweatshirt).  Occasionally we are joined by some of the college students and other whippersnappers.

 I could not drum and take photographs of the performance....but this is what I wore.  A friend got this outfit when her husband traveled to Nigeria and she gave it to me.  Oli, the girl on the right, is in the dance department and happens to be from that country.  She came up to show me how to put it on right...especially the head piece.

 You never know who is going to show up for a performance.

 Today we had a combination of students and people from the Saturday group.

This is Clyde, the artistic director of Sankofa.  He is the ultimate performer and danced with three of his students.

Khalid, the musical director for Sankofa is the most talented and generous person you could ever ask for.  He gives us all his Saturdays. One of the top drummers in the country.

 I had a great time and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Home at 5:30, changed my clothes and went out to do chores.

The girls were enjoying the cooler weather.

Gary was busy all day.

 He picked and hung all the onions, and just before sunset...

 he was still working in the garden.  Also redoing a rocking chair for the back porch, which will get a lot of use.

Started selling tomatoes and leeks today.  We are recyling old gallon milk jugs and use them to hold the tomatoes.

 Pretty soon the wagon will be full.

The glads are coming on strong....beautiful colors.

 That's it for now.
Night all.