It's been a busy month!

This has been one of the busiest months of my life, with, thankfully, many ups and few downs. Students performed with Dan Zanes, I co-ran the annual Rotary Club Variety Show, I attended the Business Awards for the Arts, Katie and I saw Brandi Carlile at The Music Hall, Art Speak went before the city council for funding (which we received), and on, and on, and on....

The kids who played with Dan Zanes for two shows at The Music Hall on May 5th were amazing. Here they are on stage with Dan rehearsing in the early morning

Playing with Dan has a huge impact on the students. He just won the Grammy Award for best children's album - and he certainly deserved it. Talk about an artist who doesn't sing candy-coated schlock for the kiddos. He's genuine and the kids get it. Bravo Dan and thanks for making the kids feel at home and part of the band backstage!

Brandi Carlile was amazing. She opened her show with "The Times Are A Changing" - the sixties Dylan anthem, and other notable covers were Johnny Cash's Folsum Prison song (excuse me for not remembering the exact title) and Jeff Buckley's "Hallalujah". Katie and I got to meet her after the show and she's very sweet, humble, and deserves everything she's earned. Another big BRAVO!

And I also should thank the many amazing local performers who participated in the Portsmouth Rotary Club's Second Annual Variety Show at Portsmouth High School on May 6. Jose Duque's Zumbatres with Matt Langley, The Molenes, The Bow Tie Guys, Magician Pete Mamos, comedian Tom Clark, the PMAC Adult Flute Choir, professional silly person Todd Wellington, Tenley Westbrook, Tommy Hensel, Gordon Michaels, Wendell Purrington, Gina Connolly, the Seacoast Civic Dance Company, and of course, the Poo Poo Platters. The event was a hit.

So at this point in the month I'm reeling in exhaustion, though I have quite a ways to go before I rest. In fact, our next mini-vacation is scheduled for July 4th. Only three or four days, and it will be most needed.

Now we move on with this Saturday's Spring Fling at Little Harbour, plus three student recitals, Sunday's Adult Ensembles Concert, Departmental Workshops, Jumpin' in June, etc., etc., etc.!!!! What fun!