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  • Muse and Whirled Retort Archives 2010

    Muse and Whirled Retort - July - 2010

    Muse and Whirled Retort - July - 2010
    THE MUSE AND WHIRLED RETORT
    Vol. XI issue x
    July 2010
    Oakland, CA

    Immediate Destinations: The High Sierra Music Fest, Truckee, Oregon Country Fare, Florence, OR; Cottage Grove, OR; Portland, OR; Eugene, OR; Goldbar, WA; Bellingham, WA; Vancouver, BC; The Islands Folk Festival; Port Townsend, WA; Vashon Island, WA; Seattle, WA; Olympia, WA Horning's Hide Out for the String Cheese Incident; Corvallis, OR, Williams OR; Ashland, OR; Chico, CA; Sebastopol, CA Oakland, CA; San Francesco, CA Santa Cruz, CA

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    New very cool Featured Video at www.chrischandler.org

    Hey everybody,
    It's that time of the month again.  July Like a dog…

    I sit here at 2 am in my new apartment.  My beloved Jen is a sleep – we take off in the morning for the high Sierra's 20th Anniversary.  We will tour together this summer playing shows with Paul from Santa Cruz to Victoria.  The tour starts tomorrow and I suddenly realize it's the first – Anne Feeney's birthday, and I have not written the Whirled Retort….
    Holy Cow – there is soooo much to write about in the world. Right now but I have to leave early in the morning for a tour that is not yet complete.

    So have a look at the dates below and if you can fill in any open date with a house concert or get us into your local watering hole we would love to do it.

    As for the whirled retort – I offer you this older piece that seems very appropriate considering the way the far right in this country is moving farther and farther right – beating each other up in their own primaries.  I love it.  Well I would if it didn't scare me so.

    Do you think it would mean more or less oil drilling regulation?  Hmmm….

    I mean… what if they win?!
    Well this one seems appropriate as my counter to the growing libertarian bent this country.

    Here ya have it

    THE MUSE AND WHIRLED RETORT
    Vol. XI issue x
    July 2010
    Oakland, CA

    So I was listening to classic rock on the radio, driving along the Pennsylvania Turn Pike in mid summer towards Pittsburgh I found myself driving through a sea of fire flies  blinking in unison with the orange construction hazards
    I think back to the last time I was in Pittsburgh back in March…. Going to visit Anne Feeney.  Out of wrought, I walked down to my favorite little Irish bar to sit and write.

    Usually this is a quiet Irish bar where I drink Jameson's and  scribble silently until I have hallucinations of being Dylan Thomas.

    But on this - St Patrick's Day weekend - my sweet little retreat has hired of all things a Karaoke DJ. A sign on the door announces that "ladies drink for free."

    The funny thing about fireflies is that it is only the male that flickers.

    They do this in the hopes of attracting a female.

    If no female firefly can be found males will join forces and begin to blink in unison in hopes that their combined brilliance will pierce the sultry southern air and reach the heart (or at least the thorax) of their beloved.

    At the bar in Pittsburgh, barflies are garnished in blinking green
    shamrocks and unbearable green paper hats, yet I cannot break from my
    own tradition. After all, I came here to write and this is what is
    happening.

    I order a green beer, accept my own blinking shamrock, and
    find the only open table. Familiar acoustic guitar chords leak from the sound system as the Karaoke DJ rummages for a potential participant.

    A single firefly escapes the windshield of my car and burns in a rhythm all his own.

    I wonder, what do fireflies think ..

    …as they enliven their luminous bodies, captive in a giant mayonnaise jar.

    Do they dream of trying to pick them selves up by their tiny little bootstraps as
    they slide down the glass?

    At the bar I get into an argument with a libertarian saying the poor deserve what they get and they should pull themselves up by their boot straps as one lone brave soul steps to the karaoke microphone to intone the
    ubiquitous.


    Some unseen force makes two lightening bugs blink together -- just
    once. As someone at the table next to me mutters beneath his breath

    Once-hollow eyes gleam like fireflies piercing a once sullen darkness.
    Strangers saunter in and join in the chorus.

    "Stand by Me Ohooo Stand by me.  Oh Darlin' won't you Please… Stand by me."

    Strangers clink glasses - and swear undying friendship - bound by
    lyrics inscribed upon our psyche by the tattoo needles of elevators,
    and grocery store ambiance.

    The libertarian fumbles for change to buy another green beer

    I pick up his tab saying, "We haven't had that spirit here since 1969"

    He continues his argument citing Rosa Parks as an example of the individual being at the heart of settling the worlds tribulations.  I say if you think a middle aged cleaning woman from Montgomery Alabama single handedly started the civil rights movement – than you probably think Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.

    It occurs to me that the reason some people want us poor folks to
    pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps is to get us to bend over.

    The highway looks as if it were webbed by a single strand of
    Christmas lights -- dazzling in harmony, blinking as one - while a
    thousand car radios are tuned to Rush Limbaugh - ironically
    spewing "The poor should pull themselves up by their bootstraps."

    The whole bar sings together.

    "Stand by me... Ohooo Stand by me."

    Aware of my own awkwardness in accepting the fact that such an absurd
    pop song has captured the zeitgeist of my generation; too wrapped up
    in the group experience to care….  

    …I strike my cigarette lighter and hold it in the air.

    Others follow suit.

    Cigarette lighters twinkle in the darkness and I realize that we, like fireflies, are greater as a collective, as a whole - as a union - than we could ever be alone.


    I, as a child, unlock the mayonnaise jar prison and the captive fantastic are set free.


    The song ends. The applause erupts – a spontaneous cacophony  
    quickly evolves into uniform blasts of simultaneous rhythmic rifle
    fire.

    Its pace quickens.

    Soon everyone in the room is clapping in unison - and then – they begin to sway in concert.

    Strangers link arms.

    Some go home together.

    Darkness descends…

    ….as one by one each solitary sparkle is extinguished.

    But in that darkness a new generation of fireflies is created....

    *********************
    A.N.N.O.U.N.C.M.E.N.T.S.

    Paul and I have some holes in the schedule – if you would like to present us for a house concert or at your favorite watering hole – have a look at the calendar
    We will have a blast.
    ***************************
    Jen and I got a van and she will be with us on this tour!  The van's name is Herman Blaze.
    ***************************
    New video up at www.chrischandler.org
    ****************************
    Thanks to all the well wishers for my new home in Oakland
    ****************************
    CHECK OUT:  http://www.abc26.com/news/local/wgno-news-oil-protest,0,7612707.story
    *****************************
    Have a great summer!
    ****************************
    Join me on facebook: www.facebook/chrischandler.org

    T.H.A.N..K.Y..O.U.

    Jen Delyth, Paul Benoit, Mairianne Bowie, The Kerrville Folk Festival, Dalis Allen, My Family, Anne Feeney, Brian QTN, Camp C.A.L.M., Donna Snyder, All the folks of the El Paso Slam Team, Cyndi Bryson and David A'Bear, all of you who posted Facebook pics and videos, Tim Lynch, Gary at Pirate Cat Radio, Browning.  Insert your name here


    H.E.R.E.'.S. .D.A. .D.A.T.E.S.
    https://chrischandler.org/events

    chris chandler Upcoming Events:

    Thursday, July 1st, 2010 tba
    Plumas County Fairgrounds -
    The High Sierra Music Festival
    204 Fairgrounds Road
    Quincy, CA
    website: http://www.highsierramusic.com

    Friday, July 2nd, 2010 tba
    Plumas County Fairgrounds -
    The High Sierra Music Festival
    204 Fairgrounds Road
    Quincy, CA
    website: http://www.highsierramusic.com

    Saturday, July 3rd, 2010 11:30 AM
    Big Meadow Stage
    The High Sierra Music Festival
    204 Fairgrounds Road
    Quincy, CA
    website: http://www.highsierramusic.com

    Sunday, July 4th, 2010 tba
    Play Shop "What's The Word"
    The High Sierra Music Festival
    204 Fairgrounds Road
    Quincy, CA
    website: http://www.highsierramusic.com

    a poetry workshop with other spoken word artists
    Sunday, July 4th, 2010 10 AM
    Gospel Brunch Big Meadow Stage
    The High Sierra Music Festival
    204 Fairgrounds Road
    Quincy, CA
    website: http://www.highsierramusic.com

    Sunday, July 4th, 2010 11:45 AM
    Plumas County Fairgrounds -
    The High Sierra Music Festival
    204 Fairgrounds Road
    Quincy, CA
    website: http://www.highsierramusic.com

    Sunday, July 4th, 2010 midnight
    Troubadour Session with Paul solo, Chris and Dan Bern
    The High Sierra Music Festival
    204 Fairgrounds Road
    Quincy, CA
    website: http://www.highsierramusic.com

    Monday, July 5th, 2010 8:00 PM
    With Paul Benoit
    Truckee Book and Bean
    10009 West River St
    Truckee, CA 96161
    website: http://wwwtruckeebookandbean.com

    Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 8 PM
    The Pre-Fair Party
    Private Party
    phone: RSVP 541 942 8596

    Thursday, July 8th, 2010 tba
    The Oregon Country Fair
    Veneta, OR
    website: http://www.oregoncountryfair.org

    Friday, July 9th, 2010 12:15 PM
    Hoarse Chorale Stage
    The Oregon Country Fair
    Veneta, OR
    PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE: click here
    website: http://www.oregoncountryfair.org

    Saturday, July 10th, 2010 tba
    The Oregon Country Fair
    Veneta, OR
    website: http://www.oregoncountryfair.org

    Sunday, July 11th, 2010 1:20 pm
    Shady Grove Stage
    The Oregon Country Fair
    Veneta, OR
    website: http://www.oregoncountryfair.org

    Sunday, July 11th, 2010 As soon as it gets dark
    The Library Show
    The Oregon Country Fair
    Veneta, OR
    PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE: click here
    website: http://www.oregoncountryfair.org

    Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 8 PM
    Siuslaw Valley Library - Bromley Room
    1460 9th St (At Maple)
    Florence, OR
    phone: 541 997 3132

    Thursday, July 15th, 2010 8 PM
    with Paul Benoit
    Axe and Fiddle
    657 East Main Street
    Cottage Grove, OR 97424
    phone: 541-942-5942
    website: http://www.axeandfiddle.com/

    Friday, July 16th, 2010 8:30 pm
    Chris & Paul play with Truckstop Honeymoon and Pancake Breakfast
    Alberta Rose Theatre
    3000 NE Alberta Street
    Portland, or 97211
    PRICE: $15.00
    website: http://www.albertarosetheatre.com
    This will be an incredible show!

    Saturday, July 17th, 2010 6 PM
    Peter Wilde Presents An Early Show!
    sam bonds garage
    407 Blair
    Eugene, OR
    97402
    phone: 431-6603
    website: http://www.sambonds.com

    Sunday, July 18th, 2010 7 PM
    with Paul Benoit
    The Fern Bar
    Goldbar, WA
    This should be a fun show in one of Pauls favorite spots in Washington.  and he would know!  We will let you know as soon as we know something.

    Monday, July 19th, 2010 9 PM
    An evening with Chandler and Benoit
    Acoustic Green Frog Tavern
    900 N. State St.
    Bellingham, WA
    USA
    phone: 360.756.1213
    website: http://www.acoustictavern.com/

    Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 8 PM
    The IWW Presents
    Rhizome Gallery
    317 East Broadway
    Vancouver, BC
    Canada

    Friday, July 23rd, 2010 tbd
    Cowichan Folk Guild Presents
    Islands Folk Fest
    Duncan, BC
    Canada
    phone: 250 748-3975
    website: http://www.folkfest.bc.ca/

    Saturday, July 24th, 2010 tbd
    Cowichan Folk Guild Presents
    Islands Folk Fest
    Duncan, BC
    Canada
    phone: 250 748-3975
    website: http://www.folkfest.bc.ca/

    Sunday, July 25th, 2010 tbd
    Cowichan Folk Guild Presents
    Islands Folk Fest
    Duncan, BC
    Canada
    phone: 250 748-3975
    website: http://www.folkfest.bc.ca/

    Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 8 PM
    House Concert at the home of Bill Moyer
    fund Raiser for the BackHouse Concert  Bone Campaign
    Vashon  Island, WA
    phone: RSVP 206 408 8058
    website: http://www.backbonecampaign.org/
    RSVP Bill@backbonecampaign

    Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 8 PM
    with Paul Benoit
    The Undertown
    211 Taylor Street
    Port Townsend, WA 98368
    website: http://www.undertown.com

    Thursday, July 29th, 2010 9 PM
    with Paul Benoit
    Egan's Ballard Jam House
    1707 NW Market Street
    Seattle, WA 98107
    phone: 206-789-1621
    website: http://www.ballardjamhouse.com

    Friday, July 30th, 2010 3:30 PM
    As part of the String Cheese Incident's Horning Hideout Show
    Hornings Hideout
    21277 Northwest Brunswick Canyon Road
    North Plains, OR 97133
    phone: (503) 647-2920
    PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE: click here
    website: http://www.jambase.com/Articles/21440/String-Cheese-Incident--2010-Shows-Red-Rocks.Horning's
    There will be several stages and several acts.

    Saturday, July 31st, 2010 TBA
    As part of the String Cheese Incident's Horning Hideout Show
    Hornings Hideout
    21277 Northwest Brunswick Canyon Road
    North Plains, OR 97133
    phone: (503) 647-2920
    PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE: click here
    website: http://www.jambase.com/Articles/21440/String-Cheese-Incident--2010-Shows-Red-Rocks.Horning's
    There will be several stages and several acts.

    Sunday, August 1st, 2010 1 PM
    As part of the String Cheese Incident's Horning Hideout Show
    Hornings Hideout
    21277 Northwest Brunswick Canyon Road
    North Plains, OR 97133
    phone: (503) 647-2920
    PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE: click here
    website: http://www.jambase.com/Articles/21440/String-Cheese-Incident--2010-Shows-Red-Rocks.Horning's
    I will be the MC for the Eco Fashion Show

    Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 8 PM
    Oregrown Music Presents
    Troubadour Music Center
    521 SW 2nd Street
    Corvallis, OR 97333
    phone: (541) 752-7720
    PRICE: $10.00
    website: http://www.troubadourmusiccenter.com

    Thursday, August 5th, 2010 8 PM
    Out of the Way Cafe
    231 Blodgett Rd
    Williams, OR 97544
    phone: (541) 846-6666

    Friday, August 6th, 2010 8 PM
    Tease
    303 E Main St
    Ashland, OR 97520
    phone: 541 488 1455
    website: http://www.teaseashland.com/contact/contact.php

    Saturday, August 7th, 2010 8:00 PM
    at the home of Jake and Cassie
    House Concert
    RSVP: jacoblashbrook@gmail.com
    Chico, CA
    phone: 530.520.7024
    RSVP: jacoblashbrook@gmail.com
    530.520.7024

    Sunday, August 8th, 2010 8 PM
    with Paul Benoit
    Aubergine After Dark
    755 Petaluma Avenue,
    Sebastopol, CA 95472
    phone: 707-861-9190
    website: http://www.aubergineafterdark.com

    Friday, August 13th, 2010 8 PM
    Live Oak Alive Summer Concert Series
    Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange Hall #503
    1900 17th Avenue
    Santa Cruz, CA 95062
    phone: 831-325-3376
    website: http://www.greengrange.org

    Saturday, August 14th, 2010 7:30
    A House Concert
    Home of Chuck and Joanne Narad
    RSVP  joanne@thenarads.org
    Los Altos, CA
    phone: 650 208-7788 (Joanne's cell)
    Or RSVP  650 208-7788 (Joanne's cell)

    Sunday, August 15, 2010 8:pm Tentative
    Oakland, CA
    Mama Buzz Cafe