Cliff Notes May 2011

Hi everybody,

     Looks like April showers have brought May showers here in Ulster County. What's next, June showers? This month's Cliff Notes contain concert news as well as reviews and other information.

     We are having a benefit concert for MaMA this Sunday, May 22 presenting local favorites The Trapps and Blue Doll featuring Sarah Perrotta. We are very excited about this local lineup. It presents roots, rock, blues and jazz. Something for everybody, all under one tent. If you haven't seen this month's Roll magazine, it features a wonderful cover featuring the talented and beautiful Sarah Perrotta. Shit, I still remember Sarah as a middle school kid.

     And The Trapps, well this is what others have to say:

"Elegant yet raw, darkly emotional but also shot through with light, The Trapps new disc is full of surprising contrasts and casual beauty -- rangy, experimental roots-rock played with confidence and hope. ??                    -Jason Fine, Executive Editor, Rolling Stone Magazine

"Cheap Seats captures a band as it comes into its own. The Trapps have outdone themselves on this beautiful record."          Rhett Miller, Lead Singer & Songwriter Old 97's


     We are increasing our offerings at MaMA and we would love for people to come out, support what we are doing and have a "rocking good time" as they say. There will be lots of prizes, raffles for tickets to upcoming One World series concerts, free classes at MaMA and gift certificates and of course wonderful music. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. The show starts at 6:30 pm. Email me for tickets in advance.

On June 17 we are thrilled to have Carrie Rodriguez coming back to MaMA. Carrie is a great singer and fiddler. This time she is traveling with a band. She wowed us last year and we can't wait to see her again. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.


At the end of April we had a special visit from Sharon Katz and the Peace Train. They played South African rhythms as well as sharing their message of peace, tolerance and understanding. I know everybody that attended was moved by their fabulous performance. It was a truly unique show that reached both young and old. Sharon's songs, amazing vibe and fantastic band made it a truly memorable show. Sharon and the band were so appreciative of the warm reception that they received. We of course know that every show at MaMA has been known for its great audience. Sharon told stories of the peace movement in her native South Africa and explained songs in many of the 11 official languages of her country. I couldn't believe that she played Guabi Guabi, a song that many of us know from Arlo Guthrie. Her translation was quite different than Arlo's, as you might imagine. I think Arlo had one word right. But I guess he was employing what you call artistic license.  The real song is about a woman cheating on her boyfriend even though he buys her gifts, groceries and bananas. I don't know about you, but I hate when that happens. A truly universal theme.

So just as rust never sleeps, neither does MaMA. Come out to concerts, take classes, eat unique foods at our cafe, learn about sustainable healthy communities, hang out with great folks and support community projects.

Also check out our website's Cliff's List.

People are starting to let me know what they need or what they can provide in the way of services and I am posting them there on our website cceconcerts.com.

Some of the things included there are:

Handy man and builder looking for jobs.
     Help for gardening business needed
          Event coordinator, personal assistant
               Interior designer
                    Administrative Assistant needed for CCE
               Yoga instructor available for private classes
          Cool home made women's bags, each unique
House in New Paltz for rent in August


Hope to see you at MaMA's benefit on Sunday.
We need you in order to thrive and to continue to bring great classes and programs to the area.


Cliff


The philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks about 2" in diameter.

He then asked the students if the jar was full.    They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full.     They agreed it was.

The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He then asked once more if the jar was full.   The students responded with an unanimous yes.

The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and proceeded to pour their entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the grains of sand.

The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things -- your family, your spouse, your health, your children -- things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

"The pebbles are the other things that matter, like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else, the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal.

"Take care of the rocks first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and asked, "What does the beer represent?"

The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers."


Cliff Notes March 18, 2011

Once again, it is time to kick back, suspend your disbelief, get the green dye out of your hair and beards and experience Cliff Notes. In the last couple of weeks there has been a flurry of booking activity. The “One World” music series grows each year, and we aren't done scouring the planet to bring fantastic local, national and international performers to our corner of the globe.

So begins season 5 of MaMA's “One World” music series. We have great shows coming up. The talent is there, all we need is you to support the shows and this could go on forever. Become a member for $20 and you get discounts on most shows, our undying gratitude and maybe even more.
Here is what we have so far for this year.

Saturday Apr 2                Singer/Songwriter Jim Metzner w/ Frank Luther, Steve Gorn,
                                   Rob Norris and Joel Kushnik       
Saturday Apr 30             Irka Mateo performing Dominican and world music
Saturday May 7               The insanely creative Mikhail Horowitz and Gilles Malkine
Sunday  May 22              MaMA benefit with The Trapps, Sarah Perrotta and friends
Friday June 17                By popular request singer / fiddler Carrie Rodriguez returns
Sunday Aug 28                The return of the outlaw Robbie Fulks.
Saturday Sept 10          Benefit for local food pantries with special guests
Saturday Oct 22            Pat DiNizio from the group The Smithereens
Sunday Nov 6                 The return of the wonderful Terri Hendrix
                                      with the incomparable Lloyd Maines

Here is a clip from each artist. There is more information along with added music clips of our artists at our website, cceconcerts.com. Email me to get tickets for shows.

YouTube - Jim Metzner performing - "Poppa"

YouTube - Irka Mateo - Amante Cosmico - Live at Joe's Pub NYC

YouTube - The Trapps - Hope

YouTube - Sarah Perrotta Live  - Out of Grace

YouTube - John Prine with Carrie Rodriguez - In Spite of Ourselves

YouTube - Pat DiNizio Smithereens Blood and Roses

YouTube - TERRI HENDRIX & LLOYD MAINES - "Wallet"


I am working on bringing Teddy Thompson in September. I came really close to landing Todd Snider in June, but alas, the stars didn't align themselves just so. Jimmy Dale Gilmore is playing with a bluegrass group called the Wronglers. I am still in the chase to bring him to Stone Ridge. I kind of feel like a fisherman. With my luck I will land a big one and then have to deal with the perfect storm. Lost at sea, so sad, so sad.
I also have the opportunity to get Evan Dando from the Lemonheads. Would people be interested in that show?

I am considering contacting other venues in the not too close proximity to share acts. In that way we might be able to attract artists by guaranteeing them multiple nights. A minimum of 75 miles apart sounds reasonable and attractive to artists and agents. If any venues pop to mind, let me know and I will contact them.

If anybody is looking for people to work, perhaps a handyman, painter, computer guy, personal organizer, or if anybody has a skill and is looking for a job, let me know and we can try to network to connect good people.

There are lots of other cool things happening at MaMA in Stone Ridge too.
Check out MaMA's website at cometomama.org to find out about yoga, community acupuncture, pilates, zumba, dance, music, tai chi, films and lots more.

As always, I love your feedback, suggestions, flattery and help.
Just a hi is always welcomed too. It's nice to know who is out there.
I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you all soon.

Peace
Cliff



A man came home from work and found his three children outside still in
their pajamas, playing in the mud with candy wrappers strewn all around the front yard.

The door of the front door was wide open and there was no sign of the dog. Proceeding into the entry he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over and the throw rug was wadded against one wall.

In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel and the
family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing.

In the kitchen dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the
counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the
floor and a broken glass lay under the table.

He quickly headed up the stairs stepping over toys and more piles of
clothes. He was worried his wife might be ill or that something serious had happened.
As he peered inside the bathroom he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Toilet paper lay in a heap, and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls.

As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the
bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled and asked how his day went.

He looked at her bewildered and asked, 'What happened here today?'
She again smiled and answered, 'You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world I do all day?'

'Yes,' was his incredulous reply.

She answered, 'Well, today I didn't do it.'

December 2010

Hi Everybody,

It's been quite a while since I've sent out Cliff Notes. For those who have never read them, they are a fascinating account of what is going on with respect to the One World music series and at Marbletown Multi Arts both in reality and in my mind. Frequently I can't tell the difference. You be the judge.

So another season of memorable musical events at Marbletown Multi Arts is drawing to a close. This year we featured Robbie Fulks, Danny Schmidt, new sidewalks, Haale, Cliff Eberhardt, a traffic light in town that doesn't work, Mary Gauthier, Professor Louie and the Crowmatics, a very expanded program schedule of healthy activities at the center, Eliza Gilkyson, MaMA's Café and Tish Hinojosa. Six shows a year is what we have been aiming for. Occasionally I do get a little carried away. It is hard not to.

Remember, we can only do this with your support, so grab your friends and family and come on out to some shows. This is a labor of love and we need your love to keep it going.  We have tried hard to keep prices at an affordable range and have brought great talent to our intimate venue. Our performers have all remarked what great sound we have and what a great audience you all are.

Our concert email list has grown considerably this year. If people came to at least one show per year we would be able to entice even bigger names to stop in at MaMA and maybe even have more shows. Come out to two or more shows and we will be in like Rik Flynn! (and that is seriously in). Better yet become a member of the One World concert series. $20 gets you discounts on every show and helps us keep on bringing great talent to MaMA. If you want to become a member let me know and I will tell you how to do it. It really helps to have members!

Some people asked to be taken off the email list during our run for the Pepsi grant. Shit, even I wanted to be off the list then. I am just now recuperating from the experience. I suppose it was worth the effort but boy am I glad that that is behind us. If I have not removed you from the concert email list and you would like to be removed, just send me a friendly note saying please remove me. I try very hard not to send out a lot of messages and I share this list with nobody.

On the other hand, if you know anybody that you think would be interested in being a part of what we are doing, please let them know about the series and have them contact me. The One World series is not and never has been a money making project. It is a community project whose goal is to bring memorable, affordable shows to the area in a friendly, informal atmosphere. Our website cceconcerts.com has a lot of information along with pictures, video clips of most of our performers, announcements and other weird and unusual stuff. Thanks for helping us to spread the word. Stuart, I can't believe how many people you turned on to the series. ¡Mil gracias!

So who are we looking at for next year? Still negotiating to get Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Todd Snider, Pieta Brown, James McMurtry, Teddy Thompson, Richard Shindell, Tift Merritt, Terri Hendrix, Justin Townes Earl, the Wood Brothers, the Kennedys, the Iguanas, a few “a cappella” groups and lots more. Anything is possible if we can fill the place.  Sarah Lee Guthrie will be back in the upcoming year. So dream a little and become a member and help out.

A quick review on our last couple of shows. Mary Gauthier put on a mesmerizing show with her partner Tania Elizabeth. It was a gripping look into her life, trials and her successes. The show was straight from the heart and literally pierced my soul. Tania's violin and harmonies were wonderful. I came away so amazed at Mary's honesty, insight and courage. In my opinion this was much more than a concert.

Eliza Gilkyson performed another top-notch show. I felt that it was much more soulful than her other performances. It seemed slower and more thoughtful and more evocative. Eliza is starting to feel at home in Stone Ridge and really opened up and shared scenes from her life. She told great stories of her hippy days in New Mexico and Austin and of her years in LA. Nina Gerber, Eliza's accompanist blew everybody away with her amazing guitar work. Doris and I were thrilled that Eliza and Nina came over for dinner before the show and we got to spend laid back time with them. Lots of laughs and great stories. They are consummate professionals and stayed around to chat with everyone and anyone that came up after the show. After the show I felt like I had boxed 15 rounds with a Fender amplifier, but in the end came out on top thanks to Jerome. It was touch and go for a while. With a little help from our friends the series goes on and the music has been well worth it.

On a whim, I contacted Tish Hinojosa because I noticed that she would be passing through our area. She and her accompanist Marvin Dykhuis agreed to stop by for a Wednesday show. We had over 60 people come out, with virtually no advertising. That's what I'm talking about! MaMA's café was open for its first concert and lots of folks had dinner before the show. Felisa made some special Tex Mex dishes for the evening. Tish and Marvin put on a great show. Lots of Spanish songs and a good number of students too! Wonderful lyrics, monster guitar work by Marvin and Tish's beautiful voice made the show a huge success. It felt like family (I mean that in a good way). Just a fabulous night of music and good vibes. Tish and Marvin stayed over at our house and slept late the next morning. They had been exhausted and woke up rested and content. I made them french toast before they took off for their next gig, on Martha's Vineyard and I set off to get a wisdom tooth extracted. They remarked what a great time they had here and that they look forward to returning. As for me, I miss my tooth. We had become very attached over the years.

So there you have it in not such a nutshell.

MaMA has expanded in so many directions. Check out all the great classes and offerings. We have classes in Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Karate, Dance, Zumba and Chi Gung as well as community acupuncture and sustainable communities speakers and movies and more. And of course there is MaMA's Café.

Don't hesitate to contact me with thoughts, suggestions, helllllllppp or whatever. Thanks to everybody that has offered their ideas and assistance. It takes a community to run a concert series. Also, I always appreciate reviews of our shows and messages in general, so take a few minutes if you feel like and let us know what you thought or are thinking.

Special thanks to Ev, Allie, Jim, Ilene, Tamara, Tom and of course to Doris for all they do behind the scenes. Thanks for all the kind words to all of you have had kind words. It truly means a lot to me. Thanks for supporting the series. Remember that I am happy to let people know if you have a house for rent or need one or if you want to
get something done through networking. Maybe a job you need done or a job you are looking for or can do. You just never know.

Hope to see you all soon.
Check out our website and be sure to stop in at the Center to check out all the great classes, programs and great food at MaMA's Café.

Remember to let me know if you would like to be removed from the concert email list. I do not want to be sending messages to people that don't want to be receiving them.

Peace, Love, and Happy Holidays

Cliff







A lady goes to her priest one day and tells him, 'Father, I have a
problem. I have two female parrots, but they only know to say one thing.' 'What do they say?' the priest asked.

They say, 'Hi, we're hookers! Do you want to have some fun?'
'That's obscene!' the priest exclaimed.
Then he thought for a moment.....

'You know,' he said, 'I may have a solution to your problem. I have two male talking parrots, which I have taught to pray and read the Bible...

Bring your two parrots over to my house, and we'll put them in the cage with Francis and Peter.

My parrots can teach your parrots to pray and worship, and your parrots are sure to stop saying... That phrase... In no time.'

'Thank you,' the woman responded, 'this may very well be the solution.'

The next day, She brought her female parrots to the priest's house....

As he ushered her in, She saw that his two male parrots were inside
their cage holding rosary beads and praying...

Impressed, She walked over and placed her parrots in with them...

After a few minutes, the female parrots cried out in unison:
Hi, we're hookers! Do you want to have some fun?'

There was stunned silence...

Shocked, One male parrot looked over at the other male parrot and says, 'Put the beads away, Frank, Our prayers have been answered

Cliff Notes April 2010

Year four of the Center for Creative Education’s “One World” series started off with a bang. Thanks to the recommendation from my buddy Mark Rosen, we began the season with Robbie Fulks. Lots of new people, people in the know, showed up for the show. Who knew? Obviously, they did. It was great to see new faces and it’s always a pleasure to see old friends. The center was filled. Robbie is quite a unique talent and he brought with him, Jenny Scheinman, an excellent singer and fiddle player. The show was diverse, musically amazing and pretty humorous to boot. Robbie’s voice and guitar work were simply fabulous.

So let’s start with them arriving 2 ½ hours late. Slated to arrive at 5 pm, we got a call at 5:30 saying that they were just approaching the GW Bridge leaving the city. Well, so much for a leisurely sound check and dinner. People started arriving at 7:15. Robbie arrived around 7:30. Still we managed to start fairly close to schedule thanks in large part to our new soundman Tom.

So Cliff (me) takes the stage to buy a little time while the performers eat their falafels, and way before I am ready to get off the stage these two jokers decide they are ready to play. I mean, I only got to tell one joke and was only halfway through my musings. I was working the crowd pretty well and had some really clever material up my sleeve when I was so rudely interrupted by the concert. Whatever.

Their two sets included many interesting songs, some haunting, some country, some funny. The two of them were very different but it worked well. One particularly jazzy instrumental just floored me. Robbie’s guitar and Jenny’s fiddle were just perfect. Totally unlike any other song they did it showed how deep there talent goes. Imogene, another amazing song, just killed. It was soft, slow and beautiful and had the crowd on the edge of their seats, soaking in every note.

Here is one review from the show.
 “Robbie has it all, and he brought it all with him: a gorgeous voice, tremendous guitar virtuosity, a twisted sense of humor, and, oh, those songs. Maybe someday I'll be able to say I saw Robbie Fulks when . . . He's also very tall.”                          Mark

So you get the picture. It was a good show. Speaking of pictures, and of Robbie’s abundance of height, I look like a gnome in the shot I had taken of Robbie and me.

So what’s coming up, you ask. Lots, is the answer.
Cliff Eberhardt will be at the center on Saturday, April 17.
Cliff Eberhardt can tell a story.  His lyrics tell the stories many of us are living.  Together with an acoustic guitar he packs quite a punch. Cliff has been a regular in the NYC club scene since the late 70s.
“Up and down the line, as a writer, guitarist, performer, and vocalist, Eberhardt is the equal of any singer-songwriter in contemporary pop. With unequaled directness and with a stark, raw presentation, he carves out miniature masterpieces, giving voice to life’s complexities and ambiguities.”
—Berkshire Eagle
Here are some clips of Cliff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRdatzStppY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6RTK5mElbY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZg_HrbTZRs

More good news. Not only did I finally book an artist with my name but we booked Haale for a show on September 25, when guess who won’t be doing guess what any more. My first show as a man of leisure. Yikes.

Haale is a Bronx-born woman of
Iranian descent whose name means the 'halo around the moon.' Her songs
are trance-inducing, rhythmically propulsive, and lyrically engaging
tapestries that draw on both Persian mystical and American
psychedelic musical traditions.

Here is a clip of Haale

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP5Bt0lB9m8&feature=related

Our friend Rob Norris assures me that this should be memorable. And Rob is another one of those people in the know. Now you know too.

Check out our website cceconcerts.com to see all the cool stuff coming to Marbletown Multi Arts.

So that’s all she wrote for another edition of Cliff Notes

Hope to see you at a show soon. Let me know if you would like tickets for any show or just drop a line to say hi.

Cliff

If you would like to be removed from the email list let me know and it shall come to pass.




Sophie and Beckie, two "senior" widows, are talking.

Sophie:  "That nice Hymie Cohen asked me out for a date.  I know you went out with him last week, and I wanted to talk with you about him before I give him my answer."

Beckie: "Well, I'll tell you.  He shows up at my apartment punctually
at 7 P.M., dressed like such a gentleman in a fine suit, and he
brings me such beautiful flowers!  Then he takes me downstairs, and what's there but a luxury car... A limousine, uniformed chauffeur and all.

Then he takes me out for dinner... A marvelous dinner... a
wonderful seafood place, champagne, dessert, and after-dinner
drinks.  Then we go see a show.

Let me tell you, Sophie, I enjoyed it so much I could have just died
from pleasure!  So then we are coming back to my apartment in the limousine and he turns into an ANIMAL.

Completely crazy, he tears off my expensive new dress and has his way with me two times!"

Sophie: "Goodness gracious!... So you are telling me I shouldn't go
out with him?"

Beckie:  "No, no, no... I'm just saying, wear a schmata."

Hi Everybody,

Booking shows is a funny thing. I go for long periods of time reaching out to agents and getting no bites, even worse. On the brink of despair I stare into my soul and contemplate major questions. (Fill in your own major questions here.) Next thing I know things turn around and I have agents contacting me. Pretty melodramatic, huh? Hey what do you expect, I teach High School. (Not for long!)
I just got calls from Johnathan Edwards’, Carrie Rodriguez’ and Michelle Shocked's agents.

We have compiled a really diverse and talented lineup for this year. All I need now is for you all to support what we are doing in Stone Ridge by coming out to shows and by spreading the word to friends, family and any other cool folk you can think of. Some of the performers you will have heard of, others not, but believe me, they are all excellent. We only do one show per month, so each one will be memorable. Oh, and don't forget the great company, complimentary snacks and the joke at each show. Those alone are worth the price of admission.

So our first show of the 2010 season is Robbie Fulks. Robbie is clever, talented, funny and a unique talent. As the New York Times put it.

"Mr. Fulks is more than a songwriter. He's a gifted guitarist, a soulful singer with an expressive honky-tonk tenor, and  a natural performer… But what really sets him apart is his songwriting, which is one part artful country, one part artful send-up of country and one part a little of everything else...sort of like country meets David Lynch."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2YpGKJpU8M&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laFfx6hPes0&feature=fvw 

This show will be on Saturday, March 20 at 8 PM. We are being audited for a grant that night, so if we can show community support it should improve our chances, thus making it a bit easier to entice more well know performers. Tickets are $20 and what's better, it's in Stone Ridge (soon to have its very own sidewalks).

Following Robbie will be Cliff Eberhardt.

Cliff can tell a story.  His lyrics tell the stories many of us are living.  Together with an acoustic guitar Mr. Eberhardt packs quite a punch.  According to one review, Mr. Eberhardt is the “the missing link between Paul McCartney and Cole Porter”.  This show is a must see for anyone who loves a good story & a good tune.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZg_HrbTZRs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRdatzStppY&feature=related

As you can see, these are very talented artists and I consider ourselves are lucky to have them coming to Stone Ridge. Keep the music coming by coming out and by becoming a member. This year promises to be the best yet. Let's start it off with a bang at the Robbie Fulks show!

Contact me for tickets and information at 845-687-4143 or by email and check out our website cceconcerts.com, which has music dates, pictures, music clips and much much more.

Oh and Mazel Tov Robby Ascher!

Cliff



A Jewish congregation in suburban Boston honors its Rabbi for 25 years of service by sending him to Hawaii for a week, all expenses paid.
When he walks into his hotel room, he finds a beautiful nude woman lying on the bed. She greets the Rabbi with, "Hi, Rabbi, I'm a little
something extra that the President of the Temple arranged for you."

The Rabbi is incensed. He picks up the phone, calls the President of the Temple and shouts, "Greenblatt, what were you thinking? Where
is your respect? I am the moral leader of our religious community! I am very angry with you and you have not heard the end of this."

Hearing this, the naked woman gets up and starts to get dressed.

The Rabbi turns to her and asks, "Where are you going? I'm not angry with you."

January 26, 2010

Howdeee!

It's been a while since I've sent out a message. Lots going on here. I have been contacting agents, working on grants and searching for talent among other things. Oh yeah, also put in my retirement letter. After 33 years, I am hanging up the chalk at the end of June. ¡Caramba! What to do for an encore!

I have great news on the music scene too. I found a great performer that will be coming to MaMA in Stone Ridge on March 20. His name is Robbie Fulks. CCE will be visited by a NYSCA auditor for the show and if all goes well they could give us a grant to bring more music and to keep prices low. They came for the Carrie Rodriguez show and loved it. It would be great to fill the place with smiling, friendly, intelligent faces so please come (but leave dumb looking, grumpy friends at home, or send them to the movies or something. Massachusetts sounds good about now.) I know that seems harsh but business is business. I'll let my friend Mark tell you a bit about Robbie Fulks.

“It would be too easy to describe Robbie Fulks as the country singer who wrote "Fuck This Town" as his paean to Nashville. But that would unfairly pigeonhole one of today's smartest, most creative singer- songwriters. Since 1996, Fulks has released seven studio albums, one live album and, his latest, a 50 song download collection.” Fulks brings a sense of music history and a rock'n'roll heart to everything  he does.  A clever lyricist, a stellar guitarist, and a wonderful storyteller, Fulks brings it all with him to the place he is most comfortable--the stage.”
Here are some of the things that have been written about Robbie Fulks:
"If country music has an Elvis Costello, it's Robbie Fulks, who marries Ivy League cleverness to an appreciation of hillbilly music that actual hillbillies could only envy" - Entertainment Weekly

"Chicago's most fertile musical mind...so good, he's scary" - Chicago Tribune

"Mr. Fulks is more than a songwriter. He's a gifted guitarist, a soulful singer with an expressive honky-tonk tenor, and  a natural performer. It rings true when he says he's only truly comfortable when he's onstage or when he's totally alone. But what really sets him apart is his songwriting, which is one part artful country, one part artful send-up of country and one part a little of everything else...sort of like country meets David Lynch." New York Times

"Fulks is a true find amid the legions of too-serious/too-hip for their own good alt-country artists...he performs in a warm, wry and witty style, with startlingly fast and fluid guitar solos that recall prime Chet Atkins." - Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Here are some clips to check out for Robby

Cigarette State (from "Corporate County Sucks"):    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laFfx6hPes0&feature=fvw

Let's Kill Saturday Night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2YpGKJpU8M&feature=related

The Buck Starts Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMFZVlQQ88Y&feature=related

I'm so Countrified
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dgvloq4mGIs&feature=related


Okay, it's me again. So you can see that this guy is pretty damn good. He is one of the only artists that I know that makes his own gig arrangements. How refreshing. This should be another awesome show. Come out and support a great organization.

The show is at 8 pm on Saturday March 20 at MaMA, 3588 Route 209 in Stone Ridge. Tickets are $20. Email me at cliffnotes9@aol.com or call 845-687-4143 for tickets, information or just to say hi.

Upcoming Events
I have Cliff Eberhardt slated for April 17 and an excellent singer songwriter from Austin in the Townes Van Zandt tradition, Danny Schmidt coming on Friday, May 21. Mik and Gilles will be doing their thing on May 15 and Rafael Garritano will be doing a Songwriters in the Round show on June 5. Check out our website for details at cceconcerts.com

Since many of you, have attended performances at Marbletown Multi-Arts over the past years, let me know if you would like to be added to the MaMA newsletter. We promise not to flood your inbox with irrelevant junk, just details about events for “nourishing body and soul in the heart of Stone Ridge”.
To get MaMA's updates follow this simple procedure: go to our website www.ComeToMama.org and sign up!  It's that easy.

Finally, it is my final year as advisor of the High School Ski Club. If anybody wants to ski on a Saturday, let me know. I can get you and friends and family a great deal.

Well, I hope you made it this far. If you did, I wish you peace, love and happiness. Even if you didn't make to the end, what the heck, peace,love and happiness to you too!

Happy trails,
Cliff



A woman meets a man in at a carnival.
They talk; they connect and spend the evening on rides laughing. They end up leaving the carnival together.

They get back to his place, and as he shows her around his
apartment she notices that one wall of his bedroom is completely filled with soft, sweet, cuddly teddy bears.

There are three shelves in the bedroom, with hundreds and hundreds of cute, cuddly teddy bears carefully placed in rows, covering the entire wall!

It was obvious that he had taken quite some time to lovingly arrange them and she was immediately touched by the amount of thought he had put into organizing the display.

There were small bears all along the bottom shelf, medium-sized bears covering the length of the middle shelf, and huge, enormous bears running all the way across the top shelf.

She found it strange for an obviously masculine guy to have such a large collection of Teddy Bears,

She is quite impressed by his sensitive side but doesn't mention this to him. They share a bottle of wine and continue talking and, after awhile, she finds herself thinking, 'Oh my God! Maybe, this guy could be the one! Maybe he could be the future father of my children?' She turns to him and kisses him lightly on the lips

He responds warmly. They continue to kiss, the passion builds, and he romantically lifts her in his arms and carries her into his bedroom where they rip off each other's clothes and make hot, steamy love. She is so overwhelmed that she responds with more passion, more creativity, more heat than she has ever known.
After an intense, explosive night of raw passion with this sensitive guy, they are lying there together in the afterglow.

The woman rolls over, gently strokes his chest and asks coyly,
'Well, how was it?'
The guy gently smiles at her, strokes her cheek, looks deeply into her eyes, and says:


“Help yourself to any prize from the middle shelf”

October 10, 2009

Happy Fall,

We are into our third year with CCE's One World Concert series.    
Twenty concerts so far. Each one has been pretty unique. I have included our list of concerts toward the bottom of this note.

To be perfectly honest our music series is not for everybody. I would only recommend it to people that love great music, don't like to drive long distances, prefer an intimate venue that provides snacks and inexpensive beverages, like being a part of an organization that is doing great work with youth in our community and enjoy being around  neighbors and really friendly, interesting people. Most others would not like what the Center for Creative Education is doing in Stone Ridge.

I am talking to lots of agents. Some of the people I am trying to bring to Stone Ridge are Todd Snider, Justin Townes Earl, Rhett Miller, Angus Martin, Keb Mo, Susan Werner, Robbie Fulks, Pieta Brown, Cliff Eberhardt, Josh Ritter, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, James McMurtry, David Lindley and The Iguanas among others. Quite a list, huh? Well it certainly isn't boring.
Lots of ups and downs in the process.  Believe it or not it's not so easy to get great names to come to Stone Ridge. It must be pretty intimidating with all the skyscrapers and gang activity in this area. Perhaps it's all the apples and corn, the abundance of squirrels, chipmunks and wild turkeys in the area or even all that clean air that we have to live with. This can be a pretty scary place.
Thanks to all those that have become members. Your $20 membership helps us to attract artists and to convince them to get over their phobias. We are actually doing a very therapeutic thing here and I am proud to be a part of it. But then again, if all the artists overcome their phobias, what will they have to sing about. We might actually be hurting the whole blues genre here in Stone Ridge. Ay gevalt! Where do we go from here? Glad I asked that question.
Here is what we can do.

MaMA's 11th Birthday Party
Saturday, October 17 at 8 PM
Dance party featuring live music by OmU
Suggested donation: $10

This is a benefit fundraiser for the arts center.
We could really use your support. Having MaMA here in Stone Ridge is such a benefit for the community. It offers so many programs, among them Yoga, Tai Chi, Dance, Art, Music, Plays and much more. Coming soon will be an outdoor amphitheatre and a cafe.

Also we have Mikhail Horowitz and Gilles Malkine coming on Saturday, October 31. If you don't know Mik and Gille, it would be hard to describe them. Terms like kooky, clever, crazy and extremely entertaining come to mind. Add to all that that it is Halloween and hold onto your hats. It is bound to be a great evening. Contact me for tickets.

CCE in Kingston is having an open house. I will send the flyer out in another email.
It is on Wednesday, October 20 from 5 pm to 8 pm at our Center in Kingston.
It is located at 20 Thomas Street, just off Broadway.
There will be performances and tours throughout the afternoon.

Also CCE in Kingston will be doing a silent auction fund raiser for their great programs with Kingston kids. If anybody would like to donate something that could be auctioned, whether it be art, massage, gift certificate, a service, whatever, it would be going to a wonderful cause and organization. Let me know if you would be willing to donate.

Other stuff:
*Did I lend my Todd Snider Live CD to anybody? I miss it.

*Levon Helm will be doing a free concert tomorrow at Gill's Farm on Rte 209 in Hurley.
Show is from 2 to 4. I went last year and it was a lot of fun.

*I hear the brand new walkway over the Hudson is sensational. Can't wait to check it out.

Below I have included a list of all our concerts since the series began in August of 2007

2007
August                      Eliza Gilkyson
September               John Hammond Jr
September               17 Hippies
November                Yozvany Terry
November                Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion
November                Marshall Crenshaw

2008
March                      Terri Hendrix
April                        Guy Davis             
May                         Chris Smither
May                         Eliza Gilkyson
Aug                          Richard Julian
September             Mark Erelli
October                  Mikhail Horowitz and Gilles Malkine
November             Rory Block

2009
March                   Mike and Ruthy
April                     Carrie Rodriguez
May                      Natalia Zukerman
June                     Kelly Joe Phelps              
July                      Stonehoney
September          Red Molly

This has turned into another rambling affair.
I love getting feedback so drop me a line and spread the word to friends and lovers.

I will be sending out a flyer for MaMA's 11th Anniversary Celebration and for CCE's open house in Kingston

Hope to see you soon and thanks for your continuing support.
cliff
cceconcerts.com





Two ministers were discussing immorality. One of them said, “I have never even tasted liquor. How about you?”  The other minister replied  “Only during a religious ceremony when it was called for, and always just a sip or two.“  The first minister continued, "I never smoked anything in my life. How about you?”  Only once, when I was out west participating in an ancient Indian ceremony. We all smoked from a peace pipe" replied the second minister.
"I didn't sleep with my wife before we were married. How about you?"  The first minister continued.
The second minister replied, "I don't know.  What was her maiden name?"

A meek guy is sitting at a bar just staring at his drink for half an hour when this big, trouble-making biker steps next to him, grabs his drink, gulps it down in one swig and then turns to the guy with a menacing stare as if to say, 'What'cha gonna do about it?"

The poor little guy starts crying.

"Come on man, I was just giving you a hard time," the biker says.  "I didn't think you'd cry.  Suck it up and act like a man. I can't stand to see a man crying."

"This is the worst day of my life," says the little guy between sobs. "I
can't do anything right. I overslept and was late to an important meeting, so my boss fired me.  When I went to the parking lot, I found my car was stolen and I don't have any insurance.  I left my wallet in the cab I took home."

He continues, crying even harder.  "Then I found my wife in bed with the gardener and my dog bit me.  So, I came to this bar trying to work up the courage to put an end to my life, and... (sobbing) and then YOU show up and drink my damn poison."