Daily Archives: 01/30/2011

(Community Matters) Guests of the hospital’s CEO, Bob Bonar, Michael Barnes and I joined his table along with Development Director Missy Wood, Judy Waxler, Brett & Debra Hurt and Paul & Lawana Rothamel.

Heaps of friends, acquaintances & notables all around us – Michael & Susan Dell at the next table, Adam Dell hosting on the other side, Jan & Britt Lindelow and Ken & Kendra Gladish hosting tables to our left. The team Bob and the Seton Healthcare Network have built in Central Texas includes some of best pediatricians and specialty centers in the country.   A great cause brought to heart by the stories and videos that evening and serious fun mingling with friends and at the casino tables after. Armando Zambrano and his team created a super event, assisted by David Kurio & Victoria Hentrich – Victoria Guiterrez presiding over a fun, succinct and successful live auction. Michael Barnes’ blog here

Michael Barnes, Eugene, Debra & Brett Hurt (photo subsequently from Dell Children’s)

Michael & I walked to Graham’s Duke Ellington show at the Continental Club – added & unexpected bonus, Ruby Jane accompanied him for a set.

(Community Matters) I’d forgotten about his genius composing classical and indie-classical music – yeah, I know, how can one forget. I’ve become so enamored of his Duke Ellington and maybe come to think of him as just my friend . . .

Saturday night at the US Art Authority, Mother Falcon opened the evening’s show. Ok, double wow. “Mother Falcon is led by Nick Gregg, who directs an ever-shifting flock of classical musicians in a soundscape of strings, brass, and drums with a modern sensibility.” The Austin Chronicle describes them here

I asked Graham to describe them: “I consider them part of this broad “movement” or scene called either alt-classical or indie-classical.  Of course there were alternative composers to the mainstream before this movement, but there was also new music before “new wave”, etc.  It’s a reference to alt-rock and suggests not only a style of music but also a business style, types of gigs/venues, etc.  It’s something that’s been happening internationally.  I would put Peter, myself and Golden Hornet Project in this rough category as well.  Outside of Austin it includes groups/composers from Rachels from Louisville, Gabriel Prokofiev/Nonclassical Records in London, Wordless Music/Poisson Rouge in NYC, Tin Hat in San Fran/Portland, etc.  The list is long and the music ranges widely.”

Back to Graham’s set – he played his new work, The Difference Engine. Accompanied by 4 violins, a drum, a bass and a cello the composition of 5 movements includes a triple concerto of the piano, violin and cello. Also includes some familiar threads. Can’t recommend it enough – purchase here

After the show a few friends including Graham, John Riede, choreographer Andrea Ariel and a few members  (new friends) of Mother Falcon returned to my house huddled around an outside fire until an hour I’m usually waking up.

(Community Matters) Extreme tragedy – one of the most beloved youth in our parish, Kennedy Obilum was laid to rest yesterday after suffering a horrible accident. He & friends while trying to help two young women who’d run out of gasoline were in an explosion. Kennedy died from burns suffered in this explosion. Reading the inscriptions from his friends and fellow students at Round Rock High School, it was obvious he was as popular at RRHS as at St. James Episcopal Church.