At the Library

Right now, I'm sitting at internet computer number five at the Asheville, NC public library. I was, just a moment ago, reprimaded for having my nalgene in here, but that is beside the point.

It's our third day here (unless you count sunday night, which was mostly a haze of post-travel delirium), and it's been our most fun/relaxing day so far.

Monday we wandered around downtown to get ourselves aquianted and also went to Ingles (the supermarket) and the farmer's market. Unfortunately, the latter was rather official and didn't seem like it would be a good fit for a few troubadors from the great white north. So we haven't visited again. I was good as far as buying produce goes, however. That night was our performance at the Root Bar #1, which looks a bit like a shanty driving up, but is actually very cozy and neat inside. Our show was very good, lots of people made the point of listening, and amanda (platt) showed up to see us! In theory we are playing somewhere with her on friday. Perhaps the Dripolator coffeehouse, perhaps not.

Tuesday, yesterday, we tried to play on the street, but only made 26 cents. All the good spots had been taken by the time we arrived. Apparently busking is a big deal down here, so you have to get out there early to get the best places. Today's street musicianing went much better, probably because we got to our pre-planned and confirmed location at about 9:45am. Playing on the street is never a big money-maker, but by comparison to our attempt in Albany, Asheville is a goldmine. We haven't had half-bad luck in Canandaigua or Ithaca as far as that is concerned either. But back to the present...we played in front of Malaprop's Bookstore and Cafe, and sat on some sort of sculpture. It was shady, which was very nice, compared to the the two spots we occupied yesterday (by a climbing wall and on a random bench).

The plan is to go to an open mike in Weaverville tonight, take tommorow off to do some fun things with Angela (our host and my super-amazing friend) and go to another open mike tomorrow night. Then there is the possible show with Amanda Platt on friday. We shall see about that. I'm sure i'll be back to tell you more about the gritty (ha) details of the trip as well as our New Paltz adventure.

Until then, keep your hopes up for a better and more equitable future (?)

C