Gad-zouks!

It was wonderful having Nikos Appolonio visiting from Rockport, Maine for a few days. Nik is an amazing luthier, musician, and all-around great guy, and had made a special trip down to the island to deliver my bouzouki. While he was here there was the usual amount of eating, drinking, swimming, and biking; and tunes galore, of course, including a special Thursday night session, as well as our regular Saturday night session. Thursday night's was the treat, with a couple of mystery guests on hand, including a bowed psaltery player, along with a steady stream of random folks dropping in, including Professor Skip Gates who popped in for a few minutes between the Batman movie and dinner at nearby Atria - an honor, indeed. I've said this many times before, but I love living on the Vineyard in the summer - eventually everyone shows up here - and I love living on Main Street.




When my 200 year-old sea captain's home was moved to its present location, in 1848, a feast was prepared, a party was called, along with a fiddler. I'm glad to be carrying on the tradition.



My new bouzouki. Gui-zouki? Bou-tar? Nik calls it Gad-zouks! And gad-zouks, yes, it is an amazing instrument. Sweet and smooth as honey, and nestles into my lap like a baby.

Nik and I made a lot of friends while sitting and playing together on the porch. One of the joys of my Main Street house is that it is in the center of lots of activity, yet far enough from the street to provide a boundary, but also close enough that there can be a wonderful interface between the musicians and the passersby.





On Thursday night we realized that among us, there were seven Nikos Appolonio instruments on the premises: two 12-strings; a six string; a 5-string fiddle; a bouzouki, a cittern, and a gui-zouki.

Two Fun Sessions Coming Up

Calling all traddie friends:

If you've been wanting to get down to a Vineyard session, this week would be a great time as we've got Nick Appolonio on tap as our special guest. Nick hails from Rockport, Maine, is a luthier as well as a fine musician. One of Nick's claims to fame is that he built the cittern with which Paul Noel Stookey composed his Wedding Song. Nick will be bringing with him the gui-zouki that he recently completed for me, so this will be very exciting, all around.

I'm posting two sessions, one Thursday night and one Saturday night; 117 Upper Main Street, Edgartown, both beginning at 8pm.

As always, got extra beds, right in the center of town, no need for a car. Just hop onto Bus #1 or #13 to Edgartown. And don't forget your bathing suit as there are a few good swimming beaches within walking and/or biking distance from the house.

Hey, guys - it's summer! It's the Vineyard! Come on down!

Music and Fun

Last night on Piazza's Piazza was exquisite - a minimum of humidity, with a maximum of music and fun. I edit these photos on a clear and dry Sunday morning with Rosanne's lovely whistle music wafting up the stairs. I keep asking: "Does it get any better?" And it just does.