Labor Day 2018

Last night's fun. We were small but mighty; a day enhanced by visitors and mystery guests galore - folks from Cape Breton, India, England, Ireland, Belgium, and who knows where else. And honestly, I can't remember when I've seen more people passing by the porch. That's what it's all about here on my piazza - a potpourri of friends, strangers, family, and neighbors. All are welcome here. #piazzaspiazza #belikeapiazza #ilovemylife #mvirishtrad #vineyardtrad



Mike stopped by a couple of years ago, was back on the Island and remembered our session, showed up this year armed with a couple of songs and a couple of salads, plus friends and family. Brilliant! Thanks for coming!


Warming up.



Liam

Liam

Liam

Irene

Billy

Irene, Billy, and Mike

Liam and Mike

Francesca, whom I know as the lady from Chappy who raises fancy Indian horses, randomly stepped up to the porch and gave us a lovely rendition of  Pleasant and Delightful (or The Larks they Sang Melodious)

The gentleman on the right, whose name I forget, offered an a cappella Eagles set. 





Testing the Go Pro's low-light capabilities. Not impressed, but a lovely tune.

Main Street Ceili, October 2012

While getting ready to welcome Rose and Gene Clancy back to Edgartown for my big Labor Day 2016 Irish session, I was reminiscing over the weekend a few years back when the Clancys, along with Stu Peak, were last on the Island together during a really lively night on Main Street during which no fewer than three separate groups from a nearby Irish wedding (coincidentally) walked in off the street to join us for the music and the craic - and it was mighty, to say the least, with songs, stories, jokes, and dancing galore.



Rose, Stu, and Gene - playing at a wedding at Edgartown Lighthouse earlier in the day; a wedding that I photographed, and the impetus to pre-plan a session for that evening.





Stu, Jon, and Rose. We even got some of the Boston and Rhode Island contingent over here for the event. I can see from the near-empty bookshelves and bare walls that I had not even fully moved in at this point.


Gene and random walk-ins. What can I say - they see the flag, they hear the music, and the ones who know what's going on walk right in. And that's just the way I like it.


Rose and Levi.










Cecelia and Gene.





Bob, Susie, Ken, and Stu.


Paul - a most unforgettable and very funny character from Co. Down, whose oft-repeated line of the night was "Up, Down!"

Music on Main Street

It couldn't have been a more perfect weekend - perfect weather, a perfect blend of friends and music, and a perfect variety of guest stars who happened by - including (but not limited to) the group of dancers who walked in off the street last night; my cousin Edson Rodgerswho blew us out of the water with a guest appearance with his horn; the lass - Katrina - who stepped up and sang us a song; and last but not least, the young man from Brazil who was apparently moved to tears by the music he heard coming from the porch and stopped and sat with us a while. It was great to have Mary Wolverton on board, too, with her friend Tim from Iowa. With a special thank you to my guests Rosanne, Wynter, and Dan - who made the trek down from Boston and environs - no easy feat on an August Saturday, particularly when the president of the USA is pulling into town on the same day. The plu-perfect weekend was topped off by a showing of the super Sturgeon Moon on Sunday night.