Wyoming Township Pig Roast Afterparty

Greetings Neighbors,

Twin Crix is hosting the Wyoming Township Pig Roast this year. In years past, we've roasted the pig here at the farm, but transported it in a pickup truck to Tower Hill State Park for the party. There's some drama in walking in a fully roasted pig, to be sure, but I've always felt that a crucial anticipatory element of a pig roast is to arrive before the pig and see it twirling away, done and getting doner, watering mouths before finally being served. I'm glad everyone will have that chance this year!

The party starts at 4 and is open to Wyoming Township residents and close affiliates (ask if you qualify). There will be a pig roasting on a spit all day (and much of the night) before that, so if you want to pop in and take a look you are more than welcome to.

But I'm not here to talk about the Pig Roast. I'm here to talk about the Afterparty.

We recently received a grant from River Valley Arts to do, paraphrasing myself, "some music thing". Specifically, a series of participatory music making experiences, followed by the recording of a live community album. This Saturday, at 7pm, will be a "lesson", a participation opportunity, in group music making.

As many of you know, I shamelessly preach the gospel of musical participation, cajoling people to try the simplest things that can be played on an instrument, exhorting people to use their voice to "ooh" a note or two with tons of reverb - for that is enough.

When I play drums, my right hand is often simply hitting a non-stop stream of eighth notes on a cymbal, and that is enough. That sound is part of the music. What repeated single note or phrase on any instrument couldn't be a part of the music in the same way? You can do it! We can do it! I promise to listen to you, to acknowledge you, to participate in you, and in so doing make it right.

We invite everyone to approach music in the same way - it makes it better, and easier.

Repetition is the key. When you repeat a single phrase or fragment over and over, you allow your fellow participants to notice it, to co-respond to it.

In fact, those are the four easy steps to group music making:

• Listen

• Notice

• Co-Respond

• Repeat

And while we're at it, the four things to keep in mind:

• Keep it simple

• Keep it quiet

• Be ready to change at a moment's notice

• Sometimes pause entirely

I'll explain more about what that all means in the barn. You don't have to participate - you can simply observe - but you may be cajoled and exhorted by good intentions!

Long story short, you're invited. We'll have a couple of these learning opportunities in store over the next few weeks, with the live album recording on Sunday, September 28th.

If any of this sounded worthy of humoring, Anna and I welcome your presence.

Make it right,

Twin Crix