2005


12/15/05

Greetings Shrdluviacs,

Well, we’ve reached the holiday season, and it feels (brrr!!) and looks like the holiday season, so I can wish one and all a hearty “Happy Holidays”. And I would but the CIA and the Religious Right are probably tapping my Internet connection and will be busting me for being part of the Liberal-Left Conspiracy that is attempting to appropriate the holidays in the interest of Political Correctness and trying to steal their Christmas Trees. So, I offer a sotto voce (happy holidays).

I would like to thank all of you my friends/fans for coming out and supporting me and my various bands in the past year. Without you there is nothing. And a thank you to the various venues which have hosted me/us, and the folks who had my/our music at your/youse parties. Keep live music alive!

The first public gig we have this month is tomorrow, Friday, December 16, at 59 Bank at 59 Bank Street in New Milford, Connecticut, starting at 10 PM. The place has, as you know, a warm vibe, and excellent cuisine, reasonably priced, as well as danceability. Come take the chill off your night, relax from shopping, celebrate the full moon (which is actually tonight, but hey, who can tell?), have a nice imbibation (sic). All things in moderation, however, as you don’t want to feel crapulous on Saturday. Or is it crapulent? The phone # is 860-350-5995. and the website is www.59bank.com. This is the full four-piece Shrdlu Band. And while mentioning the band, I’d like to express my appreciation to my bandmates who are all great guys and great players…..Pete Bennett on bass guitar, vocals and in some instances guitar, Jim Lynch on guitar and vocals and Butch Raymond on drums and sotto voce vocals. And Marc Sichel on bass and vocals when we play at the Hopkins Vineyard.

And the next night, Saturday, the 17th, the Shrdlu Duo (Pete Bennett on guitar and me on chromatic harmonica) will be playing jazz standards from 8:30 PM till 11:30 PM (an early night) at the other 59 Bank located in Ridgefield, Connecticut, at 37 Ethan Allen Highway (Route 7). The phone # here is 203-544-0059 (notice how they sneaked 59 into both phone numbers, those cagey devils!) and it shares the exact same website with the New Milford Emporium. The menu is the same, plus delicious pizza to go…but you’ll want to stay. The moon’ll still be gorgeous.

So again, Happy Solstice all you Druids. And have a happy New Year’s celebration.

Peace,

Shrdlu

PS…..the days start getting longer next week!!

PPS…thanks to Wally Kolek, Bob Stone and Marc Isolda for photos, Mary Jane for maintaining the “unofficial website” www.shrdluband.com which I will make official.


11/11/05

Greetings Dluviacs,

Damn, it's gittin' cold out there! But it still is gorgeous, and the briskness, or briskosity, if you will, is very pleasant for a walk in the woods and fields. And for all you optimists out there, in only six short weeks the days begin getting longer!

A great way to shake off the chill after an afternoon stroll, tomorrow night, Saturday, November 12th, would be to come out to the GW Tavern at 20 Bee Brook Road (Route 47) in Washington Depot, Connecticut, and have yourself a nice meal and libation, enjoy the crackling (smoky) fire, and get down with some listening and dancing to the Shrdlu Trio. We'll commence at the usual time of 9:30 PM and cease at 1:30 AM, at which time you can go back outside and let the moon follow you home. Dinner reservations can be made at 860-868-6633 and their website is www.gwtavern.com if you want to check out the menu before you arrive, but the sumptuous smells may sway your appetite in a new direction anyway.

Next Friday, November 18th, the 4-piece Shrdlu Band returns to 59 Bank at 59 Bank in New Milford, Connecticut, to kick out the jams so you can cut a rug, of which there is none, from 10 PM (possibly 9:30) till 1:30 AM. It's always a fun time there, the food and drinks are excellent and there're always nice people to meet. Call 860-350-5995 for reservations and go to www.59bank.com for onlineishness.

And the following night, Saturday, the 19th, the Shrdlu Duo (Pete Bennett on guitar and me on chromatic harmonica) will be knocking out jazz standards from 8:30 PM till 11:30 PM (an early night) at 59 Bank's little sister in Ridgefield, Connecticut, 59 Bank.yep, same name. Same great menu, too, plus delicious pizza to go. Even some of the same staff. What's different is the location, which is 37 Ethan Allen Highway (Route 7 for the proletariat) in Ridgefield. Of course the phone number is different, too..203-544-0059. The website remains the same, www.59bank.com.

So come on out and catch up with Shrdlu.

See you there.

Shrdlu

And don't forget to work for peace ...it's getting nuts out there.


10/27/05
Awwright Shrdluuvers,

This makes it a definitely weekly October newsletter event. Mor stupebit! The sun has just come out after even more rain and it’s really quite beautiful out, if not a bit seasonably windy and chilly. The frost is just about on the pumpkin. It’s been late arriving. Enough non sequiturs!

Speaking of pumpkins, this Saturday is the last of my musical events for the month, which I briefly mentioned last week. From 10 AM till 3 PM on this October 29th, there is a Halloween Open House and Octoberspinfest (what, you’ve never heard of such a thing?) at Bittersweet Ridge at 62 Garnet Road in Roxbury, Connecticut, hosted by Rose and Ed Garbien. They’ll have available their soaps, skin care products, yarn, fiber and drop spindles. Other crafters will be there with silver jewelry, dried florals, hand woven, knitted and spun things. There’ll be a Spinners Tent where y’all can hang with like-minded folk while you work your wheel, spindle, needles and what-not (bring your own). Costumes are optional, treats will be all day, with no tricks, and you can meet the Shetland sheep and English Angora rabbits that live on the premises. Oh, and did I mention I’ll be fiddling (and freezing?) from 11 AM till 2 PM?

Well, I wrote the above yesterday and it was sunny. It’s not now. So sue me!

Annnd, that evening, the Shrdlu Trio will be performing at the 3rd Annual Halloween Costume Bash at the GW Tavern at 20 Bee Brook Road (Route 47) in Washington Depot, Connecticut, starting at 9:30 PM. Prizes include a gift certificate to that same establishment. Get up your best costume and get out for a fun night. It’s always humorous watching some of the creatures dance! The food, as you know is superb. Reservations are probably necessary for dinner, at 860-868-6633. Their website is www.gwtavern.com.

See you there,

Shrdlu



10/21/05
Hi Shrdluettes,

Who knew that there was gonna be a nearly full moon last Saturday? After 10 days and nights of cloud cover and rain (read doom and gloom) I was sure taken by surprise when the orb appeared, practically complete, and mirrored itself on the lake next to where my band was playing at a party. We didn’t get to see it wax at all!

And now the days and nights have been gorgeous and fall-like, with lots of yellows happening, and streams and rivers gorged. It feels like the chill in the air might turn to frost tonight.

The only public gig I have this week is Saturday, the 22nd, Pete Bennett and I will be playing jazz standards on guitar and chromatic harmonica at the Ridgefield, Connecticut branch of the restaurant 59 Bank. They have the same menu as the New Milford restaurant, and the food is equally delicious, and they have terrific take-out-only Pizza. But you’ll wanna stay and listen to the music, no? We’ll be playing in the barroom from 8:30 till 11:30, so it’s an early night for all of you who moan that we play at your bedtime. The website is www.59bank.com and the phone number is 203-544-0059. The address is 37 Ethan Allen Highway (Route 7 to you).

Next week I’ll write and tell you about the Halloween Open House and Octoberspinfest at Bittersweet Ridge, on the 29th from 10 AM till 3 PM and then the 3rd Annual Costume Party that night featuring the Shrdlu Trio, and you, of course, at the GW Tavern.

Till then, toodleoo,

shrdleoo

10/13/05
Hello Shrdlubbers,

So, Okay! My monthly newsletter seems to be morphing into a weekly affair. That might be good for letting you know a gig is this week, but it doesn’t help you in the long-range planning department. Not that you need help. It appears to be I who needs the help. But truly, I do intend to get back to being more monthly. It must be my feminine side.

As it turns out, the only public gig happening this week is the Shrdlu Band doing its (can’t figure out if an apostrophe is appropriate!) monthly thing Friday (tomorrow) October 14, at 59 Bank at 59 Bank Street in New Milford, Connecticut. Of course the food and drink are top quality, as is the ambiance and there’s never a cover. We’ll start at 10 PM and you can dance the night away! El telefono # is 860-350-5995 for reservations and the website is www.59bank.com.

More next week.

See you there.

Shrdlu

10/7/05
Hello Shrdlu People,

I again find myself coming up short vis-ŕ-vis a newsletter and thus have to hurriedly dash off a short missive just so’s you’ll know that you can get your Farmer’s Market fiddlin’ kicks for the last time for the year tomorrow morning, Saturday, October 8, between 10 AM and Noon, on the Green in New Milford, Connecticut. The market itself starts at 9AM, and does continue for more Saturdays, just sans fiddler. All the fall veggies are in in bountiful quantities and scrumptious to boot. But don’t kick them.

And, tomorrow evening, same date as above, the Shrdlu Trio will be appearing at the GW Tavern at 20 Bee Brook Road (Route 47) in Washington Depot, Connecticut, starting at 9:30 PM. As you know, the GW has fine dining, libations and atmosphere and dancing because people need to. Reservations are a good idea if you plan on eating, which is a good idea, and can be made by calling 860-868-6633. Also, check out their website at www.gwtavern.com.

Meanwhile, back to this glorious weather. Hasn’t it been beautiful? The air feels great and smells wonderful, just the way it should in Autumn. The colors are starting and it’s all so nice. Maybe I’ve been enjoying it too much and that’s why I couldn’t be more timely with a newsletter. Anyway, Next week will be either another weekly update, including 59 Bank in New Milford, or the real thing. Check and see which.

Bye,

Shrdlu



9/12/05
Now where was I? Oh, yeah! I was just finishing my blurb on the Harvest Celebration/Wine Festival at the Hopkins Vineyard, this weekend. Here’s what I wrote:

And then there’s the 17th and 18th! That Saturday and Sunday the other Shrdlu Trio, with Marc Sichel on bass and Pete Bennett on guitar instead of bass returns to the Hopkins Vineyard in New Preston, Connecticut for the Annual Harvest Celebration from Noon till 5 PM each day. This is our fourth or fifth, I can’t remember, September outing there, and as you may well know, it’s my favorite gig. Always festive, fun, friendly! Great setting, good eats, fine wine. Rain or shine it’s pleasurable. There’s wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, wine seminars, and an art show in addition to us. You can buy a bottle, sit on a blanket (bring yer own, or lawn chairs, if you like) and bask in life. Admission is $20 per person at the door, or $15 with a postcard that you can download from their website www.hopkinsvineyard.com. Children under 12 are admitted free, with non-alcoholic beverages for anyone under 21 or over who wants to go non-alcoholic. Lifetime Case Club Members get in free….two per membership. The Vineyard is located at ……….

Now I add this……..25 Hopkins Road in New Preston, Connecticut, over-looking Lake Waramaug. Their phone number is 860-868-7954.

Next I re-insert this, out of order, so you’ll remember….”On Wednesday the 14th I will again be strolling fiddling, this time as people arrive and are handed their mimosas at a luncheon to benefit the Western Connecticut Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. There will be an award presentation and a raffle, with tickets costing $10. Raffle tickets are available at Backcountry Outfitters in Kent. The event costs $75 and takes place from 11:30 AM till 2 PM at the beautiful Troutbeck Inn in Amenia, New York. The food will no doubt be amazing. For tickets or more information, including directions to Troutbeck, call 203-838-1033 (press option 2) or visit www.msswct.org.”

The weekend of Saturday, the 24th, to be exact, the full band returns to the Redding Roadhouse situated at the junction of Routes 53 and 107 in West Redding, Connecticut. You can gather directions to the place by going to www.reddingroadhouse.com and make your reservations for a delicious dinner by calling 203-938-3388. But don’t have reservations about coming and dancing the night away with us, starting at 9:30 PM!

Our previously scheduled gig at the West Main Restaurant in Lakeville, Connecticut has been cancelled. Currently and presently there are no bands there, but the food is still super so check it out.

Watch for the Grand Opening of Harmony, A Space for Yoga and Sacred Dance, run by Gloria Ognan and Cyndi Harron, in New Milford, Connecticut, in early October. They’ve got excellent teachers and a beautiful new space for their classes for the masses. Or is it beautiful teachers and an excellent new space? Goto www.harmonyyogadance.com.

So, enjoy this beautiful weather and I’ll see you at the Vineyard.

Shrdlu

9/2/05
Hello Shrdluvians,

Last year at this time I stated that September delivers, and it did, and it does, and I imagine it will. It’s been a nice summer and it’s gliding to a finish as all good summers must. The good news is that there’re still 21 days till the calendar end of it, even though in real life kids are starting school and the vacation stuff seems to be history, suddenly. But, this is Labor Day Weekend, whatever that means, and we all have the opportunity for one last summer hurrah, so let’s go for it! As I always say, “finis coronat opus”!

As I write this, the word from New Orleans and the surrounding area is tragic, following Hurricane Katrina, and worse by the hour. The scene unfolding is unfathomable and reminiscent of the tsunami. This would be a good time to send some dough to the Red Cross.

On a more pedestrian note, I’d like to announce my schedule for the month. Given some private gigs in addition to what’s listed here, it’s shaping up to be a fairly busy month, which is the way I like it.

This Saturday, September 3, I’ll be fiddling at the New Milford Farmer’s Market on the Green in New Milford, Connecticut, from 10 AM till Noon. The market itself starts at 9. This is your chance to pick up the freshest of the fresh and the organicest (sic) of the organic. There’s nice people to meet, great produce, fruit, baked goods, flowers, Goatboy Soaps, which, oddly (or not) enough are enjoyed by mice, at least under my sink. Meet the goats!

Later that evening, at 10 PM, the four-piece Shrdlu Band moves down the street and inhabits 59 Bank at 59 Bank Street, offering up dance tunes for your shuffling feet and shaking derrieres. The food is, of course, made from the freshest of the fresh, etc., delicious, and not enjoyed by mice. Come down, eat, drink, and be merry….. we’ll stop at 1:30 AM. Call 860-350-5995 for reservations, etc., or visit www.59bank.com and learn what ya’ need to know.

The next night, Sunday, the 4th, the Shrdlu Trio moves to the GW Tavern at 20 Bee Brook Road (Route 47), Washington Depot, Connecticut, to celebrate the aforementioned Labor Day, from 9 PM till Midnight. Still time to enjoy the gorgeous patio while sampling the food, drink, music, and whatnot. I recently had the Spicy Wings, and they’re outrageous! Reservations are a good idea….860-868-6633, and go to www.gwtavern.com for more info.

Monday, September 5, the actual Labor Day, I will be fiddling for the first hour (cocktails?) at a special fund-raiser, which goes from 6 until 9 PM, for Healing the Children-Northeast, to be held at Oliva Café in New Preston, Connecticut. The event is sponsored by the Café’s proprietors Riad Aamar and Joanna Lawrence, and includes hors d’oeuvres and dinner, with wine provided by Casa Bacchus of Litchfield. There will be a silent auction of art and gifts donated by local artists and merchants. Tickets are $75.00. Healing the Children is a non-profit which brings children from developing countries to the US for medical treatment unavailable to them in their native countries. I played at a benefit for the organization 18 years ago when my son was in utero. For info/reservations contact Faye Barry at 860-355-1828, ext 21 or fbarry@htcne.org.

On Saturday the 10th, I’ll be back, by my lonesome, under the maple outside of Panini Café in downtown Kent, Connecticut, for probably the last time this year, unless there’s a leaf-peep day maybe. It’s a quaint setting, perfect for some acoustic musica and a delicious panini or some gelato. Mangia! I play from 5 PM till 7 PM, they’re open till 8 PM. Their phone number is 860-927-5083.

I leave there and drive directly to the GW Tavern without passing Go. There, at 9:30 PM the Shrdlu Trio will commence playing for the delectation of the dancers/diners assembled. You should be one. The location and particulars of the establishment other than the time will be the same as mentioned above.

On Wednesday the 14th I will again be strolling fiddling, this time as people arrive and are handed their mimosas at a luncheon to benefit the Western Connecticut Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. There will be an award presentation and a raffle, with tickets costing $10. Raffle tickets are available at Backcountry Outfitters in Kent. The event costs $75 and takes place from 11:30 AM till 2 PM at the beautiful Troutbeck Inn in Amenia, New York. The food will no doubt be amazing. For tickets or more information, including directions to Troutbeck, call 203-838-1033 (press option 2) or visit www.msswct.org.

And then there’s the 17th and 18th! That Saturday and Sunday the other Shrdlu Trio, with Marc Sichel on bass and Pete Bennett on guitar instead of bass returns to the Hopkins Vineyard in New Preston, Connecticut for the Annual Harvest Celebration from Noon till 5 PM each day. This is our fourth or fifth, I can’t remember, September outing there, and as you may well know, it’s my favorite gig. Always festive, fun, friendly! Great setting, good eats, fine wine. Rain or shine it’s pleasurable. There’s wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, wine seminars, and an art show in addition to us. You can buy a bottle, sit on a blanket and bask in life. Admission is $20 per person at the door, or $15 with a postcard that you can download from their website www.hopkinsvineyard.com. Children under 12 are admitted free, with non-alcoholic beverages for anyone under 21 or over who wants to go non-alcoholic. Lifetime Case Club Members get in free….two per membership. The Vineyard is located at ……….

Hold that thought! Due to my proclivity to ramble, I ain’t got time to finish this if it’s going to reach anybody by tomorrow, the 59 Bank gig. Soooo, I’ll continue this in the near future, with updates as necessary.

Hope to see you soon,

Shrdlu

8/25/05
Hi ho Shrdlubers,

A quick reminder that the Shrdlu Trio will be at the GW Tavern at 20 Bee Brook Road (Route 47) in Washington Depot, Connecticut, Friday, August 26 (probably tonight, no?) starting at 9:30 PM. We'll be rounding out the descent of Summer (sob!) with some great tunes, so you should be there having some great food and drinks, and a great time, with dancing. Reservations for dinner always a good idea, at 860-868-6633, and their website is www.gwtavern.com...

And Saturday, the 27th, barring rain, I'll be outside, solo, at Panini Cafe in Kent, Connecticut, in front of Backcountry Outfitters, behind Main Street. I'll learn the address yet! This is under the Maple tree, within smelling distance of those delicate, delicious little sandwiches made on the premises. 860-927-5083

Enjoy this last weekend of August with some Shrdlutunes.

See you there,

Shrdlu

8/16/05
hey shrdklubians

....this thursday's (aug 18) gig at the west main restaurant in lakeville ct, has been displaced and will not be occurring. thursday sept 22 is alledgedly still happening, but i'll let you know in a timely fashion. be back at ya next week w/updates...GW next week.

Shrdlu

8/3/05
Hello Shrdlupeople,

Well, well, well, it’s August. Perhaps the best month of the year? The weather happens to be stunning for sunning these days, and that’s alright with me. Pool weather, beyond a doubt. Perfect weather for haying, too, if you’re on the farm. The katydids or whatever it is that makes that sound at night have started….seems a little early in the month to me, but I’m clueless. Mercury was/is in retrograde and I’ve been told not to repair anything till that’s over. I hope it’s soon…there’s things that need fixin’. And the spiral of life leads slowly, inexorably, simultaneously inward and outward, with no apparent beginning or end. Just when it feels like I’m repeating something I can see I’m in a slightly different spot, after all. Makes it feel better!

The summer’s just right for gigging, too, which leads me to the month’s sheddyool. Come on out to 59 Bank at 59 Bank Street in New Milford, Connecticut, this Friday, August 5th, where the full Shrdlu Band will be rockin’ the house, starting at 10 PM, going till 1:30 AM or thereabouts. Superb food and drinks, great prices, you know that. A fun place to dance and have some summertime fun. You can reach them telephonically at 860-350-5995 or digitally check ‘em out at www.59bank.com.

The following night, Saturday, August 6, the full band returns to the Levitt Pavilion in Westport, Connecticut for an outdoor concert that goes from 8 PM till 9:30 PM. This is part of their summer concert series at which they have (mostly) music almost every single night of the summer, and it’s FREE! This is our third summer there, and we’re hoping for dry weather….rain cancels the event. We know! The Levitt is a very cool outdoor bandshell behind the library in downtown, and right on the Saugatuck River. It’s easy to find but even easier if you go to their website, www.levittpavilion.com (only one l in pavilion…two takes you elsewhere) and cclick on services for directions and the map. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs, picnic food and drink, friends and family and let’s have a serious good time. All you Fairfield Countiers who’ve been waiting for us to hit the area again, take notice!

After a couple of private parties in between the 6th and the17th, we (the full band) arrive back at the West Main Restaurant in Lakeville, Connecticut on Thursday, the 18th, starting at 9:30 PM, till 12 or 12:30, you decide. You’ll find delicious food, drink and atmosphere, in an ooooold knife factory, hence the address, Pocketknife Square, 8 Holley Street in Lakeville. Ideally they’re going to start having the more rocking bands on the weekends, not Thursday. Come on up and lobby for that while you eat, drink and be merry. I don’t know if they have a website yet, but their phone # is 860-435-6760, and their email is: westmainrest@sbcglobal.net. Mapquest probably gets you pretty close, too.

That gets us to the last weekend of the month, when the Shrdlu Trio performs at the GW Tavern at 20 Bee Brook Road (Route 47) in Washington Depot, Connecticut on Friday, August 26th. This lays to rest the “GW on the second-Saturday-of-every-month” theory under which I started the year. We do go back onto that schedule next month. As you know it’s the usual quality food/grog/ambiance kind of place I like to inhabit. Visit them at www.gwtavern.com or 860-868-6633 before you come visit us there on the26th.

The next evening, Saturday August 27th, I return solo outdoors under the maple (if no rain) at Panini Café in Kent, Connecticut, from 5 PM till 7 PM. The exact address I still don’t know, but it’s easy to find, in front of Backcountry Outfitters behind Main Street in downtown Kent. It’s very casual, shoppers passing through, sitting for a few songs, picking up a drink or bite and moving on, or folks stopping by for a panino, which Panini does so well, or gelato(i?), and a few intrepid souls staying for the whole shebang.. 860-927-5083 is their phone number. If you visit the Town of Kent Website they’re listed there.

The Open Door Band continues at the Contemporary Service at the United Methodist Church in New Milford, Connecticut. The time has been moved back to 11:15 AM from 11:25 for the duration of the summer, which ain’t much. The church is located at 68 Danbury Road (Route 7) in the depth of road reconstruction. I’ve got gigs on the first three Sundays of the month, so my erstwhile church bass player, Marc Sichel will be leading in my absence, ably assisted by Andrew vonGutfeld on piano, Chris McBride on vocals, and either Jay Poitras or Butch Raymond on drums. 860-354-4596 or www.nmumc.com.

So, that’s where we’re at this month. I hope it’s a good one for everyone out there in Shrdluvia.

See you there,

Shrdlu

7/20/05
Halloo Shrdlubes,

This is a reminder that the four-piece Shrdlu Band, with Jay Poitras filling in for Butch Raymond on drums, will be appearing tomorrow night, Thursday, July 21, at the West Main Restaurant at 8 Holley Street in Pocketknife Square, in Lakeville, Connecticut, starting at 9:30 PM and the food is great, dancing divine, good drinks and wine, be there by nine and you'll be fine, and you can call 860-435-6760 for reservations and also noting that next week's solo gig outdoors at Panini Cafe in Kent, Connecticut has been moved from Saturday evening to Sunday afternoon, July 31, the following day, that is, from 2 till 4 in the afternoon, and the sandwiches are delicious under the Maple, and the phone # is 860-927-5083, so I hope to see you tomorrow, you'll be well rewarded, just ask Ruth.

Bye,

Shrdlu

7/9/05
Yo,

In the realm of the fact that there are no coincidences, and that everything happens for a reason, the fact that I went to the GW Tavern tonight, to shmooze, perchance to drink, and found out that there is a wedding all day and night, and my Trio gig is "non-existant", I am compelled to tell you DON'T go to the GW Tavern tonight, Saturday, July 9 to see me, because I won't be there, after all!!! I'll speak to the responsible party(ies) and hope that it won't happen again. I will, barring rain, still be at Panini from 5 PM till 7PM tonight.

See you there,

Shrdlu

Greetings Shrdluviacs,

Another July day which can’t figure out what to be…..rainy, muggy, clear, sunny, and yes, muggggy. My house is a virtual petri dish, with mold and slime experiments everywhere. I’m waiting for some of them to start roaming from room to room! I, for one, could use a few more hot DRY days, even if they can’t.

As I wait for said dry days, here’s the view from Shrdluvia: This coming Saturday, July, 9, I’m returning, sans accompanists, to the land of those tasty little Italian sandwiches….Panini, in Kent, Connecticut. I’ll be out on the patio under the large Maple tree from 5 PM till 7 PM, unless there is rain. It really is a pretty little scene on a Summer late-afternoon, and the sandwiches (panini) are excellent and well-priced, and there’s gelato (to be proofread) and stuffed-as-you-watch cannoli (ditto).* Panini is in front of Backcountry Outfitters, which is owned by the same folks, just off Main Street in Kent, and its phone number is 860-927-5083.

At 9:30 that very same evening, the Shrdlu Trio will be back at the GW Tavern in Washington Depot, Connecticut, at 20 Bee Brook Road (Route 47), performing until 1 AM. I know, we were just there Sunday night for the Fourth, but this is our regular second-Saturday-of-the-month gig. Besides, the moon is out of……? Or possibly in retrograde? Come sample the same great food (try the fried oyster appetizer…****) and beverages as ever and enjoy the ambiance and get funky wid’us. For reservations, which are recommended, call 860-868-6633, or visit them at www.gwtavern.com.

Thursday, July 21 the full band rocks the West Main Restaurant in Lakeville, Connecticut, from 9:30 PM till 1 AM. As you recall, the place has re-opened after being closed for a year or so and is better than ever. Aesthetically the joint is beautiful, located in Pocketknife Square, at 8 Holly Street, in a very old (Revolutionary War?) and architecturally interesting, manufacturing building (factory?) and the food is of the highest quality, which is the standard I like to stick with in the places I play. Why settle for less? Do come check us out there and help get the place re-established as a musical hotspot. You’ll be glad you did. Their phone number is 860-435-6760. I don’t know if they have a website yet, but you can email them at westmainrest@sbcglobal.net.

Other than a couple of private events, the only other scheduled gig this month is at, you guessed it, Panini. I’ll spare you verbiage and direct you to the previous Paninininini listing above, other than to say that the date is Saturday, July 30. All else remains the same.

I still lead the Open Door Band at the contemporary service at the Methodist Church in New Milford, Connecticut every Sunday morning at 11:25 AM. The church is located at 68 Danbury Road (Route 7), in the thick of the Hell that is the reconstruction of the road. This too shall pass. 860-354-4596. We have recently added Andrew vonGutfeld to the band on piano/keyboard, so the music is even better.

Thanks to Marc Isolda for the very cool photo he took of me at the New Milford Farmer’s Market last week.

And thanks to all of y’all for your support.

See ya,

Shrdlu

* For those of you who (whom?) have lost faith in college as an institution, as a result of seeing and hearing gross misspellings and errors of grammar, syntax, etc., coming from the magna cum whatevers in the world at large, have faith. It can only get better.

7/2/05
Shrdloovies,

...the beginning of the month caught up w/me, leaving only time to cast this message out:

Tonight, Saturday, July 2, Shrdlu Band at 59 Bank in New Milford, Ct. at 10 PM and tomorrow, July 3, Shrdlu Trio at the GW Tavern in Washington Depot, Ct. at 9 PM. Great food and drink at each establishment.

Will I do better next time?

Shrdlu

6/22/05
Hey there Shrdluvettes,

Solstice was yesterday, Summer's just a baby so let's go with the tan and what-not.

Tomorrow night, Thursday, June 23, the 4-piece Shrdlu Band, with Jay Poitras sitting in for Butch Raymond, will be appearing at the West Main Restaurant in Lakeville, Connecticut, starting between 9 and 9:30 PM. We played there numerous times a couple of years ago when it was under different management, so we're glad to be getting back to Connecticut's northwest corner. Since they've re-opened they've opened up the skylight in the back room and possibly eliminated the couch and stuffed chairs, giving a more spacious feel to the dining areas.

The food is as delicious as ever and there is a nice wine list. The location is 8 Holley Street in Lakeville and the phone number is 860-435-6760. Come on out with your dancin' shoes and start this summer right as we get over the hump of the week.

Saturday I'll be returning solo to Panini, the great little Italian sandwich shop on the little green in Kent, Connecticut, in front of Backcountry Outfitters. While I play and sing you can sink your teeth into one of those great morsels. I believe you can bring a beer or wine with you but don't quote me on that. I play from 5 PM till 7 PM so I don't need to hear "it's past my bedtime". Phone number is 860-927-5083.

Hope to see you there,

Shrdlu

6/17/05
Aloha Shrdleuths,

Sweltering, cool, thunderstorms…..typical New England changeable weather! What’s a girl to do? Well, leave the Margharita-maker thing by the pool and come celebrate fickle weather with the Shrdlu Band on Saturday (tomorrow), June 18th, at the Redding Roadhouse at the junction of Routes 53 and 107 in West Redding, Connecticut, to be exact! Reservations and precise directions to this fab destination are to be made/found at www.reddingroadhouse.com or calling 203-938-3388. We’ll start at 9:30 PM and rock the night away while you dance it away with delicious eats and libations by your Host Dean. He makes an awesome Margharita by the way.

See you there,

Shrdlu

Shrdluettes,
Here’s Part Two of the Serial version of the Shrdlunewsletter (looks like a German word) for June.

Celebrate your Shrdluvian fealty by coming to hear the sonorous tones of the Shrdlu Trio at the GW Tavern tomorrow night, Saturday, June 11, starting at 9:30 PM. The fine eatery/drinkery is located at 20 Bee Brook Road (Route 47) in Washington Depot, Connecticut. The patio is open, the comestibles delectable, and the music Deluxe. The fone is 860-868-6633 and their website is www.gwtavern.com.

So snap out of your quiet reticence (redundant, I know) and come out of the cool pool and get down with the Shrdlu Trio.

Next Saturday the full band is at the Redding Roadhouse in West Redding, Connecticut, but I’ll just mosey some info your way about that next week.

See ya’ tomorrow.

Shrdlu



6/3/05


Hey Predluvians....
no time for the full newsletter right now, as it turns out, but the news is, The Shrdlu Band (4-piece), in some form, will be appearing tomorrow, Friday, June 3rd, and Saturday, June 4th at 59 Bank at 59 Bank Street, New Milford, Connecticut, from 10 PM till 1 AM each night, so put on ya’ dancin’ shoes, get your appetite happenin’ and get down there. We’ll ensorcel you with the music and the vibe. Celebrate the apparent good weather! Shrdlu



5/28/05


Ah, well, the best-laid plans of mice & men........Tonight's gig at the GW in Washington Depot will not start till 11PM!!!! I learned this last night. There's a private party going on earlier. Strange. I hope some of you make it to this late event, and I hope this reaches you in time to figure out your plans for tonight. Meanwhile there's always the GW tomorrow night at 9. June newsletter is next week. Sorry for the disruption.

Shrdlu



5/26/05
Greetings Dluviacs!

I've been getting fanatic emails from Bruceheads (Springsteen) dissing him for losing track of his blue-collar roots, and asking his audiences to be quiet and turn their cellphones off, etc, during his shows. His current tour is being referred to as the "shut the #%^*&!!$ up" tour.

This weekend, I'll be at the GW not only Sunday at 9 PM as announced in my newsletter, but have added Saturday at 9:30 PM as well. I'm calling this the "where the #!!%&*%? is the nice weather?" tour. This not-quotidian establishment is the place to groove and dance and get warm, eat and libate, and generally invoke the spirits in an effort to attract nicer weather to our region. If not here, where? If not now, when? If not us, whom?

I'm also hoping for some break in the weather that day, as I'll be at the New Milford Farmer's Market from 10 AM till Noon, and Panini in Kent, from 5 PM till 7 PM, and both of those gigs are outside. Brrr!!

Hope to see you this weekend....

Shrdlu



5/9/05
Springtime greetings to Shrdluites near and far,

The sun is coming back out! Are we glad to be having nice weather return, or what? The buds are poppin’, shade is shadin’, bees are buzzin’, catfish are jumpin’, temperchur’s risin’, folks is smilin’, spellchek’s still not workin’. Makes one glad to be alive. One also wants to make a living will, just in case. Put away the Maypole, put your bathing suit in the wishful-thinking box and come out and enjoy some live music the Shrdlu way.

The first gigs of the month are this weekend, Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th, at my favorite (favourite if you’re a Brit) venue, the Hopkins Vineyard at 25 Hopkins Road in New Preston, Connecticut. This is their Annual Barrel Tasting, where you check out last year’s vintage, with lots of good sampling. There’s gourmet hors d’oeuvres (gotcha!) including a local artisan cheese, wine seminars, and a showing of the photographs of Neil Brander. Buy cases of Hopkins wines at 20% off. Admission is $15 per person with a postcard which can be obtained by calling the winery, or $20 without. The price includes a complimentary wine glass. Children under 12 are admitted free (non-alcoholic drinks are provided), and the event runs from Noon till 5 PM each day, rain or shine, under a tent or inside, as necessary. Of course it’s going to be a beautiful sunny weekend, right? Did I mention music? The venerable Shrdlu Trio, with Pete Bennett on guitar and vocals and Marc Sichel on bass and vocals, in addition to moi, will be exhibiting its usual complaisance while providing the continuously appropriate auditory ambiance. The setting is bucolically (sic) stunning…don’t miss it! Call 860-868-7954 0r visit www.hopkinsvineyard.com for directions or more information.

As fate would have it, that very same evening of Saturday the 14th, the venerated ShrdluTrio, with Pete Bennett on bass and vocals and Jim Lynch on guitar and vocals, along with my-own-self, will be alighting a couple of miles away at the GW Tavern at 20 Bee Brook Road (Route 47) in Washington Depot, Connecticut for a fling from 9:30 PM till 1 AM. Voted the “Best American Traditional” and “Best Weekend Brunch” in Litchfield County in the Readers Poll taken by the Litchfield County Times, the GW fare is always great, as you’ve read here constantly, and the drinks are just right. It’ll be perfect after an afternoon of lolling about at the Vineyard! By the way, dancing is appropriate whenever and wherever you feel like it in life! Contact 860-868-6633 or www.gwtavern.com for more info.

The following Friday night, May 20th, the inveterate 4-piece Shrdlu Band will be returning to 59 Bank at 59 Bank Street in New Milford, Connecticut, sans Pete Bennett, who will be replaced for the evening by the aforementioned Marc Sichel. You know the groove here…excellent food, drinks, atmosphere, and always dancing. We’ll start at about 10 PM and play till 1:30 AM. Call 860-350-5995 or go to www.59bank.com for your edification.

While discussing 59 Bank, I must say that the Wednesday night Open-Mic has been discontinued, replaced by Karaoke. I’ll be seen panhandling in front of the place, and stealing hubcaps to make up for my new budgetary shortfall.

Friday, May 27th I will be strolling and fiddling at an Art Opening Reception at Backcountry Outfitters in downtown Kent, Connecticut, from 6 PM till 8 PM. The Cosmic Hippo Gallery in Kent, owned by the owners of Backcountry, and Panini (more about that later), is being relocated in one end of the Backcountry store, replacing the cosmic boats. It is being re-named, but for the life of me, I can’t remember what it’ll be called. Come find out for yerself while you examine and buy the art of about 50 local artists. For info call 860-927-3377. Do not go to backcountryoutfitters.com….you’ll get some taxidermy place if you do.

A sure sign of spring is the return of the New Milford Farmer’s Market to the Green in New Milford, Connecticut every Saturday morning from 9 AM till Noon. It might even start this weekend, I’m not sure, but it brings a number of local farmers and nursery people with a wealth of organic and non-organic produce and plants and seedlings, some home-baked goods and the ever-popular Goatboy Soaps. Go to www.goatboy.us if you can’t wait to get to the market. Anyhoo, I’ll be strolling and fiddling at the selfsame Farmer’s Market on Saturday the 28th, from 10 AM till closing, as it is the “official” opening of the market, being Memorial Day Weekend.

That afternoon it’s back to Kent, Connecticut to play solo outdoors from 5 PM till 7 PM on the Commons in front of Panini, the great little sandwich shop mentioned previously. If you haven’t tried a panini, you should. They’re lightly grilled sandwiches, and Panini has a wide variety (and the best I’ve ever had) of meated and meatless, as well as homemade soups and gelatto. While you’re in Kent, visit the other establishments of the Panini Triumvirate (see above), and mebbe some other local shops. Later that evening, the Shrdlu Trio will be gigging at the GW Tavern in Washington from 9:30pm -12 midnight.

And, to round out Memorial Day Weekend, some form of the Shrdlu Trio returns again the next night to the GW Tavern on Sunday the 29th , starting at 9 PM and stopping at Midnight, as they have to close a little earlier, it being Sunday and all. It’ll be the same fun time as usual.

Also, as ever, I lead the Open Door Band at the contemporary worship service at the Methodist Church at 68 Danbury Road (Route 7) in New Milford, Connecticut. The service starts at 11:25 AM which is really weird, but works. 860-354-4596.

Be sure to visit the Shrdlu website at .http://users.rcn.com/fido.javanet/shrdlu.html for pics and music.

So that’s it for the merry month of May.

Peace out!

Shrdlu



4/2/05
Greetings Shrdluvians,

I kid you not! I sent out this newsletter in the last-minute on Saturday to alert everyone to our gig at the Redding Roadhouse that night and somehow, even though it made it to my sent box, it didn’t sent anywhere and seemingly made it to a black hole in cyberspace where it currently resides. I’ve deleted the references to that gig, considering the obsoleteness of them, and am re-sending this in the hopes that it reaches its intended destination…you. Maybe I’ll learn not to procrastinate quite so much. Maybe not.

Anyhoo…..this Saturday, April 9, I will be fiddling at the opening reception of a show entitled “Quilts, The Fabric of Our Lives”, co-curated by New Milford Mayor Pat Murphy, at The Silo, at Hunt Hill Farm in New Milford, Connecticut. The Hunt Hill Farm Trust is a part of Western Connecticut University and is associated with the Smithsonian Institute, and was established by famed bandleader/musician Skitch Henderson and his famed wife Ruth. The event is from 3-5 PM and the show itself goes until May 8. Food will be by The Bistro of New Milford and Litchfield, Connecticut, and wine will be from the Hopkins Vineyard on Lake Waramaug in New Preston, Connecticut, so I can tell you it will be excellent and beyond. (Parenthetical note: the Shrdlu Trio will be playing at the Hopkins Vineyard Barrel Tasting Festival for the fourth year in a row, on May 14 and 15). More on that next month. The Silo is located at 44 Upland Road in New Milford, off Route 202 in the Northville section. The phone is 860-355-0300 and their website is: http://www.thesilo.com/silo_gallery.html. or www.thesilo.com/hunt_hill_farm_trust.html.

Later this same Saturday, April, 9, the Shrdlu Trio arrives at the GW Tavern at 20 Bee Brook Road (Route 47) in Washington Depot, Connecticut, for our monthly Do. FYI, we’ll be there on the second Saturday of every month, always playing from 9:30 PM till 1+ AM. It’s probably going to still be a bit chilly to be out on the terrace this month so the fire will still be welcome while you eat, drink and boogie. Reservations can be made at 860-868-6633 and their website is www.gwtavern.com. Americanus Rusticana.

Fourteen days later, on Saturday the 23rd, the full band will be back at 59 Bank at 59 Bank Street in New Milford, Connecticut. A more urbane setting, this. We’ll commence at about 10 PM and continue until 1:30 AM. Awesome martinis, I hear, as well as great food.860-350-5995. www.59bank.com. Americanus Suburbanus.

Every Wednesday I continue to host the Acoustic Open-Mic at 59 Bank, same address as above, from 9:30 PM till 12:30 AM. Come on out and see/hear some good local talent or, better yet, be some of that talent. Martini anyone? Americanus Acousticus.

Also, as ever, I lead the Open Door Band at the contemporary worship service at the Methodist Church at 68 Danbury Road (Route 7) in New Milford, Connecticut. The service starts at 11:25 AM which is really weird, but works. Churchus Rockingus. 860-354-4596.

Have you checked out the “unofficial” Shrdlu website http://users.rcn.com/fido.javanet/shrdlu.html hosted by Maryjane Southhouse Fast? Allegedly there’s a new, complete, Exit 4 version of my song “Voodoo Love”, but I can’t seem to get it to play. However, I’m not what you would call a technophile. Shrdluus Unofficialnalus.

I hope you can make it to one of these gigs. See you soon.

Shrdluus Americanus




3/8/05

Hello Shrdluuvies,

March marches on. Winter keeps apace. Yesterday the temperature was in the 50’s and now we’re up to about 3 inches, and counting, of fresh snow. Annnd, the wind is getting funky, causing the flakes to change direction constantly, now flying horizontally left, now to the right, now swirling every which way. It’s really quite pretty. Winter is so bizarre.

Oddly enough, I have only one gig this month and it happens to be this Saturday, March 12th at the GW Tavern at 20 Bee Brook Road (Route 47) in Washington Depot, Connecticut. The place has been closed for the last week while they did some work on the building. I trust they’ll be open on time. This is the usual Trio gig with Jim Lynch on guitar and Pete Bennett on bass, and me. As most of you know, the GW is a land of excellent food and drink, a warm fire which would be mighty welcome right now, and people who want to dance and have a good time. If you’re wanting to luxuriate or are feeling particularly uxorious, bring the maharini for a martini. Music’ll be from 9:30 PM till 1 AM. Phone is 860-868-6633. Website: www.gwtavern.com.

Of course, there is always the Acoustic Open-Mic that I host every Wednesday from 9:30 PM till 12:30 AM. This occurs at 59 Bank at 59 Bank Street in New Milford, Connecticut. It’s a chance to see/hear some of the local talent that lives in the woodwork. So come out with your talent and be part of the show, or come join the audience for some fun. 860-350-5995. Siteweb:www.59bank.com.

And, as always, every Sunday I still lead the Open Door Band at the contemporary service at the United Methodist Church at 68 Danbury Road (Route 7) in New Milford, Connecticut, starting at 11:25 AM. Jesus + rock = Jesus + rock. 860-354-4596. Or, www.nmumc.com.

See you there,

Shrdlu


2/2/05

Hello Shrdloovies,

Sunny Winter greetings to all! Can this really be happening? I’m getting my newsletter out on the second day of the month? (Faints dead away!) (Comes to, hours later, resumes, as if nothing unusual had happened.) After last week’s Arctic cold, the last few days have seemed absolutely balmy, no? We’ve had some nice snowfall, offering opportunities to cross-country ski and snowshoe locally. If you live in the New Milford area and like to do the above activities, or just hike, Hidden Valley, in Washington Depot has great trails. It’s a beautiful spot to enjoy nature at its finest and clear your mind amidst the deciduous/coniferous riverine splendor (huh?).

I’ve been sort of kicking back for the winter, gig-wise. It’s always a little slow anyway, and there’re always some weather-related cancellations, so I’ve minimized my performances in anticipation of being busy in the other seasons. Which brings me to this month’s listings. I actually have one full weekend of jobs and that’s it. The first is Friday, February 11, when the full Shrdlu Band will be at 59 Bank at 59 Bank Street in New Milford, Connecticut. We’ll start at about 10 PM, whenever they clear out the tables directly in front of the “bandstand”. And we’ll play till about 1 AM or whenever they clear out the dancers directly in front of the “bandstand”. You already know the food and beverages are excellent and the prices very reasonable. Come partake and dance. Call 860-350-5995 or visit www.59bank.com for more info. The following night, Saturday, February 12, the Trio will be at the GW Tavern at 20 Bee Brook Road (Route 47) in Washington Depot, Connecticut, about a mile from the aforementioned Hidden Valley. This one goes from 9:30 PM till 1:30 AM. Again, excellent food and drink, slightly pricier. This is Washington, after all. And it’s got the fireplace ….ambiance plus! Enter late arm-in-arm and snuggle on the couch. Trollop shoes a plus! Sorry there’s no full moon that night…I couldn’t arrange it. Call 860-868-6633 or visit www.gwtavern.com. The next day, Sunday the 13th I’ll be strollingly fiddling at the Opening Reception of a show of paintings by Lauri Zarin, of Kent, Connecticut, at the Good News Café at 694 Main Street South in Woodbury, Connecticut. 203-266-4663. The Reception is from 3 PM till 5 PM and the show runs until April 11. Lauri’s a very talented artist and her paintings are vibrant and whimsical. And the hors d’oeurves (Waiter! Spell-check, please.) will be world-class. Good art, good food, good music…good news.

As has been the case for the last year and a half, I continue to host the Acoustic Open-Mic at 59 Bank every Wednesday, starting at 9:30 PM. If you sing, play, do stand-up or have some other stage-worthy talent to share, this here’s the spot. There’s always somebody good to see, both up-and-coming types and old-timers, and it could be you. If you’re just a good audience-type person, we need you, too. Come check out and support the local talent.

And, as always, I lead the Open Door Band at the Contemporary service at the New Milford United Methodist Church at 68 Danbury Road, New Milford, Connecticut. The service starts at 11:25 AM. Is that odd or what? Jesus rocks!

Although I expend considerable verbiage advertising the establishments at which I play, I pretty much avoid going beyond that, as I don’t want my missives to become mere commercials for other than my own musical activities. I’m making an exception right now because I have been using a product, made by some friends, that I have had great results with. Every winter I’m plagued with dry, cracked fingertips, which, as anyone who shares that problem knows, can be quite painful. I’ve tried numerous lotions and what-not, never getting particularly good results. Since the Farmer’s Markets last summer, I’ve been using Goatboy Soaps’ soaps, and have enjoyed them. This winter I started using their lotion on my hands and lo and behold, have had only one instance of cracking! And my hands, which can be pretty sandpapery are smooth as a baby’s posterior. I can’t recommend the stuff too highly. Check ‘em out at www.goatboy.us.

And of course, don’t forget to check out the Shrdlu website at "http://users.rcn.com/fido.javanet/shrdlu.html". Students - win a Shrdlu Band Tee shirt by answering a question that nobody knows the answer to. Have a good month and I hope to see you at a gig.

Namaste,

Shrdlu


Hey Shrdluites!

Happy New Year Shrdrevelers,

I, of course, had fully expected to begin ’05 with a timely January newsletter, as if I would have undergone some type of miraculous transformation. Zoiks! What folly. At any rate, with scant time on my hands and the first gig tomorrow night, I’ve gotta zip this thang out.

Saturday, January 8, the Shrdlu Trio will be at our venerable haunt, the GW Tavern, colloquially known as GW’s, at 20 Bee Brook Road (Route 47) in Washington Depot, Ct. All you regular readers know about the ambiance, fireplace excellent food, etc. Anyone receiving this newsletter for the first time, please re-read the previous sentence, and/or refer to www.gwtavern.com or call 860-868-6633 for any info you might need. We’ll play from 9:30 PM till 1AM.

January being a slow month, our only other public performance is on Friday, January 21, at our other home-turf, 59 Bank at 59 Bank Street in New Milford, Ct. This is the 4-piece Shrdlu Band, and we’ll start around 10 PM and play till 1 AM. Most of you know about this place, too, with its also excellent food and that certain je ne sais quoi, n’est ce pas? Phone is 860-350-5995, and the website is www.59bank.com.

Also, of course, I host the Acoustic Open-Mic every Wednesday at 59 Bank, starting at 9:30 PM.

And, I lead the Open Door Band at the Contemporary Praise service each Sunday at 11:25 AM at the United Methodist Church at 68 Danbury Rd. (Route 7) in New Milford, Ct. 860-354-4596.

So forget about moral turpitude for a little while and come out and dance and listen.

May 2005 be a good year for you. Picture Ganesh, the elephant-headed god who is the remover of obstacles, opening the way for new beginnings for you. And as Thoreau said…”Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined”.

Om Shanti,

Shrdlu