Thanks to all the venues and folks who came out on this rippin run. From beginning to end, the trip was charmed. And what an ending it was.Two shows at the Ottawa Blues Festival, I'm still vibrating. I sooo love where I'm at these days. We did have some fun. Saw my peeps. I missed y'all. I love to travel, and… it's great to be home.
Friday, August 25 at the American Legion Hall in Tallahassee. I'm bringin Extra Sauce with me (Neal Goree and Brett Crook) so between the Sauce and the gumbo and my little trio, We'll light it up.
September is a month totally devoted to puttin it down. I'm doin a deep dive into the "stuff".
Nalan Cuisine 829 State St. Lemoyne, PA 717-737-7436
On our way back home we found this place. This is, hands down, the tastiest Indian food I've ever had. They play videos of badass indigenous funky jazz. If you're near Harrisburg, this menu is required reading.
The food in Ottawa is fantastic. Being the capital of Canada, the fare from around the world is plentiful. The best meal we had though, was the one we fixed in our hotel room after shopping for seafood and cheese in the ByWard Market. Here it is, lit by the setting sun.
The Director of the Ottawa Bluesfest, Mark Monahan.
The presentation of a letter of gratitude from the mayor of Ottawa. When I began playing at homeless shelters, I was thinking of returning some of the love that I get from the places where I play. A random act of kindness thing. 20 years later I'm still at it. I did have to take a break last year because of a shoulder injury I suffered loading the van. When I was feeding the survivors of Hurricane Ian in Ft Myers. I ripped my rotator cuff, and for a while It was all I could do to make it to my gigs. Well, I'm back at it. This little run proved that I'm ready for you. And I hope you're ready for me.
I love Ottawa. The city, the festival, the food, the love from the people who have come to my shows for decades. So while I was there, I figured I better return the favor. I played and cooked at The Mission, one of the coolest homeless shelters where I have cooked. It was the first shelter to have a hospice center. They are truly there to help, not to just process human beings. So the next day, we did the festival and we took up a little collection in the Planet Gumbo pot, and on our way out of town, we stopped by the Mission with a bag of loonies ($548.70). I realize that what I do is literally a drop in the bucket, but for sure, I know what drop goes into what bucket. If you haven't checked out planetgumbo.org ICYMI…
Yup. This old man is havin some fun. The Sirius Stage was Serious
For those outside the tent. Luv me some SVT!
The Theater gig. At the end of the show, those people just stood there, clappin their hands. THANK YOU, OTTAWA! Photo by Barry McIntyre
Walking around after the show, we encountered this churchyard critter in his habitat. Right in the middle of downtown Ottawa. Another reason to love this town. There, OK. I've done it. I posted a picture of a bunny rabbit on my blog. I feel better now. What's up Doc?!? EH!