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Americana Journal Joy Notes

More state fair fun

Big concerts not our thing

Concerts are a big deal at the fair!  But, for JoAnne and I, the big venue concerts are not our thing.  They are too loud, and very seldom present our kinds of music.  The one at Chevy Court on Tuesday late afternoon was so loud it was literally painful to walk out of the Center of Progress building.  So we detoured back through the building just to avoid it.   

Found two great small concerts

However, that doesn’t mean we don’t like concerts, for we do.  This year, JoAnne and I sat in on two small venue concerts while we were at the state fair.   I thoroughly enjoyed a packed concert by the Rhythm Airs at the New Time Theater.   The group’s big band style seems to appeal mostly to older folks, but some younger folks also came in and seemed to love it too.   My delight was increased by the fact that I knew several people in the group.  It was too bad that it was interrupted by a fire drill.  I heard, but couldn’t confirm, that a cooking display crew burned the “toast”…      

Later, we sat in the Pan African Village Theater and listened with relish and joy to Five for Life, a black a cappella gospel group– what energy, what talent, and what enthusiasm.   They had good voices and exhibited fine stage presence as well.   My enjoyment was increased by our common Christian beliefs, even though we come from different cultural streams.   I am a great fan of quartet singing, gospel singing, and a cappella singing, so Five for Life was a real treat. 

These two concerts made the day really special!