FiddleMan Mailing List
for Sunday, November 7, 2004

File written by Adobe Photoshop® 5.2 Just a warning to the unwitting reader: the following section has nothing to do with my gig list. Feel free to skip it altogether if you're just interested in my performance schedule...

OK - I promised myself that I wouldn't talk about the election. Those of you who know me know my political beliefs, and those of you who do not probably don't care about them. Either way, the people have made their choice, and there is little that can be done about it for another four years. One thing that I think is worthy of contemplation is something that was brought to my attention by an email I received from Sean O'Keefe, the director of Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the day before the election. This is the fact that democracy and this country started out as an experiment (leave it to a scientist to make note of that point), and it continues to be one. It is not at all clear yet what the outcome of this experiment might be. Ours is still a very young country. In a democracy such as ours, with as many people as we are, and where our ideologies are as evenly and diametrically split as they have now become, it will always be the case that nearly half of the people participating will be unhappy with the way things are going. That's a lot of people to not be happy. At the end of the day, it seems to me that it is in everyone's best interest to strive to create a harmonious environment in which everyone is happy. Though it is not possible to ever completely succeed in this, without good will toward our fellow women and men, as well as an open mind, how is it possible for any ideological system to survive? It is ultimately not about who or what is right and wrong, but about people treating each other with kindness, love, and understanding, even when they disagree. I do not understand the concept of "political capital." Are we not here to make the world a better place for all, not just the winners? Haven't we seen enough dogmatic ideology fail miserably and violently over the last several millennia to appreciate this subtle point? As we approach the holiday season, can we not extend our "bipartisan healing" to the entire planet, and not just to our slightly-used, in need of deferred maintenance, gas-guzzling two-party political system?

I'm sorry; I just couldn't help myself... I know that last bit had absolutely NOTHING to do with my gig-list, and I apologize. But hey, it's still a free country... isn't it?

Anyway, back to the business at hand; just where WILL I be playing next, and with whom?

It's almost time for Hot Lips and Fingertips to be playing our last gig of 2004! Please come and hear us at one of our favorite venues, Boulevard Music. This is a little 100-seat music hall in a music store in Culver City. It's a great place to hear good music, and Hot Lips and Fingertips is about as much of a band as you can fit onto that stage. Please don't miss this show!

There are rumors afoot that Border Radio will be releasing not one, but TWO new CDS before the end of the year - one made in the studio, the other a live performance. Preparations are taking place for a CD release party in December. The date we're looking at is December 18^th, and the location is Viva Cantina, near Griffith Park in Burbank. Stay tuned for more details and confirmation. The CDs really turned out nicely, and we can't wait for all y'all to hear them!

Turning the corner of the New Year, mark down January 22, 2005 on your calendars. Border Radio will be back in Altadena at Bob Stain's Coffee Gallery Backstage on that date. And don't forget, Kelly usually bakes yummy pies for the Coffee Gallery concerts, and raffles a couple off at the show!

Hang on to your seats -- we're in for a bumpy ride. Keep your hearts focused on the horizon, and let music release your spirit and bring us all together in unity, support and love.

See you at the gig.

Peace... no really... Peace

Mark Indictor
mark@fiddler.com
http://www.fiddler.com

2004

Friday, November 12^th: 8:00pm

Boulevard Music
4316 Sepulveda Blvd.,
Culver City, CA 90230
(310)398-2583

Hot Lips and Fingertips

Bach to Big Band, Celtic to Cajun, and R & B to Texas Swing, innovative arrangements, and dynamic ensemble playing by the sextet that wowed Westside audiences for years. Dual fiddle renditions, hot harmonica & slide guitar, and better than ever.

Saturday, November 13^th: 8:00pm

Private Function
(Wedding in Riverside)

Hot Lips and Fingertips

Saturday, December 18^th