Spring arrives with bittersweet promises. While I prepare to move on to Utah and ultimately summer in Spearfish, I am sad to leave my many friends here in Arizona. I hustle to take care of the few remaining maintenance items that the RV needs before I depart. Farewell dinners or lunches, last chance off road rides to search for desert spring flowers and frenzied sight-seeing trips are all compressed into the short time I will remain here. Most importantly, I squeeze in every music lesson or jam that I can. I am really going to miss the friendly musicians and almost daily jam sessions here. On one hand, like a schoolkid I am excited by the prospect of my upcoming summer adventures, but also sad to be separated from my musical friends until fall (or in my case February next year).
Before I leave, my fellow fiddle lesson students and other benefactors of Sundance’s musical generosity devise a plan to show our appreciation. He has mentioned to me several times between music lessons that he wants to learn how to organize a flash mob. As a farewell gesture of appreciation, my friends and I stage a flash mob just for Sundance.
FUN-damentals of a Flash mob
If you don’t know what a flash mob is, they occur when a group of people suddenly appear in a public place, perform briefly and then disperse. Sounds easy, right? You would be surprised how tricky it is to plan a spontaneous surprise. Undaunted, we sneak around and practice our musical mobbing routines while dodging several close calls of discovery by Sundance himself. Furtive meetings include one which ends with a desperate call to “ABORT, ABORT practice, the Eagle has landed” as Sundance orbits within range of our preparations. Somehow we manage to keep our secret and totally surprise him with his very own flash mob.
The enthusiasm of everyone involved with this project overwhelms me. Just a few text and phone calls result in a group that includes eager musicians, nimble dancers and melodic singers ready to perform. What a fantastic group of folks!! Barbara, Judy, Scott, Pete, DiMarie your guidance, load carrying and devious plots to distract Sundance are a Godsend. My heartfelt thanks to all who helped make this surprise a total success. Scott tells me that this event has been dubbed “the FIRST San Pedro Flashmob.” Looks like there will be more when we return next year so watch out Benson, Arizona!!
Thanks a million to Pete who videos and photographs our practice sessions and the actual performance. Since I have only been playing the fiddle for two months, I must solely focus on my fiddle playing to avoid causing a flash mob train wreck with me in the lead engine. What a phenomenal relief for Pete to handle the recording aspects for me. Shown below is Pete’s video highlight reel from this event. The photos of practice session and the resulting concert are also Pete’s contribution.
Old Joe Clark Flash Mob
One of the best yet, makes me want to get my guitar back out and start playing again. Your fiddle skills have really gone to town, nice job. Ya’ll could make a record or start your own “BARN DANCE” program, singing was great as was everything else. Thanks for sharing, and Sandy and I learned after joining the service, we hated to leave each and every place we were stationed, but at the same time excited about the new friends and things we would find when we arrived at our new base. Thanks again for putting us on your list, we REALLY enjoy these a lot. Stay safe, happy and Blessed. GOD BLESS JD/SD Jim & Sandy
So glad that you enjoy them. This one was a ton of fun to make!!
Sunny! Is there anything you can’t do??? That video is amazing! You go, girl! Keep up the blogs, they are so inspiring…Godspeed.
Marcia in Delaware
Yes, there are many things that still perplex me. But the fiddle turned out to be something that naturally made sense to me – who knew??
So glad to have you following along.
aren’t flash mobs the most fun?!!! This one makes me want to clog dance.
You go girl. You’re dealing with his leaving in a very positive way. I miss him terribly and still have a difficult time speaking of Ed without tearing.
Oh my goodness, they are such fun!! I miss him terribly too. But by example and words he always encouraged me to embrace every second of life. I imagine he is grinning and picking along with me. He loved music too!
Still having trouble seeing how a baritone saxophone might fit in with this group!
Maybe next year we will figure out how to get the Cub across the desert on twelve gallons of gas.
We could always be a clogger.
N. Clement
We are a pretty accepting crowd. We have spoon players, kazoo players and 5 gallon bucket bass players. If you can play 3 chords, we can figure it out.
Cloggers welcome!!! Wow – I would sure love to see the Cub coming over the horizon. That would be awesome!
That looks like so much fun!!! Wish we could join you for some of those wonderful moments!
Me too! Maybe soon!
Hi Deb!
I really enjoyed this segment. Loved seeing so many passionate musicians and I am sure all will miss the jam sessions until you gather again in 2022. If our paths ever cross again, I would be grateful if you to share your new fiddle talents with me. I have a beautiful fiddle that is in the case. Safe travels my friend. Love to yo,u, Theresa
I would LOVE to share fiddle tips and fun with you anytime. I will be on the Outer Banks of NC at Manteo from October – Dec this year. If you are still in Virginia maybe we can meet somewhere half way between. That would be so AWESOME!!! Love right back to you!