I'm starting with the shows today since there are few, but they are important. Scroll down for my thought-provoking Pres. Obama inspired volunteer day email. . .
Fri. Jan. 30th Rissman, Uveges and Braithwaite (THE RUB) at Wooglin's Deli in Colorado Springs. 6:30 - 9pm $Pass the Hat$ I've not played Wooglin's in many years, but it has been an acoustic haunt here at 823 N. Tejon St. for a long time. Call 578-9443 for directions or reservations. . . I believe catching Susan, KJ and I will be a rarity as the months go by.
Sat. Feb. 7th 7:00Pm. Joe Uveges in a House Concert open to the public at the home of Charles Sjolander, 724 N. Cedar. Colorado Springs. $10 donations. BYOB and a plate to share. Contact Charles at 578-8643 or Joe at 227-8648 for reservations or simply respond to this email. Seating is limited (approximately 40) so please consider making a reservation. (Charles and I will perform a short set together including some of his material.)
Thurs. Feb. 19th 7:30PM Carrie Newcomer In Concert (Joe U. Opens) at the High Plains Unitarian Universalist Church 1825 Dominion Way (Intersection of Academy and Dominion just north of Lehman and Academy). I became familiar with Carrie's music years ago when she won the "New Folk" Songwriter contest in Kerrville, TX about 1996. She is an evocative lyricist AND there are lovely stories in her songs. Her voice is like smoke and water... Smooth, deep, and it holds you. Last time she came to town, about 4 years ago, I opened for her and was really taken both by her performance and her (then) new album, "Rosie's Diner" which I have listened to almost as much as Peter Mayer's "Earthtown Square". (She'll be joined by her piano player side person.) $16 entry or $14 for BRAS, KRCC or HPUUC members. Mail checks made out to Steve Harris and mail to ME at Joe Uveges 222 LaClede Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80905 You may also call Steve Harris directly for prepay tickets 471-7995.
Sat. March 14th, Peter Mayer (Joe U. opens) 7:30pm showtime High Plains UUC 1825 Dominion Way. Tix $17(door) and $14 for any prepay sales. Mail a check to me at Joe Uveges 222 LaClede Ave. C.S. CO 80905 (227-8648 for questions) What can I say about Pete Mayer that I've not said before? He is my all time favorite songwriter. Bring a couple friends and experience the magic. After 5 years of hosting him at St. Francis, we've opted for the Unitarian Church at High Plains because it has a wonderful area in the back where we can share refreshments. Seating will be more limited, but much closer to the artist. This show should sell out so get your checks in early. . .
Lastly, I'd like to put out a call for a church venue to host Stephanie Pauline and myself in a Christian "songwriter in the round" concert here in the Springs sometime in very late March or May. Steph is a Christian singer/songwriter who I've known for about 5 years. She splits her time between Minnesota and Colorado Springs, a good move for a songwriter. She's had a fair amount of national success of late (radio play, compilation discs,etc). Shoot me an email if you find yourself moved to host a show. You can check her out at www.stephaniepauline.org.
"I love Carrie Newcomer. The Geography of Light is full of gorgeous arrangements that frame her soulful vocals, and the song `Geodes' will make you catch your breath with its wisdom and beauty."
- Mary Chapin Carpenter
"Heartbreakingly perfect production and a voice at its all-time best, I have fallen madly for this one."
- Barbara Kingsolver
CARRIE NEWCOMER
Feb. 19, 2009
Concert 7:30 pm
1825 Dominion Way
Colorado Springs, CO
For More Info Phone: 719-260-1080
www.hpcuu.org
High Plains Unitarian Universalist Church
Volunteer Day
Today my son Andrew and I did our part on the volunteer front, as requested by President -elect Obama, to celebrate Martin Luther King Day. We showed up at the Mission Medical Clinic (a local Co.Springs based non-profit that provides medical services to people with little or no money) and painted for about 3 hours. It was truly both fun and productive and I think Andrew enjoyed himself almost as much as I. There were 32 volunteers in all. . . only one of whom I knew personally: a student and friend of my daughter at Cheyenne Mt. High School, Alex Pigford. He was missing basketball practice to be there. Very cool.
The event was great for me on numerous levels. First, it felt great to be an American first, and not a Republican. I had to wonder, though, whether I was the only person there who did not vote for our soon to be first black president. (You can imagine how bittersweet it was to watch the election night returns in November for those 48% of us who voted for the clunky patriot. I have to admit, I cried, watching Barack in Chicago that night. It was a lovely moment.) Secondly, it felt great to be able to move past my disappointment in the loss and get behind the new president. (I wonder if the Bush White House staff removed all the "O's" from the computers in their unhappiness with the election results. Somehow I think not. His was not a very successful presidency, but he at least kept a modicum of class to the end.)
Now, I know a few of you are wondering why I, a folk musician, could possibly have not voted for Sen. Obama. I guess maybe for the same reasons that 6% of black voters did not vote for him. (I am so curious to question that segment of the voting population, aren't you?) Clearly, for them, as for me, race was NOT the issue. It made me realize that in the world of ideas, there is no black or white, no female or male, no gay or straight. There are only good ideas, and bad ideas; only wise suggestions or foolish ones; workable solutions, and unworkable solutions. In choosing who to vote for I found myself looking for a history of good ideas. I didn't find enough of them on the Obama side so. . . the clunky patriot got my vote. I am very hopeful that Pres. Obama will rise to the level that his new office demands (it's looking good so far I must say) and forward ideas that speak to the fundamental American ideals that our country was founded on, with "life, liberty and justice for all" in the forefront.
Anyway, one of my close friends gave me a copy of "Dreams of My Father" (Pres. Obama's first book . . . what the heck it's only 12 hours until inauguration so let's forego the "President-Elect" title shall we?). I've got one chapter left. It is extremely well written and I've loved reading it. It gives ME hope to hear some of the stories of his work in Chicago, his upbringing in Hawaii and Indonesia, his visit to his father's family in Kenya. The part I find most hopeful is his capacity to understand human beings and what motivates them, both the fine motivations and the "base or petty" ones, and sit within the discomfort of his understanding without simply discounting the people he is with. I find this to be a remarkable trait. I do believe that he has the capacity to make you feel "heard", even when you may disagree with his policy ideas. I think he will, in his search for truly workable solutions, find himself both pleasing and pissing off both sides of the aisle on a regular basis. I have to say that I will find this refreshing. (Witness the brilliant example of including both Rev. Rick Warren(Right wing Fundy anti-gay) and Rev. Eugene Robinson (first openly gay Episcopal Bishop) in the inauguration festivities. Sweet.
In any case, back to the volunteer day. Why was I there? I wanted my son to experience doing good work with other good people simply for the joy of helping out folks who have less than we do. I wanted him to see that when our President ask something of us, even when we don't vote for him, that we are classy enough to support him in his request, recognizing that we are all entwined with one another though we may disagree on certain things. And of course the best reason to be there (to once again quote that lovely writer Wendell Berry); "When you see the work to be done, how can you not be the one who wants to do it?" (AH!)
Lastly, I want to take a moment to thank Alex, the student from Cheyenne Mountain H.S., for being at the event. Not only did he do good work, but it was a great gift for my son to see a young man show up alone, knowing no one, pitching in, helping out. Thanks Alex for that. You made my day.
I'll be doing a concert to benefit the Mission Medical Clinic on May 2nd, 2009 at 7pm at the Broadmoor Community Church. If you couldn't come to help out with the painting, come to the show and throw some money in the direction of the Clinic. They are doing good work day in and day out to give the less fortunate an option for health care in this amazing city of ours. Mark your calendars and rock on dear friends. . . Joe U
Uveges News Archives:
June, 2010 Uveges News
June Update on Summertime schedule,
Palmer Lake Sat. , Secret Garden Tues
April, 2010 Uveges News
“Chicken Head and the Polyrythymic Church of Lowered Expectations”,
A Visit from the Thompsons
January, 2010 Uveges News
Peter Mayer Jan 23rd, "On the Goodness of Citizens and Smaller Gov't."
October, 2009 Uveges News
Cowboys, Portland, New York, and Castle Rock
September, 2009 Uveges News
The Chicken Scratch Diaries
and August/Sept shows
February, 2009 Uveges News
Cruise update(YEAH), Pete Mayer
Palmer Lake, Pueblo, Canon City
January, 2009 Uveges News
Peter Mayer, Carrie Newcomer,
The RUB and "Volunteer Day"
December, 2008 Uveges News
"The Mainline Adventure (for guys only)
and the last show of the year. . ."
March/April, 2008 Uveges News
"Karl Marx Lesson, Colorado Springs
and Denver shows, N.East tour"
January, 2008 Uveges News
"Portland OR, HPUUC, Soul Link, and NASCAR"
October, 2007 Uveges News
"When Freedom Calls CD Release Concert "
September, 2007 Uveges News
"The End of Summer . . .Portland, Black Forest, Monarch"
August, 2007 Uveges News
"Working Boys (Cont),
Aug./ Sept shows, Olive Branch Returns every Thurs"
July, 2007 Uveges News
"On summer projects, boys, and schedule"
June, 2007 Uveges News
"Ducks in trees, the Philharmonic, and schedule for june, july"
(click here)
April/May, 2007 Uveges News
Late April, Early May shows
and the story of the "Stinking Ant Eater"
(click here)
March, 2007 Uveges News
This weekend in C.Springs, and New Hampshire end of March
(click here)
February, 2007 Uveges News
Soul Link with S. Rissman, N. Hampshire etc.
(click here)
November, 2006
Pre-marital Sex, Tours and End of Year Shows
(click here)
September, 2006
CABOOM!!!
(click here)
August, 2006
August 06 Co.Springs, Creede, Trinidad
(Click here)
July, 2006
On Maggot Farming and the summertime schedule
(Click here)
June, 2006
Summer Musings and Schedule Through Late August
(Click here)
April, 2006
Music and Rafting on Bighorn Sheep Canyon
(Click here)
March, 2006
March shows and Monarch Ski resort
(Click here)
January, 2006
Soul Link
(Click here)
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