Music Under the Trees

[azurelunatic]

I had reluctantly decided that seeing Seanan perform at Music Under the Trees was not in the cards because budget, but a few things shifted. I had, of course, lost track and was sure it had sold out and/or already happened, so when Seanan retweeted that there were 6 tickets left, I asked alexseanchai if they had plans, then updated them on their new plans. (Which worked because we'd already had the "gosh this event yes please" chat, *and* because "my plan is sleep and an ice pack" is also a perfectly cromulent plan.)

So we zipped off on Saturday, not entirely knowing what to expect. (Belovedest had their monthly weekend work shift.) Signage picked up about where the map left off.

We found seats (extreme back right by the stone stairs) and LO THERE WAS MUSIC.

Highlights:
* Unexpectedly but unsurprisingly seeing tygerr and cawingcrow
* stealthcello explaining how her synaesthesia works in the composition process
* The reaction when I pitched "Unseelie toddler running through the farmers market" to Menage a Trio for musical improv
* Alexander James Adams, entirely
* The band that flooded Chicago, oops
* #notalldragons #butdefinitelythisguy
* The mushroom alfredo sauce
* The rhubarb fool would probably have been one but I was too overwhelmed to actually find an appropriate vessel or utensil
* Crocheting pieces of the happiness and magic into my lace nightgown in progress
* Ophelia
* Space Girl
* The one with the Furies, Furiosa, and political climate
* Still Catch the Tide
* My Story is Not Done
* Wicked Girls Saving Themselves

We absconded fairly quickly after, as everyone was ow and flomp. Traffic was a mess in Tacoma due to a previous drunk driver murdering a motorcyclist on I5. Belovedest had chicken strips heated and ready. They're a great partner.

Next year I want Belovedest and my morail and my morail's datefriend and all the bits of the polycule who would enjoy it to join us. And to maybe bring our own chairs.

Comments

[alexseanchai]

own chairs good if better cushioned than that one was

look what's on YouTube from last year

the synesthesia thing is so cool how she explained it

I really hope someone's recorded "Ophelia"

[jenett]

It's on Sunnie's new album that just came out (or at least the Kickstarter backed version is now.) The Space Between Notes

(Very envious of getting to hear all the awesome things in person.)

[alexseanchai]

ooo!

…money. 😿

[azurelunatic]

I ran out of yarn partway through and had to resort to Gems of War as a fidget item. I lost one of my crochet hooks but the bearded member of the nearby sparkly polycule found it.

[ckd]

I wanted to go but had a conflict. Next time, I hope.

At least I had a chance to see several of the artists at solcita's CD launch.

[azurelunatic]

I hope you're able to make it! It was great.

[azurelunatic]

From http://musicunderthetrees.com/performers/ :



Betsy Tinney, cello storyteller: Using a cello and an electronic loop pedal, Betsy weaves rich, complex and varied tapestries of sound. Her original cello compositions paint pictures and tell tales, from thunderstorms and skeletal mice to dancing elephants and humpback whales. In addition to her solo work, Betsy performs with many different groups (from singer/songwriters to rock bands). She often be found beneath a very large Maine Coon cat (she has several), does calligraphy and makes jewelry, and spends an inordinate amount of time catching Pokemon. (Team Instinct; favorite Pokemon: Phanpy - of course.) Website: betsytinney.com



Ménage à Trio is a string improv trio featuring Betsy Tinney on cello, Sunnie Larsen on viola and Alexander on fiddle. Together they will create musical magic right in front of your eyes! No pre-arranged or memorized melodies, keys, or tempos; instead, they improvise music inspired by prompts from their audience (for example, "Insomnia," "Whisky and Chocolate," or "A Tipsy Wyvern"). An ongoing, always once-in-a-lifetime experience that should be not be missed; come be part of creation!



Multi-instrumentalist Alexander James Adams performs original songs that will delight, entertain, and inspire you; they run the gamut from myth to whimsy, with a few blazing fiddle tunes thrown in that will get your feet tapping. Website: alexanderjamesadams.com


Cathy McManamon is a singer/songwriter/guitarist/drummer from Chicago. This is her first appearance at Music Under the Trees.

She occasionally performs solo, but more often in the Pegasus Award-winning trio Random Fractions (with Jason Neerenberg and Daniel Gunderson), and she is the drummer for the filk rock band Toyboat.

Cathy also facilitates monthly public drum/rhythm jam circles as an Artist in Residence at Life Force Arts Center in Chicago.



Cade Tinney is a Northwest singer/songwriter and visual artist whose sweet, soaring voice has enchanted audiences from Seattle to Baltimore. They have given solo concerts at WorldCon, Orycon, Balticon, Baycon, Chessiecon, Conflikt, and Faerieworlds, among many others.

At Music Under the Trees, Cade will be backed by their band, consisting of Tony Fabris, guitar; vixy Dockrey, djembe & voice; Sunnie Larsen, viola; Betsy Tinney, cello; and Marcos Duran, drum. Cade has a very naughty Maine Coon cat named Lady Amalthea, a fondness for D&D, and a complete lack of pet squids.




Vixy & Tony is a Seattle folk/filk band, consisting of Michelle "Vixy" Dockrey (vocals, percussion), Tony Fabris (guitar), Betsy Tinney (cello), and Sunnie Larsen (fiddle). They perform acoustic folk/rock/filk at SF/Fantasy conventions, filk conventions, and coffeehouses - and, of course, at Music Under the Trees (every MUTT so far!). Website: vixyandtony.com

(The same lineup was the backing band for Sunnie, and they switched off between Vixy and Sunnie throughout.)

Seanan McGuire is best known as a New York Times bestselling author and Hugo award winner, and has been Guest of Honor at countless conventions worldwide. But Seanan is also an accomplished songwriter and vocalist, and we are thrilled to have her as a featured performer at Music Under the Trees 2019! Website: seananmcguire.com