Guitar Circle Sundays #2, 1-23-11

Victor, Dev, Alex, Chris, Rick, Brad, Glenn

Various Circlers arrive between 5:30 and 6:00. R, C and A are the first present and go about setting up the performer-seats. To do this, a mark is made using masking tape in the approximate center of the playing area; from here, a speaker cable is employed to make the stools roughly equidistant from the tape and from one another. The resulting circle will be the framework for the performance space, including the lighting arrangement, which has been tampered with since last week.

Other members of the team begin to make their way in from the cold - some get to work setting up equipment while others clean and prepare the venue, as necessary practical tasks seem to delegate themselves. The condition of the bathrooms is now being taken into consideration, for the available use of the bold and daring in need.

During the practical work guests arrive, and are guided upstairs to where the Circle will shortly be holding a soundcheck and brief warm-up.

For this, there are some "probe" circulations and parts of pieces called. The group also visits a familiar exercise which is given some new colors, probably a suitable variation given the presence of patient listeners.

Tonight, a set around forty-minutes which is received enthusiastically and with curiosity. Subjectively (for the writer), a strong showing.

Some mingling after the performance, followed by a pow wow with snacks. Discussion revolves around a new priority entering the realm of Circle life: promotion. This is how we make our presence known in the world - speaking of which...

Come see Guitar Circle Sundays! Yes, you! If you are in the Boston area, what better way to relax on a Sunday evening than being surrounded by seven guitars mixed in quadraphonic sound, a sonic landscape where arrangement, improv, angularity and elegance form one continuity? Here's the next show:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=161435913902865

Free admission - be there or be . . . well...

Afterward, there is some rehearsal of Debussy and Cat Stevens, both of which will soon be premiering in the repertoire. After a long night, the meeting ends at nearly 10:30.