Sky Magic

DUKES FANS: “The sky is the daily bread of the eyes” Ralph Waldo Emerson DUKES FANS: “The sky is the daily bread of the eyes” Ralph Waldo Emerson This week has presented us with some incredible days. The temperature has been very comfortable, and the humidity has been low. The sun has been fully out, and there have simply been some beautiful days in the neighborhood. For me it has been a time for sitting outside, taking walks, and looking up. The clouds have been marvelously bright and varied. There have been big, fat, cumulous clouds, stringy stretched out cirrus clouds, and combinations of both coming together and moving across the sky. The sun has been out for much of the last few days as well, and the bright blueness of the sky has made looking up at the sky joyous. I have taken the train into town and back home several times this week, and being up above the streets and looking at the sky has had me smiling and laughing. It has been hard to be in a bad mood this week. As people who have read these newsletters for a while know, I love the sky. I did a summer course at the Franklin Institute in junior high school, and that amazed me and really introduced me to the wonders of the sky. Constellations, night skies, meteors, clouds, and eclipses all became favorite things of mine. I had seen the above painting at the Art Museum and fallen in love with it, so that and the course made me a sky lover for life. And the weather this week has reminded me of that love again. Another thing that I discovered about the sky is that wonderful skies bring people together. All this week I have seen neighbors I had not seen in a while, and we have all been in a great mood. Strangers I have seen walking down the street or waiting at the bus stops have been smiling and nodding and saying, “Hi”. People of all ages, genders, colors, and ethnic groups have been friendly in Mt Airy, Chestnut Hill Center City, and Germantown. It has made the city feel very peaceful and joyous. So mine eyes have had a feast of daily bread this week. I hope each of you have had moments of quiet wonder and truly enjoyed the weather and the sky. Both have been quietly marvelous this week.. And we are fortunate to notice and to experience them The Dukes of Destiny: Philly's longest lived and best loved blues band. http://www.dukesofdestiny.com/ 1)Wednesday, September 9 Kahn Park Concert Series (rain date Sept 10); 11th and Pine Streets; Philadelphia PA 7:30PM; 2)Sunday, September 27; Chestnut Hill Fall For The Arts Fest; Germantown Ave and Bethlehem Pike; Dukes-11:30 AM-1:45PM; Festival till 5PM We have two of our favorite gigs happening again this September. Kahn Park is one of the nicest little parks in Canter City with great plantings, comfortable seats and benches, and great plantings. Its summer series is one we have played for years, and it is in a neighborhood with some great restaurants and take-out spots nearby. There is always a great dancing crowd, and I get to see some old friends. What a wonderful way to experience summer twilight into evening. Fall for the Arts is in Chestnut Hill, and Germantown Ave from Willow Grove Ave on up to Bethlehem Pike is joyously alive from 11 AM until 5PM with tons of great craft vendors, outside dining provided by local restaurants, activities for children, wonderful shops for browsing and shopping, and of course, music. Come on out at these two great fests and say, “Bye” to summer, and “Hi” to Fall with The Dukes. Private Gigs: The Dukes have had a number of private gigs this year,, and I want to remind folks that we do a variety of private affairs. Birthday parties, retirement parties, retirement community concerts, graduations, and more. If you are interested in hosting a danceable blues event, please get in touch. Brother John; Johnny Never and John Colgan-Davis: acoustic blues duo https://johnnynever.com/home 1)Saturday, August 29; ANSON B NIXON ROOTS AND BLUES FESTIVAL Anson B. Nixon Park:405 N. Walnut St.; Kennett Square, PA; 12-5PM; Gates Open 11AM; Fest from noon-6PM, Brother John at 1:30PM Tickets; $40 starting Aug 22; $ 50 day of event: https://ansonbnixonpark.org/events/3rd-annual-roots-and-blues-festival 2) Sunday, September 6 118 Nort: 118 Wayne Ave, Wayne, PA; 7PM Opening for Billy Price; https://www.tixr.com/groups/118north/events/billy-price-band-191335 3)Friday, September 11: Triple Sun Distillery; 126 South State Street; Newtown, PA 18940:8-11PM: Phone: (215) 944-3057 Saturday Brother John is back at the 3rd annual Anson B. Nixon Roots and Blues Festival in Kennett Square. This is a fest in a lovely park setting with several stages, lots of craft and food vendors, some hiking trails, and wonderful blues and roots music. The headliner is the great Chris Jacobs band, and Borther John hits the stage at 1:30 PM. Next Friday finds us at our regular 2nd Friday of the month gig at Triple Sun Distillery in the beautiful town of Newtown in Bucks County. This is a place with good brews and sprits and tasty bar food, and it is in a wonderful setting. And we return to 118 North, a great intimate venue with great vibe, good eats, and great views. We open up for longtime roots and soul performer Billy Price and his strong band. Some very good gigs are coming up for Brother John. Come on out and catch us at these wonderful places. The Sunday Blues Jam at Jamey’s House of Music; 32 S. Lansdowne Ave; Lansdowne, PA; jamey@jameyshouseofmusic.com Blues lovers and players have made Jamey's Sunday Blues Jam the place for some great blues jamming, inexpensive and tasty eats, craft brews on tap, fresh brewed coffee, a great waitstaff, and friendly people who love the blues.  Each Sunday features an hour-long set led by a different house band, and then there is an open jam until 3PM. The second Sunday of most months features The Roger Girke-John Colgan-Davis Project as the house band, and we will be there on September 13th. Play an instrument? Sing? Just want to listen to some exciting blues and have some good food? Come on out and take part in this great blues jam with great food and liquid refreshments. $5 minimum to be spent Don’t Want to receive any more of these newsletters? Just reply with “Unsubscribe” in the Subject Line.