Ken Lelen Combo
Spring 2011 New England Tour
Spring 2011 New England Tour
Tuesday, March 29, 2011 to Friday, April 1, 2011
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We entertained 175 people at four concerts in four days.
I played four guitars: 1912 Grauso; 1926 Maurer #493; 1937 Kalamazoo
KG-21 (Riggs); 1933 Martin OM-18 (Sandburg); and 1938 B&D Groton 1.
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Southgate, Shrewsbury, MA
Our second concert at this venue, we drew a small crowd — about 25 people — to the facility's splendid theater. The audience size, which was half newbies and half returnees, was as disappointing to our host as it was to us. But we were heartened to hear several people say afterwards that their friends had missed a nice concert, which included 16 songs in a 65-minute program.
Nevertheless, our host has planned a return to Southgate in late October for a Sunday afternoon soirée. It will be held in a large informal space with tables and chairs, so we hope we'll see both the facility's residents and their families.
When residents and family combine to attend our concerts, they tend to enjoy themselves in fun and unexpected ways. First, they're not stuck in the parent's apartment on a visit. And they're not out shopping. Instead, they're sitting in a pleasant setting, enjoying music they both know. The adult children often tell me they recognize all the songs we play. We are not surprised. Long ago we learned that people in their 30s, 40s and 50s grew up hearing mom and dad's music in the background of their youth. So we are expecting a large and pleasant crowd in October.
Nevertheless, our host has planned a return to Southgate in late October for a Sunday afternoon soirée. It will be held in a large informal space with tables and chairs, so we hope we'll see both the facility's residents and their families.
When residents and family combine to attend our concerts, they tend to enjoy themselves in fun and unexpected ways. First, they're not stuck in the parent's apartment on a visit. And they're not out shopping. Instead, they're sitting in a pleasant setting, enjoying music they both know. The adult children often tell me they recognize all the songs we play. We are not surprised. Long ago we learned that people in their 30s, 40s and 50s grew up hearing mom and dad's music in the background of their youth. So we are expecting a large and pleasant crowd in October.
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Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Heatherwood, Yarmouth Port, MA
Heatherwood is a gorgeous retirement community filled with warm and friendly residents. Matt and I again filled the facility's Meeting Room for our latest concert, which included 17 songs in a 70-minute event.
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Thursday, 31 March 2011
Mayflower Place, West Yarmouth, MA
Though Sarah Franey, our long-time host at Mayflower Place, has departed for a greener professional setting elsewhere on the Cape, the facility's managers still provided us with a full house. This time, we offered 18 songs in a 70-minute concert. As is usual at Mayflower, our music enticed a few people to get up and dance. This is always fun for us because it makes the rest of the audience glow with joy.
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Friday, 1 April 2011
Overlook Community, Charlton, MA
This was the second appearance for the Ken Lelen Combo at Overlook. We performed a 17-song, 65-minute concert in the Performing Arts Center.
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© 2011 Kenneth Lelen — All Rights Reserved
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