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Group Excursions
Sharing food with another human being is an intimate act that should not be indulged in lightly.
-- M.F.K. Fisher
Friday, December 12, 1997
Last night I took my six-year-old nephew J--- along with me to the Powerhouse. My original idea had been to do some Solstice Feast work with him over the weekend, but his busy social schedule won't allow it. In previous years we have been to a musical performance in Tacoma around the holidays, but we aren't doing that this year, and I know he'll enjoy the feast -- music, ritual, performance, festivities, all are things that fit right into his interests. You are supposed to contribute some work if you go to the feast.
He remembers the times we've been to the Powerhouse before. A few years ago, Luke sponsored a Cacophony event of kitemaking which was a lot of fun, and we were there for a rummage sale fundraiser earlier this year.
J--- was fascinated by the craft materials that the powerhouse is crammed full of. It was fun to identify all the huge "things" that have been in earlier parades.
Our first task was to try to get a luminary framework that was constructed on Monday covered with a first layer of tissue paper and glue. Then, when a woman arrived with two little girls, we shifted to one of the luminaries I made. I decided to involve the kids by asking them to tear yellow, orange, and red tissue paper into long flame-like strips. Then we covered the luminary with acrylic medium and stuck on the paper. For some variation on the second one, we cut hearts and geometrical shapes with scissors, and our colors were pink, red and purple.
Both turned out well, and I'm glad I was able to change my original ideas (which involved painting) so that the kids and the mom (and my nephew) could be included. I was surprised by how many people arrived for the first time, which wasn't in Luke's plans.
We left at eight thirty, which was past J---'s bedtime. I turned over to J--- a luggage item that I had bought at auction (a benefit for his school). This vanity case (from Nordstrom's in Denver, according to the auction tag) I think will be useful to him as a clown makeup case. I really hadn't been keeping it from him on purpose, but I had thought of getting some professional-type clown makeup to go with it. He really wanted it right then, though, so I let him get it off the back seat. As we were driving home, he examined it closely. "This is a fine case!" he said, several times. It does have a very substantial brass clasp, of curious design.
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There was a swing dance tonight at the Century Ballroom. Jon Newman and my friend Joan came along with me. Because I had posted this as an event in the ms singles events public folder (like an internal newsgroup) I wasn't quite sure who might be joining us, so I proposed that we meet for dinner at the Century Club. This place is a few blocks from the ballroom, and has a tapas menu available at the bar. We ordered tapas, and they were great! A beautiful mixture of tastes and textures. I started with a salad of winter greens with a pistachio vinaigrette dressing. (I was there first, and was waiting alone at the bar. A true test of poise!) Then we all shared grilled polenta, a butternut squash spread, calamari, and grilled vegetables. I'll definitely be going there again.
We walked to the Ballroom, and were some of the first ones there for the pre-dance class. Hallie taught us basic moves, which was fine. It's good to meet the beginners, and we can dance with them during the dance. The band was lively: "Two Scoops Combo" with a large lead singer/keyboard player. This man was built like a football player, had a full beard and dark glasses, and wore a fedora hat and a bright green suit.
During the dance, I saw Kendall, one of our classmates, through the doorway. She was still out in the hall a few minutes later, so I went to say hi, and ask her if she was coming in. She was so glad I did, because she was undecided about entering and had been peeking in the door to see if she could see anyone she knew. I asked her to join us, because she is a good lindy leader, and I need to practice.
Jon and I discussed what dance stuff we might do in January. There's a series of lessons going on at a sports club on the East Side that may be a possiblity. It would be convenient, because of the shorter drive time.
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