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| Jerry Libstaff |
The first time I was formally introduced to Jerry Libstaff,
he was interviewing Mark Runions (pianist) and me, as representatives of our
band, Jazz Musette. His article would
appear in the following month’s Key Peninsula News. Jerry was a great fan of our band and, as we talked, I found him
to be tremendously supportive of other artists, in every genre…especially when
it came to our young, budding artists.
The three of us spent a delightful afternoon on my back deck,
overlooking Joe’s Bay, six years ago now.
Mr. Libstaff has served Key Peninsula well; a year as Vice
President of Two Waters Arts Alliance, in 2004, a year as President of TWAA, in
2005, during which time he wrote monthly Art articles for the Key Pen
News. I remember being part of a music
event he organized, Jazz Musette sharing the bill with Tacoma’s own Vicci
Martinez. He was far from done.
In past posts I’ve written many times about “Words &
Music,” covering every house concert of the first season. It was amazing to see the crème de la crème
of Folk Music, in a most beautiful house, at the mouth of Dutcher’s Cove, less
than fifteen minutes from my house.
Each singer-songwriter was paired with a wordsmith, be it poetry,
novels, or both. In every audience were
people who had come from out of state, even out of country, great fans of each
performer.
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| Love's reflection |
As Jerry says, “For a small donation, our guests have the
opportunity to see world-class authors and singer-songwriters, and watch
artists work during the event. Guests
aren’t separated from the artists by a stage, they’re even able to meet and
talk with them. It’s better than a
back-stage pass. We also provide food
and beverages, for the same donation.”
Erm…providing food and beverages does not begin to describe
the spread of canapés, sushi, fresh fruit, wine, coffee, mineral water and, oh
yes, chocolate, chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate cookies…oh my, the
spread!
Jerry, and his dynamo wife, Pamela, make perfect hosts,
welcoming everyone into their home as cherished guests, only asking for
donations to Jerry’s “Young Writers” program
(more on that in a moment) which is at the heart of their house
concerts. It was Pamela’s dream, to be
able to gather good folks in their salon, for music, poetry, and author’s
readings. I love to see her smile, from
the back of the kitchen, as she watches artists and audience enter
conversations, smiles again, watching people gather around Tweed Meyer’s
paintings of both artist and performance. When she's able to join the show, she adds a dimension all her own.
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| Tweed Meyer |
House concerts are a brilliant way for minstrels (oh yes, so
has it ever been) to make a living, touring and selling their CD’s. They’re also wonderful for raising money, so
badly needed for artistic programs to continue, for the next generation of
writers and performers. I’ll keep
saying this until I drop…growing brains need the Arts, to create
language between left and right brains.
Children need this process, to push both intellect and
imagination. Hidden, here on the Key,
behind the expensive, waterfront homes, are families in need, with their
children especially in need of help, activities, and hope in those growing
brains.
I asked Jerry, what the focus was, for the Young Writer’s
program he established in 2006.
“We pair [young writers] with successful, published authors,
to show them they can have a future as a writer. It’s a free event for teens. The workshops offer kids a role
model, as well as inspiration and instruction. All of our programs
accept donations, specifically to help present these workshops. To date we have
worked with nearly 100 local teens to provide them confidence to write. It's
always wonderful when the kids come into the program as strangers and go home
as friends, with something in common.”
What made Jerry and Pam decide to create this series
of House Concerts as fundraisers?
“When Pam and I left the busy East Side, for the serene life
of the Key Peninsula, we left behind access to many of the arts and artists we
knew and loved. The act of attending a
concert changed, from an evening that involved a ten of fifteen minute commute,
to one of more than two hours in each direction.”
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| Pam's wish |
“We reached out to the art world of Key Peninsula, to both
enjoy it, as well as provide that quick access for our neighbors. Still, the prospect of experiencing
world-class entertainment was often hours away. We decided to bring it home.
Pam suggested we call our concert series “Words & Music” so we could
include the written word with songwriters.
Our first program involved eight visual artists as well.”
How does Jerry find the authors and singers…and where do
these artists come from?
“In the beginning, we were fortunate to find two East Coast
singer-songwriters, who were touring the country. Both appeared here in the Northwest during different months, and
they agreed to perform at our house. As
we went forward, we contacted several of our favorite singers, and asked to
present them. One took four years of
requests, and another took two. At this
time, however, we’re fortunate enough to have singers contact us. It’s a dream come true.”
“We have had singers from across the country, up and down
the East Coast, Austin Texas, Tennessee, Colorado, California and, of course,
Washington State. We’ve presented a
classical guitarist from Britton, and entertainers from Canada. Also, we’ve had guests fly here from New
York, New Jersey, Michigan, and Texas.
Some have driven from B.C., Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon and California, to
attend Word & Music. Not quite the
fifteen minute commute!”
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| Ari Hest |
This season’s Words & Music begins on February 18th,
with New York singer-songwriter Ari Hest, just returned from a tour in
Germany. Mr. Hest has a dozen albums to
his credit, a wonderful performer.
Washington poet, Jane Alynn, will read from her works. Ms. Alynn is an award-winning writer, with
several books. Sounds like a wonderful
way to kick off “Words & Music” for Season III
If you would like more information, to make reservations for
seating, or to get on “Words & Music” mailing list, write to Jerry, at this
address.
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