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Carnival Success! That's My Excuse




“Hey there!” She said, sheepishly, having avoided this moment for as long as she could.


I promise, I had my song and blog nearly ready for a mid-July sharing. I was about to post, but just wasn’t quite satisfied with my song, “When Heroes Die.”  It was a sound quality thing, which I’ve struggled with in most of my previous self-produced songs.


And I haven’t gotten back to it since.


I have a good excuse, though. It was the GRAKSOP HERITAGE CARNIVAL.


A step or 10 up from the past two-years’  Fun Days, a committee of six others and I started organizing this event back in February.  “GO BIG OR GO HOME,” they said.


So, we set the date for 20 and 21 September, the week bordering South Africa’s Heritage Day, thinking we could beat the rainy season, but we waited one week too long. A freak winter storm took South Africa by… well.. by storm. Thankfully, the meters of snow that fell further southeast didn’t reach our mountain, but a frigid, wet blanket of grey, covered us entirely.


Despite the calls to “please postpone,” which we did not, we succeeded! From the entertainers, to the vendors, to the suppliers, to the crew, Graskop, et al. came together to bring the party to town! And though I felt like a chicken with my head cut off for most of the days, having my real fun while on stage jamming with Soul Taxi, I can look back on the event with a smile of satisfaction and eagerness for the next one!


But before we get ahead of ourselves, how about some highlights: Check out this Video Hive production of the carnival, and make sure to like and subscribe to the GCBT channel.



 

As for my music, this event got me connected to some fantastic peeps. Elaine Arts of Global Artists and Inferno Fireflies has asked to represent me as my publicity and booking manager. Oh how I’ve been waiting for this type of invitation! Finally, someone else to promote my music and get me gigs! And a kindred spirit to boot!


Speaking of getting gigs, I really enjoyed my public jam session with Soul Taxi so much that I asked them if we could do a concert, sometime next year, and they said “YES!!”  So I’ll be planning for that. It will be so much more than an un-practiced jam! It will be the real deal. Probably a benefit concert, and probably to raise money for the Emmanuel’s Home car fund.


Speaking of Emmanuel’s Home, my CAN Club kids did great at the carnival! I was so proud of them, singing “I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,” while the mist hung heavy overhead. Their best performance was an acapella version of “Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika” an adaptation of the South African National Anthem. Ages 4 to 18, their hearts and harmonies blended into one beautiful tribute <3


All in all, besides the weather and a last minute cancellation from one of our performance groups, the carnival was a win for everyone involved. A huge shout out to all our sponsors and participants who made it happen, and to all who bundled up to brave the cold. If you watch the video, you'll see the long list of credits to all who participated.


For me, it was a dream come true. Bringing community together for good is what I like to do.


Now to plan for Christmas!


Cheers, 'til next time!


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