Friday, 2/1/08
10 AM We left La Junta, Colorado early this morning, after being hunkered down there for 3 nights. Herman wanted to get a head start in case we got caught on a potential snowy mountain pass that we would encounter before reaching Durango (our first destination today). There, we’ll be bidding farewell to Herman and his fabulous Stagecoach Bus and picking up 3 vehicles to finish the last week of the tour.
I have to share with you one of the typical Vanaver road experiences that will forever stand out in my memory of this tour:
When we arrived in La Junta, (The Junction between 4 states...and a real railroad town) it was Tuesday afternoon and Herman made great time driving in from Nebraska. I immediately called a seamstress in town to repair Ambe’s zipper which broke at the end of the last show. The seamstress said she’d come by the motel and pick it up. I then, sought out some interesting local places of interest, as we had a day off and a chance to relax, do laundry and connect with the local community. I picked up a brochure in the hotel lobby for the Koshare indian Museum and gave them call. I inquired about the Company coming to visit the Museum the next day and whether there were any Koshare dancers who might be around to share some of their dances with us. The museum director, Susie Sarlo, who answered the phone, knew exactly who we were, as she was on the board of the community concert association that was sponsoring our concert on Thursday night. In fact, she said, “I have to do a radio show about your concert tomorrow morning. Is there someone from your troupe who could do the show with me since you know more about your work than I do?” So, Bill and I met her at 8 AM and went over to the radio station to promote concert. I have to say that she was so delightful and so was the talk host. We had the best time!. At the end of the radio spot, someone handed me a note. The seamstress had heard us on the radio and called the station to ask us to drop the dress off, as she had forgotten to pick it up from the motel the night before but had remembered when she heard us on the radio. Susie took us straight over and while it was being repaired, she arranged for us to have a tour of the museum with program director, Jeremy Manyik, one of the head Koshares. The adobe style Museum is built with a giant Kiva -like theatre within. I can’t even describe to you how it is so beautifully and creatively constructed. The paintings, crafts and artifacts that this museum houses are so unique....so many treasures!! It was founded in 1933 by James Francis “Buck” Burshears and a group of Boy Scouts...long fabulous story. Best thing is for you to look it up on the internet (Koshare.org). We spent hours in the museum. They even took us down into the basement where much more items that had been bought or donated were being stored, awaiting the building of their extension which will eventually house their library and more exhibit halls. Some of the young Koshare children were beading and creating their own costumes. One of the elder Koshares drummed and sang for us and demonstrated some steps. The whole community that has evolved around this organization is so wonderful. They are dedicated keepers of Native American dance, song crafts and culture of mostly the Pueblo traditions even though most of the members are not Indian. Their dance practices, performances and community service keep them active well into their young adult lives and beyond. We were so happy when a big group of them attended our concert last night in La Junta at Otero Community College. The concert hall was packed last night and Zack made magic with a minimum of lights. They were a warm and enthusiastic audience of great singers..who bought all of our remaining albums. We lovingly donated the proceeds of our cd’s last night to the Koshare Museum and to the great work that this organizaiton is doing. I know this will be a long lasting friendship between the Koshares and The Vanaver Caravan. We can’t wait for them to come to our area and host them for a performance and cultural sharing.
Later on.....afternoon....we’re driving through the snowy mountain pass in the Rio Grande National Park just outside of Durango. It’s breathtaking! Nature is forever inspiring to me, I’m truly loving touring with such a wonderful group of people, bringing Woody Guthrie’s music to the land that inspired him to write thousands of songs.
10 AM We left La Junta, Colorado early this morning, after being hunkered down there for 3 nights. Herman wanted to get a head start in case we got caught on a potential snowy mountain pass that we would encounter before reaching Durango (our first destination today). There, we’ll be bidding farewell to Herman and his fabulous Stagecoach Bus and picking up 3 vehicles to finish the last week of the tour.
I have to share with you one of the typical Vanaver road experiences that will forever stand out in my memory of this tour:
When we arrived in La Junta, (The Junction between 4 states...and a real railroad town) it was Tuesday afternoon and Herman made great time driving in from Nebraska. I immediately called a seamstress in town to repair Ambe’s zipper which broke at the end of the last show. The seamstress said she’d come by the motel and pick it up. I then, sought out some interesting local places of interest, as we had a day off and a chance to relax, do laundry and connect with the local community. I picked up a brochure in the hotel lobby for the Koshare indian Museum and gave them call. I inquired about the Company coming to visit the Museum the next day and whether there were any Koshare dancers who might be around to share some of their dances with us. The museum director, Susie Sarlo, who answered the phone, knew exactly who we were, as she was on the board of the community concert association that was sponsoring our concert on Thursday night. In fact, she said, “I have to do a radio show about your concert tomorrow morning. Is there someone from your troupe who could do the show with me since you know more about your work than I do?” So, Bill and I met her at 8 AM and went over to the radio station to promote concert. I have to say that she was so delightful and so was the talk host. We had the best time!. At the end of the radio spot, someone handed me a note. The seamstress had heard us on the radio and called the station to ask us to drop the dress off, as she had forgotten to pick it up from the motel the night before but had remembered when she heard us on the radio. Susie took us straight over and while it was being repaired, she arranged for us to have a tour of the museum with program director, Jeremy Manyik, one of the head Koshares. The adobe style Museum is built with a giant Kiva -like theatre within. I can’t even describe to you how it is so beautifully and creatively constructed. The paintings, crafts and artifacts that this museum houses are so unique....so many treasures!! It was founded in 1933 by James Francis “Buck” Burshears and a group of Boy Scouts...long fabulous story. Best thing is for you to look it up on the internet (Koshare.org). We spent hours in the museum. They even took us down into the basement where much more items that had been bought or donated were being stored, awaiting the building of their extension which will eventually house their library and more exhibit halls. Some of the young Koshare children were beading and creating their own costumes. One of the elder Koshares drummed and sang for us and demonstrated some steps. The whole community that has evolved around this organization is so wonderful. They are dedicated keepers of Native American dance, song crafts and culture of mostly the Pueblo traditions even though most of the members are not Indian. Their dance practices, performances and community service keep them active well into their young adult lives and beyond. We were so happy when a big group of them attended our concert last night in La Junta at Otero Community College. The concert hall was packed last night and Zack made magic with a minimum of lights. They were a warm and enthusiastic audience of great singers..who bought all of our remaining albums. We lovingly donated the proceeds of our cd’s last night to the Koshare Museum and to the great work that this organizaiton is doing. I know this will be a long lasting friendship between the Koshares and The Vanaver Caravan. We can’t wait for them to come to our area and host them for a performance and cultural sharing.
Later on.....afternoon....we’re driving through the snowy mountain pass in the Rio Grande National Park just outside of Durango. It’s breathtaking! Nature is forever inspiring to me, I’m truly loving touring with such a wonderful group of people, bringing Woody Guthrie’s music to the land that inspired him to write thousands of songs.
