BOOTS AND OTHER HOLIDAY TREATS

‘Tis the season’ for fruit cake, warm hugs, hurry-up-and-get-it-over-with hugs, gifting and re-gifting, making resolutions that won’t last ten minutes past New Years Day, cursing traffic crazies and hanging out with people we don’t usually hang out with. So let’s get real. These holidays can be really stressful. For a lot of people. For a lot of reasons. Can we admit that? Please…

Well The CC Strummers and I are going to make it all better. Next week at our Ukulele Holiday Show. Sure we sing Jingle Bells and Mele Kalikimaka and I’m Spending Hanukkah in Santa Monica but we also include what I lovingly call “The Dysfunctional Family Corner.” I admit this is my idea because it’s a subject I know well—both personally and professionally.

Come holiday time my emotional radar is exquisitely tuned to “trouble.” For example, when I’m doing a restaurant gig I put my mouth and fingers on automatic and scan the room for toasty pockets of drama. Like the family at Table 5. They are the very picture of “suffering made visible.” Even the best service and tastiest comfort food, like gooey anything, will not elicit a smile. Then there is the house party in the upscale hilly neighborhood. The happy couple are this close to duking it out as the sushi chefs are setting up in the living room, I’m spreading Christmas sing-a-long books on the piano and “Joy to The World” is wafting through the stereo speakers.

And Happy Holidays to you too!

So The CC Strummers are taking on relationship angst and revenge with our holiday version of These Boots Were Made For Walkin’. Tom, our new U-bass player, has been woodshedding mightily with his teacher to learn those iconic bass lines. It’s so cool. And SO cathartic! I feel positively purged of yuk by the time we finish the song. Yes Silent Night is gorgeous. Winter Wonderland a joy. Silver Bells, ding-a-ling fun. But we also want to tell world that “you keep lyin’ when you oughta be truthin’…” Okay?

If you live near Culver City, California, please join us for our big family-friendly (believe it or not) Ukulele Holiday Show. It’s free, fun and fabulous. Tuesday, December 9, 1:00 to 2:00 P.M. at the Culver City Senior Center. 4095 Overland Avenue, Culver City, CA 90232. Free parking across the street. Permit parking in the adjoining lot. Come early, grab a seat, some good ukulele vibes and get ready to sing, clap and dance along.

And…

However your holidays unfold, enjoy the ride!