An exquisite evening- Strings in the Chapel with the voices of Jude and Ra Johnstone, the writing of Judith Larmore and the traditional "T'was the night..." from Bruce Black. This California village was at its creative best.
A deep star field wrapped around the candle lit Chapel on the crest of the hill presiding over the east village. A garland of sparkling luminescence cloaked the shrub in front of the white wood and the walk way. The shimmery glow on the top of the hill beckoned Cambrians who made the steep pilgrimage. A mellow spirit filled the fresh air, rich with pine and hints of the sea.
143 years of community mingled with those in place on this night; extraordinary players-violins, cello, viola, harp, guitar and the villagers, anticipating the magic of a special night, unique in a settlement of talent, authenticity and eccentricities.
And powerful the music was. Young Ra Johnstone's a capella opening of Amazing Grace prompted tears and lumps in the throat which only intensified when her accomplished mom, Jude, joined in. The mood was set. Virtuoso string performances of classic, traditional, contemporary music and carols--poetry and the vivid time shifting story and message from Judith as the bow on the gift of this special night. This little village tucked beneath Monterey Pines between the Pacific and the Santa Lucia Mountains is accustomed to the best from California players. The candle lit second Saturday in December, in the acoustically charmed chapel, is something even more.
I wish everyone could have sipped of this extraordinary night of flickering light, strings, voices and memories on a Christmas watch where 143 Advent seasons have been greeted.
Photo Courtesy of Santa Rosa Chapel -Cambria Ca.
Photo by Lana Cochrun. Taken a few seasons ago on Sanibel Island Florida.
Sorry, I was just struck by the similarity of color.
See you down the trail.
who IS that bum on the beach; WHO let him into the neighborhood. I bet he tells all his friends how nice it is to live there where he does.
ReplyDeleteTry Minnesota at this time of the year.
IT is flaky, too. =w=
We rarely go to church, even during the holidays. However,Jan and I hold the memory of a Christmas Eve service at Arlington Street Church in Boston close. The congregation was formed in 1729 and almost 150 years later built the Arlington Street Church in 1861. The memory of centuries of celebration rang off those old walls. We walked home well after midnight down a snowy, peaceful Commonwealth Ave overwhelmed with the spirit of the season.
ReplyDeleteLook at the size of those peppers! And the ones in the skillet aren't too shabby either.
ReplyDeleteI would just like it recorded here that, in spite of my post recently, I have never known this man nor do I know him now.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you had a wonderful night with this. The pictures were great. It looks like you really enjoyed the evening.
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