Only a few More Hours!!

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

Well it's about 4:30p.m., last day of February, and Portsmouth is getting ready to swing into its nightlife guise; theaters, concerts, bands and the like. G Lady hit the town early and is back for a bit of nourishment before heading out to trip the light fantastic - in snappy sneakered and white glove fashion, of course.

Speaking of sneaks, you can bet G Lady beat feet to the Press Room (PR) when she heard it had a display of glittering sneaks. Take a look at these beauties!

These dazzlers along with other fantastic Mardi Gras items are currently on display. They're the work of the Room's GM and booking agent Bruce Pingree. Yes THAT Pingree, the inaugural Grand Marshall of Portsmouth's Halloween Parade.

Bruce says friends got on his case about sharing his cool shoes, killer umbrellas and fancy threads with the rest of us. Finally he acquiesced. Personally I think the well-placed umbrellas add a nice touch to the room and should remain year-round. When Christmas comes just add a few lights, a bit of garland and voila, "the Nightmare Before Christmas." But I digress.

If you didn't stop in for lunch you missed Larry Garland's Saturday, Jazz Brunch. But fear not. There's more to come.

Tonight you can take in Jose Zumbao Tres playing the music of Pat Metheny. Tomorrow its NYC Saxophonist Dave Pietro w/ John Lockwood(bass) & Bob Gullotti (drums).

May I make another suggestion?

I popped by Nahcotta gallery earlier today - wonderful, wonderful show. Think about starting there; see a few of these works in the flesh, or canvas so to speak. Then mosey to the Room for dinner and music. By the time you arrive Pingree will likely be back from his trip to the Portland Museum where he went this afternoon to see the "Back Stage Pass" exhibit. His friend seacoaster Joe Stevens has a photo in the show; so Pingree informed before darting out the door.

So, okay seacoasters dress up and "arty-on!"

Oh,oh, and by the by, did you hear the Room will have a Mandolin Festival next Friday night? I heard David Surette is the one that put it together. Rock on and thanks David! Can't wait.

Yours in the bounty.
(Could you be happier about the place you live in)?
Gossip Lady

Photos: Mr. Mardi Gras, Bruce Pingree; His dazzling shoes, then MG costume and umbrella.
Artwork from Nahcotta: L: Costa Brava by Debra Corbett,; R: "Kitty Daydreams" by Carla Sonheim.

Bruce Pingree doing WHAT?

Greeting Gossip Lovers,

Well this is a sight to behold hum? Here lies one of the well meaning who's getting his do
for what he's done. Or maybe its because of a more recent move. Read on Gossip Lovers!

The Black and White below depicts Larry Simon BEFORE he had his great idea for a jazz and poetry festival. The guy passed out on the floor is also Simon, snapped last week, just months before the fifth annual Jazzmouth - the festival he founded.

Simon says the additional, average 3 1/2 hours a day on top of a teaching job and home life are taking its toll, (obviously). His wife is saying the same thing he adds. Loudly.

So what’s a guy to do? Add to the event of course. You can learn more about all that in that McCartin woman’s Spotlight Gossip Column next week. But for now – here’s proof Larry is coming unhinged.

One of the new events is “Poetry for Kids” at G Willikers the week before the official festival. And you’ll never guess who is working it with him. Bruce Pingree, Press Room manager, radio DJ and music aficionado

Now pause and ponder that a moment. Lots of tiny, noisy tots and Bruce Pingree.

Let’s just say Bruce isn’t what you’d call Mr. Warm and Fuzzy - cool and smart to be sure. But kid cuddly?

When asked why he chose Bruce Simon LAUGHS. “He’s going to terrify the little kids,” he says. “I can see it. … He’s going to stare at them and the kids will go ‘mommy that man is scaring me.’” He ends with another maniacal laugh.

“Nah. Really, I chose Bruce because he’s one of the best readers of jazz poetry anywhere.” It's that teacher thing kicking in. If you want to hook kids, give them the best. And so that’s exactly what Simon is doing.

Bruce will read from Wynton Marsalis's "Jazz: ABZ” and other children's books, accompanied by Larry Simon and Friends.

All joshin’ aside, those will be some lucky, lucky kids.

Yours in fun and arts
Gossip Lady.