New Years Day and Beats Without Borders

January 11, 2010 – 9:39 pm

On January 1, we went to Pt Reyes National Seashore, for the third year running. New Year’s day was rainy and I even thought we might cancel; I’m so glad we didn’t. It wasn’t pouring, and not too cold, so we walked a little bit and had a great time. Our friends, John and Julie, joined us. We drove out Lucas Valley Road, which is a rural road just a few miles from the city. We stopped in Pt Reyes Station, had some lunch, and proceeded out to the beach. Not far from the Drakes Bay Beach are lots of overlooks and viewpoints to see the elephant seals. At the boathouse we could get fairly close to a few seals where I took the photo below.

(Click on images to see larger view)

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Fence on Lucas Valley Road.
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Young seals play fighting on the beach.

The Red Hot Chachkas, the klezmer band that Barbara is in, just released a new CD, Beats Without Borders, and it’s great. Check out their website to hear some sample cuts and learn more about the band. They had a CD release party at Armando’s, in Martinez, last Saturday. You can see a few photos below, and several more on Flickr.


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Breck Diebel on bass.
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Julie Egger on violin
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Aaron Seeman on accordion.
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  1. 8 Responses to “New Years Day and Beats Without Borders”

  2. Pt. Reyes trip sounds like a perfect way to bring in the New Year. You got some exceptional shots at Armando’s too. The one of Barbara laughing is priceless! The unusual colored violin is also effective. In the thumbnail I thought it might be lighting, but larger pix shows me it is painted. Nice work.

    By Dave Topham on Jan 12, 2010

  3. Love the fence (as ladder to where?) lovely lovely. Great shots of musicians. Solo shots are so tender and gorgeous, but not fussy. Haven’t heard the word chachkas in a while, like a home giggle. Best of luck to them on their new CD. Thanks for sharing!

    By Zigi on Jan 12, 2010

  4. Thanks for the great strokes to both of you. Zigi, let me know when Upsurge is playing. Maybe I can get some photos for you.

    By fletcher on Jan 12, 2010

  5. Wonderful as usual, Fletcher. I especially like the tracks the sea lion on the left made as he undoubtedly rushed to defend his beach.

    Your images are always so intriguing – frozen moments that leave me wondering what happened next…

    By darcy on Jan 12, 2010

  6. Great photos, as always. The fence reminds me of Christo’s “Running Fence,” which I’m sure is no accident — same locale, same feel. Cf. http://www.marin.cc.ca.us/art107/images/ChristoRunningFenceLand.jpg

    By Peter on Jan 17, 2010

  7. I love the Valentine’s Day mandala you made (I love all your mandala! :-), and even more importantly, the love between you and Barbara that shine like a beacon. Congratulations to both of you for keeping those fires stoked and smokin’ all these years.

    By amy lenzo on Feb 19, 2010

  8. How can “a picture is worth a 1000 words.” if you’re left speechless?

    By Dwayne O. Parish on Feb 21, 2010

  9. Fletch – great to hear from you but sorry about the pain and suffering, but you can’t keep a good man down. It’s good to be alive!
    Happy Holidays to you and Barbara also, and as always enjoy the pix from the Master – may I be worthy some day…

    Julio

    By Julio on Dec 16, 2010

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