More live music, this time a new venue: Globe Iron, big brick former foundry in Cleveland’s Flats. We’re seeing The Beths, band from New Zealand.
music
Live shows and more.
Food and song last night, dance and music tonight. My daughter and I went to Duke to see Is It Thursday Yet?, a powerful and enlightening performance by dancer Jenn Freeman about her Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis at age 33. I was floored. Great voice by Holland Andrews, too. #appreciation
Table talk
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Erin and I attended the Snap Pea pop-up dinner inside Durham’s Northstar Church of the Arts. Chef Jacob Boehm and pastry chef Danielle Snow prepared a delicious locally sourced vegetarian meal and soprano Ginger Jones-Robinson, accompanied by pianist Matthew Ganong, filled the space with moving music. Snap Pea called this event ‘For the Whole Round World to Hear.’
I’d been intrigued to learn about Snap Pea because the images on its website show grand long-table meals in outdoor settings. Last night’s event was similar, with two long rows of tables, clothed in white, down the nave of the church. Erin and I sat across from each other and struck up conversations with the other couples next to us.
Yesterday, as it happened, I spent the day in Pittsboro at Perch Coworking and used the time to look back on this past year and also plan for the year ahead. In the next months, I’ll be focusing on my own Long Table project and seeking out collaborators to explore ways we can facilitate good conversations over good food.
One next step is to spin up a new blog for the Long Table; I’ll most likely use my account on Micro.blog to do that.
I am inspired by Snap Pea, and all the long history of mankind coming together over a meal to find common ground.
About to drive to Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw to see Ketch Secor (first saw Old Crow Medicine Show here in Carrboro in 2003). Also just purchased tickets to the Belair Lip Bombs in Raleigh next April.
At Cat’s Cradle with my eldest daughter to hear Vincent Lima, who gives a brief retelling of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice that threads through his new album.
I’m three episodes into Jad Abumrad’s latest podcast, Fela Kuti: Fear No Man and loving it. It’s got history, personality, music, meditation, and layers of meaning. So good.
Record store purchase today included Fleetwood Mac 1975 album. Now I’m sitting in theater waiting for new Springsteen biopic to start: Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere 🍿
Back now from a great outing in the beautifully warm NC autum day - first the No Kings protest in Hillsborough, then down the road to the Salt & Smoke & Sound festival at Blackwood Farm: democracy + free expression + assembly + sun + music + bbq + beer = gratitude for U.S.A.
Making the season’s last batch of hot sauce, in the garage, listening to the Belair Lip Bombs. Advil earlier soothed some of the aches from a long, wet game of pick-up soccer this morning. Hope to be able to walk the forest to look for turtles.
Much fun at the 28th annual Carrboro Music Festival. After 2 hours of soccer this morning and 3 hours of walking stage to stage, I am beat.
Saturday, September 27, 2025 →
Tomorrow is the 28th annual Carrboro Music Festival, with 100 bands throughout the day. I’ll be there, after morning pick-up soccer, of course. Join us! It’s free.
Thursday, September 25, 2025 →
A hot few days but the maple leaves are floating down and the hickory nuts are dropping with a thud.
Saturday, September 20, 2025 →
A gorgeous evening for pops music by Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle on the green at Southern Village (Chapel Hill, NC). Including an awesome performance of Kauyumari by composer Gabriella Ortiz, now Johnny Cash tribute. Conductor Niccolo Muti and orchestra are on fire.
Oliver and I were at Cat’s Cradle last night for a phenomenal sold out show by blues guitarist Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram and his band.
This extended music video (58 minutes!) by Jesse Welles is a treat. And damn if his upcoming shows over the next year are already sold out. But I did snag 2 tickets to his show in Boise. Luckily, I have family there.
I don’t have my Zuiker Chronicles blog streaming here, so I’ll just note that this week I’ve written posts about my first soccer goal (in 1982), a thought-provoking musical about how death row injustices affects family members, and learning from the writer Wendell Berry. Find these on zuiker.com.
Visited the Durham record stores today looking for new album by local Americana musician Joseph Decosimo but neither store had it yet so I walked out with Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago. Record sounds great in our house.
Erin and I made an impromptu visit to Marfa, Texas. We arrived just in time to surprise Erin’s sister, Katherine Shaughnessy, as she kicked off dinner for the Boise artists she’s brought here for tours. Loved the amazing Capri space for drinks, music, food, art. Katherine’s art show opens tonight.
Good show by Toronto band Ducks Ltd at DC9 in Washington, D.C. Songs all similar sounding but the playing was at fast pace and singing was electric. Glad I went. Last night I caught Detroit band Chirp, with jamming local group Dead Fish opening, at Byrdland.
One of the best shows I’ve been to recently was The Heavy Heavy (last year at Cat’s Cradle). Just saw the band will be back this way in September, at Motorco in Durham, so I snagged tickets for the family. Can’t wait. Fun band.
On my way to the mall to pick up my new suit, I caught a bit of the Sound Opinions show on our local public radio station, WUNC. A listener called in to hype the Irish band Dylan Flynn and the Dead Poets. Listening to their music on Spotify now. Running Away is bouncy good.