Bernard - PM me the directions. My passport is ready.

Beelady
Jose has a surprise for you.

Just so long as it's not a dog! :p (He is a sweetie! Jose, that is..)

Better get the oil changed in the car for the big drive....No piano playing for me, haven't touch mine in weeks...

I have been listening to the PW CD though...

Bernard - can you send subway directions?

Jeffrey, jon-nyc, and anyone else needing directions: I'm going to put them together this evening and will send PMs to you.

If anyone else would like the directions, please let me know and I'll PM or email you too.

Less than a week to go.

Bootsy, I got as far as pulling out a volume of Schuman 4-hands but haven't had time to more than glance at it. Whatever we do will have to be by the seat of our (at least mine) pants. Today I practiced for the first time since last Thursday.

Ax was kind enough to drop off a box of PW CD's for me to bring. If you have not yet bought or want some more, I will be bringing 18 copies.

Bernard, you get first dibs..after that it's everyman/woman for themselves!

Tomorrow's the DAY!! Yeah!

PM me if you haven't received directions yet.

Hope to see you all around 2ish.

Love you Bernard, and thanks so much for your hospitality, piano, good times and excellent vibes -- and also for the great playing.

ChristopherT, kenny and BeeLady were three members that I don't believe that I had met before, and it was a pleasure. What an incredible thing for people to come from all over (wasn't there also someone from Rhode Island? my apologies for not recalling everyone's login), just to meet and play with like minded people... for the nth time, what a kind group, and what a nice party!

Thanks so much to Bernard for your hospitality, food and booze. It was also great to hear Fingers, jon-nyc, yourself, kenny and many others play the heck out of so much very interesting music. I played four-hands with jon-nyc again: an arrangement of E. Lacouna's Malaguena, which pretty much cleared the room -- we might need to devote another practice session to this one before trying in public again.

Affectionately,

Bootsy (David Pannett)

Bernard - thanks so much for a great day. THanks also to Preston. By the way - who's to credit for the fantastic food? It was all I could do not to start eating that curry dip staight out of the bowl with a spoon.

Bootsy - its a shame you left when you did. You may remember Katrina was just sitting down to the piano as you left. After maybe 30 seconds of warm up, she played Ravel's Ondine from Gaspard de la Nuit which, to say the least, pretty much got everyone's attention. Her playing was beyond description, she played it both delicately and intensely at the same time. I cajoled her into playing most of it a second time, it was so good.

THen she played Chopin's Barcarolle, and 7-8 Scarlatti Sonatas, including the K54 that I had already (poorly) played earlier that day. SHe is beyond impressive. It turns out she's an NEC grad.

It was great to meet Kenny, BeeLady and Chris T and Elsa (sp?). And it was good to see Bernard, Jeffrey, Bootsy, and Fingers again. But Fingers - we sure missed Ben!

I'm also sorry to report Grotriman couldn't make it. He's such an integral part of these parties its just not the same without him.

Unfortunately I can't post pictures, since I forgot my camera! I do remember lots of pictures being taken, hopefully Bernard and others can post a bunch.

deleted - duplicate post

Yeah, we were expecting a hearty round of 'boos' when we were done like in our previous 4-hand performances but the audience didn't even stick around for that!

I did hear the Ondine (from Gaspard de la Nuit) from outside, while saying my goodbyes to Bernard. Still, I went home to preserve my marriage -- I was already half an hour late.

It sounded good from outside, and surely she was waiting to put us all to shame. Pity that I missed it.


Best to all, especially Katrina,

Bootsy (a.k.a. David Pannett)

Sounds like fun! Well, sorry, but I missed another one. I just have mountains of music to learn, and it is seriously cramping my social life. (I'm not even getting my usual bike rides in.) Sometime in September I should get some non-piano time to myself.

Please post your pictures if any were taken!

It was a lovely afternoon. It was nice meeting some newer members and seeing familiar ones again.

Thanks to Bernard for all your hospitality, prep and delicious food. The munchies kept me going thru the entire ride home (only 4 hours!). Do post that curry dip recipe....oh, was that ever good...

I did get a few pics but seem to have missed Jeffery and Elsa.. Elsa, Kenny's friend is something! I so enjoyed talking with her.

Fingers and jon-nyc look on while Bernard plays..



Bootsy and jon in their four hands performance..



And the end to a perfect day as we all are mesmerized by Katrina's playing....just lovely..
(Kenny, jon-nyc, Bernard, Preston, Christopher T, and Katrina)

I'm so sorry I missed your party Bernard! I was up with my mother, brother and sister in Rhode Island as you know.

Sounds like I missed some playing! I would have loved to have heard the K54.

DRAT.

So what kind of piano is that in those pix? I was told you had an upright? Did you like it down flat?

Hi all, just a really quick note till later--been super busy since last evening... I had a SWELL time, thanks to all who could make it for coming.

Preston took loads of pictures but I haven't seen them yet. Will try to get some asap... may be a few days before I get them.

Later...

Ok, well, I'm having problems with my computer here at home so the pictures will have to wait until tomorrow. I'll post them from work (don't tell my boss! Hee hee.)

fingers, Thank you for coming. I didn't know you also had a daughter (is her name Karen?--it has slipped my mind). You have an absolutely BEAUTIFUL family! Ben was missed but your daughter is such a sweetie! WHAT A SWEET and beautiful little girl--like honey or it's source: a precious flower. I'm so glad you brought her along.

Bootsy, it is always a great pleasure to be in your company. Your sight reading never ceases to amaze me. I am so happy that you graced my party with your presence.

jon-nyc, These parties would go lacking without your warmth, enthusiasm and intelligence. How wonderful that Katrina played Ondine! She told me she would probably come to my party but she wouldn't play. Ha!

Christopher T., I am honored that you came down from Queens to be at my party. Preston (and I!) enjoyed your playing very much. (Though not a musician, I am discovering that Preston has a very good perception of things musical.) Thank you for the Moonlight. I am (as are many others) looking forward to hearing you sing.

BeeLady, 4 Hours! Wow! All on account of us. You are one of the most generous people I know. Thanks for so many things. Most of all thanks for coming so far and facing the (up to 9 hour!) drive back to MA (I'm so happy it was only 4.). You're a sweetheart.

Jeffrey, I am so glad you found time in your busy life (how old is he now?) to grace my party. You made it to ... OMG... Brooklyn! (OK, I won't tell anyone). Your ardor (of the gentlest kind) is something special. Thanks.

Kenny, well what the heck--you're right here I'll thank you in person! And thank you ever so much for bringing Elsa--a beautiful spirit.


BeeLady, et. al. ... You won't be happy with the recipe for the Curry dip... we're talking about 99% fat. Egads (But!!!! One of the ingredients is honey! ). I will post it tomorrow along with the pictures.

jon-nyc, BeeLady brought us the lovely tapenade, eggplant, and artichoke spreads. Elsa brought the wonderful chickpea salad. I am responsible for the rest of the munchies. But if you all gain 10 lbs., don't blame me--I just follow recipes. (Hee hee.)

Preston also shot some 45 second avi movies with his camera. I'll post links to a few of them tomorrow. They're kinda fun.

THANK YOU ALL. I will cherish the memory.

Grotriman, know you've been in my thoughts.

Aha, yes, the piano is a Yamaha 5'3" G1R, purchased new in 1990.

Pictures!

Here are 3 from kenny:

jon-nyc:


Christopher T's beautiful smile:


BeeLady:

Here are some Preston took...

Christopher T, BeeLady, Jeffrey, kenny, Elsa:


Jeffrey, kenny:


Elsa, Jeffrey, BeeLady, Karen(?), fingers, kenny:


kenny:


BeeLady, fingers, kenny (at piano), jon-nyc, Bootsy, Christopher T., Elsa:

Bootsy:


BeeLady, kenny, Jeffrey:


BeeLady, kenny:


kenny, BeeLady, Karen(?), fingers, jon-nyc, moi:

Bernard her name is Kara and what a sweetie she is!

I have plans for that all fat recipe! And anything that uses lots of honey is definitely going into my recipe file!

Ok, you asked for it. This recipe came from "The Philadelphia Orchestra Cookbook" (published in 1980).

A few things I've learned about it: 1) The brand of mayonnaise and honey you use will affect the results; 2) It needs time to develop, best to make it the day or night before you're going to serve it.

BTW, for the party I used Kraft mayonnaise and Gunter's Pure Honey "Golden". In my estimation, this honey imparted a nice "flowery" aftertaste.

Honey Curry Dip

1 pint mayonnaise (I TOLD YOU SO!)
3 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons catsup
3 tablespoons grated onion (or less to taste)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon curry
salt and pepper to taste
9 drops of Tabasco sauce

Mix all the above ingredients and refrigerate for several hours before serving.

(contributed by Mrs. Wallace H. Wallace)


BeeLady, I've been meaning to ask you... since we're swapping recipes. Do you think I could have the recipe for that GREAT punch you made this spring?

Thanks Bernard, into the file it goes. Ketchup was a surprising ingredient!

Perhaps Frank should consider publishing a PW Party cookbook. All the parties I have attended have had great food!

So here's my contribution

Shaker Herbade
1Tbs grated lemon rind
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped fresh lemon balm or mint
1/2 cup simple syrup (*see below)
1/4 cup orange juice

Combine ingredients and let stand one hour. Add 4 quarts ginger ale and serve over ice in punch bowl.

*Simple Syrup
3 cups sugar
2 cups boiling water
1/16 tsp cream of tartar

Mix in a jar to disolve sugar, refridgerate till needed.

BeeLady,
Yes! I'd be happy to work on it--I used to be a typesetter.

Hm. Do I see a new project on the horizon?

Thanks for the recipe. It was REALLY good punch.