August 3, 2017 Veteran's Park Free Thursday Night Concerts

The final Thursday night Veteran's Park show of the free concerts series was completed last night with a bang by the powerful, horn-driven Manchuka.  This show was cancelled previously due to bad weather from July 13th, but the crowd still came through to enjoy the performances.

Andy Kiniry was the opening act and welcomed the crowd with popular songs that were well-liked and received and included singing along with him at times.

Haley and Brit

Then, a little while later, Brit came and purchased this cute jean bag with black leather fringe and the girls let me take another picture.  Wow, don't they look great!  And thanks so much girls!

During Andy's performance, I had the pleasure of meeting Haley and Brit and their grandmother.  Their grandmother, as always being equally loving to each grandchild, gave them some cash to buy something and Haley liked this popular bag with the tassels and jewels. I asked these lovely young ladies to model the bag for me because I'm always looking for young girls to make my bags look good and they graciously agreed.  

Brit and Haley

Rene isn't as serious as he looks here.  Thanks Rene!

A funny coincidence, my customer above, Rene, bought this curly maple heart with a redheart wood heart inlay and just a few minutes later, Renee, came and bought a tiger bag.  Rene and Renee (not together) both told me where to put the accents, sorry I can't do it here, but I do care about things like that!

Renee, thanks for modeling this for me!

Ginny used to work for the forest service, I love that!  She saw my woodworking and decided I (and my husband John) could maybe help her with a cedar chest that has some "dog" damage. You never know unless you ask the question, right Ginny! Thanks!

You bet I purposely chose this section of tiger caspi to include those knots.

Ginny bought multiple small dot inlay hearts.  I recently finished a lot of that size in new woods.  I try to have the small, inexpensive ones to lure a customer in to my world of loving the woods and taking the time to see the intricacies of the grains and natural wood colors.  

Mahogany, Bocote, Rosewood, Osage Orange, Myrtle, Bubinga

Mahogany, Rosewood, Purpleheart, East Indian Marblewood

This Bocote heart with diamond abalone inlay made my eyes wide with delight when I first saw the knothole and crazy grain on the large, flat, rectangular piece.  It's the epitome of my looking for special interest in the woods.  Following along with that, I certainly made the cutting of the hearts on this Osage Orange below to include the heart-shaped knot....so cute!

The energized Manchuka wowed the crowd right off the bat with the full, booming sound of the band including the large horn section.  People were dancing to the driving hits and the tender ballads.  They sent the audience off with great songs to remember and calling for more, however they played the full time frame and couldn't do an encore, but everyone loved it! 

the powerful horn section

Thank you Michael!

I couldn't see these guys from where I was, so I walked over and took this picture.

As I walked over to take the right side of the stage bandmember's picture, I saw Michael and had to snap this one.  He's looking at me as if to say "What are you doing?!", but I wanted to mention what a great organization Intown Manchester is and Michael personifies that.  He is ever helpful, pleasant and courteous and probably didn't want his picture taken. Many, many thanks to Intown Manchester, Trixie, and all of the team for the terrific jobs they do all year to highlight participation in Manchester and also thanks to the other sponsors, TD Bank, SNHU, the City of Manchester and I think, WZID and Heather Bishop.  

If you like the bands/performers and/or the sponsors, please like and/or share and click on the links for more information.  Thanks!

http://www.intownmanchester.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/IntownManch

http://manchuka.com/index.html

 https://www.facebook.com/Manchuka-183001875078161/ 

https://www.facebook.com/andy.kiniry

July 27, 2017 Veteran's Park Free Thursday Concert Series

The unsettled sky that began the evening changed to delightfully pleasant and clear blue to end it at the Veteran's Park's 2nd Thursday Night Free Concerts.  The clearing of the weather led to a slow but steady streaming in of the audience on the nicely kept green grass. 

Jordan Levesque opening the show as the weather cleared and the park filled up.

The talented singer, songwriter Jordan Levesque (an announcer had a problem with the pronunciation, but I'm a native Manchesterite) opened up the show while the sky cleared and people slowly kept meandering in. She kept them all entertained and singing along with the popular songs she performed and then ended her segment with her latest original per a request.

Jordan Levesque

As one would think, at Veteran's Park there are many salutes, songs and thank you's to any and all Veteran's no matter who the acts are, but on the 39th Army Rock Band night there is always the National Anthem sung.  It is one of my favorite parts of any of the shows.  It was sung this year by the female singer of the band (wish I had her name, couldn't find it on the facebook site) and the feeling of patriotism from the audience standing, saluting and/or singing was strong and emotional.   

The National Anthem, I think the t-shirt says it all.

After the National Anthem, the 39th Army Rock Band began their performance and at times even I...alone...in my booth had to dance!  Big surprise to the people that know me...NOT!  Earth, Wind and Fire, and Stevie Wonder songs will do that to me. 

Many more people besides these youngsters were dancing by the end of the night to the powerful 39th Army Rock Band.

As the performance continued into the night, the band charmed the audience with favorites, beautiful ballads and tunes to rock the night away.  The multiple singers and harmonies, the horns and all the other instruments were the total package. And....I think the female singer actually played the "portamento" (?) while the keyboard player was playing other chords......crazy band!

My customers that buy an item later in the night when it is pretty dark and the music is loud, I won't have a picture of and it's difficult to tell them about my blogs, but my customer, Stephanie, came early and she let me photograph her and her items.  She bought a cute, white textured drawstring bag with a kind-of furry red weave lining and long strings, and also my favorite "Mom" bag from May with a red velvet outside and a white suede-like lining.  Both inside and outside have an exquisite feel.  The strings are short and I love the tiny satin rosebuds and gold bullion fringe.

Thank you Stephanie!

Red velvet bag with white suede lining, gold bullion and satin roses

Ebony heart with golden Mother-of-Pearl rosebud inlay

Stephanie and Elinor, thank you guys!

Stephanie's friend, Elinor, walked up as she was finishing and as Elinor admired my rosebud heart, Stephanie purchased it for her!  How nice!  As I expand my heart designs, I always wanted to do flowers, especially roses, and this was new from June. I had done this poinsettia for the holidays.  They are more intricate to do and what I am aiming for. 

Purpleheart wood heart with golden Mother-of-Pearl poinsettia inlay

I would like to mention that any of the designs I show for my hearts can be special ordered. So, if you like something, send me a message/comment on this site or facebook and I'm sure we could work it out.

One thing I don't always mention is that there are multiple raffle giveaways for great items/gift certificates for a minimal price for tickets.  Many of the tents set up offer free items also.

Intown Manchester, TD Bank, WZID, SNHU, and the City of Manchester are the great sponsors for these events and they deserve a Big Thank You!!  There is one more Thursday night and two Saturdays left of these free concerts.  Here is Intown's link:  http://www.intownmanchester.com/ ,and the 39th Army Rock Band's  https://www.facebook.com/39thArmyBand/  , the next Thursday band, Manchuka's facebook link  :https://www.facebook.com/Manchuka-183001875078161/, and also Andy Kiniry's facebook link:  https://www.facebook.com/andy.kiniry  

Please post a comment if you would like to and let me know if there are any errors in my information, I will definitely make the corrections.  

If you like the shows, DiZigns or any sponsors, please like and share to keep things going strong.  Thanks!

2017 Veteran's Park Free Concert Series July 20th

The excitement could be felt like electricity in the HHH air at the Veteran's Park 2017 Thursday opener, as well as in Heather Bishop's (WZID) ecstatic greeting on the stage before the entertainment.  She had the crowd forgetting the heat and cheering for the music.

There were not many other vendors at this show, which left a lot of room for the crowd to fill the park in as can be seen in these photos.

The white canopy is the ever present and always professional, Music Factory, manned by Dennis.  The canopy was just for a precaution and came down when any weather threat had passed.

My nieces daughters, Aundrea and Scarlett, came by with Nanny to help me with my booth.

Scarlett came with a tie-dye t-shirt, nice choice!

The girls were so helpful to me in many ways and asked a lot of great questions about what I do.  They helped a little bit with some customers, but still had fun.

Great job, Scarlett and Aundrea!!!  Thanks girls!

I'm always looking for models and they were wonderful in helping me by modeling my bags.  They're very natural and poised and full of color.

I gave each of my models a "D" heart and they both chose a blue jewel.  Nanny and Aundrea were impressed with the thinness.

My new sander allows me the ability and control to sand this wood to this paper thin width. 

Thanks so much Lisa!

I do not choose to be a vendor at these Veteran's Park events for the big sales, I do it for the feeling of community and to connect with Manchesterites and enjoy the whole scene.  My first sale was Lisa purchasing a small heart with a dot inlay, who allowed me to take her picture with the heart.

Sue and Bryan look like such a great couple.  Thanks you guys, I love couple pics!

Suzanne, it looked good on you hanging across or as you held it above.  Thanks so much!

Some other sales were Sue and Bryan that I customized the small heart to be a necklace for Sue to enhance her lovely dress.  Suzanne bought this fun bag from me that has purple, green and white furry polka-dots all over it.

I was so excited to see Walker Smith as the opening act.  I've recently been performing with Walker and other talented musicians for the Songs From The Last Waltz Tribute shows in NH.

The show began with the wonderful singer, songwriter Walker Smith.  What a great performer and the crowd knew it and appreciated his music.

This was the 2nd year for Foreigners Journey at Veterans and they obviously felt very comfortable and let loose!

And then there was Foreigners Journey with their incredible energy which they transferred to the crowd with hands clapping, arms opening and crowd singing different parts of the beloved songs.  You leave the show singing in your head "Don't Stop Believing" until your head hits the pillow.

My Alyssia and Scarlett and Tutu

Now that the concert season has begun, there's so much more to come!  Here's the link to Intown Manchester's site:

http://www.intownmanchester.com/

If you can make any shows or all the shows, you really should, you won't be disappointed.  They're FUN!

Aundrea made me so happy with her comments on my bags and hearts of things she liked about them....things I try hard to make as beautiful effects. 

If you like my blog and/or the Veteran's Park shows, please like and share and if I got any information incorrect, please let me know and I'll change it. Thanks everyone!

2017 Veteran's Park Free Concert Series Begins Tonight 7/13/17

Hey Manchesterites!  Take advantage of and be a part of the wonderful and FREE concert series at Veteran's Park in downtown Manchester.  Come on down with your chairs, family, friends and even dogs on a leash and just enjoy the friendly fun, food and music. 

This was my family and dog on a leash last year in August.

There is quite a variety of performers and types of music.  It varies from single songwriter acts like Jordan Levesque, Alex Preston and Amanda McCarthy (with a couple other players),

Jordan Levesque

Amanda McCarthy and friends

Albie Montessero Band

Foreigners Journey

the 69th Army Band

There were many great moments, bands and people to see, but the National Anthem sung at the beginning of the August 20th show was maybe the most special.

So, come on down and have some fun participating in a simple way with the Manchester community.  Stop by and say hi!

Alex Preston

to large bands with large band energy like the Adam Ezra Band, the Albie Montessero, the Jimmy Lehoux Band, Foreigners Journey,

Adam Ezra Band

the Jimmy Lehoux Band

as well as Rockspring and the 69th Army Band.

Rockspring

Then there was the energetic a cappella group, Profile Chorus, for something a little different.

Profile Chorus

Veteran singing the National Anthem