Dear Companions,

It has been a very full month since last I wrote you. Tom Rozum and I have been gearing up for a theater run with the MARSH Youth Theater Group in San Francisco. this prestigious program has some amazingly talented and dedicated young actors and musicians in it, and it is a real pleasure to work with them! There will be four shows over the next two weekends, and it is all starting to come together. My hat is off to MYT director Emily Klion and production director Lisa Quoresimo for their hard work and guidance.

I also spent a wonderful week in Big Sur, with Alice Gerrard, Dirk Powell, Tashina and Tristan Clarridge, and a host of extraordinarily-talented fiddlers combined with breathtaking scenery and incredible food, at the sixth annual Big Sur Fiddle Camp. Every year, I think it's the best year yet, and this one was no exception.

Coming up next week, I will be debuting a whole batch of new songs that I wrote while on retreat in Wyoming last Fall. Life has been so full that I really haven't given these newbies much attention. But with the sensitive and expert help of Nina Gerber and Tom Rozum, they are really starting to take shape. I am so excited (and a little bit scared)!

North Carolina's Best-Kept Secret Scott Huffman and the redoubtable Andrew Conklin, on guitar and bass respectively, will be joining Tom, Patrick Sauber and I for our swing through Washington in a couple of weeks. I'm really looking forward to singing and playing with both of these amazing musicians again.

At the end of the month, the Right Hands and I will be playing at the Strawberry Music Festival. Always one of our very favorites. It sells out in advance every year, so if you are planning on attending, get your tickets immediately.

Berkeley Farmer's Market ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am sad to report that Sue Draheim left this life a couple of weeks ago. Since it was imminent, I am thankful she didn't linger too long. The benefit at the Freight and Salvage was a success in every way, and a very emotionally-charged and excellent night of music and reminiscences. Sue was able to watch and listen to some of it from her home in KY.  

I hope you all had a very happy Earth Day. She's still a gorgeous old lady.

Walk softly,
Laurie