Quote of the Day: Strike up the band, the gang’s all here!

As if the Brainerd Friends of the Library Wine and Words event wasn’t winning enough, they spread more library love mid-year at a new event that included the Crossing Arts Alliance and the Brainerd High School Jazz Band. The Gatsby Event was held at the Arrowwood Resort here in the Brainerd Lakes area. Many, if not most, of those in attendance dressed in period costumes, flapper dresses, pants and vest, and even a few zoot suits. Super cool! It made the party festive and fun. The icing on the cake, the sweetness in my coffee, was the addition of live music, via the jazz band. (I might need to mention here that my boy plays trumpet in this band, so yes, proud mama moment as well.) I’m not the only one who swooned over the 1920’s jazz, swing, and big band sound that our fabulous band director Chris Fogderud gets his students to produce. He is a gift to our community. We had our own Glenn Miller Orchestra moment, produced by local talent, right here in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Brainerd High School Jazz Band, trumpet section. My boy is first in line, horn up, playing those sweet notes.

Brainerd High School Jazz Band, trumpet section. My boy is first in line, horn up, playing those sweet notes.

Zach's solo during "In the Mood"

Zach’s solo during “In the Mood”

Saxophone section

Saxophone section

Rhythm section

Rhythm section

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Local dance instructors Oscar and Michelle Gonzalez taught the crowd a few dance steps. Although it seemed they needed little encouragement to get out on the dance floor and cut a rug. There’s something about live music that gets your toes tapping, your legs moving, and your body swinging.

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W also had plenty of paparazzi!

Photographers Joey Halvorson, Krista Rolfzen Soukup, and Kelly Humphrey from the Brainerd Dispatch. Photo bomb by Aubrey

Photographers Joey Halvorson, Krista Rolfzen Soukup, and Kelly Humphrey from the Brainerd Dispatch. Photo bomb by Aubrey

Lisa Jordan from the Crossing Arts Alliance and Sheila DeChantal from Friends of the Library, both organizers of this Gatsby Event.

Lisa Jordan from the Crossing Arts Alliance and Sheila DeChantal from Friends of the Library, both organizers of this Gatsby Event.

Mr. Fogderud leading the band

Mr. Fogderud leading the band in a well deserved standing ovation and applause!

Krista Rolfzen Soukup, MC or Jazz Singer

Krista Rolfzen Soukup, MC or Jazz Singer?

Me and my boy

Me and my boy

This event made me pine for the days when people got out and socialized at halls and danced to live music. They moved, they mingled, and they created community. Join me in a campaign to bring back big bands and dance halls! This was also a great way to listen to my kid’s performance, and for the kids to experience what it is like to play for an audience that is responding to them, dancing, clapping, whistling and hooting, and begging for more!

The next great Library event is their annual Wine and Words, August 11, 2016. See you there! The line-up of authors is already posted on their website. You can also see more photos from the Gatsby event on my Play off the Page facebook page, the Facebook page for Friends of the Brainerd Library, or Blue Cottage Agency Facebook page. The Brainerd Dispatch website has a video of the event, also. 

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: Have you ever danced to live music? Big band? Swing? Or, dressed up for a party for a FUNdraiser?