Groovin On a Sunday Afternoon at Ellis Square

Yesterday was such a Groovy day!

The newly renovated Ellis Square is smack, dab in the center of

 'where it's happening' in Savannah.

City Market is on Ellis Square, has plenty of shops and good restaurants and always seems to have some sort of 'live music' going on.  Paula Dean's 'Lady & Sons' is right around the corner, lively Broughton Street is one block down.  And.....the Andaz Savannah anchors one corner.

The Andaz was having their 1st Bridal Expo so I RSVP'd Ann Mashburn, the Catering Sales Manager,  then waltzed my happy self, along with my friend/videographer Annie, over to Ellis Square for the 1st annual Andaz Bridal Expo.

I like the Andaz approach and concept of using local produce and vendors to service their hotels so, at the Expo on Sunday, I happily munched all of Chef Lauren's delectable creations!   Everything on the menu is supported by local farmers. 

I nibbled delicious cheese from Sweet Grass Dairy up on the terrace. 

 and tried lamb from Hunter Cattle Co.  (a first for me) in the ballroom.

Photo by DreamWeaver Photos

I met and fell in love with Adam Turoni, Savannah's Chocolatier   He still had silver sparkles on his face (so cute) from dusting the Dark Chocolate Silk Filled Bullets.  The Golden Baileys Truffles left me speechless. 

They are 'OMG DELICIOUS'! 

Jamie Weaver with Dreamweaver Photos was there with the DreamWeaver Photo Booth.  
I know for a fact she's an angel/photographer! 

and check out Chris Dooley......duets with an amazing violinist....
what more could a harp girl ask for?

Seems a bit serendipitous that Avia Napa and Avia Savannah were renovated and rebranded with the Hyatt boutique brand 'Andaz' at the same time, and that I claim both cities as my own! 

I know....the renovation/joining happened in spring last year.

so... I'm a bit slow.

Wednesday's Weddings for Warriors

Last Wednesday 
I had the honor and privilege of playing for three simple but beautiful weddings.  

The Weddings for Warriors project provides 
free wedding ceremonies and vow renewals to active duty US military personnel.   

I get emotional about military personnel......so  

I volunteer. 

I love it.  

I cry..... 

every year....

 good, grateful tears.  

 Wesley Monumental is the beautiful church I've played in for the 2012 and 2013 Weddings for Warrior events. 
 Theses amazing photos were taken by Cassandra McDaniel, 
one of the wonderful photographers who volunteered their time and talent.  

Photograph by Cassandra McDaniel

This photo was taken by Adina Estes At Frilly Bloomers, who is amazing on so many levels.  Flower guru, coordinator, photographer....what else does this woman do!?

The project involves so many volunteers.  Check out the list!  
These folks LOVE what they do!
The wonderful Becky Byous heads it up and  

she deserves a medal!

I took this pic...it's my favorite, probably because it makes me smile. 

  The photographer is directing the shot but who knows.....maybe there's a squirrel loose!

Playing Around Savannah

 The weather here in Savannah has been amazing this week!  

So yesterday, I threw the harp in the back seat and took off to find a little 

Savannah adventure.

The Fragrant Garden is a peaceful oasis amidst the hustle bustle of 

Forsyth Park here in Savannah.

Though the large Forsyth fountain is what most folks picture when they

 imagine a wedding in Forsyth Park.... 

The Fragrant Garden is beautiful, intimate AND....

 in Forsyth Park! 

It's also right across the street from the fabulous Forsyth Park Inn 

(I am dying to play in their courtyard!)

  

Where in the World?

Last Saturday, I thoroughly enjoyed going into Bonaventure cemetery, finding a perfect place, setting up my big ole' harp and toodling my fingers.

Visiting, touring, wandering, strolling, riding in a tour bus......folks stopped to comment, gawk, point, even strum the strings.  Such an easy way to meet people!  I sit in one place and play.....and they come to me!  Drawn by the sound.  I LOVE it!

Enjoyed it so much that I'm feeling the need for adventure again.  I'm becoming an adventure junkie!

It's a bit difficult to 'sneak' anywhere with 6 feet of carbon fiber/wood/metal and vibrating string so I should probably ask for permission (if necessary) to play.....wherever it is that the wild winds of fortune take me next time.

Where SHOULD I go??? 

Steampunk Savannah

Savannah has so many wonderful places for events with  Steampunk or Victorian themes.  

This post is inspired by a Steampunk wedding held recently in Bonaventure Cemetery.  

Steve Shulte and Raven Clark did what they do so well......officiate and oversee!

So inspired by the pictures of the wedding was I, that I hied (yes, I did look it up) 
myself thither. (had to look that one up too) 
I expected to feel the ghostly presence of a time long, long ago. 
 Instead, my fingers channeled Elvis. 

Of course I got to daydreaming about what I would wear if I got married in Bonaventure Cemetery...


.....just daydreaming in a beautiful, peaceful place.   

Gotta Love the Love Songs!

Saw this proposal,


 loved the song,
 looked up Bruno Mars 
and fell in love with his music. 
Marry You......Bruno Mars
Just the Way You Are ......Bruno Mars
Count on Me....Bruno Mars
(Love 'Count On Me' but don't think I can do it justice on a harp.
maybe try it on my grandfather's uke!)

She....Elvis Costello

Love Me Do....Beatles

I Do....Colbie Caillet

Can't Help Falling in Love....Elvis

Never My Love....The Association

You Are the Sunshine of My Life....Stevie Wonder

It Had to Be You....Frank Sinatra

At Last....Etta James

Make You Feel My Love....Dylan/Adele

So Amazing....Luther VanDross

Lucky....Jason Mraz

Amazed....Lonestar
How Sweet it is to Be Loved by You....Holland/Dozier/Holland
Eight Days a Week....Lennon/McCartney
All Shook Up....Elvis

Crazy Love....Van Morrison

Help me out!  What song would be GREAT on harp??

Don't Forget the Music!

You've got the rings ........

You've got the bling   

You've got the dress

You remembered the shoes

Don't forget the MUSIC!

Music can lighten a mood, underscore the solemnity of an event, or just make everyone feel good. The music for your ceremony provides the mood for the event so, because music is such an important contributor to the atmosphere of your wedding, you want to make sure that the music you choose is appropriate for both you and your guests.  

Are you a lover of all things traditional or are you a trend setter?  

Your wedding music should reflect what you love!

Prelude music is meant to entertain your guests as they anticipate your arrival.  

Do you want a specific genre of music such as Classical, Celtic or Country? 

Perhaps an entertaining 'mash-up' of popular love songs and oldies is more your style.

The 'Oldies' are guaranteed to bring back memories for your older guests. 

  

What kind of music do you love? 

I'm looking for new music to learn.......give me some ideas!

Off the Beaten Path

Savannah Botanical Gardens

I love playing my harp here!

Photo courtesy of the Savannah Area Council of Garden Clubs, Inc.

Ships of the Sea Museum

They've opened the new North Garden now and it is SPECTACULAR!

Not sure who took this picture in 2011 but thank you to the bride for sending me a copy.   

Bonaventure Cemetery

Good place for Steampunk weddings or just to sit and contemplate......

Wormsloe Ruins 

Savannah Railroad Roundhouse

Great wedding or event venue.  Love playing here!

Bonna Bella Marina

I take family to Bonna Bella whenever they're in town, 

but never thought of it as a wedding venue till I saw 

Greg Ceo's pictures of a wedding held here recently. 

   I almost forgot the Fragrant Garden in Forsyth Park!  

The wedding I played for at the Fragrant Garden was quiet, intimate and perfect!

Love & the Moon

Moondance

Written/composed byVan Morrison

Well, it's a marvelous night for a moondance 

With the stars up above in your eyes 

A fantabulous night to make romance 

Neath the cover of October skies 

And all the leaves on the trees are falling 

To the sound of the breezes that blow 

And I'm trying to please to the calling 

Of your heart-strings that play soft and low 

And all the nights magic seems to whisper and hush 

And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush 

Chorus: 

Can I just have one a more moondance with you, my love 

Can I just make some more romance with a-you, my love

Blue Moon

Written/composed by Richard Rogers/Lorenz Hart

Blue Moon
You saw me standing alone

Without a dream in my heart

Without a love of my own

Blue Moon

You know just what I was there for

You heard me saying a prayer for

Someone I really could care for

And then there suddenly appeared before me

The only one my arms will hold

I heard somebody whisper please adore me

And when I looked to the Moon it turned to gold

Blue Moon

Now I'm no longer alone

Without a dream in my heart

Without a love of my own

Fly Me to the Moon

Songwriters: HEWSON, PAUL DAVID / EVANS, DAVE / CLAYTON, ADAM /

 MULLEN, LARRY / CORDES, ATTRELL STEPHEN JR

Fly me to the moon, 

And let me play among the stars. 

Let me see what spring is like, 

On jupiter and mars. 

In other words, hold my hand, 

In other words, darling kiss me. 

Fill my heart with song, 

And let me sing forever more, 

You are all I long for, 

All I worship and adore, 

In other words, please be true, 

In other words, I love you.

Moonlight Serenade

Songwriters: PARISH, MITCHELL/MILLER, GLENN

I stand at your gate and the song that I sing is of moonlight. 

I stand and I wait for the touch of your hand in the June night. 

The roses are sighing a Moonlight Serenade. 

The stars are aglow and tonight how their light sets me dreaming. 

My love, do you know that your eyes are like stars brightly beaming? 

I bring you and sing you a Moonlight Serenade. 

Let us stray till break of day 

In love's valley of dreams. 

Just you and I, a summer sky, 

A heavenly breeze kissing the trees. 

So don't let me wait, come to me tenderly in the June night. 

I stand at your gate and I sing you a song in the moonlight, 

A love song, my darling, a Moonlight Serenade

Fun Recessional Music

How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You

Songwriters: Holland, Brian/Dozier, Lamont Herbert/Holland, Edward, Jr.

How sweet it is to be loved by you

How sweet it is to be loved by you

I needed the shelter of someone's arms and there you were 

I needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were 

With sweet love and devotion 

Deeply touching my emotion 

I want to stop and thank you baby 

I just want to stop and thank you baby 

How sweet it is to be loved by you 

How sweet it is to be loved by you 

I close my eyes at night 

Wondering where would I be without you in my life 

Everything I did was just a bore 

Everywhere I went it seems I'd been there before 

But you brighten up for me all of my days 

With a love so sweet in so many ways 

I want to stop and thank you baby 

I just want to stop and thank you baby 

How sweet it is to be loved by you 

How sweet it is to be loved by you 

You were better for me than I was for myself 

For me, there's you and there ain't nobody else 

I want to stop and thank you baby 

I just want to stop and thank you baby 

How sweet it is to be loved by you 

How sweet it is to be loved by you

In the Mood

Words by Andy Razaf, Music by Joe Garland

Who's the lovin' lady with the beautiful eyes

What a pair o' lips, I'd like to try 'em for size

I'll just tell her, "Baby, won't you swing it with me"

Hope she tells me maybe, what a wing it will be

So, I said politely "Darlin' may I intrude"

She said "Don't keep me waitin' when I'm in the mood"

First I held her lightly and we started to dance

Then I held her tightly what a dreamy romance

And I said "Hey, baby, it's a quarter to three

There's a mess of moonlight, won't-cha share it with me"

"Well" she answered "Baby, don't-cha know that it's rude

To keep my two lips waitin' when they're in the mood"

In the mood, that's what she told me

In the mood, and when she told me

In the mood, my heart was skippin'

It didn't take me long to say "I'm in the mood now"

In the mood for all her kissin'

In the mood her crazy lovin'

In the mood what I was missin'

It didn't take me long to say "I'm in the mood now"

So, I said politely "Darlin' may I intrude"

She said "Don't keep me waitin' when I'm in the mood"

"Well" she answered "Baby, don't-cha know that it's rude

To keep my two lips waitin' when they're in the mood"

Happy New Year

Beautiful morning on Tybee Island.  Happy New Year!