DECEMBER, 2006

It is that time of the year again as we recover from the extended Thanksgiving holiday and buckle down for the stretch run toward the Christmas season. A great way to enjoy it more is to come to the café and listen to these fine performers:

DECEMBER 2 – GYPSY BANDWAGON. You must check out their web-site to fully appreciate how interesting and fun they are.

DECEMBER 7 – ONE LEG UP. If you thought that nobody was doing jazz in the Django Reinhardt style, you would be wrong.

DECEMBER 9 – DAVID CHILDERS & THE MODERN DON JUANS. We expect his many fans to join us.

DECEMBER 10 – BILLY JONAS. Part of our monthly Sunday Night Concert Series. Tickets are $15 per person and seating is limited. Even though Billy does great shows for children, this performance will be music for adults. Contact the café at 828-749-1179 for reservations.

DECEMBER 14 – JIMMY LANDRY. “Bottle up the enthusiasm that Jimmy Landry brings to a performance….” That is why we love to have him.

DECEMBER 16 – LAURA BLACKLEY AND THE LOVEHANDLES. Laura brings her band with her this time. Color us happy.

DECEMBER 21­ – DAVE DESMELIK. Asheville-based, this singer/songwriter is making his debut at the café.

DECEMBER 23 – DROVERS OLD TIME MEDICINE SHOW. This long-time bluegrass favorite of the café promises some interesting Christmas music.

DECEMBER 28 – THE TIMBER RATTLERS. Acoustic Americana-style music from the mountains.

DECEMBER 30 – MARTHA’S TROUBLE. It is great that this Canada-based duo is returning to close out the café’s 2006 performance schedule.

DECEMBER 31 – NO NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY. Many of you plan your New Year’s Eve around the Purple Onion party but we will NOT be having it because it is a Sunday night this year. We thought that you would like an early heads-up so you can make alternative plans.

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As we approach the end of 2006, I have to confess that I am a bit giddy about the results of the recent mid-term national elections. There are probably many reasons to be pleased with them (or displeased depending on your point of view) but here is my major one. Once again Americans have reminded our leaders that we are a pragmatic and moderate people who do not like the policies of this country to be too ideologically influenced and/or directed. While this message happened to bite the Republicans most severely this time, history has shown that we are also not afraid to throw the Democrats out when they have begun to act this way. Now we just have to keep our fingers crossed and hope that both the old and new leaders (which happily includes more women than usual) can work together to really accomplish something meaningful for both the country and the world. What an unexpected but welcome dividend that would be.

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Somebody recently shared this great quote that was allegedly uttered by one of our leading local citizens who has lived here all of his life. It sums up why Saluda is such an interesting community in which to live. “We’re not judgmental. We’re just curious.”

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Here is another quote that may be appropriate to the season. “We never get enough of what we don’t need.” Terry Hershey

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Some very bad puns to wind up this month’s newsletter:

Did you hear that they’ve brought out a portable stereo which looks
like a big chocolate cake? It’s called a gateaux blaster.

My friend Max hates going up steep hills.
He’s always been a bit of an anti-climb Max.

The policeman pulls over a car onto the side of the road and says to the driver.
“Do you know you’ve got two snakes attached to the front of your car?”

“It’s all right,” replies the driver, “they’re just my windshield vipers.”

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Have a wonderful holiday season.

Robert Seiler
Purple Onion Café
www.purpleonionsaluda.com