My, my, how cold it is!  But you can come warm up with us tonight – doubtless the fireplace will be well in use and all of you warm hearts to join in song and camaraderie!

New song to list – Let Your Back And Sides Go Bare

The roads were clear enough that we had a full band and a room of attentive, full-throated participants!  That’s what were talking about!!  You were all tremendous and we’re looking forward to next week!

I stopped in at the Gris this afternoon to get the word and it appears that we’re on for tonight.  Still, keep your eyes open and if you feel that you’d rather not travel in this, stay home and cozy!  For those of you close enough or bold enough to come in, do be careful on them roads.  Call ahead to see if anything has changed for this evening – 860.767.1776.  And do not park on the street – the town has issued a parking ban until sometime tomorrow in order to let the town plow clean up and salt the street periodically.

pic contributed by Donna Goodspeed.

<BIG sigh!>  Alright, third storm in as many Mondays.  This time we have weather storm Ellie/Marcus – it seems that not only cannot the CT weather and the national weather agree on using the same names for winter storms but they cannot even agree on the gender!  Bloody idiots, they!

According to WFSB, Essex will be in the 3 to 6 inch range of snow and mess accumulation.  That’s by the time it’s all over – SO there IS a possibility that we’re on for Monday night the 9th.  You can check back here for updates OR you can go directly to the source – give the Gris a call and inquire about Monday night and us and they’ll have a ready answer – 860.767.1776 – and ask if The Jovial Crew is on for the evening.

It is Monday afternoon and I just heard from the general manager of the Gris – they are calling off tonight’s performance on account of the particularly icy conditions on the road.  Please pass the word to your friends and acquaintances who might have been thinking of taking the chance on the roads.

Also for those who are interested, there has been an update on the Danny Tribute page – photos of the performers.

We’ll see you next week!

By the time you appear in town for the Gris, Essex Ed should be at his post at the town’s “silent policeman” and you’ll pass him as you make your way down to join us for another installment in our Sea Music evenings.  The parade will have already happened but now you’ll have some more winter weather to contend with – Thanks, Kari!  But we’ll be there, at least in part, and if you’re in town come down a point or two and join us! {News flash – impending storm yet again, so Essex Ed is not at his post – you won’t see him as you pass by, regretfully}

How I wish that was a new ice cream treat… Today we’re all snow bound though a couple of handfuls braved the roads to gather at the Gris last night.  Joseph made it down and played a couple of sets solo to a room of about thirty house guests and a few regulars.  Abby snapped a few shots of just Jos trying to stick to a more PG-rated list of songs for the mixed-age families having dinner.  But at least it can be said that the old historic tavern kept the music up despite snow or rain or heat or gloom of night…

Borrowed from https://www.facebook.com/GriswoldInn

Our man Brian Schiller, bodhran beater and roady-assistance, has gained some much deserved local notoriety for his drumming skill, his nose for history, and even his budding singing voice.  Check out the article on the man and buy him his next pint when you see him!

This past Monday was tremendous and we even provided you a laugh track!  January and February are usually our “quiet” months as we get to present some of our nicer songs, more akin to the folk musicians we are!  We hope you’ll brave the cold and frost to join us each Monday as we count down to St-Patrick’s Day.

Don’t forget –

• Long Way To Tipperary
• Old Maid in the Garrett
• The Wild Rover

And in our historical musings threads… Broadside Ballads

We all had a tremendous time last night in New Haven!  The Amples did a terrific job (they really should get more gigs!) and the crowd seems to really have been ramped up to see us… Great show, great venue, GREAT crowd!  Thank you for coming down and for supporting the cause for the St-Pats parade!

Café Nine show, 10 Jan 2015 – photo by our Kari Muzer.