Aloha, My Friend,
“We’ve been around, we fall, we fly
We mostly fall, we mostly run
And every now and then we try
To mend the damage that we’ve done”
For some reason I find myself listening to Leonard Cohen with increasing frequency. He certainly doesn’t have the crooner’s velvety throat but when my folksinger stepping stones begin with Bob Dylan and Dave Von Ronk, the bar gets set sort of limbo low.
The lyrics above were lifted from Cohen’s tune, “Song of Bernadette”.
Sometimes on a long road trip, with the CD playing and the white sound whoosh coming through the open moon-roof, those four lines cause me to pause. Though I have fallen so many times, I have always had dear friends, and now Laine, to help me get back up. And those few times that I would fly, I would do so with the wings of a misguided angel. And the damage that I have sometimes left in my wake has often been among the greatest lessons that I have learned.
I mention this song because on April 16th, 1879, Saint Bernadette Soubirous, saw a vision of the Virgin Mother in a cave outside the village of Lourdes, France.
Miracles happened then and they have happened since to those who touch the holy water, so they say.
I know a joke about two guys who make a pilgrimage to the grotto. Maybe I will tell it to you later.
Coincidently enough the musical, The South Pacific, also was debuted in April, in 1949. It was the only musical production ever to win all four Tony Awards for acting. Although best remembered for song like “Some Enchanted Evening”, “Happy Talk” and our favorite, “Bali Ha’I”, what is easily overlooked is the issue of racial prejudice that was sensitively and candidly explored, particularly for the 1949 stage work.
One more April reference that many of you can appreciate is that on April 17th, 1964, Ford debuted the Mustang. Steve McQueen made it famous when he drove it in the 1968 movie, “Bullitt” but Laine made it beautiful and worthy of a song of her own when she drove her “Stang”s to the Tampa-St. Pete beaches.
So, you say, ancient history is fun but what is happening at BALI HI in this lifetime?
I am always glad when you ask. Tonight be sure to drop by BALI HI Midtown at 1123 Thomasville Rd. We are in the back, downstairs, in the salmon colored building just north of Whataburger, and, hey, we have the huge parking lot! Come in through the “Wonderland” courtyard where the mystical music of Didja Vu will be setting the stage for the evening.
Inside you will find a “Mosaic Wonderland”. Cindy Sbrissa is an incredible mosaic artist and her work goes out the door as fast as she can bring it in so come early and often.
The reception for Cindy is tonight, First Friday, from 6-9pm. Cindy is the featured artist in BALI HI Midtown for the month of April and our hours are Tuesday-Friday 11am-6pm and Saturday 11am-5pm.
In the courtyard you will also find the colorful work of Didja Vu’s talented drummer, Mershell Sherman.
Saturday April 3rd will bring as “Artist’s Garden Party” in the courtyard and spilling out into the huge parking lot! Cindy will be there to show you how she makes her magic! You can see the art and meet the artists. Joan Matey, Patty Maney, Barbara Psimas, Mershell Sherman and Cheryl Sattler will be there from Noon-5pm.
BALI HI in both locations is also having a very special sale on teak furniture in preparation for our move to a new Railroad Square location. Take advantage of us and get 25% to 50% off a lifetime piece of unique, solid teak furniture. The perfect time to take your comfortable teak chair and live in the garden! We are happy to offer layaway too!
By the way, if you fall in love with the Midtown BALI HI courtyard, please note that our space there is available to rent for your special event. Call Elaine at 766-2053 if you are interested. Also check us out at www.balihi.us or email us at aloha@balihi.us.
Finally, let me remind you of the 3rd Annual Peace In the Park Festival being held out at the Railroad Square Art Park next Sunday, April 11th, from Noon-6pm. This event is to celebrate the great work that our friends and neighbors do every day to make Tallahassee and Leon County such a wonderful place to live.
We will have squad cars and fire trucks, over 50 community organizations will have tables set up so that they can introduce themselves to you. Mayor John Marks is the Festival’s Guest of Honor. We will also have 14 bands performing on 4 stages throughout the park and fun for children of all ages.
The Blood Mobile will be here too and they desperately need a pint from you. In just ½ an hour you can save a life.
Check out the website at http://www.peaceinthepark.info
Best Wishes & Peace to you,
Elaine & Bill Grace
BALI HI Trading Company