Randall Goosby / Zhu Wang

April 20, 2026 by Sheila 1 Comment

Attempting to sketch was unusually tough during this concert (part of the 2025-2026 Dumbarton Concerts series), not only because of the remarkably captivating performance, but also because the two musicians were, through subtle changes in expression and gesture, so devotedly and vividly engaged in their music and in the shared communication regarding its interpretation. Between pieces, Randall Goosby spoke briefly but eloquently (and humorously) about his and Zhu Wang‘s musical decisions, with some background on the works’ composition, history, and influences, in which Goosby clearly has an intense interest. While you wait to see them in person, you can enjoy a Tiny Desk performance here.

Janeba Kanneh-Mason

February 17, 2026 by Sheila Leave a comment

An especially stunning concert at Dumbarton Concerts, this one in honor of Bernardo Frydman, and featuring pianist Janeba Kanneh-Mason. She is one of the phenomenal musical Kanneh-Mason siblings, and as she is now only 23 years old (what!) we can only barely imagine how she will unfold over time. May I be around at least while longer, to be a joyful listener (and sketcher).

Zoë Jorgensen Quartet at SAAM

July 21, 2025 by Sheila Leave a comment

SAAM (the Smithsonian American Art Museum) hosts Luce Unplugged, a free local concert series in the skylit courtyard, which in 2026 is celebrating its tenth anniversary. After exploring the exhibits at either SAAM or the National Portrait Gallery, you can pick up a drink at the cafe and sit in the courtyard between the two, enjoying music. On the day of our visit the Zoë Jorgensen Quartet played to an enthusiastic crowd. The Luce Local Community Day is scheduled for Saturday, July 11th, 2026. Concerts are scheduled for guitarist Joshua Bayer on Thursday, July 9th, and for saxophonist and flautist Lyle Link on Thursday, August 20th.

Adam Fluger Jazz Trio

June 28, 2025 by Sheila Leave a comment

In summer, Washington DC’s Omni Shoreham Hotel hosts a variety of concerts, not only to those staying at the hotel but also to neighbors. The Adam Fluger Jazz Trio was scheduled to play in the garden. But the day was so hot that the event was moved indoors to the Diplomat Ballroom, which suited the romantic repertoire.

RELIC and their Enchanted Forest

January 13, 2024 by Sheila Leave a comment

Thanks to a neighbor’s recommendation, I discovered the period chamber orchestra Relic and attended their concert, “Enchanted Forest,” which included pieces by Corelli, Purcell, Couperin, and other 17th/18th century composers, each work introduced by a brief relevant poetic reading. The concert was aptly named: on a cold wintry night, the audience was transported by Relic’s gorgeous and haunting music to a place of enchantment. Relic’s mission is to make the music they love easily available to a wide and diverse audience. This particular venue was, appropriately, St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, which has a parallel mission and long history of welcome and inclusiveness. But you can experience Relic in many other locations as they travel the country in 2024. Eventually they hope to reach all fifty states.

(There were actually nine musicians performing, but I only managed to sketch five and a half of them during the concert)

Four Green Fields

March 17, 2020 by Sheila 5 Comments

For St. Patrick’s Day, a painting, and the folk song by Irish musician Tommy Makem that inspired the painting.

What did I have, said the fine old woman
What did I have, this proud old woman did say
I had four green fields, each one was a jewel
But strangers came and tried to take them from me
I had fine strong sons, who fought to save my jewels
They fought and they died, and that was my grief, said she

Long time ago, said the fine old woman
Long time ago, this proud old woman did say
There was war and death, plundering and pillage
My children starved, by mountain, valley, and sea
And their wailing cries, they shook the very heavens
My four green fields ran red with their blood, said she

What have I now, said the fine old woman
What have I now, this proud old woman did say
I have four green fields, one of them’s in bondage
In strangers’ hands, that tried to take it from me
But my sons had sons, as brave as were their fathers
My fourth green field will bloom once again, said she

Tip of the Day: Annual Physical

July 11, 2019 by Sheila 2 Comments

Please, Can We Play Games?

March 27, 2018 by Sheila Leave a comment

Here, a recently completed graphic design project for the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America: Please, Can We Play Games? by Ruth Ker. The book offers the author’s forty years of creating, collecting, and playing traditional and original verses, songs, and games for early childhood circle time or home play. You can learn more on the WECAN website.

Maura

Power, Pathos, and Poetry

February 27, 2016 by Sheila Leave a comment

One of several events connected to the stunning collection of ancient Greek bronzes on exhibit through March 20th (three more weeks to get yourself down there!) at the National Gallery of Art.

Mesmerized by Music/Mahler’s Third Symphony

November 5, 2015 by Sheila Leave a comment

I am sorry about two things: first, that Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter is a mere tiny purple splotch in this sketch; and second, that I didn’t know until too late that she also would be singing—among other things—Simon and Garfunkel later in November at the Library of Congress.

Joe

Erna