Seward

August 23, 2017
Population: 2,729
Venue: Zudy’s Cafe

Our day in Seward was one of the most jam-packed of the tour - two performances and a visit to a glacier! First, we stopped by Mountain Haven, a retirement home, for a mini performance for their residents. Then, before our afternoon show at Zudy’s Cafe, we visited Exit Glacier, a glacier just a short detour from the main road. The glacier has become a symbol for climate change, since the dramatic recession of the glacier is clearly demarcated for visitors to see. We were both in awe of the sheer magnitude and power of the glacier that remains, and shocked to see exactly how much the glacier has receded in recent years. Jarett took photos of me looking like a tiny green stinkbug amongst the massive glacier (photo at bottom of page), even busting out his walkie-talkie to give me direction on how to pose as he shot from afar. We probably got into it a little too much - we had just barely enough time to drive over to Zudy’s, set up the piano, and for me to change out of my hiking clothes into concert gear and start playing. 

At this point in the tour, our reputation began to precede our arrival. We were experiencing how these networks of small towns relate to each other, spread information, and share some key figures. Like Erin, who had reached out months prior, volunteering to spread the word about both the Seward and Moose Pass concerts. Or Maria, a young musician who performed on piano with me at this concert - who also actually doubles as the violin teacher of Anna from Moose Pass. We began to hear people say “My friend in [x town] heard you play and told me you were coming to our town.” This phenomenon was really affirming to witness, since it’s one of the key missions of Gather Hear: to connect the dots between towns in the state, and to eventually link dots in-state dots into a nation wide web across state lines. 

This show at Zudy’s was the first that truly was a “pop-up" concert. In the previous locations, you more or less had to know that a concert was happening in order to know to show up. Zudy’s was a bustling and popular spot, a local favorite for lunch, and although some patrons were there specifically for the concert, others were not expecting it at all. To be honest, I was scared that my playing would fade into pleasant background music instead of being the focal point of a communal listening experience. I took my seat at the piano amidst the patrons enjoying their sandwiches and conversation, and without any preceding remarks, began playing my quietly beautiful Bach piece - the transcription by Busoni of Bach’s “Wachet Auf.” And I found out that my worries were unnecessary, as I would keep finding out time and again. As if on command, the crowd hushed and leaned in for a closer listen, to relish a moment of calm and contemplation. And this set the mood for the rest of the concert, which felt convivial, relaxed, yet focused.

I hope especially that this event was meaningful for those who unexpectedly stumbled upon the concert, those who did not mean to listen to live classical music that day - or never thought they would even want to. I hope that it left them curious for more.

Thank you to Judy, owner of Zudy’s for having us, and for Angelle-Leigh Breaux for taking photographs and writing about us in the Seward Journal.