Soldotna
August 25, 2017
Population: 4,689
Venue: Odie’s Deli
Odie’s Deli was one of the very first Gather Hear venues I found on the internet. I found it on Facebook by typing in names of sizable towns on my driving route, and checking out the pages of highly rated local businesses (this is one of the most common and tried-and-tested ways I find Gather Hear venues). I saw that Odie’s had a Facebook event for storytelling nights as well as live music - goldmine telltale signs for a bustling community gathering venue. As I clicked around their posts and photos, I saw that there is actually a baby grand piano in this deli - was I hallucinating? A nice piano in a deli? Not to mention that their menu looked delicious, utilizing local artisanal seasonal ingredients.
A place like that is sure to be run by interesting and awesome people and Megan, the owner, did not disappoint. From the very first e-mails, she was enthusiastic, generous, and thoughtful. During our Soldotna stay (she put us up for two nights in her house), we got to see just how tireless and beloved a leader she is, running Odie’s with her dozen or so employees, managing a satellite Odie’s location at the local airport, and starting up a new cheese store. Besides letting us loiter at Odie’s, Megan hosted a get-together at her home one night with bottomless chili and locally brewed beer (shoutout to Kenai Brewing!), and took us to the local dive bar the next. We felt cozy and at ease, like we were just hanging out with old friends, which is a really welcomed feeling while on tour and away from home.
The show itself was a dream, with a full house. Some words that come to mind to describe the vibe that night are: lively, friendly, curious, serious, fun, pensive, social. Some people had heard about Gather Hear beforehand and had made a point to come see me, but I think most came because that’s just what they do on Friday nights - go to Odie’s for live music. And the rest were there to pick up their dinners, and had decided to sit and stay to listen. In addition to my usual solo offerings, local high school pianist Keri and I performed some 4-hand pieces that we had rehearsed the previous day. Local musician, teacher, and piano technician Garrett also took the stage for a number with his jazz piano student.
I’ve thought a lot about that show since, especially upon my return to NYC, where it can be hard to get people to even show up to classical music events. I can’t think of a concert I’ve been to with a full house of people who aren’t regular consumers of classical music. I think it’s a small miracle that Odie’s has essentially grown a robust audience that even the most established venues in NYC can only dream of: one that shows up regularly, with an open mind and thirst for all kinds of different music. Of course, it’s the result of a lot of time and effort dedicated to curating a communal music space by Megan and her staff. But then I wondered, how did it come to be that a person like Megan, who’s not a musician herself and definitely not trying to make a career of being a music presenter, inherently knows that a live music listening space is important for a community? I asked her about this in our little interview (video clips above), and she answered:
We have all this space. It’s an almost 4000 square foot building in the middle of town. It would be a shame if we weren’t using it for things that are good for our community.
This part of Alaska being, really, relatively new - it’s only 50, 60 years old as old as far as this community goes - creating a good place here where we have music as part of the culture is really important. It’s never regretted to have a society with a strong music culture.
A love of music, a sense of ownership and responsibility to the community. An awareness of the role of culture in society, and being an active cultivator of the arts.
(And being freaking smart and talented and hardworking and awesome.)
Thank you Megan, Garett, Keri, and all of our new friends in Soldotna!!!
