There's a feeling in the air...

...the feeling of some good old-fashioned Ragtime.

Last evening found me on stage for the annual Celebration of African American Music at Penn State, playing up a little bit of Joplin.  Organized by my good pal Darrin (whom I lovingly refer to as Dr. D.), this ensemble played some old arrangements of music originally crafted for the piano.

Ragtime is pure fun [so don't ask me why I look so angry as I play...], and even though our rehearsals occurred dangerously near my bed/brain-shutting-down time, I was glad to play a part.

At the last of those rehearsals, a woman from WPSU radio walked among us with a giant microphone, a set of headphones on her head and a big black box attached to her belt, recording us.  It was a bit unsettling to play as she stood with the mic stuck in the face of my piano, but the result was this broadcast: http://wpsu.org/radio/single_entry/LL-4110/stories, and a feeling of being a part of something neat.

Ragtime, community, celebration, in the air.