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June 2006

ANYTHING IS BETTER THAN THE MOSQUITOS AT A BLUEGRASS CONCERT

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By Mike McCarty

Karen and I saw this ring-tabulous handbell group perform last month in Grand Rapids. Embellish, a 14-member community ensemble http://www.embellish.ws, did tons of hand bell moves and songs I can’t pronounce. I do not know much about hand bells, but I think I learned enough to acquaint you with hand bell concerts and hand bell etiquette. For example, Karen helped me during the show when I leaned over and whispered...

ME: Why are they holding big clothespins?
KAREN: Those are tone bells.
ME: Oh.


DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CONCERTS

 

Hand Bell Concert

Rock Concert


Bluegrass Concert
 Is it acceptable to dance?No

Yeah, dude, mosh pit or  wherever, man

  Shucks, if you kin find room, bust yer britches

Do performers leave the stage during concert.Only at intermission.Yes, to body surf.Yes, when Mike falls off stage.
Is there a conductor?YesNoNot unless you’re on a train
Does the band give out freebies?There was a drawing for potted plants at the show I sawBand sometimes throws guitar picks

Free advice to other pickers.. you must pay for 50/50 raffles

Jokes

What do you call it when a hand bell choir stages a mutiny?

A rebellion.
What do you say to a hard rock guitar player in a 3-piece suit?

"Will the defendant please rise ..."

How can you tell if the stage is level? 

If the banjo player drools out of both  sides of his mouth.

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