How Cheesy is Too Cheesy?
April 24th, 2008
Kit and I are in Wisconsin right now, known to the rest of the country as “The Cheese State”. We’ve passed a large number of billboards advertising cheese stores and cheese warehouses, and even a fondue restaurant while driving through Appleton. Other than that, Appleton seems to me like the average American town. A strip of big chain stores, a cluster of local bars and restaurants downtown, and a lovely quiet residential area where folks drink beer on their porch with their neighbors till sundown.
So what brings Good Asian Drivers to this town? Shannon Kenevan, our lovely host and founder of Harmony Cafe. He’s kind of a pioneer here in Appleton. About 10 years ago, he started Harmony with a teenager with hopes of turning Appleton into a welcoming environment for people of all ages, a place where queer people and people needing an outlet for expression can come together to share, perform, teach, learn, and build culture and community. A pretty ambitious task for a social worker and a teen, but with the help of Goodwill, they made it happen.
They’ve invited us for their Night of Noise, which breaks the National Day of Silence. As well as to be their feature performers for their weekly open mic on Thursdays. So here we are. Kit and I are sitting in the cafe right now with an espresso and a chai, after having performed for a packed room full of chatty youth, college students, and even some older folks all eager to listen and share. There was acappella, poetry, a full rock band, a kazoo, a jazzy saxophone, jam sessions, covers, originals, you name it. I did notice, however, that I was the only woman to play on this stage tonight. I can’t help but wonder if it’s common, because back in Boston most folks who grace the Passim stage or end up on WERS (back when they were still playing folk in the mornings) were women.
Tomorrow we’re in a charter school for the arts performing for teenagers today. Kit and I (but mostly Kit) has been working all day trying to edit out the swears and strong language.
This morning I found a piano in Shannon’s house and spent it composing music for my new Asian-American musical while Kit lounged on a nearby couch, listened, and read his book - a memoir on an Asian female pioneer - for a while. It was nice to be able to take a short break while on tour.
April 25th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
April 25th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Thanks soo much for coming to the Renaissance School for the Arts today! You guys were awesome!
See you at Harmony and have fun with the rest of your tour!!
-Heather
April 25th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Hey Kit & Melissa,
I really enjoyed meeting you both and your performances tonight at Night of Noise. I’m bummed that I’ll miss you at General Assembly in Florida — you’ll rock the house!
I look forward to the next time our paths cross!! You’r both amazing artists and truth-tellers!
Peace,
(Rev.) Dottie
April 26th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Thanks for coming to Renaissance; you both were fantastic! I’ve never really been exposed to much slam poetry before, but I loved Kit’s poems! (in Wisconsin, there’s not really a lot of room for Slam poetry; all the spare room is being used for cheese ;) haha)
Alyssa
April 27th, 2008 at 12:19 am
You guys were amazing! I was at the Renaissance performance and you two are the coolest people ever!
Your sticker is totally on my bulletin board!
Thanks for stopping by and I hope too see you guys again!
David
April 27th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
mm cheese!
April 29th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Sounds like the tour is going very well. I didn’t know you were going to haul yourself all the way out to the Pacific Northwest. Vancouver is a beautiful city. Maybe a little rainy, but beautiful. When you’re in Richmond, bask in the aura of Chinese stuff everywhere.
I love you both. Looking forward to seeing you back in the bean soon.
(New Asian American Musical? Really!? I can’t wait!)