Dreams, Part Deux

I had a couple weird dreams last night, and so I thought I’d write about dreams - especially since they are so prominent in Christmas themes. Last night I didn’t have sugar plums dancing in my head, but I did have a weird hospital dream where strange things were happening. I won’t go into it because my dreams often shift so quickly from one thing to another that they’re very incoherent and hard to explain. I probably dreamt of a hospital because a friend is just wrapping up a hospital stay. But dreams seem to be where we work out concerns or envision utopian landscapes. I just finished a book over the weekend called “The Four Agreements” which poses that everything that happens in life is part of either our individual or collective waking dream of reality. That’s an interesting concept - thinking that each of us has a dream of what we think life should be, and we make it happen by our vision of the dream. It goes along with my idea that we make our own reality - choosing what we want our life to be every day. I see this in Christmas too. I carry a dream of what Christmas should be, and I celebrate it according to that dream or vision I have for it. And as a society we do this too. I just watched a documentary about Santa Claus that showed how he developed in history from Saint Nicholas. I had no idea that his concept had changed so much over history and that other cultures have such a different view of him and how they celebrate this season. (Call me the dumb American.) And he’s part of this whole cultural Christmas celebration dream every year - from the gifts to the music, food, shows, and traditions we share. And it brings up one of my favorite Christmas songs that looks like might be true for southern Colorado this year - “White Christmas”. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, and it looks like we’re going to have one! So dream big, my friends, and have a Merry Christmas and wonderful holiday season!

What happened last week?

Friday night at PDubs was a great crowd, and many Christmas songs were sung. Thanks to everyone who came out and made it so much fun.

What’s up this week?

Wednesday night is big doin's at the Pueblo Zoo. I’ve teamed with the folks at the zoo to do a live walk-around of their ElectriCritters light display and two hour's worth of music outdoors and indoors. It all starts at 5:20 before the gates open when I’ll walk through the display for 10 minutes or so singing and broadcasting on my Concert Window channel at concertwindow.com/tommunch and the zoo folks will do the same on their Facebook page at facebook.com/pueblozoo. Then we’ll open the gates and plug into the sound system and pick up the online broadcast to sing carols and sing-along at 5:45 at the zoo outdoor stage (called the “Den”) where they’ll have hot drinks in addition to their Candy Cane Cafe where they have more hot drinks and goodies. We’ll wrap up the outdoor portion of the evening at 6:45 and move indoors to their classroom decorated for Christmas where we’ll do more singing and broadcasting in a warmer and more intimate setting. The whole thing will wrap up at 8:00 which will give folks another half hour to see the lights until they close the gates at 8:30. It will be a great celebration of Christmas, and I hope it sounds like something everyone will want to be part of. It’s supposed to get cold later that night, but hopefully it will be relatively nice after a predicted high of 57° that day. This is part of the zoo's nightly ElectriCritters display Dec 15-23 and 26-30.

Tickets are

Advance (bought before event hours):
Non-member adult: $6
Non-member child: $4

Member adult: $4
Member child: $3

Regular (Bought during event hours):
Non-member adult: $7
Non-member child: $5

Member adult: $5
Member child: $4

Friday night 6-9 I’m back at Neon Alley Bistro for a special night of great food, friends, and Christmas music. Being so close to Christmas it will feel extra–special being together that night, and I know the spirit and love will be flowing. Please come out for a warm night of Christmas friendship. Maybe we’ll do some sing-along there as well if folks are up to it.

That’s it for this week. I don’t know if I’ll do a mailer next week with Christmas, so I’ll wish you all the best for a wonderful Christmas Day and a Happy and safe New Year's Eve and New Year's Day (in case I miss next week too.)

Nest always,

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing and broadcasting
Where:  Pueblo Zoo, 3455 Nuckolls Ave, Pueblo, 719-561-1452
When:  Wednesday, 5:20, 5:45-6:45, and 7-8

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing
Where:  Neon Alley Bistro, 304 S Victoria Ave Ste D, Pueblo, 719-299-4769
When:  Friday, December 22, 6-9 pm

Pacing Ourselves

One of the more interesting things about the holiday season is how we wax and wane with our enthusiasm. I often tell my audiences at this time of the year to pace themselves with the Christmas spirit. I’m surprised that some of them really don’t want to hear Christmas music by the second week of December because they’re already burnt out on it, having heard it non-stop for weeks. That’s unfortunate, and I think we often attribute that to the over-saturation of Christmas ads and syrupy happiness we see. I see that too, but the warmth and joy of the Season is too big to just brush aside. I don’t know where the magic of the season comes from for me. Maybe it’s the memories of Christmases when I was a child or the traditions I know have been handed down for generations. Maybe it’s the giving and forgetting of our differences to try to attain peace for just a brief time. Whatever it is (and it’s all of these things) it fills me with spirit that I can’t resist. But I don’t start too early, and I don’t let myself be bombarded by ever-present advertising and pressure. I pace myself with little meaningful bits and ground myself with real stories and genuine connections. That way it stands as strong as ever, and I peak my spirit on Christmas Day.

What have I been up to?

Friday at Neon Alley Bistro was so much fun, and the food was so tasty. It’s always an experience and a delight to be there and drink in the atmosphere that the folks exude. If you haven’t been you’re missing out on some of the best food in Pueblo and nicest folks around. My music seems to fit right in.

Sunday night at the Littleton Museum for their Holidays Evening was really cool (atmosphere and temperature!) they really know how to put on a Christmas party, and I was thrilled to see family and friends from the Denver area out to celebrate the season. They had bonfires and cider and great cookies as well as fun stuff like Gus, the Yule Goat! I loved it!

What’s up this week?

Friday night I’m back at PDub Brewing 6-9 in Pueblo West. I’m enjoying my visits there and their seasonal beers like their pumpkin beer that I wasn’t sure I’d like but really enjoyed! Come on out for a beer and a sandwich with some cool holiday music.

What’s on the horizon?

I set up a really neat gig with the Pueblo Zoo on Wednesday, December 20th 5:20-8 to help them celebrate their nightly 15-23 and 26-30 ElectriCritters light display. I’ll be playing outdoors and indoors as well as broadcasting live online at concertwindow.com/tommunch to ring in the Christmas season starting with a live walk-around of the light display at 5:20, then after the gates open at 5:30 I’ll do a sing-along of Christmas tunes on their outdoor stage (if the weather is nice enough) from 5:45-6:45, and finally I’ll go inside to close out the evening with a fun and sweet Christmas concert from 7-8. I’m really looking forward to this and hope it’s something everyone will want to join in on. Dress warmly and bring your Christmas spirit. Prices are:

Advance (bought before event hours):
Non-member adult: $6
Non-member child: $4

Member adult: $4
Member child: $3

Regular (Bought during event hours):
Non-member adult: $7
Non-member child: $5

Member adult: $5
Member child: $4

You can find more details on the Zoo's Facebook page facebook.com/pueblozoo, and they’ll also broadcast the walk-around on Facebook live at 5:20 that day.

That’s it for this week. I’m really enjoying the season, and I hope you are too. Pace yourself and it can be a season to remember.

Best always,

Tom

Details this week:

Who: Tom Munch
What: singing and playing
Where: PDub Brewing Company Taproom, 181 S Purcell Blvd, Pueblo West, 719-647-8864
When: Friday, December 15, 6-9 pm

Joy of the Season

Having done an online Christmas concert last night, I’m now really getting into the spirit of the holidays.  I know I’ve written about this before, but I really think of what this season brings to people emotionally and spiritually.  Traditionally it has been a time of togetherness and festivity no matter whether it was for Christmas, solstice, or any other number of religious and secular celebrations.  It is a time of short nights and colder days that lead to cabin fever and seasonal affective disorder as well.  I usually lean towards the festivity and sacred togetherness - finding comfort in the traditions of food and family and wonderful holiday music.  I’ve said before that Christmas music is very unique.  It is some of the only music that we all know so well that we can sing every word and share common emotions.  But I know that everyone can reflect on losses at the holidays and harder times, so sometimes this is brought up in us as well.  That’s okay.  There is a lot of pressure to be cheery and giving of yourself, and sometimes you have to manufacture these feelings in order to participate.  Funny thing is that sometimes that “manufacturing” is all it takes to get in the spirit.  So I encourage you to let yourself soak in the spirit and enjoy the holidays.  It’s a long winter with little festivities and some long, cold nights, so let’s be merry and enjoy each other and the festive traditions of the season.

What have I been up to?

Friday’s Christmas party was plenty of fun with some folks I haven’t seen in ages.  It was so good to reconnect and share some music and camaraderie.

Saturday with the state reps from all over the West was a blast as well.  I ended up carrying a bunch of equipment all over the Broadmoor grounds and looking like a sherpa, but it was well worth it meeting new friends and sharing memories with old friends.  These western legislators have a penchant for great music like Ian Tyson and Tom Russell, so I had such a good time.

Sunday’s online concert was super fun too.  If you missed it I did the concert from my brother and sister-in-law’s house with several friends in the living room all around me for a live audience.  It went very well and the audience of friends added an energy that was really special.

What’s up this week?

Friday I’m back at Neon Alley Bistro 6-9 for another evening of great food and atmosphere with good friends in the coolest alley full of neon signs that I’ve ever seen.  It is a very neat place.  The food is European with an emphasis on presentation and great taste.  They believe in making a meal a special experience, just like I like to do with my music, and so it seems too good to be true.  Come on out if you’re in the Pueblo area on Friday night.

Sunday night 5:30-8 I’m playing at Littleton Museum Holiday’s Evening 2017.  I’m outside in a heated tent by the barn where there’ll be all kinds of warm goodies like apple cider, cinnamon, cookies, and hay rides.  It sounds like a good old-fashioned Christmas time, and I’m looking forward to it!  Details are on their Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/LittletonMuseum/.  I’d love to have you there if you’re in the Littleton area.  Ticket prices are:

Friends of Littleton Museum Adult: $7.00 

Friends of Littleton Museum Child (2-16 yrs): $3.00

General Public Adult: $10.00

General Public Child (2-16 yrs): $4.00

Call the museum if you have any questions - 303-795-3950

That’s it for this week.  Enjoy the season, and I hope to see you soon!

Best always,

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing

Where:  Neon Alley Bistro, 304 S Victoria Ave Ste D, Pueblo, 719-299-4769

When:  Friday, December 8, 6-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing for Littleton Museum Holiday’s Evening 2017

Where:  Littleton Museum, 6028 S Gallup St, Littleton, CO, 303-795-3950

When:  Sunday, December 10, 5:30-8 pm