Monday, March 14, 2011

Regurgitated Stone Soup - It's So Good.

Once upon a time, somewhere in post-war Eastern Europe, there was a great famine in which people jealously hoarded whatever food they could find, hiding it even from their friends and neighbors. One day a wandering soldier came into a village and began asking questions as if he planned to stay for the night.
"There's not a bite to eat in the whole province," he was told. "Better keep moving on."
"Oh, I have everything I need," he said. "In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you." He pulled an iron cauldron from his wagon, filled it with water, and built a fire under it. Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a velvet bag and dropped it into the water.
By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come to the square or watched from their windows. As the soldier sniffed the "broth" and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their skepticism.
"Ahh," the soldier said to himself rather loudly, "I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage -- that's hard to beat."
Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a cabbage he'd retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot. "Capital!" cried the soldier. "You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king."
The village butcher managed to find some salt beef . . . and so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there was indeed a delicious meal for all. The villagers offered the soldier a great deal of money for the magic stone, but he refused to sell and traveled on the next day.

I love that the concept of "community" is experiencing a revival. It's interesting though, that many of us in this younger generation think that living in community and willful dependance upon and inclusion of others is a new idea. "The Story Of Stone Soup" is an example of how humans have, for a long time, been grappling with sharing with our fellow man. What is even more interesting is that, according to the story, it only takes one individual acting selflessly to push an entire community towards, well, community. I hope you get to make some stone soup this week!
TMF

Friday, March 11, 2011

Let's Go Out For Launch

Hey, guess what??!? The Michael Ferrari is going to be playing a set at the 2011 Launch Music Festival in Downtown Lancaster City! I'm so stoked. This is my first live show playing songs from my new record "Loose Cannon". I will be playing with a full band for maximum Face-Meltage. Here're the deets (that's right, DEETS). Saturday night April 23rd at the Brunswick Bar from 9:15 pm - 9:45 pm. You can purchase wristbands at the Launch site here: http://launchmusicconference.com/festival/schedule/index.htm
I really hope you all can make it. I'd love to freakin' pack the venue. Cheers! TMF