Planning for some Autumn Peace & Forgiveness outreach, I went to scout out the Lebanon Green as a possible outdoor venue.
With the weather as near to perfect as it gets, the stage looking so inviting, and a ready made audience of a bunch of young adults on and around one bench quite nearby, and several other benches occupied by nice folks of varying ages, etc., I decided that despite not having my guitar with me, today was as good as any to start.
I went on stage and warmed up with "Find the Cost of Freedom," and was surprised to get a bit of small applause from several of the young folk. I did it again, a bit louder, and got a bit more applause, and folks on the other benches were beginning to take notice. Next I sang, "On the Road to Freedom." Some of the young folks surly got the first verse and even respoded audibly - and visibly.
Before I had finished with my final song, "Down By The Riverside/Study War No More," one woman and child were even listening from outside the fence.
So, instead of just scouting, I did some "test-marketing."
I'll be Back.
That's cool John... good on ya. :)
Thanks. It was kinda fun.
I didn't know the stage existed until I saw it when I walked into the park today. So, I was there to just walk around the park and get a feel for the place. However, seeing the stage was accessible, I then thought I might as well just walk up the stairs on one side, have a look around, then just walk down the other, and go back to church... But, when I stopped on stage to look around, I figured; Hey, what the heck, I'm here, why not try something right now? Everyone was surprised - including I. :)
Posted a link to this thread several places on FB, with messages like:
"John Connell
Upper Valley. I've begun "test-marketing" a venue for some outreach. The outreach could evolve to be much wider in scope than I'm currently planning, but this is where Peaceful Assembly Church was today. This could be a nice Tuesday afternoon activity, and could even be a nice place to meet before Liberty Tuesday. More "big city" ideas to follow. :) "
people do come and go there often
usually a relaxed crowd from old to kids
seems perfect for before the meeting