went to the 4th annual water hill music fest, held the first sunday of each may
in a neighborhood filled with artists, musicians, and eccentrics of the highest order, music rules the day
founded In 2011, Paul Tinkerhess (folksman, craftsman, businessman) to spotlight the cohesive personality of the neighborhood as well as its musicians, this un-sponsored event follows only one rule: at least one member of each performing band must reside in water hill.
so excited to see my very talented carpool mate create some jazz with the neighbors
every kind of music and settings and audience members were represented
all in the front yards, back yards, decks and gardens of their homes
people of all ages were welcome to participate
friends bonded together by their music
and a community bonded together by their sounds
and many joined into the drum circle
and they were from all walks of life
and everyone joined in to support the day
and many saw music that was new to them and old to others
and people came on foot, on bike, and by car to sit and listen and take it all in
and everyone had so much fun
and the maypole dance was the perfect way to welcome in the season
“Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens.”
― Maria von Trapp
—
image credits: peaches, monte fowler, ann arbor.com
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Wow! This sounds fantastic. Great pictures, too. I feel as if I was there now. Wish we had the equivalent here. Years back there was a huge traditional music scene in Los Angeles and I was part of it (I play the mountain dulcimer), but it is all but gone now. How lovely your music events sound. I truly enjoyed being there vicariously. :-)
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that sounds great, and you would fit right in here. thank you, beth ) beth
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That looks like a brilliant event and brilliant time
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brilliant indeed, peter )
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That looks amazing! What a fantastic community xx
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it was wonderful, ff )
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You definitely had your glasses on this time.
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i did indeed, fiction f )
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At the risk of repeating myself, what an amazing and tight knit community you have Beth. Music brings everyone together as is shown. The pics are great and I’m sure you had a fabulous time. Oh and Happy Mother’s Day sweetheart xx
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thanks jen, i do love the sense of community here and happy mom’s day to you too )
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This looks fabulous!!!!! Every community should do this!!!!!
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i agree, chatter )
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What fun! Yes, music brings everyone together.
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it does, music is a great leveler, cg )
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I’m putting the house up for sale and moving to your neighborhood.
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i’ll see you when you get here, nap time )
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Looks wonderful!
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it really was, jules )
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This looks so cool!
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cool indeed, gilh )
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May I add a hallelujah, Beth?
The good eccentrics sharing folk art and folk music and opening their hearts and homes at Water Hill make me so happy that I must raise my hands toward the sunny Syracuse sky.
Fabulous photos and descriptions and ideas to accompany them, my friend.
This looks like a delightful community event.
We have a similar Westcott Cultural Festival here ever September, with bands and performing groups of all styles and ages, but on stages, not on porches and lawns quite like this. There’s also another get together actually on porches in a neighborhood called Strathmore, so we are trying, too. But I digress.
This Ann Arbor scene is Americana done right.
Your car ppol mate plays right there. No wonder you guys sing to the car radio between Tim Horton bites!!
I imagine your cottage looks like the fifth photo down.
Thank you, Beth.
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and amen, brother mark! these kind of events are what pull a community together and make it feel like home. a home where everyone is welcomed and accepted no matter what. not my cottage but somewhat close –
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It gives me hope that there are enclaves of understanding and compassion, Beth.
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good to hear mark )
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How fun! Great photos too!
>
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thanks roy, i picture you and j loving it, and susie and don too )
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Ooh I think I want to live there!
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c’mon over, elyse )
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Some of your best pictures! Makes me wish it would always be May, it looks so pretty.
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thanks kerbey, i’m (peaches), but one of the photogs of these pics, check out my image credits at the bottom. and i agree about the beauty of may )
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I want to be there!! Right now!!
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Wow Beth What a cool thing this is. I would love to go to something like this. I have never heard of a musical community
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you would love it tomnardone and it’s really just one of our neighborhoods, where one after another creative people have moved in. i picture you playing cowbell with a metal band.
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So cool!!! Where is this?? Awesome pics btw!!
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thanks, speedo, ann arbor )
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Ahhh…love it!
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I love your capturing all elements of the young, old, new and ones who have experienced this event for years! Art, music, fellowship and a creative, living spirit lives on this Water Hill! Wow! Wish I could be there, I am like one of those ‘hippies’ that would be wearing flowers in my hair and singing right along! There is a town called, “Yellow Springs,” close by that has lovely cottages, a downtown and little areas where festivals are held. Fairly similar…Great place to visit.
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thanks robin, as you know i love all things mixed together, as that is what i consider the nature of a community. yellow springs sounds like a wonderful place to visit. and i am your hippie sister in many ways. )
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well having celebrated diversity and community my whole life – THIS looks like so much fun that I want to transport myself there right now! Such fun photos and post, Beth. ~Karen~
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you sound like just the perfect person to attend )
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Wow. This seems like really cool event. We have our share of music festivals here, but this seems incredibly unique.
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it really feels like something special, and yet so normal, for the community to gather ’round and celebrate who they are, chris.
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beth, your text reads like a free-verse
poem…loved it!
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thanks so much, susie )
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Wow! Looks like everyone had a fun time :-)
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i think they really did, eric )
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Looks like a great time had by all! Wish I could get something like that started here – everyone is so lackadaisical.
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oh i think it was, and i think it’s going to be up to you. get out on your front porch, call a friend over and sing )
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Oh no!! My singing would ever chase the wildlife!
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)
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Beautiful shots and wonderful post. Doesn’t music just sound “better” when you are at smaller, intimate outdoor concerts?
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thanks dk, and it does )
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Where is this wonderful place?!?!? I love eccentrics.
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ann arbor, and i love them too )
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Your post made my day. Like so many of your other readers, I am charmed by the photos and wish I could hear the music made in each shot. What a charming community. Thanks for sharing. My brother plays bluegrass (everything with strings) and my adult-ish children are horn/wind musicians with my oldest being a flute major. Music often fills our air. Even better, music fills the soul like nothing else.
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thanks lisa and you are so right about the music )
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sounds like a really great community of people. I liked seeing the Maypole; bought back happy memories.
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thanks and the maypole is a happy symbol )
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Hi Beth :D What a lovely post. I did enjoy it. Ralph xox <3
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thanks ralph, i’m happy you enjoyed it )
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I did <3
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I was planning on going as recent as a month or toe ago. Then on that day… I spaced. Totally forgot. Bummer, weather was fantastic. Looked like a good one this year
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i think you really would have enjoyed it, put it on your first sunday of may spot on your 2015 calendar.
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Wow! How wonderfully inspiring. Now this is a way to help build a strong healthy and loving community! Love it. Thanks for sharing. (If only I lived closer!) cheers, Gina
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i agree it is, and thanks, gina )
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Really, really cool. I would have liked to have gone to that.
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and i’m quite sure you would have enjoyed it, pif )
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Lovely gathering!
kc
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thanks, kc )
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What a great tradition! Looks like a lot of fun!
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it was, thanks!
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This looks like so much fun in a wonderful neighborhood. Love your photos.
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thanks and it was )
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wOw. I didn’t know Maypoles had a goal–that woven cover. Good to know–and the day seems just perfect.
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who knew? )
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Looks like fun! And sparkling drinks too!! Sounds like a party! :)
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it really was )
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What a wonderful idea.
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for so many, many reasons )
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A good time was had by all.
Great post.
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