On music, trails, films and failures

I recently discovered this musical delight. Every second and fourth Thursday, from 7 to 9 p.m., there is live jazz at Chalice Brewery, 413 E. Sherman Ave. The force behind it is saxophonist/vocalist/songwriter Dante D’Angelo, who holds a bachelor of music in jazz studies and has extensive performance experience. His mission with these Jazz Jams is “to provide an opportunity for up-and-coming artists to play with established jazz musicians in a learning environment where they could experiment with the dynamics of a live jazz combo.”   

“These events teach musicians how to speak the language of jazz, and you get to watch, in real time, as players develop their unique dialect,” Dante said.

I appreciate Chalice owner Brian Engdahl’s support of live jazz.  

'SONG SUNG BLUE'

Who doesn’t enjoy an opportunity to sing “Sweet Caroline?” This touching movie about a Neil Diamond tribute band in Wisconsin includes throngs of people singing “Sweet Caroline,” and the band showcasing “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show” and many more of Neil Diamond’s magical creations. Actors Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackson highlight the loving relationship between the band leaders.

NORTH IDAHO CENTENNIAL TRAIL FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING   

Vantage Point was packed for the Jan. 22 annual meeting, with the goal of sharing news about the paved trails in North Idaho, answering questions about how the trail flows through the massive interchange project at Interstate 90 and Highway 41 and other construction that affects the trail. It was also about encouraging support.

Support? It takes concerted effort, and money, to keep the trail clear, safe and in good condition. West of Post Falls, 2 miles of the 1989 blacktop are badly cracked and in need of replacement. Cost? About $200,000. Consider becoming a member of the trail, via the website, and continue to be one of the 800,000 people per year that enjoy the 23 miles of the Idaho section of the trail.

Thank you, Vantage Point, for the free beer offered to each of the trail supporters, And thank you, Tim Keaty, Tabitha Kraack and Doug Eastwood, for your outstanding leadership.

COEUR d’ALENE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AT NIC  

The selection of music for the Jan. 24 concert enabled even first-time attendees of an orchestra concert to say, “I’ve heard this piece before.” Edvard Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King” and “Morning Mood” elicited smiles of familiarity. But perhaps the most precious moment was Antonin Dvorak’s excerpt “From the New World,” in which the North Idaho Youth Symphony joined the Coeur d’Alene Symphony; conductor Phillip Baldwin had kind words for the Youth Symphony’s preparations and performance.  

BANFF FILM FESTIVAL  

For the 30th year, on Jan. 23, 24 and 25, the Banff Film Festival worldwide tour arrived in Coeur d’Alene. I attended all three nights at The Kroc Center and saw 18 films, which were from two minutes to 49 minutes long. My favorite? Probably the story of two Swiss fathers who took their 2-year-olds on a six-day, mountainous bike touring trip, which included 18% grades, diaper changes, tantrums — and joy.

Many of the films are deeply moving as the audience witnesses incredible strength, endurance and risk-taking, but probably the top of that list was the story of a group of paraplegics and their friends who built miles of extra-wide mountain biking trails in Vermont, accessible to adaptive bikes.

A portion of the proceeds from each night go to the Kroc Center’s 3rd Grade Swim program, which takes place in April and May, and is dedicated to ensuring every child in Kootenai County has the skills necessary to swim in North Idaho's waters.

MUSEUM OF PERSONAL FAILURE  

Well, we all missed this fun display. The Museum of Personal Failure was a pop-up exhibition at Kingsgate Mall in Vancouver, British Columbia, and was open until Feb. 3. It featured personal, non-commercial and relatable failures. Founded by Eyvan Collins to celebrate imperfection, the exhibit displayed items like a divorced woman's wedding dress, rejected job applications and failed art. The stated purpose was: “To normalize failure, encourage vulnerability and showcase that failure is part of the growth process.” The exhibition offered a space for visitors to reflect on their own, often hidden, personal shortcomings in a, surprisingly, uplifting way.   

Of course, this could help us to better understand each other, as we all have something to display in this museum. 

QUOTE: "Only three more months until lake swimming!” — Howard Burns.

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David Groth retired in 2016 after 37 years in elementary education. His last 17 years, the favorite part of his career, were spent teaching fifth grade and juggling at Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities. He has lived in Coeur d’Alene since 1982 and has always appreciated the people, the geography, the climate, the rivers and lakes, and the simple things that make days special.