Thirteen years of making music; driving 95 and hiking the Camino

There were at least a dozen members of bass player Larry Easterly’s family in attendance Friday, Feb. 6, at the weekly jam session of 20-30 local string musicians at the Church of Christ at the corner of Fourth and Hanley.  

They celebrated two things with music and a potluck: Larry’s birthday and 13 years of gathering to share polished songs performed by talented musicians, and to provide a safe place for new musicians to take a risk and share what they’re learning.  

Started by Ray Tapio and joined by Dan Howard, Stan Rogers, Steve Allen and Karen Huff, first at various locations in the Silver Lake Mall, they are now greatly appreciative of the space provided by the Church of Christ, and forward some of their weekly donations to help the church and our local food pantry.   

All aspiring musicians are welcome to join in! 

THAT LOVELY DRIVE NORTH AND SOUTH THROUGH IDAHO 

Recently, I had the pleasure of driving U.S. 95 south from Coeur d’Alene, across the winter wheat sprouting in the Palouse, down the Lewiston Grade, east along the Clearwater River and through the reservation at Lapwai before climbing the recently widened road through the Winchester Canyon.   

I stopped at the top of the impressive White Bird Grade and thought about Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce Indians, and about the time in 2022 when Jenny and I rode our bikes up the switchbacks of the old White Bird Grade. I continued along the Salmon River, through the rafting and fishing town of Riggins, where it was 58 degrees Feb. 3! I climbed along the Little Salmon River and drove across the valley south of New Meadows, before the last switch backed climb to 5,030 feet above sea level and a return to winter in McCall. 

I guess the faster way to Southern Idaho is to go through the Tri-Cities in Washington. But why would one do that?

DANE HIKES THE CAMINO AND PERFORMS CELLO CONCERTS NIGHTLY   

I had the delight of meeting Dane Johansen after a 2024 Cleveland Symphony performance. 

Dane has been a cellist with the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra since 2016. He grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska, and during his youth flew to Seattle monthly for cello lessons. Eventually, he studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris and the Juilliard School in New York City.  

Dane dedicated time and energy to exploring Sebastian Bach’s “Six Suites for Cello,” and in 2014, he took them on the road. Dane walked 580 miles of the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain, carrying his cello, and performed Bach’s Suites nightly in churches and other performance venues along the way. He was accompanied on his journey by a recording engineer and a film crew, which resulted in two documentaries: “Walk to Fistera- A Cellist’s Journey” and “Strangers on the Earth.”

THANK YOU, BLAIR WILLIAMS, AND THE ART SPIRIT GALLERY  

It has been well-covered in The Press that the Art Spirit Gallery has closed. What does our community lose? An attractive gallery featuring local artists, a gathering space made available to groups, and a connector in owner Blair Williams, who knows all of the players in the state arts scene and constantly works to help groups support each other. 

I look forward to seeing who the next beneficiary of Blair’s skills and generosity will be. I will miss The Art Spirit. 

Quote: “We are not here to do what has already been done.” ― Robert Henri, The Art Spirit

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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.