Today, we celebrate that little-known (or oft-forgotten) December holiday: Ice Cream and Violins Day. No, I’m not kidding. The origins of this holiday are shrouded in mystery, but one can imagine that, in a season stuffed with figgy puddings, candy canes and dancing sugarplums, alive with the sounds of sleighbells jingling, twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping, and those damn birds calling (will those four ever shut up?!) … well, one can understand that a person might find some comfort and joy in a nice bowl of lemon frozen custard and an elegant performance of a Bach violin partita. Light, piquant, refreshing — just the thing to cleanse the palate and eardrums between those rich holiday courses.
To open the advent calendar window for Day 13, click here:
I’m no Nathan Milstein, and many years have passed since I attempted a Bach partita. However, I find comfort and joy in playing my violin, particularly with friends. A couple of weekends ago, as four of us rehearsed for an upcoming gig, the low winter sun cast the shadow of my violin (with me attached) onto my music. I asked to borrow the pianist’s camera, and captured the moment.
For Holidailies
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That’s funny, I’m a violin player and a plastician, and I made a video of violinists shadows a few months ago.
I was inspired by my own shadow on the music…
Now how did you manage to get the shadow of the violin, your hand and the bow at the same time. Unless that is not the shadow of the bow, you would need three hands! The “bow” shadow isn’t over the bridge and strings so perhaps…… It is a spectacular picture no matter how you got it.
What an awesome holiday! I’ve never heard of it, but will do my best to celebrate it this weekend, and mark it for next year.
It Figures
Tonight is opening night for Der Nu§knacker (I though it might be fun to go bilingual on you) and I have a cold.
the uncharacteristic silence is ominous; has your power been outted in the big storm?
Wonderful foto! And I’m down with any holiay that features ice cream.
Over here, we’re celebrating Cheez Doodles and Accordions Day. It’s a lot like Ice Cream and Violins, but with more savoir faire, élan, and High-Tone Quality.
Next year, it’ll be Funyuns and Kazoos.