http://jeneehalstead.com/blog.html Jenee Halstead: Blog Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Sun, 02 May 2010 16:53:20 -0700 http://jeneehalstead.com/blog.html/the_netherlands_tour_part_2 We had two days of playing in smokey bars, which was a bit disheartening. Overall, I prefer not to play bars. Bars do not lend themselves to the kind of music I make...even when I am playing with a full band. The smoking thing was a surprise as well. In Antwerp we played a place called Crossroads music, which is known as a blues club. They have songwriter nights once a week. This club had to make a decision between serving food to their patrons or allowing smoking to be a part of their atmosphere. Legally they could not have both...they choose the latter. The other gig in Den Bosch was pretty great for a bar, even with the smoking. I guess there is a loop hole right now in the Netherlands with regards to the anti-smoking laws that were previously established, so people are doing what they can to get away with it...in some places. I found that when I told people about these smoking gigs, they were really quite surprised. That is a good sign I guess.
We also had a few days off, which was much needed. We stayed in the country in a town called Helenaveen not far from Utrecht. I spent most of my time walking in the woods or on trails, and enjoying the peaceful countryside. We are heading to Amsterdam tomorrow to be on the radio and t.v. show OBA live, which takes place in the main downtown library. I am looking forward to Amsterdam!]]> http://jeneehalstead.com/blog.html/the_netherlands_tour_part_2 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:53:20 -0700 - Jenee Halstead - Blog http://jeneehalstead.com/blog.html/the_netherlands_tour_part_1 Cafe t-Keerpunt was our first gig. It was in the town of Spijkerboor way up in the north. It is stunning country! Our hosts Jan and Maria Hoekman were extremely kind and fun to hangout with. They made us feel right at home. In fact, we celebrated Maria's birthday with her family the night before we left, which was a blast. We also learned a cool fist pump from their fourteen year old daughter Lisa, which we have decided we are soley responsible for spreading across U.S. What you do is pump fists and exclaim "box oud," which means "old school." This is not to be confused with the twelve string Arabian oud, which is a lightweight guitar-like instrument. I believe it means "old." Anyway, Jan and Maria host a lot of roots, folk and Americana songwriters from all over the world. It was great to see posters of our friends on their wall. It made me feel right at home...that, and the horses in their yard.
Easter Sunday found us at this crazy looking hotel in Delfzij, which seems to be so far northeast that nobody knows about it, except maybe the Germans, whom you can swim to on the other side of the sound. Sort of. It is actually the fifth largest port in The Netherlands. The Eemshotel looks like the top of an old ship that was sliced off and placed on poles over the water. It is quite romantic and quaint. Joe and I were met with a lovely and enthusiastic crowd. They gave us a standing ovation at the end, which may well be my first. It was such a wonderful day.]]> http://jeneehalstead.com/blog.html/the_netherlands_tour_part_1 Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:40:42 -0700 - Jenee Halstead - Blog