With Caramoor’s 2010 International Music Festival rapidly approaching, I am very happy that the Caramoor staff eased me into the hectic pace of the summer with my first official concert job at last nights Dancing at Dusk with Guy Davis-American Blues. I loved the fun environment Guy provided for the families, and I loved watching the younger kids sit on their carpet squares listening intently to Guy’s story-song of different animals riding the train and then hopping up and running to their parents asking for more grapes or cookies. Besides shuffling kids around and telling them that maybe playing tag during the concert wasn’t the best idea, I had the pleasure of helping Katie at the “Write Your Own Blues Song” raffle where kids and adults of all ages (some even wished not to share their age and just wrote “too old”) were asked to write a blues song in four lines. At the end of the night we picked a song out of a “9 and under” basket and a “10 and older” basket and the winners received four free tickets to another Dancing at Dusk event. My favorite part of the night was helping some of the younger kids write their songs, and I definitely saw some recurring themes about homework and school, sibling rivalry, and having the second and fourth line rhymes be “mad” and “sad.” Even though the concert had to be under the reception tent instead of Friend’s Field because of the predicted rain, I still had a wonderful evening. If the rest of the summer carries on like this for me, come August, I don’t think I’ll be singin’ “The Caramoor Festival Blues.”

Below are the raffle winners and the other blues songs written by the concert attendees:

9 and Under Category

Came home this evenin’
My backpack weighed a ton
It was filled with homework
I just wish that I had none!
9 and under raffle winner, Jackson D. age 9

Today I went out when
It was very bright
The I got itchy and
Found out I got a bug bite
Annabel L. age 8

My name is Oliver
I like the water
I am a son
Not a daughter
Oliver M.  age 5

Summer is here
It’s hot outside
I’m sweatin’ so much
I need to cry
Emma  age 7

I’m a nice girl
Don’t like when people are mean
But all around the world
You wouldn’t believe the things I’ve seen
Ania T. age 5

When my mom
Heard me lie
She got me in trouble
And I started to cry
Annabel L. age 8

Milton gets me mad
When he hits me on the back
Milton gets me mad
He better cut me some slack
Kevin A. age 7

Today I woke up
And couldn’t find my dog
5 hours later
I found him hiding in a log
Annabel L. age 8

I’m sitting at the concert
My sister refused to go
She’s home on the computer
I hope the electricity will blow
Isabel D. age 9

I hate when it rains
What can I do
I just sit in the house
and I don’t know what to do
Jenna F. age 6

I woke up in the morning
And my mom came to tell
Me that she
Was going to yell
Annabel L. age 8

I am mad
When somebody kicks
It makes me want
To play some tricks
Alex T. age 5

When the Bronx Bombers get crushed
It gets me sad
And when the Red Sox win
It gets me mad
Danielle B. age 6

I woke up in the morning
Went to feed the cat
Then I discovered she ran away
Chasing a bat
Annabel L. age 8

I got itchy bug bites
I’m sitting on itchy grass
I wish I was not itchy
I hope the itchiness will pass
Maya K. age 7

Too many tests what do I do
Nobody likes Math
I know how to spell
I’d rather take a bath
Lily D. age 7

Today I had to do something
I don’t really like
I had to learn
How to ride my bike
Annabel L. age 8

My name is Daniel
I sit on the bus
A little girl screamed in my face
Now I’m so mad at her
Daniel S. age 6

Miss my friends
Miss my family in California
Miss Aunty Sharon and Uncle Bill
Can’t wait to see ya
Sonali N. age 6

Not having a play date
Gives me the blues
When I’m with my friends
I don’t ever want to take a snooze
Dani age 6

Don’t like when it rain
Rain makes me sad
It gives me a pain
It makes me so mad
Isabelle age 7

Not much makes me sad
I’m a happy Mets fan
I love when they win
Oh yes I do, man
Dani age 6

I’m in the 4th grade
And they make me take tests
But I study for them
And I do my best
Darya K. age 9

Catching frogs
Silly like a lose
Makes me cool
Watching the blues
Paul H. age 3

I’m Mimi and four and my problem is my prince is away
He went to a new school and I’m sad
Because he’s away from my heart
And if I see him I’ll be happy and glad
Mimi S. age 4

When my twin steals my toy
It makes me mad
But when we play together
It makes me glad
Jordan B. age 4

I am at a music festival
My name is Meagan and I feel funky
Boy is it cool to be a kid!
Just like my pet monkey
Meagan P. age 5

Drove up to Caramoor
Excited to hear all the blues
Oh la la I love it
It’s such a dooze
Paul H. age 3

I don’t know what makes me sad
I am a very happy guy
I like to smile
I don’t like to cry
Matthew R. age 3

When Katie comes to play
She ought to stay all day
My mommy runs away
And sistah that’s okay!
Katelyn S. age 15 months

10 and Over Category

Two girls just sitting by the pool
Wanting a tan, now they’re so burnt they can’t move
They’re so sad, they’re just crying Aloe vera
Give ‘em a few days and they’ll be back in the groove
Haley D. and Sophie H. age 19

I’m a Hungarian gal
Came from the city of Budapest
Got lots to learn from my American pals
But I won’t bore you with the rest
Edit B. age 35

Wake up feeling mighty blue
Being 13 ain’t easy
Dog ate my homework
But the teacher don’t believe me
David J. age 13

When I hear that train running
Running down the line
It’s time to get me to Caramoor
And then I’ll feel just fine
Everett P. age timeless

My iphone don’t work
I can’t get no dates
I can’t do no texting
Won’t you save me Bill Gates?
Melvin P. age too old

Today is my husband’s birthday
My oh my he’s getting old
These times they are a changing
But my hand he can still hold
Kim D. age 45

I see my life flashin’ before my eyes
My hubby’s turning bald and porky
What’s next? Bifocals and varicose veins?
Oh no- I’m finally forty
Maddy M. age 40

Now my baby’s walking
I ain’t got no time
Soon she’ll be talking
And beat me at my rhyme
Cameron S. age 34

Bell rang at 2
As usual my mom was late
I have to sit still and wait
Guess that’s just my fate
David J. age 13

It’s a shame that its only Wednesday
The weekend seems so far away
At least there’s some music
Making it okay that its just today
Cristy age 39

When I couldn’t care less
Wanna head for the door
I start my feets running
So I can Caramoor!
Gayle P. age “a woman of a certain age”

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