A little family business
People like to make and do things
Some minor details and a bit of excavation remain before the studio project can be called complete (since it’s a working space, will it ever be, really?).
For example, the walkway to the main entrance is yet to be made. But we’ve begun metering things in, and Sara is officially working in her new studio. I expect my studio to be at least nearly operational by the end of July.
Even though the future is a hoax, as Alan Watts informs us, Mala Nota has two shows coming up, with more to follow. August 30 is our Sahara Lounge Anniversary Show: the years are beginning to add up. Can we bend time?
July 24
Cosmic Coffee
121 Pickle Rd Ste. 111 Austin TX 78704
(512) 481-0694
This will be an early evening show; I’ll post the time next month.
August 30
Sahara Lounge
1413 Webberville Road Austin, TX 78721(512) 927-0700
Line-up and times to be announced.
With respect to engineering live sound: Last month I mixed a second show for The Formality. The evening went quite well even though technical issues turned the task into a multi-level game of increasing mystery and complexity.
Rather than waxing philosophical about engineering live sound, as I threatened I would, I will begin a list of considerations, and without elaboration at this time. This list will grow over time and act as an outline for something more developed, expository, and maybe informative. Each item on the list can be considered a hint: something happened.
- There will be problems.
- A mindful level of organization can help avoid problems.
- A dedicated level of organization can help trace and solve problems.
- Performers (AKA the “talent”) have enough to do to be both good at what they do and entertaining. Yet two areas for attention are: A) Keep equipment in good working order; and, B) Maintain a nominal level of what I will call stage hygiene.
- Before turning anything up, identify what can be turned down.
In some way, these considerations may apply elsewhere. To be continued.
A little family business: My great-grandfather was from Calabria, and he carried some interesting tools in his DeSoto. I recently mentioned this to a mal-intentioned person who quickly understood the implications and wisely changed course, saying, “They know how to find things.”
Whatever family’s business organized my great-grandfather’s occasional errands, it will remain unknown and likely unknowable. But I want to share some of my family’s business, and I want you to be able to find these artists: people who like to make and do things.
First, my brother, Chuck (Dr. Charles Manak) is, in addition to being an insightful internist and educator, a painter. He recently began posting paintings and studies on Instagram, and as he nears retirement looks forward to becoming, as he says, a “studio hermit.” I’m pretty sure he’ll balance his time between a number of activities and interests both in and out of the studio, and look forward what flows from his brush. You can see his work at chuckmanakart.
And, Eloise Carter Walne (you may have heard me refer to her as my daughter-figure) has begun singing regularly at venues in New York. You can see clips, as well as acting clips, at eloisecarterwalne.com. We’ve done a few house concerts in Austin, and we’re talking about putting something together for next autumn.
Thanks again for reading. Feel free to send questions or topics you might like to hear about from me.
Peace, Love, and Art,
Ralph
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Ralph Manak
Raking Light Studio
Austin TX
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