Monday, March 27, 2023

Monday Musing : Gratitude, Inspiration and a Redirect!

Hello Everyone!

Please allow me to share something that struck a chord with me this past weekend: Ethan Hawke's video TED talk on creativity from June/July 2020. Perhaps you have seen it already, but I just discovered it!  If you are curious and want to know more about why it took me almost two years to find this, keep reading...otherwise, feel free to skip my ramblings and scroll on down to the video. 

In June/July 2020, during the panic mode of the pandemic, I was working on a grocery store frontline. So I missed a lot of real time content that I would have happily watched and shared had I been stuck at home with most of the rest of the world. A bunch of my coworkers quit, and I honestly don't know why I didn't quit and just stay home to write songs. I seriously thought about it! Maybe I just have this need to be of service and that seemed the best way to do so at the time.  I worked there for a couple of years, then moved on and managed a stationery store for a little more than a year. I have been recently laid off from that job, which means it is simply time for another redirect. So, now I am searching for full time work that is a better fit for my background and skill set, a better fit for who I am, who I want to be and what I am best suited to do in this life. However, I am open and flexible! So, if you know someone who is hiring locally or remotely, please have them contact me directly or via LinkedIn - and thank you kindly for your consideration and referrals. I will be actively searching as well, you can bet on that. It is full tilt boogie time, kids, and I am not ready to retire -- maybe in twenty years, but not yet! 

All that said, if you haven't skipped to it already, the video about creativity is embedded below. Be sure to grab a hankie before you hit the play button, because you may find yourself crying joyful tears of release while watching, and or jumping off the couch screaming "YES!" That would, of course, depend upon how you react when someone is saying something you need and want to hear. 

Lest I forget -  Livin' Like Kings is back at The Saloon in San Francisco's North Beach on April 22nd, 4 - 8 pm. We are working some new tunes into the mix. If you are on Facebook and want to follow our live music comings and goings, join our Mari Mack and Livin' Like Kings group.  We are planning on gigging  maybe once or twice a month. We are all adults with bills to pay and families that need and want us to be close to home. No reason to pretend otherwise. If one of us hits the lottery, we may decide to gig until the money runs out. ;) 

Also,  on April 29th, I am joining my dear friends, The Mill Valley Music All Stars, for a reprise of our "Let it Bleed" tribute at the crown jewel, heart and soul of the downtown Mill Valley arts scene, 142 Throckmorton Theatre.  The ticket link is not up yet, but when it goes live, you should be able to find it here. Yay!  

Speaking of music, Thanks to a generous friend, we recently visited The Sweetwater to take in the Marcia Ball/Tinsley Ellis show. What a treat! If they bring their talents to your town, grab a ticket and just go. 

That is all for now. I hope you have the best possible day you can have, and spend it with someone you love and/or admire - if no one else is in your vicinity, then just make that person you!  

ox,
Mari 


Monday, March 20, 2023

Saturday March 25th 5 - 8 pm MMLLK at the Range Cafe!

Hey Everybody!

Hope this note finds you in a good state of heart and mind! If you are able to read this, be grateful - you have more than most.  

Sending a reminder that we have an opportunity to share space, time and make musical memories together. Spring is springing and I will be singing! 

Please join us this Saturday, March 25th from 5 - 8 pm ish as we bring our band of brothers aka Livin' Like Kings to the Range Café at Peacock Gap in lovely Marin County!  It's a lovely spot and is family friendly restaurant, so feel free to bring the littles! 

This lineup, in addition to myself on vocals, of course: Arne Frager on bass, Richard Wood on keys,  David Powell on guitar and Martin Cunningham on brushes and bundles. 

Until then, travel throughout your day knowing that you are loved, even if it is from a distance. I wish you joy in your heart, peace and kindness in your soul. 

Ox,

Mari 



Related: 

Directions to the gig!

Facebook Event

Mari Mack Music on Instagram

Mari Mack Music on Bandcamp

Mari Mack  on Spotify







Monday, March 6, 2023

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who joined us this past Saturday afternoon at The Saloon. We are having fun dusting off the cobwebs, and worked a couple of new to us tunes into our sets. 
One of those tunes is best known by Tinsley Ellis, and the other by Marcia Ball. And serendipity has ensued, as both of these fine artists are playing at The Sweetwater tonight. (3/6/23)

It's raining heavily as I write this, as if the sky is crying for all the wonderful well known musicians who have joined that great band in the sky: David Lindley, Wayne Shorter, Gary Rossington,  Michael Rhodes and Jeff Young.  

May their music bring joy to comfort the sadness of your sorrows. 

Ox, 
Mari 

😔 🎶🎹🥁

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Save the Date : March 4th in San Francisco : Early Show 4 - 8 pm

Hey Everybody!

Let's have some fun. 

I'm putting on my Mari Mack hat and belting out some blues in ol' North Beach on March 4th.  We are working a few new gems into our sets, so I hope to see you there! 
This is a one time deal, because old friend Tony Perez will be holding that slot going forward. The said, we never know what the future holds, so, until then...

Take care of yourself and be kind. 

Ox, 
Mari 




Friday, January 6, 2023

New Year Wishes and Music Dreams

Hey Everybody!

Hope you are treating yourself well, because if you don't, who will? 

I'm popping in on this blog to let you know that we aim to be making more music in this year than in recent years past. That shouldn't be too difficult of a goal to reach! 

Anyway, the rain woke me up super early this morning. Here is a screenshot I snapped of what is coming our way in the next couple of days. This satellite photo was taken about 3:30 am on January 6th, 2023. 

I am about to go back to bed after writing this, and will probably be awake by the time this little note gets broadcast to your email inbox, only to be sent to the promotions or spam folder. 

I wish you the best day you can possibly have. 

Ox, 

Mari 



Thursday, October 6, 2022

Monday, October 3, 2022

San Anselmo Town Hall October 7th

Hey Everybody! 
As you may or may not have heard, we (MMLLK)  are bringing our set to San Anselmo Town Hall on October 7th at 6 pm. 
It promises to be a beautiful, warm day, but bring layers to put on or peel off, a blanket or low chair to sit on, shade for your facd and be sure ti stay hydrated! 
Here is the fb event link if you happen to need more info, or want to help spread the word! 
As always, we are grateful and appreciate the love and support! 
Looking forward to it!

Ox, 
Mari 

Friday, September 30, 2022

October 7th in San Anselmo

Bringing some music to downtown San Anselmo on Friday, October 7th. 
This particular show is right in front of Town Hall. 
The band starts playing at 6pm and we play for a bit. 
I imagine we will get into writing mode soon. There are songs that need to be started and songs that need to be finished, emotions that need to be expressed and spirits that need lifting. 
More details in my next post. 

In the meantime, I hope you have the best day you can possibly have.

Always remember, "Forever is composed of nows."

Ox, 
Mari 

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