#cello luna

This past weekend at Wicked Faire I played with Psyche Corporation & I joined This Way to the Egress on stage for “Bones” (as is our tradition). Those sets brought things Full Circle.

Back in 2014, I attended the second Steampunk Anachronism in NYC. It was the first Steampunk event I’d ever been to (well, I think the Steampunk Picnic actually has that honor - but first show!). I saw Egress play there & was fucking wowed! They were fun & awesome & had cello & violin - and just a million levels of cool.

After that event, I was obsessively checking twitter & found Minions of Gozer - who it turned out were having a benefit/fundraising event to help get things started. I happily agreed to play (cuz omg so cool), and it was there that I met Psyche Corporation - we were both into the others’ performance & decided we should collaborate. I also met a dear friend who told me about this event called Dorian’s Parlor.

Dorian’s Parlor turned out to be the coolest fucking thing ever, and it was the first Steampunk event I ever played! This is where the name The Wandering Cellist was born (I mean: I was playing a cool steampunk event - I needed a cool name that fit!!). It’s also where I met Dr. Andy & the rest of Circuit Six

After that I was playing at Wicked Faire 2011 as part of Pysche Corp. At one point, an act was arriving a bit late & Dr. Andy texts me asking if I can do a solo set till they get there - so, I just set up, plug in & drop some improv & some Dr. Who.  One of the staff radios in for other staff to come check it out, it winds up on YouTube & somehow or another, I end up performing at future Wicked Faire & Steampunk World’s Fair events. 

Before that moment, I never believed I was good enough to apply for events with such amazing performers. (Side note: that’s where I first saw Ego Likeness & Platform one - who later became good friends!) :D

So much more has happened in the years between, and it’s incredible how much those first events & the path they set me on changed my life for the better - how much awesome they brought into my life & how much awesome they let me bring into others’ lives!!

Dances of Vice: Carnival of Venice Valentine Masquerade Ball was incredibly wonderful - especially playing in the Reading Room.  I played in that room for an Hour & A Half, and many people stayed throughout - some of them even watching me play through the very end.  Many of them offering compliments & thanks between songs :)

Throughout the set, there were two Acro performers who would come in and out, performing their entrancing movements in the center of the small enclave that had gathered to watch.  I am lucky to have had such a magical addition to my performance.

At one point during the set, a fellow came up to me & quietly mentioned that he thought he'd heard me play "She Moved Through The Fair" earlier in the night, and asked if I'd be kind enough to play it again - as it was his favorite song.  With a request like that - how could I not?!

One of my favorite things about performing is knowing that for a short moment in time, you get to lift someone out of their daily life & take them along to this magical place with you - knowing that that moment is as powerful & transformative for them as it is for you.