Preserving Traditions

Last night at Badseed, I did a demonstration on freezing greens as part of Brooke's evening of Food Preservation Demos. I briefly showed everybody who had gathered around the sweltering Badseed kitchen the step by step process of blanching and freezing chard and kale. When I was through, Brooke began demo number two and talked about pickling and canning, that old fashioned staple of homesteading.

I had to scurry away while her demo was going on so that I could make it to the first ever concert for Luna Cantera, Sergio's newest project and collaboration with his sister. They were invited to participate in the Cup of Kindness Summer Benefit Series at Coffee Break, a summer-long series that will benefit a number of organizations in Kansas City.

Tonight's event benefited (and raised over $200 for) Wuqu' Kawoq, an organization that supports the preservation of Mayan language and culture. The performance was a preservation of culture too, if you ask me. Sergio and Christy played several traditional Mexican songs, very heartbreaking tunes that were beautiful. Their own original songs were as charged and moving as the traditional pieces, as well.

And the evening of music flowed nicely, even if the air in the coffee house didn't. The show started with Nick Baker on the marimba, a sound that was cool and refreshing in the heat of a venue with temporarily-out-of-commission AC. Luna Cantera played next. After Sergio and Christy left the stage, Emily Tummins took up her guitar to play some old fashioned tunes (You're the cream in my coffee; you're the salt in my stew with a ukulele, no less) and a Beattles song she just discovered that she loves.

She even took a request from me at the end when I asked her to play You Are My Sunshine, just a little bit more old (and heartbreaking) music to close out the evening of traditions well preserved.

The Cup of Kindness series continues on Fridays: July 17, 24, 31 and August 14, 21, 28. More great music and more great organizations to benefit: March of Dimes, Bridging the Gap, KKFI, Midwest Music Foundation, Rockhill Academy, & The Ronald McDonald House. All events held at Coffee Break at 54th and Troost.