Seattle, WA: Erickson Theater (Bushwick Book Club - Pride & Prejudice)

I now number among those cultured souls who have read some Jane Austen (thanks, Book Club!). Didn't hate it (as many told me I would), but really felt just how different the life of the late-18th-Century English gentry was from mine today.

Downside to writing and performing a Taylor Swift parody (yes, this is how I imagined P&P for the show): ongoing Taylor Swift earworms...

Seattle, WA: Egan's Ballard Jam House

Opening the evening here for (and then backing) Ms. Nancy K. Dillon, who has requested a set of Bushwick Book Club tunes. Kinda fun to string together some highlights from the past year-plus, some of which are much more context-specific than others. Then over to the mando...!

Seattle, WA: New Day Northwest

Obviously, I do far more radio than TV--perhaps TV regulars don't get the same kick out of the language that I do, but I was giddy with anticipation when I was told by the very pleasant and capable New Day Northwest staff: "Please come camera ready (hair and make-up done). We will be powdering you for HD."

Well, consider me powdered...in the same King-5 studio as Almost Live!, no less! Glad to give the Book Club some screen time, and continue to plead Tommy Treadmill's case.

Seattle, WA: Fremont Abbey (Bushwick Book Club - Alice in Wonderland)

It's neat how a great crowd in a great room can really lift up a show--tons of fun, and better shared. Got flack for assuming that I did not have a show-stealer this time, but I didn't honestly think a slow, minor-key ditty could do the trick (I'll concede comically dirge-y). Alas, now I've got to think if I've ever before received applause just for the verbal introduction preceding a song. Thankfully, Debbie Miller stepped in in the second half and stole the show for real. Yay reading!

Seattle, WA: Empty Sea Studios

Nice to wind down the mostly-close-to-home-but-still-busy year with an intimate show among friends. Joe Jencks and I, of course, go back many, many years, and it's always fun to see what non-plussing may happen on-stage. And for the past few years Joe and Trina Willard have done a between-the-holidaze(-ish) date, so I'm happy to crash that tradition, too. Sold out the first show several days in advance, so pleased to add a second: double the singing, picking, and frequent grinning--all in a really special concert space.

Covington, WA: Covington Library (Bushwick Book Club - The Time Machine)

So ends the great Bushwick Book Club / Time Machine KCLS Tour, 2011--and nice to go out on top. Kudos to the Covington folk for making this one such an attended and aesthetic success, and to the gentleman calling himself 'Major Fun' who showed with his own Wells-inspired offerings to perform! Next up for KCLS: March, by Geraldine Brooks.

Vashon, WA: Vashon Library (Bushwick Book Club - The Time Machine)

Book Club ferryboat ride...!