Spot/ The rest of the Tour/ Iowa City

So for Hancher the "tour" is over; we are home. For David and Daniel, it is the last stop on the tour. The Iowa City events have been wonderful as well. Kids are the same everywhere and so the events here are much the same and as well received. There were a few things different. D&D did an Iowa Commuications Network show from Hancher that was great fun and maybe the best we have ever had. Marshalltown was even one of the sites online for it so it was like revisiting that stop, from the Hancher stage. There was the pillow fight at the Children's Museum and a special concert that Daniel gave of about 30 minutes of improvised piano that was incredible. And much, much more.

Today is the final concert at Hancher. It is morning and cool. I am so looking forward to the more formal presentation of their work in the form of the Frog Bride. The Prokofiev from Daniel should be great too. Marshalltown is bringing a bus of high school kids and parents to visit campus and see the show.

David said that they will have one day at home in New York before they head out again to another gig, this time in Madison. They will have left so much behind here in Iowa. New friends across the state. Better storytellers. Better listeners. Sparked imaginations. Renewed appreciation for cultures outside our own. A wider view of the world. A very warm spot in our hearts.

We will see you again. Safe journeys.

Ron

Day 11 on the Spot Tour--Daniel's music

Today is the concert day in Marshalltown. Yesterday David and Daniel touched a lot of people and I know tonight will be like Wil in Spencer said in his blog entry: "Everyone will walk away with a smile on their face."

Daniel gave me a gift: his cd Duets with Ghosts. I hadn't had a moment to listen to it until today. I had to go to Des Moines to look at some new software and I used the trip to listen to Daniel's music. I had no idea what a gift he had given to me. It is an amazing piece of work. I have to write just a bit about it. I hope many will get a copy and really delve into it.

First, a couple of caveats. I am going to record some quick thoughts on first hearing. I know Daniel has been reading this blog so I hope I don't say anything offensive or stupid. But I love this cd. Second, I listen to lots of music, have my likes and dislikes, and am pretty much not very knowledgeable about music. I would say I am eclectic and ignorant. But I love this music.

So on to this music. All I know about it is that it is Daniel Kelly's compositions and he performs it with his group. I know that the impetus for this was to connect with some early recordings he found of his grandfather. But I haven't read the liner notes yet so this is just my reaction. Could be way off base. But I love this music.

Okay, so the cd starts off with "Dada Mechanica" which includes some of the early recordings. Immediately I thought of the music that accompanies a wonderful little film from the Dada movement by Leger called Ballet Mécanique that I most recently saw at the Figge in Davenport. This music sounds like what I remember from that film with contemporary mechanical and electronic sounds. I have no idea if there is a connection but that is what came to mind. And it is just as magical as that film was to me.

Cut 2. "Early" sounds like it uses repeated early recordings, to create something that seems like early 20th century work songs. Like field laborers might sing together to endure the work. Creating a very regular beat that ties it all together and builds over that with rock/jazz sound.

Three. "Amadou." I don't know what the title refers to. There was a blind musician with that name but... In any case, this is one of my favorites on the cd. It is a gentle, beautiful jazz piece that I could listen to over and over.

"58 years" follows. Again, a piece including the dialogue with the "ghost" recordings. I know there must be stories here that the liner notes will help out with. But on this first hearing, it is an amazing piece. Daniel's composition on this one seems to create a space for the early recordings to exist in--an environment, a frame for the dialogue. It seems mysterious, personal, meaningful, and beautiful.

Number 5: "Sixth Sense." Whew. This one seems to yank us into today full-speed. Almost kicking and screaming. And stops. And stops again. And continues to anchor us in the here and now. Maybe the most obscure, most abstract. No less interesting.

The 6th cut is, on first hearing, my favorite. It is the most accessible and gives me goosebumps. It is from a Beethoven symphony and is simply very gorgeous. It takes us deep into the melody and delivers us, in the end, in our time in the 21st century. I can only hope he considers making an entire album of this classical interpretation.

Next up: "Scratch." The contrast once again pulls us from complacency and into a contemporary place. Almost a tribal beat with electronic tune over. It ends with a melodic return to the work song idea of the second cut. Complex. Enigmatic. Abstract. Interesting.

Finally number 8 is "Hammer Ring" and again the early recording takes us into a place of history and provides the base for amazing, very contemporary music. Beautiful and rich. The cd ends with clearly a duet with the ghosts.

Later. I have now listened to this perhaps nine or ten times. It gets better and better. I think listening to the whole album is good. I think it is a journey. I am sure most cds are composed with decisions of what follows what (What do I know?) but this one seems to really be a unified single piece. Like a series of paintings to be viewed in order.

So, I love this music. I was surprised to be so taken by it. I sometimes have a hard time coming into music that pushes limits. But in many ways this music is like how I approach visual arts. It is interesting and complex and abstract and beautiful and I didn't worry about understanding it. I just listened in my own naive way and came alive.

And that's the he and the she of it.

Ron

Day 10 on the Spot Tour--Marshalltown

We got a Spot Kid comment from Spencer. It is listed right below this one. Check it out.

The many talents of David Gonzalez. That was the day today in Marshalltown. We have been noticing all along the tour that David is a master of last-minute fine-tuning his presentation to fit the audience makeup, the place, the size of group, whatever. Today we began at the libary storytime with really small kids and parents. It was such a sweet small group and once again David had them so interested. He shared with them his story of his uncle and the guitar that we had heard before but this time he tailored it to small kids complete with hand gestures, marching, clapping, and helping with the story.

Then off to the high school. He and Daniel were with four different groups there. With the high schoolers he was informal and honest, sharing stories of his family, his Cuban background, his career, and along with that human uncertainties and social realities. It is so good to hear people's stories. He read his poetry and sang songs. He chatted in Spanish and listened to a student's work. Such good things set up and such good interactions. Daniel joined him and once again Daniel's cool and talented addition was amazing.

After I left they were off to yet another activity at the library's Dia de los Niños/Dia de los Libros. More good stuff.

Ron

Spot Kid send blog entry

Tuesday. I got a blog entry today from Spot Kid Wil in Spencer. Thanks, Wil!

"The show by David Gonzalez was spectacular, and everyone who saw it walked away with a smile on their face! —Wil"

Day 9 on the Spot tour--Marshalltown

We are fam-i-ly. I got all my family and me. We are fam-i-ly.
Without the music you don't get the full effect when David ends one of his stories with everyone clapping and singing the Sister Sledge song "We are family." But it is so effective.

What I was thinking about yesterday really was manifest today with David and Daniel doing their thing at the Training Center and the preschool at St. Pauls in Marshalltown. The group was 28 kids and 65 adults and all were delighted with David and Daniel. David told the stories in an informal mix of Spanish and English that made it all so inclusive, so rich.

All along the way on the Spot tours, the richness of the mix of backgrounds and culture has been so evident whether it is age-old Iowa stories or the newer residents' addition to the mix, it has been a great sharing of family stories and home country traditions. Over and over again we are made aware of how we each add something worthy to the experience. Indeed, we are family. I think I really now understand Family Values.

The last stop in Marshalltown was at Fake Space which creates virtual reality. It hit me how that is what David does in his storytelling--low tech virtual reality. He takes us into new worlds and gives us all the visual and audio needed to create a reality outside of the existing one.

Ron

A comment

Day 6 entry below had a nice greeting from a Spencerite on the comment left there. It is so good to get feedback.

Day 8 on the Spot Tour--on the road

Sunday. One last great cup of coffee in Spencer (Shaky Tree opened just for us. Wow. That is so nice!) and we are on the road to Marshalltown. Conversation on the way made the time fly. We missed seeing the Pocahontas statue again. I guess we took a different route.

We pulled into Marshalltown and left David and Daniel off at their motel with all their gear and headed home to Iowa City. Two thoughts. One, I was so happy to be home and it made me think about D&D being gone from home for much longer. And two, we felt a little funny just leaving them there, like we were abandoning friends. But of course Marshalltown is taking good care and we are heading up there each day to experience our third community on the Spot tour. Daniel said he took a long walk out on the edge of town and experienced one of our Iowa sunsets. Something for him to take home, perhaps.

We got back to Spring/Summer and things were gorgeous in Iowa City. I had time before dark to get in my first skate along the river. The path in Iowa City along the Iowa River is so gorgeous and great access to the outdoors. Hancher to Napoleon Park is my usual route. David said he lives on the Hudson River in Nyack. My guess is that Daniel isn't far from the East River in Brooklyn but I don't know for sure. Perry on the Racoon. Spencer on the Little Sioux. Marshalltown on the Iowa. Hmmm.

I listened to some Brazilian music while I skated and it made me think to Spot 4 and Cyro Baptista. Next year will be great too. And then I was thinking about all the things... Well, that will wait. This stream of consciousness thing is making these entries longer than I intended.

Ron

Day 7 on the Spot tour--Spencer

Tonight the final concert in Spencer. David was fielding questions from the audience. He said that they have played in places from famous, big places to school classrooms and that it's all the same because what it is really about is people touching people. That is what it is. That is what this week has been about. No wonder it is so good.

David read some of his poetry later at a gathering. I was stunned and I really will never be the same. My gratitude to Daniel and David continues to grow with all they have given us.

Tomorrow on to Marshalltown. Half done.

Ron

Day 6 on the Spot Tour--Spencer

I just went downtown to get a cup of great coffee from Micah. He is new to town, hooked up with a long time resident, and opened a coffee shop. You can just tell he is the kind of barista that really cares about his product and his art. Everything is done methodically and precisely. The brewed coffee is French press. Amazing. So I went to pay and he said that there was a paid running tab for us from someone in town. What?! How many ways can you say nice? I hope whoever it is will read this and hear my thanks.

But on to Spot. After awhile the superlatives start to become superfluous. You have to experience David and Daniel to really understand the magic and depth of what they do. Friday's activities all were amazing. A jammed classroom at Johnson School of lower grades were once again taken on David's journey. David met with the teachers the day before to talk about the special needs kids in the group and what to expect for these special kids. David's background in music therapy and working with kids once again made the event very special for all.

A teacher workshop later in the day was so good. These 20-some teachers jumped right in to the activity. I was thinking how you take 20-some regular folks and it is like pulling teeth to get them to participate. I have to admit I am one of them and I hide behind my camera so David won't say to me: “You, sir, you're not helping us here. Get those hands up.” I watched one young adult guy at an after school program crack up laughing when David chided him for not participating. And of course he did join right in and had a ball.

One of the most successful activities in Spencer (well, actually, they all are but...) is always the family workshop night at an empty store front at the mall. I forgot to count but there were tons of people there and they all learned the basics of storytelling while having way too much fun.

So that was day six. Some of us went to a movie at the mall too late last night and I was thinking again about the music. Daniel said he has done movie music. I have noticed how quickly I get into one of David's stories when the music starts. The music sets a mood and I think really facilitates getting the picture. Much of what Daniel does is improvisational and amazing. There go those superlatives again but I just don't know how to do it any better.

All along I have been aware how when you leave one of David's stories, you leave with a really strong, good message about life and relationships and raising kids. I know in large part that is David's ability to make the story work on so many levels. He told the teachers that he does the story to make it work for kids but be interesting for adults. An example of this from his story of "The Fisherman and His Wife" are two asides. One is about a great big tv which the kids always gasp at and the other is about the fisherman refinancing his shack at just the right time which the adults love and appreciate. These are in the context of a fairy tale story and very funny.

So anyway, great day today in Spencer. Next up, the big show.

Ron

Day 5 on tour/more from Bailey

Go down an entry or two and find Bailey's most recent two blogs. She wrote about the final performance in Perry and then her feelings a couple of days later. I am so grateful Bailey did this for us and she has a great future ahead of her.

One thing Bailey commented on that was so enriching for everyone was the way David uplifts language and diversity. His ability to be inclusive with his ease of bilingual storytelling was truly uplifting for all the listeners. It makes me wonder if people who are worried about losing English have ever experienced the richness of sharing another's language and culture and stories and lives. You just have to watch one of these times when David is doing both English and Spanish to understand the rich culture of America.

Ron

Day 5 on the Spot tour--Spencer

The folks today at the activities ranged from early preschoolers to older folks. I especially tried to watch people today. The main thing I noticed consistently was the intentness with which everyone listened to the stories. David is so engaging with this his actions and creativity that you really get focused on what he is telling.

One comment I heard from the adults today several times had to do with Daniel's ability to do so many kinds of music with apparently no effort. Do you remember the running joke that was based on a comic book ad, I think, that read: “He sat down at the piano and entertained and amazed his friends when he began to play.” Hey that is Daniel. He is amazing all his new friends like crazy.

But the effortlessness thing is what I really wanted to comment on. It is such hard work to do what they do. They perform and it all seems so good and so rich. That is because of all the hard work that went into it. But what I have been noticing is all the work required to keep on schedule, schlep intruments and such around, and be ready to perform. We try to help out when we can with moving equipment and such but it is pretty negligible. Hard work to be a performer.

Ron

Day 4 on the Spot tour

Today was pouring rain as we loaded the van for the trip from Perry to Spencer. It has been raining all night and the fields around Nadine's and then on the trip north have huge lakes of water. When we got to the highway to head into town, a field was dumping its overflow of water all over the highway bringing with it a bed of corn stocks that covered the road. It rained about three-fourths of the way.

When we do this tour I get a tiny inkling of a life I would never know otherwise--the life of an artist touring. It takes a real dedication to do what you believe in when you tour. We do it for just a few days and it seems difficult. Finding food, beds not your own, places to relax. I have a new appreciation for what it takes to see the artists on stage at Hancher, what the artist goes through, that is.

Ron

Bailey with an afterthought

Hi, it's me again, Bailey, the SPOT reporter from Perry. David and Daniel have only been gone two days, but I miss them already. I miss David's funny, enthusiastic stories, and Daniel's great music. My sister and I couldn't decide if we wanted a DVD or a CD, so we got both, and I'm glad we did. I can listen to David's stories, or watch them, whenever I want. I hope a lot of people did as I did, and bought The Frog Bride to remember David Gonzalez. And just possibly, they will run into them somewhere or another and want to see his next performance.

Spot Reporter Bailey on the final performance in Perry

Hi! It's me again, Bailey, the SPOT reporter for Perry. Oh, my gosh! The performance last night was spectacular! David and Daniel were excellent! Out of the whole tour, I only heard David tell two stories twice.

Some of the stories David told were the turtle story, a true story about him and his uncle, and a story about Juan Bo-Bo. There were singing parts in some of the stories, and he would ask for the girls to sing, then the boys, then the adults. During lots of the stories, he would say a word in Spanish, and ask if anyone knew what that word meant. They would answer correctly, and he would make all these comments, saying, "He hits it left and right, he makes a home run!" meaning that the kids could speak Spanish and English. After David went back to his stories, you could see the kids beaming!

When David asked for questions, lots of kids asked for stories they had already heard, and wanted to hear again. David kept looking back at Daniel, asking, "Is that too long? Can we do that one?" One kid asked, "Can Daniel talk?" Daniel gave a short "Meow".

At the very end, everyone ran out to buy the CD's and DVD's that David and Daniel were selling. Daniel stayed on stage for a couple of minutes afterwards, and there was a big crowd of kids wanting to ask him questions. I think the show was a big hit. David and Daniel were funny, kind, enthusiastic, and like a lot of kids said, just plain cool!

Day 3 of the Spot tour in Perry

You just gotta love it. David and Daniel have played to at least a half dozen audiences in two days and tonight filled the auditorium. You could see lots of kids and folks who had been at earlier events and came back for more. And then there were lots who came to see what the hoopla was all about.

I was videotaping tonight and shooting photos at the back by the door and after it started a girl came in and had four quarters in her hand. The ticket price was one dollar for kids and she had her dollar and asked me who she should pay. She gave Donna her money and then slipped into a seat. It was a barely a split second before she was laughing and completely into the show. That is David and Daniel. Then there was the older couple who came up afterward to say they really enjoyed the show and she had taught 5th grade. Then there were all the kids who had seen enough already to have a favorite story and hoped a request might let them hear it one more time. And the row of adults that came together. And the Spot Reporter and her sister always in their Spot t-shirt. Wow. I could go on and on but just let me say that it seemed to me that the community of Perry with all its age and cultural variations was well represented. To quote David and repeat from last night: sweeeet.

I hope to get a bunch of photos up on the website real soon of the Perry visit. It is so hard to find the time needed to get it done while on the road but it is so good to see images and jog the memory.Good to relive the good times!

So now we will spend the rainy and windy night here and then be on our way. It is so good to spend time in one place. And then the time always comes to move on. Kind of like what David and his stories have been teaching us this week. Kind of like life.

Ron

Day 2 of the Spot Tour

Bailey continues with some star reporting. I am so proud of what she is doing. Below are two more entries. Be sure and read them and if you see Bailey tell her "good job, good writing."


It struck me today that David told such a great story that I think was autobiographical. Now maybe I am analyzing it way too much but...

Today one of David's stories was about the boy who painted pictures with his song. Like all the folk tales/fairy tales/stories that David performs there is something so rich to be learned and come away with. I have to admit that I have become teary on occasion. His stories are VERY funny and sometimes scary (yes, scary) and always moving.

The story was about a boy who was given a very wonderful gift. He felt bad that he was just a kid and that he had nothing to give the people in his country who needed help. He then disovered that he had a gift to create beautiful pictures in the sky with the song he sang. I sat there just visualizing the boy and his dad and the castle and the woman with small children that he tripped on in the dark, when it hit me. David was creating these beautiful images in my imagination, not at all unlike painting pictures in the sky.

Lots of age groups today and all seemed to be enthralled. It must be hard to tell a story that can cross the age differences. One of the most delightful were the littlest kids who were captiviated and immediately started to participate in the story. I have to unlearn some of my adult inhibitions. It can be quite a burden. The kids were just free and easy in joining in.

Oh yea, the other thing is how David takes an old fairy tale with its castle turrets and sewer moats and fantastic animals and real people in undefined olden days and transforms them into modern day characters with modern gestures. It really grabs the kids. Sweet.

Ron

Bailey reports from the school on Monday

[from Bailey, Perry Spot Reporter]
Today at 9:30 in the Multi Purpose Room at Perry Elementary, David and Daniel did a performance for the third grade. I went, and got to miss one of my classes. He shouted and screamed as he told us a story about a young boy called Ben. My friends told me later that they could hear him shouting, "Give us a song!"

Daniel played more excellent music, and the third graders laughed a lot. Then he asked us about what super power we would like to have the most. Lots of people said flying, laser eyes, and one person said, "The power to eat as much pie as I want." It was really fun.

Later on that day, my mom, my sister, and I went to PACES, the after-school program for students. PACES stands for Perry's Academic and Cultural Enrichment Services. He had to do the performance twice, and I got to hear four different stories. Daniel tried to do a trick standing over his piano, but he fell. Everybody laughed. David told everybody they needed to go to the Tuesday night performance, and as a treat, they should pay for their parents. Everybody was thrilled at his performance, and I'm sure most everybody is going to go to the performance.

In a little while, adults only (too bad) will go to Casa de Oro for a chance to talk to David and ask him questions.

Monday report from Bailey in Perry

[from Bailey, Perry Spot Reporter]
Hi! I'm Bailey, and I'm the SPOT reporter for Perry. I just got home from the library where David Gonzalez did his second performance in Perry. (The first one I went to.) It was great fun. Daniel played excellent music at the beginning, then David told us an excellent story about how turtles get cracked shells. Then he told us another story that goes like this: Once there was a boy and a girl. Then they lived happily ever after. The End

He has funny expressions for how the characters would feel, and excellent voices. He made the little kids laugh, and even most of the adults laughed.

From the Road/Perry Sunday

Be sure to read Bailey's reports below this one. She is Perry's very own Spot Reporter and she is off to a GREAT start. When I saw what she had written I thought my job was done. She did a great job reporting before the events today. And I know we will have more from her.

Well, it is always amazing when a year long process actually results in something happening. And something did happen in Perry today (Sunday). We got to Perry and David Gonzalez and Daniel Kelly were already here after having flown to Des Moines from Lawrence, Kansas where they were performing. Lin had picked them up and whisked them home to Perry.

David and Daniel began their amazing story/music sharing at St. Pat's church after services, for all the kids and families that stayed. There were a bunch. And I noticed not all were kids and parents. There seemed to be a healthy representation of all generations there. What a beautiful church, too.

After lunch at Highland Elk we all walked over to the library. The day was an odd one with quite stormy rain followed by sunshine. We walked in sunshine. The library welcomed all and had the great refreshments we have come to count on. Daniel played the piano while folks arrived. It seemed to me that he saw the piano and it called out to him like he really NEEDED to play. He played for a long time and it was gorgeous improv.

It was fun to see the kids there in their orange Spot t-shirts, to meet old friends from previous Spot visits and see new folks. The room was full and David told great stories. It seems like using the word "told" stories isn't right. He IS the story as he is telling it and you can see how he captures us all in the telling.

The day ended with D&D meeting with some high school kids for jamming and talking and reading and...well, we kind of stayed out of the way for that one but we heard great reports that the kids were all really involved, interesting, and interested.

So now the quiet, as only an Iowa night can be, surrounds me as I write this out here at Nadine's. When we got here this afternoon, I looked out the window and saw Daniel laying flat out on his back on the ground on the lawn. Well it was Earth Day today and he was maybe getting a feel of the earth. But for me it was kind of a symbol of what getting away and into the country does for me. It grounds me, makes me really love being in Iowa, being in a natural setting. At one point we were sitting around in Nadine's living room. It was pouring and pounding rain outside. I saw a flash of lightening hit the ground just across the road and it actually threw sparks all around as it hit the ground. Amazing. All the Iowa storms I have been in and I had never seen that.

Happy Earth Day.

Ron

Bailey Report 2

I'm Bailey, the SPOT reporter for Perry. On April 9 I went to a SPOT planning meeting. Here are my notes:

They are discussing David Gonzalez's visit. He's coming at 10:55 on Sunday, April 21 and at 3:30 he will be at the Perry Public Library. On Monday I will go to the elementary school for a special performance for the third graders. At 5:00, he will be at PACES. He will also be a Casa de Oro at 7:00. What a busy day!

On Tuesday, there is going to be a big performance. It sounds like he is going to have a great time!

Spot Reporter Bailey in Perry

Hi, this is Bailey, the SPOT reporter for Perry. Tomorrow I meet David Gonzalez. He will be at the Perry Public Library, and I get to ask him questions there. It's like I get my own personal interview. I'm very nervous. My mom says with my t-shirt and press pass, I'll look official. I hope she's right!

Song title list "great

We only had one week but we came up with a long list of 29 song titles for the Bobs. I sent them on to the Bobs and Brynne Bob said: "Holy cow, these are great!" So here is the list of great song titles. If the Bobs can get it done, we will have a song just for the Iowa tour!

No Raindrops in the Bucket During an Ice Storm

Party at the Library!

"I Owe A"- lot to IOWA

Me and my cat Chanel reading stories

Me and mom are watching the birds fly across the sky

Living With Big Foot

I got a bellyache on Christmas Day

Octopus Pie

battle my sandwich

My new neighbors

Snowball Fights in the Middle of.... April

The Bagels are small in Iowa

cats are cute

My Bilingual Dog

Iowa is More than Corn and Pigs

The Little State of Ioway

I want to vist the moon

Lonely mustard no more ( a reference to finally adding Ketchup to the long tradition of mustard-only at the original Maid-Rite in Marshalltown... a decision made by public vote!)

The Night of the Coyotes

The Wild, Wild Rose (Iowa's State Flower!)

My Bird of Many Sounds

Twenty-nine Multi-colored Monkeys Swingin' From a Cactus (Iowa is the 29th State!)

The Hillbilly stomp

How I love Perry

Popcorn Hits the Spot

Fun in the Mud

Spencer/Iowa RAGBRAI Mania (aka "I've Got a Sore Tushie but I Feel Fine!"

Iowa Summer -or- (Sum,Sum) Summertime in Iowa -or- Let the Tall Corn Grow!

Popcorn!

next story addition 7

Anything Is Possible (7)
by Spot Kids

Gertie couldn't believe her luck. She had just left Josh's house with her dog Thurber. They lived across the alley from each other and had been friends since she moved there in 2001 when she was five and Josh was six. She decided to take the sidewalk around to her street so she didn't have to go past the old shed. The old shed had long ago lost its paint. It's windows were all painted over. And although there was no reason to be afraid, it gave her the creeps.

She turned the corner and there it was on the sidewalk. Had someone lost it? It was a shiny green $100 bill. Where did it come from? Just then the wind came up and it started to blow it away.

Gertie couldn't believe it. She wasn't even sure it was real money. It was kind of folded up and and looked too new. Thurber saw the bill start to blow away and lurched forward pulling Gertie along. She ran and stomped on it right before it started to blow again into the street. She stood on Thurber's leash with one foot and carefully reached for the money under her other foot. The bill was carefully folded and very new looking.

As she unfolded it, there was another piece of cardboard inside the folded bill. It was a basketball ticket. Who had dropped it there and how could she give it back? And why was it wrapped inside money?

Gertie ran home with the money and ticket in her fist, Thurber excited at the prospect of getting to run. To his disappointment, Gertie ran up to the house, inside, slammed the door, and let go of his leash. Then she ran to her room and flipped on the desk light. She wanted to get a better look at the money and ticket. She opened her desk drawer and found the magnifying glass that she used when she and her dad worked on her stamp collection.

Yup, the money did seem a little too shiny and crisp. She knew why the ticket was inside the bill. It was wrapped up in the money because come to find out the $100 bill was fake. Even though she had never seen a $100 bill, she could tell this wasn't real. But what about the ticket?

She stared at the ticket all night. The next morning she brought the ticket to Josh’s house
and told him about the fake money too.

Josh suggested that it was time to tell someone about the find. Gertie called the police and they set her up to meet Mr. Cruise, the detective. He suggested that they do a finger print test on the bill and ticket.

Gertie and her dad went in the next day to meet with Detective Cruise. He took Gertie and her dad down the hall, down a flight of stairs, and through a door marked “Crime Lab.” After they tested it, Detective Cruise said, they found out it belonged to a Mr. Wilbert Kay.

Detective Cruise scheduled Gertie to meet him Tuesday. Gertie was nervous. Why did this guy drop his ticket and why was it wrapped in a dollar bill?

They met in Detective Cruise’s office on Tuesday. Mr. Kay didn’t look at all like what Gertie thought he would. She gave him the bill and ticket. Then she asked him why he had dropped it and if he knew he had dropped it. She also wanted to know if it was real or not.


------Email your addition to the story to spot@spotkids.com------

Deadline for song titles

The song title suggestions for the Bobs song for their Iowa tour have been rolling in this week. You have until Monday, April 16 to get your in.

So go to http://www.hancher.uiowa.edu/spot07/songtitle and fill a couple of blanks, click on one button, then hit submit.

SONG TITLE CONTEST!

We have a chance to have the Bobs create a song just for us. And it will be written after they get the title!

We will send them all the title entries we get and they will pick the one they want to write a song for and will perform it when they come for the Iowa tour.

SO, get busy. We have to have all the entries in by next Monday--April 16--so there's not much time. Keep it short, fun, and something you want to hear a song about! Here are some suggestions I came up with:

"The World's Greatest Fair"
"Hey, Mr. Carnegie, Look at Your Library Now"
"My Dog Thurber Sittin' on the Courthouse Lawn"

I know you can do MUCH better. It is easy. We made a form online. So go to http://www.hancher.uiowa.edu/spot07/songtitle and fill a couple of blanks, click on one button, then hit submit.

We will keep you posted and list ALL the entries.

SO HURRY!

next story addition 6

Anything Is Possible (6)
by Spot Kids

Gertie couldn't believe her luck. She had just left Josh's house with her dog Thurber. They lived across the alley from each other and had been friends since she moved there in 2001 when she was five and Josh was six. She decided to take the sidewalk around to her street so she didn't have to go past the old shed. The old shed had long ago lost its paint. It's windows were all painted over. And although there was no reason to be afraid, it gave her the creeps.

She turned the corner and there it was on the sidewalk. Had someone lost it? It was a shiny green $100 bill. Where did it come from? Just then the wind came up and it started to blow it away.

Gertie couldn't believe it. She wasn't even sure it was real money. It was kind of folded up and and looked too new. Thurber saw the bill start to blow away and lurched forward pulling Gertie along. She ran and stomped on it right before it started to blow again into the street. She stood on Thurber's leash with one foot and carefully reached for the money under her other foot. The bill was carefully folded and very new looking.

As she unfolded it, there was another piece of cardboard inside the folded bill. It was a basketball ticket. Who had dropped it there and how could she give it back? And why was it wrapped inside money?

Gertie ran home with the money and ticket in her fist, Thurber excited at the prospect of getting to run. To his disappointment, Gertie ran up to the house, inside, slammed the door, and let go of his leash. Then she ran to her room and flipped on the desk light. She wanted to get a better look at the money and ticket. She opened her desk drawer and found the magnifying glass that she used when she and her dad worked on her stamp collection.

Yup, the money did seem a little too shiny and crisp. She knew why the ticket was inside the bill. It was wrapped up in the money because come to find out the $100 bill was fake. Even though she had never seen a $100 bill, she could tell this wasn't real. But what about the ticket?

She stared at the ticket all night. The next morning she brought the ticket to Josh’s house
and told him about the fake money too.

Josh suggested that it was time to tell someone about the find. Gertie called the police and they set her up to meet Mr. Cruise, the detective. He suggested that they do a finger print test on the bill and ticket. After they tested it, they found out it belonged to Mr. Kay.

Gertie scheduled to meet him Tuesday. Gertie was nervous. Why did this guy drop his ticket and why was it wrapped in a dollar bill?



------Email your addition to the story to spot@spotkids.com------

next story addition 5

Anything Is Possible (5)
by Spot Kids

Gertie couldn't believe her luck. She had just left Josh's house with her dog Thurber. They lived across the alley from each other and had been friends since she moved there in 2001 when she was five and Josh was six. She decided to take the sidewalk around to her street so she didn't have to go past the old shed. The old shed had long ago lost its paint. It's windows were all painted over. And although there was no reason to be afraid, it gave her the creeps.

She turned the corner and there it was on the sidewalk. Had someone lost it? It was a shiny green $100 bill. Where did it come from? Just then the wind came up and it started to blow it away.

Gertie couldn't believe it. She wasn't even sure it was real money. It was kind of folded up and and looked too new. Thurber saw the bill start to blow away and lurched forward pulling Gertie along. She ran and stomped on it right before it started to blow again into the street. She stood on Thurber's leash with one foot and carefully reached for the money under her other foot. The bill was carefully folded and very new looking.

As she unfolded it, there was another piece of cardboard inside the folded bill. It was a basketball ticket. Who had dropped it there and how could she give it back? And why was it wrapped inside money?

Gertie ran home with the money and ticket in her fist, Thurber excited at the prospect of getting to run. To his disappointment, Gertie ran up to the house, inside, slammed the door, and let go of his leash. Then she ran to her room and flipped on the desk light. She wanted to get a better look at the money and ticket. She opened her desk drawer and found the magnifying glass that she used when she and her dad worked on her stamp collection.

Yup, the money did seem a little too shiny and crisp. She knew why the ticket was inside the bill. It was wrapped up in the money because come to find out the $100 bill was fake. Even though she had never seen a $100 bill, she could tell this wasn't real. But what about the ticket?

She stared at the ticket all night. The next morning she brought the ticket to Josh’s house and told him about the fake money too.



------Email your addition to the story to spot@spotkids.com------

next story addition 4

Anything Is Possible (4)
by Spot Kids

Gertie couldn't believe her luck. She had just left Josh's house with her dog Thurber. They lived across the alley from each other and had been friends since she moved there in 2001 when she was five and Josh was six. She decided to take the sidewalk around to her street so she didn't have to go past the old shed. The old shed had long ago lost its paint. It's windows were all painted over. And although there was no reason to be afraid, it gave her the creeps.

She turned the corner and there it was on the sidewalk. Had someone lost it? It was a shiny green $100 bill. Where did it come from? Just then the wind came up and it started to blow it away.

Gertie couldn't believe it. She wasn't even sure it was real money. It was kind of folded up and and looked too new. Thurber saw the bill start to blow away and lurched forward pulling Gertie along. She ran and stomped on it right before it started to blow again into the street. She stood on Thurber's leash with one foot and carefully reached for the money under her other foot. The bill was carefully folded and very new looking.

As she unfolded it, there was another piece of cardboard inside the folded bill. It was a basketball ticket. Who had dropped it there and how could she give it back? And why was it wrapped inside money?

Gertie ran home with the money and ticket in her fist, Thurber excited at the prospect of getting to run. To his disappointment, Gertie ran up to the house, inside, slammed the door, and let go of his leash. Then she ran to her room and flipped on the desk light. She wanted to get a better look at the money and ticket. She opened her desk drawer and found the magnifying glass that she used when she and her dad worked on her stamp collection.

Yup, the money did seem a little too shiny and crisp. She knew why the ticket was inside the bill. It was wrapped up in the money because come to find out the $100 bill was fake. Even though she had never seen a $100 bill, she could tell this wasn't real. But what about the ticket?



------Email your addition to the story to spot@spotkids.com------

Spot Kids Chain Story

Hey, this is great. We have two new additions from you for the story!

One thing comes to mind. Be sure to read the story right before you write your addition and send it right off so we don't get additions too late to go on the end of the story.

Keep writing!

next story addition--3

Anything Is Possible (3)
by Spot Kids

Gertie couldn't believe her luck. She had just left Josh's house with her dog Thurber. They lived across the alley from each other and had been friends since she moved there in 2001 when she was five and Josh was six. She decided to take the sidewalk around to her street so she didn't have to go past the old shed. The old shed had long ago lost its paint. It's windows were all painted over. And although there was no reason to be afraid, it gave her the creeps.

She turned the corner and there it was on the sidewalk. Had someone lost it? It was a shiny green $100 bill. Where did it come from? Just then the wind came up and it started to blow it away.

Gertie couldn't believe it. She wasn't even sure it was real money. It was kind of folded up and and looked too new. Thurber saw the bill start to blow away and lurched forward pulling Gertie along. She ran and stomped on it right before it started to blow again into the street. She stood on Thurber's leash with one foot and carefully reached for the money under her other foot. The bill was carefully folded and very new looking.

As she unfolded it, there was another piece of cardboard inside the folded bill. It was a basketball ticket. Who had dropped it there and how could she give it back? And why was it wrapped inside money?


------Email your addition to the story to spot@spotkids.com------

next story addition--2

Anything Is Possible (2)
by Spot Kids

Gertie couldn't believe her luck. She had just left Josh's house with her dog Thurber. They lived across the alley from each other and had been friends since she moved there in 2001 when she was five and Josh was six. She decided to take the sidewalk around to her street so she didn't have to go past the old shed. The old shed had long ago lost its paint. It's windows were all painted over. And although there was no reason to be afraid, it gave her the creeps.

She turned the corner and there it was on the sidewalk. Had someone lost it? It was a shiny green $100 bill. Where did it come from? Just then the wind came up and it started to blow it away.



------Email your addition to the story to spot@spotkids.com------

Spot Kids Chain Story

To get ready for David Gonzalez visit to Iowa, let's build a story as a Spot Kid community. Read the story below that has been started.

Now send one or two lines to us and we will add it to the story.

We will see where the story leads us. No one knows what will happen or how it will end because you all are the storytellers of this one story!

Anything Is Possible
by Spot Kids

Gertie couldn't believe her luck. She had just left Josh's house with her dog Thurber. They lived across the alley from each other and had been friends since she moved there in 2001 when she was five and Josh was six. She decided to take the sidewalk around to her street so she didn't have to go past the old shed. The old shed had long ago lost its paint. It's windows were all painted over. And although there was no reason to be afraid, it gave her the creeps.

She turned the corner and there it was on the sidewalk. Had someone lost it?

------Email your addition to the story to spot@spotkids.com------

Blast from Spot's Past

In year one of Spot the very first event that came to Iowa was ODC/San Francisco in April/May 2005. Lots of Spot Kids will remember this energetic and fun group that made lots of friends in Iowa. I keep tabs on what they are doing on their website and I saw this great photo there this week and thought Spot Kids would love it! Click here.

Lori at ODC told me: “It is Annie in the photo. She is pictured with Jordan Wilkes who plays on the Cal Bears basketball team. He’s 7’4” and Annie is 5’ 2” and they had great fun in that photo shoot. They even have a dancing duet at the fundraiser that we are doing in April." Annie was on the Iowa tour.

I sure wish I could see this event; sounds fun!

Thanks to Lori and ODC for permission to use the photos. SEE ANOTHER ONE HERE! Lori grew up in Cedar Rapids so when ODC was here it was a blast from her past. These great photos are by RJ Muna. If you look at the ODC website you can see more of his work and they are wonderful dance images.

SPOT REPORTERS

Wow, we have a great bunch of kids from all four towns signed on to be Spot Reporters when David Gonzalez come to Iowa for the Great Iowa SPOT 3 tour!

If you want to be a reporter it will have to be for the next event--The Bobs--so let me know about that soon before that one gets filled too! We still have a couple of openings for reporters for that event.

from Perry

A Spot Kid from Perry sent in a t-shirt guess:

Dear Spot,
Let me guess. Are the shirts orange? I can't wait to be a Spot reporter!
Bailey
Perry

I will wait a bit to see if more kids send in a guess of t-shirt color before I let you know if Bailey is right or not!

Shirt color

A Spot Kid from Marshalltown sent in a guess of the t-shirt color. You can see it below under "Guess the T-Shirt Color" comment. Nope, it isn't red with black type. A couple of entries below a Cedar Rapids Spot Kid guessed orange. Any more votes?

By the way, the shirts will be available free, in limited numbers, and after April Fool's Day. No kidding! More information will follow. Keep reading!

Announcing a contest!

We are getting the Spot Reporter kits ready to send out in April. I hope a few more kids sign up to be Reporters. I think those who have been reporters during the first two years would all say it was a lot of fun. Maybe the best part is getting to know the artists.

Next week we will be announcing a new project for the Bobs time here. I will send out an email with the details but kids and parents might want to start thinking about it. The Bobs have agreed to create a song just for the Spot project. All we have to do is to come up with a title! Then they will make up a song for the winning Best Title. So start thinking now about your favorite, funny, personal song title. More later...!

Reporters up to 7

It's fun to start hearing from Spot Kids and parents. We already have seven Spot Kid Reporters. We still have room for a few more so be sure to check that out on the Spot Kids web page.

And send us your blog entries! You can write about anything related to Spot--past fun experiences, what you are wondering about for this year, whatever.

Spot Kid from Cedar Rapids says:

The blog was great and made perfect sense.
(Are the shirts... orange!)
I think that it works well except it took me a wile to find the comment button, but other than that it ROCKS!

Cool as ever,
Bryan --

WANTED: REPORTERS FOR SPOT KIDS!

Wow, the Spot events are coming up fast with the first one next month in Perry on April 22 with David Gonzalez. He will travel to Spencer, Marshalltown, and Iowa City right after that. It is time now to find Spot Kids in all the towns who want to be reporters.

You get a Reporter Kit with an official id card. The requirements aren't difficult. You need to be At least eight years old. You need a parent or other adult who will help you out. When David Gonzalez arrives you can meet him and interview him. After you go to at least one of the events he will be doing, you write a story. You will also get a disposable camera to take pictures.

The reporters from last year all have their stories and photos still on the website. They did a terrific job! You can read their stories on two different pages.

The stories for Tomas Kubinek are here.

And the stories for San Jose Taiko are here.

Thanks Eli, Jessie, Hannah, Katrine, Bryan, Samuel, and Bryce for all your good work. We read those stories and can remember all the fun time we had in Perry, Marshalltown, Spencer, and Iowa City.

Get all the information you need right here.

So, if any of you want to join the awesome group of Spot Reporters, email us at spot@spotkids.com or go to the website.

Oh, one more thing. Be sure you talk to your parent about all this so they know what the project is all about.

We can only have a few reporters so let us know soon if you want to be one.

CAT WITH ITS OWN WEB PAGE!

The Bobs sent some interesting things for us to use on the Spot Kids website as we get closer to when they come to Iowa in May and June. There is one thing that I thought was just too good to keep to myself. Amy Bob has a cat named Sitka P. Coldfoot. And Sitka has his own myspace web page! Go to his webpage and see him in a video, find out how old he is and where he got his name!

GUESS THE T-SHIRT COLOR

The Spot Kids t-shirt for Spot year 3 is going to be cool. Click on the comment link or send an email to spot@spotkids.com and guess what color the shirt is going to be this year. [hint: take a look at the Spot 3 logo!] The shirts will be available around April 1 so keep an eye on your email and the Spot website.

THINGS ARE GEARING UP A BIT

I got some cool stuff from The Bobs this week that we will be using on the website. More later...

I also will have information this week about being a Spot Reporter. Keep watching the blog and the website.

Hey kids, this is your blog. Write for it.
What do think about Spot? Are you excited for this summer with David Gonzalez and The Bobs? Write whatever you want. Here's how...
• Send your comments to us by clicking on the little COMMENTS link on this page.
• Or use the email address on this page under the big purple Spot Kids.
• Or click on the link to Spot Kids website and find the ASK SPOT link below the box.

Sure is cold here today.

SPOT 3 WEBSITE NOW UP

The new webpage for year 3 is now online at www.spotkids.com.
Kids ages 5-12 can sign up to be Spot Kids.

Right now you can see when the Spot events will be in Perry, Marshalltown, Iowa City, and Spencer. You might want to put them on your family calendar so you will be sure to be able to see David Gonzalez and The Bobs this May and June!

Keep checking the Spot Blog for new information as we get closer to the events.