Harp Dreams
I cannot remember the first time I took notice of a harp, but I must have been a very small child. In those days, it was not uncommon to see a symphony orchestra on television, and my eyes invariably went to the harp, the most exotic-looking thing on the stage, at least until the long-haired conductor came to the podium. The harp would usually be given its turn to shine, both visually and musically, in a fantastical waterfall of tones.
And then there was “Mickey and the Beanstalk,” a segment of Disney’s 1947 film “Fun and Fancy Free,” with its Golden Harp character a beautiful, singing woman whose back was somehow attached to the column of a harp. The role was beautifully sung by a popular teen star of the day, Anita Gordon. What a mesmerizing instrument! Famous for the harp, of course, was also Harpo Marx, one of the Marx Brothers comedy team, who wasn’t faking it! He could actually play the harp pretty well.
When the pandemic hands you lemons, make lemonade. That might be the lesson learned by the kids in Michael Krop Senior High School’s performing arts magnet.
ALSO: Reissues (CDs / Vinyl)
Chicago “Chicago Transit Authority [Vinyl]” (1969 album, featuring “Questions 67 and 68,” “I’m a Man,” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” and “Beginnings”)
Peter Frampton “Somethin’s Happening / Frampton” (1974 and 1975 albums on one CD, featuring “Doobie Wah,” “I Wanna Go to the Sun,” “Show Me the Way” and “Baby, I Love Your Way”; remastered, with new liner notes)
Rod Stewart “Rod Stewart: 1975-1978 [Vinyl]” (five-LP box set includes “Atlantic Crossing,” “A Night on the Town,” “Foot Loose and Fancy Free,” “Blondes Have More Fun” and an LP of previously unreleased recordings)
Three Dog Night “Cyan / Hard Labor / Coming Down Your Way / American Pastime” (four albums on two CDs)
1 cup fresh mint leaves
Combine water, sugar and mint in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer for one minute. Remove from heat and let the mixture steep for 30 minutes. Pour syrup into a sterilized glass jar through a mesh strainer to remove mint leaves and let cool.
Texas Wildflower Gin and Tonic
Maray McChesney, co-founder of San Antonio-based startup Bexar Tonics, offered up a different spin on the springtime favorite gin and tonic. Not surprisingly, it involves her company’s Texas Wildflower syrup, one of three concentrated tonics it produces for cocktail use. The floral addition brings new depth to the classic one-and-one cocktail.