Music in Kampala

I'm afraid we have a family of mostly hams when it comes to performing. One or two may act like they're too afraid to get up in front of a crowd, but once they've heard a couple of rounds of applause...
Our friends Kris & Craig Eldeen told us about Music Night at the ARA, which this month coincided with a trip down to take a visitor to the airport. We threw an assortment of instruments into the back of the van, including Kipsy's little harp, which she hasn't been as enthusiastic about since we left the US & her wonderful teacher. Kids got to perform first, & of course some were not exactly virtuosos, but we got a complete kick out of seeing our own kids struggle through the anxious moments waiting their turn, then up in front of the mikes themselves! Bob & I are pretty seriously out of practice, but we can still make it through some of our favorites party pieces, especially the one the kids call "The Dead Bird Song" (An Buinnean Buidhe, by the 18th century Irish poet Cathal Buidhe MacGiolla Dhonnadh). There were quite a few of us over-40 - and well-over 40! - types with our guitars and old favorites, and some of the teenagers joined in as well. It's hard to imagine my own daughter playing songs I listened to in high school. It was a great chance for us to get in touch with many of the expat & missionary community down country, to talk about guest houses in cool places, mother-tongue education, planting jatropha, solar & wind power, the usual Uganda chat. But the highlight of the evening for our entire family was hearing Bob actually sing in public! And play some of his favorite country blues. Next thing you know, he'll be Dancing. Now the kids are all enthusiastic about practicing more and putting together a whole set of numbers for next time. Wall of Guitars from Karamoja!