Mike marshall & hamilton de holanda

**Maria** · Jul-07-2008, 8:28pm

Mike and Hamilton will perform at very special private dinner concert, in a spectacular Cape Cod mansion almost completely surrounded by the ocean.

The concert and dinner will be held from 6 to 10 PM on Saturday, September 6, 2008. The venue is approximately 80 miles southeast of Boston.

The size of the mansion's great room dictates that the audience can't be over 50 people. First come, first served. There will be no tickets at the door.

As you may know, Mike is a serious foodie. #He is not cooking, but he will personally approve the chef's menu and wine.

If you're able to come, please email me for more details.

**Larry S Sherman** · Jul-09-2008, 5:48pm

This is very exciting! Another chance to see Mike and Hamilton...which was spectacular enough just seeing them play in a barn.

But now it's an excuse to go to the Cape, see Mike & Ham, and eat great food with them too. What more could you ask for?

I'm soooo there.

Larry

**jaco** · Jul-09-2008, 8:02pm

If you've never seen these two together and live anywhere near, go, go , go.

**luckylarue** · Jul-10-2008, 9:39am

Any idea where on the Cape?

**Maria** · Jul-10-2008, 11:55am

I wish I could tell you, but the person who is hosting the event has made special arrangements to use this particular home, and part of the deal stipulates that we can't publicize the location.

He says, "Because of the exclusive nature of the venue, we can only divulge the exact location to pre-paid ticket holders." #

Sounds kind of mysterious, doesn't it? I'm sure the place is magnificent. I might have to go, myself. I've never been to Cape Cod.

**Woody Turner** · Jul-11-2008, 11:50pm

"The venue is approximately 80 miles southeast of Boston...completely surrounded by the ocean."

Let's see, that should put it somewhere between Falmouth on the Upper Cape (oceanside) and Hyannisport at Midcape.

**Larry S Sherman** · Aug-19-2008, 8:02pm

The date is getting closer!

This should be awesome. Anyone else from the Cafe going?

Larry

**Doug Hoople** · Aug-20-2008, 11:34pm

I wish I could be around for it. It should be really exceptional!

**Amy Burcham** · Aug-22-2008, 7:24am

I'm going - Larry, sent you a myspace message.
Doug, I'll say it AGAIN, great job on the Rio diary!
Maria, sure hope you do!

**Maria** · Aug-22-2008, 11:45am

Sure wish I could join you all at the Cape... but I can't go. At the end of October, I'm attending the WOMEX world music conference in Sevilla, Spain. Mike, Darol Anger and Väsen were lucky enough to be selected to showcase there, so we're all going! #Whoo hoo. Got to save my pennies. #But I hope those of you fortunate enough to go to the Cape Cod dinner/concert, will give us your reports. #There are still some spaces left, so if anyone is considering a last-minute trip to the Cape, let us know as soon as possible.

**tango_grass** · Aug-22-2008, 11:59am

Originally Posted by (Maria @ Aug. 22 2008, 12:45)

At the end of October, I'm attending the WOMEX world music conference in Sevilla, Spain. Mike, Darol Anger and Väsen were lucky enough to be selected to showcase there, so we're all going! #

Wow! Things sure are happening for The Duo/Väsen! Thats pretty sweet.

Hope y'all have fun @ the Cape! Sounds like a treat..

**Larry S Sherman** · Sep-07-2008, 6:48pm

We had a great time!

We got to sit about 8 feet from Mike & Ham as they tore through a mixture of Choro, jazz, and Mike's originals.

Here's a setlist:

1 Receita de Samba
2 Cochichando
3 São Jorge/Big Country
4 Blackberry Blossom/Apanhei-te Cavaquinho
5 Egypt
6 Santa Morena
7 Karate
8 Autumn Leaves
9 Gator Strut
10 Valsa Em Si
11 Ham & Mike
12 Carinhoso

It was amazing actually being in a setting where we could talk mandolins and Choro with Mike & Hamilton (both really nice in person). I got to talk to Amy and another cafe member (sorry...your name has slipped my mind!), as well as finally meet Marcos.

Here's a picture:

**Larry S Sherman** · Sep-07-2008, 6:51pm

Hamilton let me examine and measure his Tercio Ribeiro 10-string bandolim!

**Larry S Sherman** · Sep-07-2008, 6:52pm

Here's a closeup of the the label:

**Larry S Sherman** · Sep-07-2008, 6:55pm

Since the event was at a private residence I won't post pics of the house, but it was an amazing piece of architecture in a great location.

This is the view from the back lawn (Hannah's clouds and winds on their way):

**Stephanie Reiser** · Sep-07-2008, 6:56pm

Thanks for the report and pics, Larry.
I see Mike has what appears to be his Loar in the background. Did he not have his new 10-string fan-fretted instrument with him?
Thanks...

**Larry S Sherman** · Sep-07-2008, 6:57pm

Thanks to Maria, Marcos, Mike, Hamilton, and all those who made this event possible!

Truly a mandolin dream come true!

Larry

**Amy Burcham** · Sep-07-2008, 7:01pm

Still in the works I think...

**Amy Burcham** · Sep-07-2008, 7:02pm

...that is, Mike's 10-string!

**Larry S Sherman** · Sep-07-2008, 7:03pm

Originally Posted by (Amanda Lyn @ Sep. 07 2008, 19:56)

Did he not have his new 10-string fan-fretted instrument with him?

We chatted about his new 10-string Lawrence Smart fan-fret, but he didn't have it with him this time.

I was excited to measure Ham's 10-string because I'm hoping to get something similar made.

Another suprise...Ham plays with the thinnest guitar pick you've ever seen. It was yellow with "HH" printed on it. He said it worked best for his style.

I can imagine that it helps him play so fast. There were times Mike and Ham's hands were just blurs!

Larry

**R. Kane** · Sep-08-2008, 10:34am

The house is a "modern" house built in 1912, designed by William Gray Purcell and George Grant Elmslie, contemporaries and colleagues of Wright, in what today is referred to as Prairie or Craftsman style, with long leaf pine, cherry and oak, stained glass windows, converted oil lamps, etc. The living room was a perfect semicircle, with Mike and Hamilton sitting in the center of the straight edge, a brick fireplace wall. Even with the wind howling as Larry noted, the acoustics were perfect: you could hear the slightest hints of notes. The music was sublime: we could have listened for days.

The new New Words CD of Mike and Hamilton is superb: the performance set list is virtually identical, though in response to a question, Mike and Hamilton said that they were improvising about 50% of the time during the performance. It was mindboggling to think of anyone improvising at that speed.

I suspect that I am not lucky enough to have another experience like that. That's OK. And it was nice to meet you Larry, and to see you again Amy.

Richard

**Amy Burcham** · Sep-08-2008, 10:52am

Back atcha Richard!
It certainly was a privilege to see them play together. A real brotherhood there.
And Hannah listening along with us, her rage held at attention...these two guys certainly do know how to concentrate cosmic energies...

**SternART** · Sep-08-2008, 12:39pm

From the photo, looks like Mike was sweatin' it out....keeping up with Hamilton.....
I'm not surprised to read the architects were Purcell & Elmslie, that fireplace looked
very Wrightian, and Prairie School. What a great setting! Wish I could have been there.

**R. Kane** · Sep-08-2008, 7:01pm

Well, we were in a tropical storm (Hannah), and there was no air conditioning in the house. Hamilton appeared more comfortable in the humidity, but they were both moving pretty fast too. Keeping instruments in tune was difficult too. Still, the music was amazing, and they gave it their all.

**mrmando** · Sep-08-2008, 7:25pm

Originally Posted by (larrydata @ Sep. 07 2008, 20:03)

Originally Posted by (Amanda Lyn @ Sep. 07 2008, 19:56)

Did he not have his new 10-string fan-fretted instrument with him?

We chatted about his new 10-string Lawrence Smart fan-fret, but he didn't have it with him this time.

It might still be out for repairs ... it had an in-studio headstock accident after being borrowed by a player who shall remain nameless other than "Butterfingers, Destroyer of Dudes" ...