Scratching the surface

And breaking ground...

Out of the gate, with much enthusiasm— this initial halloo was our first whistle for attention, as it appeared that Moonlight was close to launch. What’s not well-remembered is that we actually hosted a preview performance in November on the fresh-built stage, just a month after renting the space. Our house concert group, Small Stages, had already booked The Bittersweets, a young Nashville duo, whose heartfelt harmonies were perfect for testing the room’s acoustics, and to announce the pending re-birth of a full-time venue.

The very next morning after the show, of course, I got a personal call from the City of Hoover’s building inspector, regarding code compliance and operational permits— which began a multi-week tap dance involving municipal hurdles, occasional contractors, a visionary architect, and our grandfatherly landlord. Come February, the actual timeline for our first real concert was still shrouded in uncertainty, but we had our boots on the ground— a lease, a door key, and a power bill. Things was gettin’ real…

Small Stages concert with The Bittersweets, November 15, 2009

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February 7, 2010

Friends of The Moonlight--

Thanks so much for signing on to the mail list! This is the very first message to go out to everyone, you haven't missed a thing--- I want to take a moment here to let you know what's happening with the project, and give you my best estimate of when we'll be presenting music.

The process of getting our approval from the City of Hoover has been tedious and protracted... but hey, good things are worth waiting for. What remains to be done are the modifications to the building, as mandated by local fire codes and service requirements-- a rear exit, additional rest room, safety doors--- and with luck, these should be finished up early in March.

Because of the uncertainty, I have not yet booked any confirmed artists until later in the spring... but as soon as a predictable opening date seems likely, I'll be scrambling to fill the debut schedule with a lineup of premier performers, and you'll be the first to know who they are.

To avoid contributing to the stream of flotsam jamming your mailbox, I'll keep future messages brief, to the point, and very occasional... when you hear from The Moonlight, it'll concern something I think you'll want to know about. I'm happy to spotlight other traveling artists appearing in Birmingham (unless there's a conflict with a Moonlight event!), so that original acoustic artists will find an ever more receptive audience as they come through our territory. For example:

*** RONNY COX and JACK WILLIAMS ***
Thursday, February 11th, 7pm, $15
at Caffe C, a songwriter series
Baptist Church of the Covenant, 2117 University Blvd., B'ham 35233

     Yes, Ronny Cox the famous actor, in duo with his longtime bud Jack Williams, both of whom bring many years of experience and critical acclaim to their performance. Caffe C has sneaked an amazing variety of top-notch folk and Americana artists into town for this series, and it's high time that more of the available seats get filled by area listeners who don't know what they've been missing. Reservations should be made at 205-42*-**85, or by email through  todd@h***ner.org
www.ronnycox.com
www.jackwilliamsmusic.com


Again, you have my deep personal gratitude for your interest in, and support of, the new Moonlight--- in these challenging times, when only the most meaningful expressions of art and culture can expect to survive, your enthusiasm is a rare and wonderful thing. I appreciate it, and will do my best to keep earning it. Many thanks!

keith harrelson

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