Nancy Howell's amazing calligraphy and hand-lettering

I just finished a long-postponed update and redesign of my wife's web site: Nancy Howell Calligraphy. Superb calligraphy, hand-lettering, illustration and hand-drawn maps. A lot of nice new stuff, particularly in the "lettering for print media" section: lettering for book covers, film sets, photo shoots.

Life in a Blender with Nellie McKay and Jesus

I think Nellie McKay is swell, so I'm really looking forward to this. Buy your tickets early, it will sell out. I believe we (Life in a Blender) will be joined by the Colony Collapse Horns. (We're in the studio this weekend, working on album #7.)

Tell Him I'm Ugly

My daughter, Edith, has apparently acquired her dad's propensity for excess. She has a new band, Tell Him I'm Ugly, with 7 people in it. (Actually, my son is in it, too, but this is Edith's project.) Their first home recording is a cover of "Kids" by MGMT.

They're playing, along with a bunch of other talented teens at a Teen Music Showcase that I've helped organize, Saturday, May 2 at 8 pm at the Shandaken Theatrical Society in Phoenicia.

Let's Party Mini Pigs

See you all this Saturday, January 17, for a nice early (7 pm) show at Joe's Pub. Life in a Blender will be accompanied by the Colony Collapse Horns. Many, many correct notes will be enjoyed. Also on the bill: Les Sans Culottes.

Two shows not to miss in 2009

Mark Donato plays at Googies Lounge (upstairs at the Living Room) on January 10 at 7:30.

Life in a Blender will be playing at Joe's Pub on January 17 at 7:00, on a double bill with Les Sans Culottes. I believe we will be accompanied by a horn section.

Homemade Music: Will It Never End?

Avail yourself of the latest offering from me and my son, Lukas. Aided in this case by my lovely daughter Edith on bells. The song is called "Don Quixote Versus." Lukas plays drum set and bongos. I play the stringed things.

I've also added dates to the page of homemade music, for those who want to map my children's musical growth against the deterioration of my recording equipment and songwriting skills.

Buy these lamps or we'll shoot this dog

For years, only a few close friends have known about Ben's amazing lamps. Now he's decided to sell out. Or at least sell. Members of the general public (those with web access) are invited to take out their wallets and check out OR-DESIGN. Just kidding about the dog.