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Give thanks by showing up

Being thankful for things is a good strategy for happiness in life. A major component of established religions comes from praising a creator not just for being the big dog, but also for throwing us bones. How better to not be a Scrooge (for a holiday reference), than to be thankful and appreciative of bountiful surroundings, whatever the level of bounty may be. Now having established giving thanks is good thing, how is it best to bestow gratitude for blessings received? If it’s an invisible being, responsible for all, that we are recognizing, silent prayer or meditation is a dandy form of praise. When moving beyond the metaphysical in showering acclaim for a job well done, more external actions may better represent your feelings to those you are praising.

An obvious example is applause. It’s all quite wonderful to listen to an artistic performance, then, when the act is over to think, “That was very good.” But an outward showing of your appreciation, like a screaming standing ovation or a snapping of the fingers, lets others, especially performers, know of your positive acceptance of the show. It’s your way of thanking them for giving you pleasure, a way of praising actions that benefit you. Did we make a connection between the many and diverse ways of giving thanks and how one of those ways directly affects entertainers? If so, then we’re ready to move on to the music appreciation portion of our show, remembering along the way, if you would be so kind, that staying home and silently thanking entertainers for all they do is very nice, but going out to see them, gaining from their performances, and thanking them in whatever way you can is even nicer. Many times this is accomplished by simply showing up at a show or concert. You’ll find the rest of the process takes care of itself when you make the effort to attend.

With that possibly different way of looking at giving thanks, let us proceed to a few descriptions of events coming in the next few days that deserve your attention, and hopefully your acceptance and praise.

On Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, the Brewhaus presents Go Tsunami. This band is unique in the Springfield scene, being the only group in town playing all instrumental rock ’n’ roll music while wearing masks. For you keeping scorecards of band members, Stingray Junior debuts on bass. That’s all I’m prepared to tell about this group. In fact it’s about all I know about them. On Friday, the Station, voted by you delightful bunch of Illinois Times readers as the Best Original Band and the Band Most Likely to Make It Big in the 2008 Best of Springfield poll a few months ago, headlines an all-ages show at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. Indecision, Chatham originals, open the show at 8 p.m. In honor of giving thanks and in the spirit of the season, the Station will donate $1 of each ticket purchased to the Central Illinois Food Bank. Saturday Sally Barris and Celeste Krenz kick off the music holiday season with a performance at Its All About Wine on Wabash Ave. The duo, a pretty pair of A-list Nashville songwriters, recorded a CD of yuletide classics to debut at the show. Buying a copy of an artist’s record is a very acceptable way of saying thanks, and one that keeps on giving.

Also on Saturday, downtown at the Alamo, Mr. Opporknockity reunites for a one-nightonly show with all original members in tow, except for me. Rumor has it I may drop in for a song or two, but one never knows. Mr. O, if loyal readers recall, received a couple of Best of Springfield awards back in the day and released a few fine CDs as well. These are only my humble suggestions of performances to see. Please attend a show of your choice as a way of giving thanks this Thanksgiving.