RP: Stoatshead Hill Musical Club's June Meeting

[shh_caradoc]

Date: 28 June 2005 (evening)
Characters: Caradoc Dearborn [Cai], Luna Lovegood, Su Li, Arabella Figg, Morag MacDougal, Ernie Macmillan, Fleur Delacour, Oliver Wood, Marietta Edgecomb, NPCs and other Musical Club Members
Location: Caradoc's home at No. 4 H Circle
Status: Semi-Public (Private home, Public Meeting)
Summary: The second meeting of the

Comments

[shh_marietta]

The long string of dreary, rainy days made Marietta very glad she was on the Floo network. Of course she could Apparate to Mr Dearborn's house; she'd already been there to inspect his Floo and knew the way. But as chief Floo regulator for the Ministry of Magic, she felt it was her duty to set an example and travel by Floo when she could. Not to mention it was a great way to make an entrance, since most people her age weren't all that fond of Flooing.

After a quick dinner at home, Marietta freshened up the print dress she'd worn under her work robes and Floo'd to Mr Dearborn's house. As she entered his family room she saw a small crowd gathered already. Her host was chatting with a young man who was carrying a guitar. He looked like someone she'd known vaguely at school, and she wondered if he would want to do a duet with her. She also noticed Mrs Figg and Morag; at least she would know a few people at the meeting. It was early yet, so it was hard to tell whether this month's group would be bigger than last.

[shh_caradoc]

Caradoc saw Marietta Edgecomb step out of the fireplace and stopped on his way by to say hello. "Miss Edgecomb, thank you for coming. You look stunning this evening. That color's very becoming." He winked at her and offered his hand.

"There are refreshments in the kitchen next to the dining room. Do you remember the way?"

[shh_marietta]

The ever-charming charms professor knew exactly what to say to make Marietta glad she'd come. "Why, thank you, kind sir," she purred, shaking his hand lightly.

"Yes, I do remember the way. I'll see you soon."

She wandered off in search of biscuits and tea (or something stronger, if he had it.)

[shh_ernie]

Ernie was standing at the refreshment table, getting himself something to drink. He usually felt more comfortable if he had something in his hands. At the Book Club, he'd had that pirate book, but it wasn't as if he could haul his guitar case around with him.

Someone was standing beside him and he glanced up. And then looked again. Was that Marietta Edgecombe? He tried not to stare, but he really wanted to know if she still had 'SNEAK' written across her face.

"Er...hello. I...I think we know each other." He stuck out his hand. "Ernie Macmillan."

[shh_caradoc]

People were still arriving and Caradoc thought he would give them a few more minutes before introducing the agenda for the evening and opening the floor to his guests.

[shh_rose]

Rose was running late. She was so excited about the musical club meeting, and she was late. It was really the excitement that caused it, as she had gotten distracted as she warmed up her voice in the shower, singing scales and arpeggios. She had lost track of time and her curls were still damp as she hurried up the sidewalk, singing. Rose had gotten a few odd looks on the way, but really, who didn't like Ella Fitzgerald?

Summertime, and the livin' is easy.

She finished the song then knocked on the door, hoping the meeting hadn't started quite yet.

[shh_caradoc]

Cai thought she heard singing outside, but it stopped before the knock. "Welcomes to the Warren, Missie. The meeting is being this way." She stepped aside and let the young woman in, beaming brightly. She looked like Young Master Jasper's wife did when she was younger.

Caradoc saw Cai excitedly bringing in another guest. "Good evening. I'm Caradoc Dearborn." He held out his hand to the new, yet somehow familiar face. "Forgive me for staring, but you look remarkably like my eldest nephew's wife. Doesn't she, Cai?"

The old elf clapped. "Oh yeses. Missie is good singer too. Is knowing Missus Ella Fitzgerald, Master."

"Ella Fitzgerald? I will definitely need to introduce you to our jazz combo then."

[shh_rose]

Rose grinned at the house elf, who was simply precious. "Thank you. Please call me Rose."

The elf led her to the host, and Rose was impressed. The man was certainly handsome, if approximately twice her age. "Hello, I'm Rose Zeller." She thrust out her own hand and shook his. "I'm glad I could make this meeting." She grinned at his comment about his nephew's wife. "Do I really? Is she Jewish too?"

"I love Ella Fitzgerald. I've done a lot of classical singing as well, was in a few groups back in Israel, but jazz is my first love. Ella, Billie, anything really."

[shh_caradoc]

Caradoc called the meeting to order.

"I would like to thank everyone for coming this evening. It's nice to have a few new faces this month and many returning members. I believe that a few more people intended to come, but we have a special guest this evening and I would like to give her a chance to tell us about a public performance and volunteer opportunity available to us all this summer. Please help me welcome, Su Li, from the Ministry's Department of International Cooperation." He clapped politely and sat as the young woman stood to talk about the upcoming Arts Fest.

[shh_su]

Well. This was it, then. Su took a deep breathe, smiled at her host, and stood up to talk.

"Thank you, Mr. Dearborn. Good evening, everyone. You may have heard already, but the Ministry is sponsoring an Arts Festival in Stoatshead on August 10th, 11th, and 12th. One aspect of the event will be live performances. We're bringing in some artists from outside Stoatshead, but we'd like to encourage local talent to perform as well. Additionally, there will be a children's tent with a different theme each day. For one day, we were considering having some musical instruments for the children to try, so help with that would be appreciated as well, if anyone's interested. And that's bascially why I'm here. To issue a general invitation, and to answer any questions you might have." Su smiled at the crowd, and hoped she wasn't messing up too terribly.

[shh_marietta]

Marietta had taken a seat along one edge of the room. After Su's introductory remarks, Marietta raised a hand. When Su acknowledged her with a nod, Marietta stood up and spoke.

"Hello, Su, it's nice to see you again," she said. "You can count on my department at the Ministry for assistance in transporting the outside artists -- Portkeys and so forth. Please let me know if there's anything special we can do for you. I've also got a few questions. What sort of local talent are you looking for? And do you plan to bring in any artists who are well-known in British wizarding society?"

[shh_su]

Su smiled, relieved that the first question wasn't too challenging. "Hello, Marietta. It's nice to see you, too, and thank you for you department's assistance. To answer your questions, we will have two tents set up in the parking lot near the Museum for performances. We're looking for different kinds of musical performances, whether classical, jazz, or popular, as well as any dance or theatrical groups. There will be times set aside for groups to perform. Once we have an idea of what performers we have, we'll be able to make a more specific performance schedule. There will certainly be some more well-known acts as well. Someone associated with The Georgiana Lestrange Foundation for the Arts, our main financial sponsor, is arranging that portion of the festival, and there will be more information forthcoming as artists commit to the Festival, but I have heard that a wizarding acrobatic troupe has made a definite commitment."

[shh_caradoc]

"Next, I would like to introduce another guest this evening, Luna Lovegood, who would like to tell us about a local Music Festival and Hospital Fundraiser." He clapped politely and sat as the young woman stood to tell them about the hospital project.

[shh_luna]

Luna sent Su a smile, then smiled politely at the rest of the group. It was a nice-sized group, with more than a few familiar faces; hopefully there would be some interest. She cleared her throat as she stood

[shh_caradoc]

"Aside from performers, what types of volunteers will you need, Ms. Lovegood?"

"And can you tell us more about the children's area? Ms. Li has us organizing something for the kids to try out instruments during the Arts Fest. Are you looking for things the kids can do or will these be performances geared toward kids?"