The Castle in October

The Shoppes at The Castle Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA presented another installment of their monthly Indie First Fridays event on Friday October 4th. The establishment was sparsely populated when the evening began with only the musicians, a few vendors, and shop owners milling around the castle’s corridors as they waited for visitors to arrive. Some began to seem doubtful but suddenly, as if by magic, the space became overwhelmed by a huge amount of people coming into the building through a variety of entrances bringing to it a great din of conversations enhancing the already welcoming atmosphere.

The free flowing evening echoing the soft Summer like breeze that circled the castle’s exterior began with music as it was performed by Sean Ward on Guitar and Katya Adler on vocals. The duet sang a number of songs composed by established artists with an emphasis on compositions created by the Beatles and Fleetwood Mac. Although many of the songs they performed were instilled in the life experiences of those who listened to the duet many years before their birth, their interpretation of the pieces brought back the youthful outlook many have sold for their experiences reminding them of the life they led when they first heard the melodies and what they meant to their hearts.

The wonderful performance by these mid teen students from Delaware Valley High School was followed by that of  the duo known Woodrow consisting of Theresa Ratliff on vocals and Brian Bramkramp on guitar and vocals. The couple performed at The Castle Inn during a previous First Fridays and their return to the venue was a welcomed one by those who frequent the event. They performed a number of songs composed by established artists but made them their own through their profound interpretation of the songs’ essences. The most prominent example of this was their rendition of the song titled, “Angie.”

“Angie” was written Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and was featured on The Rolling Stones’ 1973 album titled, “Goats Head Soup” which many consider to signal the end of the band’s golden era. The song is rumored to be dedicated to a number of women but Keith Richards confirmed the song was an autobiographical piece with the name “Angie” being a pseudonym for a narcotic known as heroin which he was attempting to quit using while in a detoxification facility located in Switzerland. The original recording utilizes a technique known as “Ghost Vocal” of which the vocal track of Mick Jagger is faintly audible throughout the song.

Regardless of for whom or why the song was written or how it was recorded, Woodrow brought the audience of the Castle Inn along on a journey that explored the song’s deeper realms. The power of Ms. Ratliff’s voice and the fingering techniques Mr. Bramkramp applied to his guitar gave the piece a new soul surpassing the qualities and perspectives inherent in that of the original version. There were other songs the duo performed that were made more profound through their interpretation of them, but their rendition of this particular song is a tribute to their talents as musical performers. You can learn more about the duet and their upcoming performances by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/wearewoodrow.

As the music played throughout the evening, those who attended the First Friday event were free to roam around in order to explore the offerings the shops and vendors had to offer those who visited them. These vendors included Pottery by Bahereh www.heartizen.com whose clay art work consisting of lunar imagery, masks, and other items revealed many secrets found within each spirit, Kitchen Goddess Nina www.facebook.com/TheKitchenGoddessNina who offers a variety of earthen goods designed to enliven the body and the soul through their essential aromas, and Nova Chan whose creative pieces bring out the joy of living every day of life to its fullness. The shops whose keepers welcomed all who came to visit included Orion’s Toys who entreated everyone who entered to play, Custom Creations who offers custom made clothing and alterations for both men and women, and Dirt and Vine www.facebook.com/dirtandvine offering samplings of wine created by Big Creek Vineyard and Winery along with earth ware pottery and jewelry for many to enjoy.

The combination of great music, intriguing conversations, joyful merchants, and beautiful weather uncommon in the Pocono, PA region during the month of October all made this month’s First Friday event a splendid one to experience. As the Fall season continues, more musicians, artists, and artisans will be at The Castle Inn ready to meet those who come visit. Many of these visitors will have be among those who have partaken of the First Friday event and placed it high upon their monthly to do lists while other will visit for the first time and find their enchantments there. In either case, I’m looking forward to the next one and I hope to see you there. You’ll be able to find more photographs taken during the October 4th Indie First Friday in The Castle Inn 2013 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151630970105421.1073741832.636000420&type=1.

The Indie First Friday takes place (as its name suggests) the first Friday of the month. The event is designed to acquaint visitors to The Shoppes at The Castle Inn and all those who set up shop in the complex. Experiences in Art, Crafts, and music is offered visitors along with some refreshments provided by various vendors. The next Indie First Friday to take place within The Shoppes at The Castle Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA will be on Friday November 1st beginning at 5pm. You’ll be able to learn more about The Indie First Fridays by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/IndieFirstFridays?ref=ts&fref=ts.

The Castle Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA was built in 1906 and was the last of the great hotels to be built in area. It housed an ice cream parlor, a mosaic floor, bowling alleys, a pool, and a billiard parlor. Performances were presented which included those given by Opera legend Enrico Caruso, Marching Band Leader John Phillip Sousa, and Big Band Leader Fred Waring along with the Pennsylvanians. This all came to an abrupt end when fire touched the Inn in the 1970s and it laid dormant until 2005 when it was purchased by Theresa Veltri and Frank Paccione who continues their endeavors to bring the Inn back as an asset to the community and all who visit it. You’ll be able to learn more about The Shoppes at The Castle Inn and all they have to offer by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/historiccastleinn?ref=ts&fref=ts.