I'll be vending at the Eno River Farmers Market under the name "Needle and Thread." Bringing lots of Mother's Day items. But also, things for every member of the family that can be used any day of the year: potholders, cloth napkins, placemats, aprons, baby blankets and quilts, quilt hangings, spring wreaths, books for children made of felt, and books & my music CDs for adults too. In addition, I'll be bringing what I call "tableaus" which are small collages using fabric and odds & ends as well as bits of scripture or prayers reverently torn from very old prayer books. It's looking like it's going to be a beautiful day. Hope you can come out.

a radio live music show about songwriters and songwriting. I'll be singing my songs and talking to the hosts Bob Johnson, Kirk Ridge, and Kim Lane. always a fun thing to do.

A concert at the gallery surrounded by artwork by artists whose art whose work is a response to songs on my winter CD, Deep December Dreams. I'll be joined by Megan Whitted and Charlie Ebel.

The Women's Singing Circle will do a concert of Sacred Harp hymns and lead a community sing of hymns written between 1750 and 1850 as part of St. Matthew's Bicentennial Celebration. The church's began construction in 1824 and and began services on Easter Day in 1826.

Stephanie will read from her debut memoir and has asked me to open the reading with my song, O Brother, Blessed Child. Abigail DeWitt will be on hand to moderate the session.

The artists of Hillsborough Gallery of Arts are using the songs from my CD "Deep December Dreams" as a muse for their own work. The results will be exhibited from February 20 to March 24, with an opening reception on Friday, 23. I am also invited to have a concert on site on Sunday, March 10 from 4:00-6:00. I'm so honored to have been asked and to share my music with them.
Here's what they say about the exhibit: "It's All About The Story: Vol. X, Mary Rocap" Opens Tuesday!

In 2013 the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts began an annual show highlighting the work of a local writer by responding visually to his or her work. In the past, this show has been inspired by the work of writers with local ties: Michael Malone, Lee Smith, Allan Gurganus, Jill McCorkle, Nancy Peacock, John Bemis, Elizabeth Keckly, composer Billy Strayhorn and poet Jaki Shelton Green. This year the show returns, highlighting the work of North Carolina singer/songwriter Mary Rocap. The gallery’s 21 artists have each chosen a song from Mary Rocap’s CD, Deep December Dreams, as inspiration for a work of art in their chosen medium. Lynn Wartski - Venus Dances for HerselfSculptor Lynn Wartski has interpreted Mary Rocap’s song Jupiter and Venus as a dancing rabbit, in a felted wool sculpture titled “Venus Dances for Herself”. “The song is a re-imagining of the myth based on the December sky conjunction of the two planets,” explained Wartski. “My sculpture is a re-imagining of Mary’s song. She tells the tale of Venus’s yearly plea to Jupiter to accept her and Mars’ love child. My Venus is dancing to please herself, and doesn’t care if she has Jupiter’s approval. She is dancing with her own joy.” Chris_Graebner-Talkin Bout Cotton(web)Botanical artist Chris Graebner was inspired by the song “Cotton” to look at the cotton blossom more closely. Cotton is in the mallow family which makes it a relative of hibiscus, okra and hollyhocks, among other garden favorites. Its flowers are similar to theirs in shape, but while cotton flowers are white when they open, after pollination they begin to change color and in several days they become a bright fuchsia. Nancy Smith was inspired by the song “Oleander” to create a portrait. The song speaks about a mother's giving her beautiful daughter a poisonous name for protection. In creating the painting, Nancy imagined the daughter holding onto her innocence despite living the legacy of her mother's curse. Ryann Carey - Winter's Reflection(300dpi)The images in Deep December Dreams provided fertile inspiration for the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts’ 21 visual artists. Their work will be on display from February 20th through March 24th with a reception in the gallery on February 23rd from 6-9pm during Hillsborough’s Last Friday Art Walk. In addition, HGA will host a performance by Ms. Rocap in the gallery on Sunday, March 10th from 4-6pm. Both events are free and open to the public.

About the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts The Hillsborough Gallery of Arts is owned and operated by 21 local artists and represents these established artists exhibiting contemporary fine art and fine craft. The Gallery's offerings include painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, photomontage, jewelry, glass, metals, encaustic, enamel, and wood. 121 N. Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Phone: (919) 732-5001. The gallery is open 10am-6pm Tuesday - Saturday, and 12pm-4pm on Sunday. More information can be found on the HGA website: http://www.HillsboroughGallery.com

Stephanie asked me to open the reading with my song "Oh Brother, Blessed Child," and I am happy to do so. Attendance is free, but ticketed people have priority. Tickets include a signed copy of EVERYWHERE THE UNDROWNED, guaranteed entry to the event, and a seat in the reserved section. Phillip Shabazz will moderate. Stephanie will sign and personalize books after the program.

Megan Whitted and I (The Travelin' Mercies) will lead the singing of Christmas carols at the historic St. Mary's Chapel. We will also perform some ourselves. Last year was so beautiful. The space is wonderfully resonant. (photo by Elizabeth Matheson)

I'll be joining songwriters Mary Rocker and Tracy Feldman. We are old friends and it will be fun to play along side of them.

Under the name GatherCreek I bring my stash of potholders, aprons, napkins, placemats, baby blankets, quilts, felt Christmas mitten ornaments and birds plus my books, music, and collaged tableaus. A literal car load.

Megan and I return to the Eno House with a great selection of songs that we are loving to sing.

Megan Whitted and I (The Travelin' Mercies) are providing music for this service.

Part of the weekend celebration of the 50th anniversary of Somethyme Restaurant, Charlie Ebel and I will do a short set from 12:30-1:00.

In 1973 Somethyme Restaurant opened in Durham, NC at 1104 Broad Street. I wrote in my memoir, SomeThyme was "more than a restaurant: we were a community that offered community, and in no time became an integral part of people's lives." Aspiring to provide "food for both body and soul" SomeThyme (later Seventh Street) because a place not only for healthy meals, but art, poetry, and music. As members of that community gather to celebrate the 50th anniversary of SomeThyme's founding, there will be a special exhibition of the art and artists of SomeThyme exhibited at The Thomas Stevens Gallery. I will be bringing a quilt hanging, a basket of potholders, and my books and CDs. Other Exhibit Artists include: Paula Craige, Beverly Dawson, Erica Eisdorfer, Diane Gore, Leslie Hankins, Ellen Hill, Patricia Walach Keogh, Joe Linus, Nancy Tuttle May, Steven Ray Miller, Jonathan Moss, Annie Nashold, Tom Prince, Dino Read, Russell Rigsbee, Mary Rocap, Sue Sneddon, Emily Weinstein, John Rosenthal, and Caroline Hickman Vaughan. Other Author’s and Musicians include: Allen Dawson, Georgeann Eubanks, Leslie Hankins, Marioleine Kars, Joe Linus, and Steve Mooney. This exhibit will be up through Friday, October 27. The opening is Friday, October 13, 4:00-6:00 with refreshments and old-time musicians Alan & Clare Julich

The 50th anniversary of Somethyme Restaurant is kicking off a weekend of activities with a music night at The Blue Note Grill. Bands include Mobile City (me, Lise Uyanik, Charlie Ebel, Lew Wardell, Rodger Tygard, Jay Miller, and Ann Alexander), KneeDeeps, ClapTones, and Boney Moroney. NO COVER / PASS THE HAT. It all starts early so come for dinner and stay for music.

I am new to this market, but not new to the area and I've sewing forever. Do you need a hostess or wedding gift? Are you starting on Christmas? Looking for something for a newborn grandchild? Want to spruce up your apron collection? Been thinking about ditching paper napkins for cloth? I've got aprons galore, potholders aplenty, baby blankets, napkins, place-mats, and more. Stop by and see me!! Market hours are from 8:00am-Noon.

Megan Whitted and I (The Travelin' Mercies) will be providing music for this service. St. Joseph's is the "little church with the big red doors." The Vicar is the Rev. Dr. Lauren Winner. She is a professor at Duke Divinity School and has written one of my favorite books, "Still." So excited to be working with her and providing music for this service.

Megan Whitted and I (The Travelin' Mercies) will be providing music for this sweet service.

Along with me and the host of the circle Kirk Ridge will be the fine musician Bob Vasile.