[OutVoice] The first Casa StoneWall House Concert Review

Mon Jun 1 11:44:01 CDT 2009

House concerts are indeed, magical things. I've been attending them and  
performing at them since the 70's, back when there weren't a lot of places for 
 lesbians to perform (besides bars) so we played in each other's  houses.

On another note - I was once kicked off a stage in Roanoke. Interesting  
city. :)

Jamie

Jamie  Anderson
singer-songwriter-parking lot attendant
_www.jamieanderson.com_ (http://www.jamieanderson.com/) 
_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6zFe2mA2vM_ 
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6zFe2mA2vM) 
_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQmGjTQmPb8_ 
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQmGjTQmPb8) 

In a message dated 6/1/2009 12:39:19 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
len at stonewallsociety.com writes:

An  Evening with Shawn Thomas by Len Rogers

I had never attended a house  concert before. Let alone host one, but 
that's another story. For here I want  to focus on the event and especially the 
guest star, Shawn Thomas. In  retrospect, I could not have picked a better 
guest for an opening concert.  Both the house concert and my household are new 
to Roanoke. So Shawn shared  our entrance in to our local community. 
Actually it was Shawn's direct support  which facilitated the audience! So much 
for you have to have lots of friends  to have a house concert. 

I would love to have had a larger audience  for Shawn. However, this 
dynamic performer and storyteller immediately set out  to make this intimate 
experience the best for all. Something which, Shawn  apparently knows a lot 
about. I had worked with Shawn for a bit over five  years. That being via email 
and interviews. Seeing is believing folks. Seeing  Shawn perform, being a 
part of the show he shares is really an inspiring  experience. In the up close 
and personal setting of the house concert I was  able to not only see the 
interaction between Shawn and others. I felt it.  Again, something Shawn does 
very well. 

Shawn's connection to his music  is intense. Even more so is his 
relationship with his music. While performing  Shawn's aura of utter contentment is 
empowering and mesmerizing. It is almost  like witnessing a real merging of 
two absolute powers. Joining together in a  "Pippin-esque" gleeful and free 
expression of oneness. Emotional reactions to  his lyrics are frequent and 
unshielded. I might add by both Shawn and his  listeners. 

I know Shawn's music and to some degree his message. But as  for 
performance/concert I was not prepared for what he delivered. I was  entertained first 
of all. I was also challenged to think and examine. In the  most welcome 
way, as is Shawn. Yes Shawn Thomas is a Contemporary Christian  Artist. There 
was no "preach" to his show. A lot of information on  inspiration, which was 
shared in an open and affirming manner. By that I mean,  yes it was 
spiritual, yes it was Christian, but it also was interesting,  inclusive, and 
happy. 

I admit I can be one of those "battered gay  Christians" with a 'tude. But 
not with what Shawn was sharing. His music, and  his passion. Both equally 
connected and intertwined. Shawn delivered songs  which enliven and welcome, 
brought to life by a vocal gift that would be  criminal if not shared. The 
sensation of joy I experienced was very focused on  the honest happiness the 
performer exhibited and shared through his songs and  storytelling. 

Artistically as a concert, Shawn was brilliant. On key,  in the moment, and 
in touch with his audience. No eyes strayed from the  performer. Toes and 
fingers were tapping. Faces were smiling. The just over an  hour concert flew 
by. When Shawn announced I will do one more for you, it was  a surprise. 
And one that I wished would not have occurred so quickly. This was  a true 
concert of an artist's music, words, and passion. One of which I was  very 
happy to be a part.

To say there is no spiritual message and or  experience to Shawn's show 
would be not only a mistake, but an injustice.  There is nothing closeted about 
Shawn Thomas. He makes you proud of that, and  brings a strong desire for 
the same. His "Christian" message is delivered with  100% integrity. This is 
a man who does; talk the talk, sing the song, and more  than aptly walk the 
walk. When Shawn shares his message there is no need for  any demonstrated 
illumination. Shawn is the example of his message. If you  were to look up a 
definition for the word Christian in a good dictionary, it  could say Shawn 
Thomas. He is what he shares. By the same token, the word  artist in the 
same good dictionary could deliver the same definition. Shawn is  a total 
example of his own creative process. An artist with a message that  just by being 
himself is his art. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the night as a  musical experience. I was amazed at 
the intensity of the personal and  spiritual encounter. Combined for a really 
wonderful and not soon forgotten  concert. An open, welcoming, peak into a 
man of strong character intense  talent, and tremendous heart. Who is not 
afraid to share his strongest beliefs  in a way which only open our eyes to 
accepting the value of us all as  individuals. A real musical and spiritual 
marriage. BRAVO!

More Shawn  at http://www.shawnthomasonline.com/

More Casa StoneWall House Concert,  later on 6-1-2009 at 
www.stonewallsociety.com & www.outvoice.net  

Len
Founder
StoneWall  Society
www.stonewallsociety.com
www.stonewallsociety.net

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