Cambrians Staying Connected

Brynn Albanese

Written by Jill Turnbow

April 11, 2020

Brynn Albanese playing at the “Lockdown Lodge.”
Photo submitted


Cambrians have discovered some creative ways to stay entertained and connected with friends during the current stay-at-home situation.

Cambria local, Brynn Albanese, a classically trained violinist and concertmaster for the SLO Symphony, has been offering tiny balcony concerts on her Facebook page. She likes to call it the “Lockdown Lounge.”

Playing live from her home, Brynn offers up her music through Facebook. She says, “I lost 3 months of work in just 72 hours. And I’m going back to school in the fall. I had to do something!”

Brynn is furthering her education in becoming an end-of-life midwife. “I have been playing for hospice patients, and I love being there for them as they transition to the other side,” she said.

Brynn’s background is impressive, playing professionally from the age of 10, and includes several years with the Boston Symphony, the Boston Pops, and most recently the SLO Symphony. She has also played with the popular Café Musique, a gypsy jazz band that recently announced they were retiring. Their final concerts are currently postponed. To catch her balcony concerts, search Brynn Albanese on Facebook.

Todd Clift
Todd Clift will be hosting Moonstone Memoirs. Photo submitted

Taking her talent and creativity a step further, Brynn recently played a Quarantine Concert in a Cambria neighborhood. Brynn serenaded an entire block with her violin. Neighbors set up chairs in their respective driveways and enjoyed the music while practicing safe social distancing. Couples danced in the street, people clapped from their balconies, and one neighbor was overheard saying, “What a joy this has been!” If your neighborhood is interested in a street concert, you can find more information on Albanese’s website, BrynnAlbanese.com. And if you would like to donate to help her recoup lost wages, go to FUNDLY.COM and search her name.

Across town, another creative venture is about to jump on the ZOOM bandwagon. Todd Clift, owner and winemaker at Moonstone Cellars, will host Moonstone Memoirs on Wednesday, April 15 at 6 p.m. Moonstone Memoirs is a storytelling event that has been one of the most popular events at Moonstone Cellar’s new venue. Many of the regular storytellers have missed this monthly gathering so Todd plans to try it out online. Storytellers must keep their stories to 5 minutes and they must be original and based on a different theme each month. The theme for April is “cheese.” If you are interested in telling your story, or being in the “audience” for this event, just email Todd at info@moonstonecellars.com. You will also find storytelling tips on their website, MoonstoneCellars.com

Todd is also looking for a way to bring back Trivia Night. “Our Wednesday night events have been so much fun, we just can’t bear to have them disappear,” he said. He has already started a happy hour for his Friday regulars and club members and they are well attended online. “It’s almost like the real thing. Almost,” said Todd.

Have you found a creative way to “gather” with friends? Send me your ideas. Jill@esterobaynews.com. We are all treading uncharted waters together and together we can get through it.

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