I’ll be all calm and bright and stuff. Come for some quiet cheer.

~ NEW ALBUM “THE MOTHER OF TROUBLE” DONE CAME ON ALL STREAMING SERVICES !!
~ VIDEO SINGLE “BLACK ROCHELLE” IS OUT TOO https://youtu.be/30SrbQkemdk  

When: Monday nite 12/25 7:30pm ET

WHERE: https://youtube.com/live/2aw7TXzGnnE?feature=share

Who gets 10%+ arlingtonpetfoodpantry.com This is a pantry for those in need with pets. Owner creeps up behind me in her car on my run...” Sorry I don’t mean to stalk you, but you’re a musician right?...” hahahah The word is out.

Order the CD or pay for this web groovery via:
http://paypal.me/vancevancevance or
https://venmo.com/vancevancevance or
VanceFunder P.O. Box 17, Arlington, MA 02476.
Pay what you like, above $10 appreciated

DATES OF NOTE

1/11 DECATUR, GA, EDDIE'S ATTIC ***JUST ANNOUNCED*** https://eddiesattic.com/event/vance-gilbert/

1/13 - CAMBRIDGE, MA, CLUB PASSIM - ***JUST ANNOUNCED*** this will sell out quickly so get your tix now! https://www.passim.org/live-music/events/vance-gilbert/

***The above shows are both last minute additions thanks to agent/club miscommunication, and at any moment I’m expecting a note saying that I am playing Royal Albert Hall next Thursday evening. Please show up and help make these mistakes look purposefully great***

2/23 - NY, NY, City Vineyard, https://citywinery.com/city-vineyard-nyc- not listed yet either, but it begins a residency for me!! Guest(s) to be announced!!

More January shows are below

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JUST A LITTLE LAOTIAN CHINESE FOOD CHRISTMAS STORY

I love local Chinese food. No surprise to anyone that really knows me. I’m also loyally provincial. I loved Great Wok, particularly when they answered the phone “Hello Mr. Vance...wings and egg drop soup tonite? Or something new?” They closed overnight one night, rumored to have left the pilot lights lit on the stoves when they cleared out - the sad skullduggery in my head picturing the Chinese Mob or INS on their tails and trail. Whatever happened was not mine to know, all I know is that I was hurt to have lost them.

So I call Number 1 Chinese, my new place as of about a year ago. They actually have great Pad Thai, screw my A1C. I recall one night laying out my appropriately accented “shay shay” for thank you and the driver replying “Poo kah chee” which was indeed "you're welcome” in Chinese, but then saying “I'm Laotian”.

Last night, that same driver came to deliver to my hard-to-find paper-street house, stepping out of his car to hand me my food, pretty proud that he, the postman, and the UPS guy get my door right when others don’t.

I asked him: “How do I say hello in Laotian?”

“Sabaidi” said Sai - which is as close to his name as I will get. We shook hands.

“I deliver here many times.”

“How long have you driven?” I ask.

“I was Sushi chef. Retired not long ago. Now I drive. Very relaxing.” said Sai.

“You have Merry Christmas?”, says he, not exactly a subject-free syntax wish but like he really was asking.

“Yes”, not particularly Christian me replied. "You too? You celebrate something this time of year?”

“I’m Buddhist. But this time of year to my children I give presents, presents, presents!!” shaking his head doing an Oprah like gifting thing with his hands, both of us laughing.

“I’d like to try to be more Buddhist. I want to be more quiet inside. Maybe vegetarian too.” I surprise myself.

He laughs and shrugs, “I eat meat.”

"Goodnight, See you again Vans”, and down the street went his taillights.

Indeed you will. And to all a good night (says I, heading inside to look up Laos on a map to see where between Vietnam and Cambodia and Thailand these reindeer live).

Happy Hollandaise xovg