Tom Rigney and Flambeau – Slow Shutter Speed

Posted on October 6, 2026October 6, 2026 by Anne Sandler · 26 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #416: Music

I’m not a “You Tuber,” but one evening I got caught up in music videos. Most of the night was spent finding new artists and enjoying my old favorites. Yes, music fills my soul, relaxes me and brings back fond memories.

This week, Ritva encourages us to share music and its amazing effect on us. While I enjoy concerts, memories of the 4-day weekend Sacramento Music Festival, in Old Sacramento, bring back wonderful times, excitement and joy.

For five years, we were volunteers at the youth stage, introducing the students and keeping the area clean. These kids came from all over the U. S. and beyond. And they were extremely talented. After our shift each day, we were free to take in all of the festival.

I absolutely loved the live music. Over the years, we got to know the entertainers and made sure we saw at least one set of our favorites. Each day, we found time to catch a set with Dave Bennett, a multi talented musician. He played the piano, Jerry Lee Lewis style, clarinet, guitar and sang. WOW. We tried to catch sets of both styles: rock and roll and jazz.

Then there was Tom Rigney and Flambeau. They played all musical genres including Tom’s own compositions. He called his instrument a “fiddle” until, one performance, he cross tuned his fiddle to play a classical violin piece. From time to time, other jazz musicians would surprise him on stage and play a duet. Nothing was formal the the Jazz Festival. His group had their own talents also. There were many CDs to purchase. We have a few!

Sometimes the audience was entertaining!

The festival also introduced us to different types of music.

Our Armed Forces were also there to entertain us. This Navy band was excellent.

We did have fun, but, unfortunately, the Jazz Festival had to face dwindling attendance and ended its yearly run. I do miss it. There’s something about live music in a festival atmosphere that cannot be duplicated in a concert hall: the sounds, the people, the food vendors and the excitement.

That wraps up my musical memory. I’m looking forward to seeing yours. Please remember to link to Ritva’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag when you respond. I totally enjoyed seeing how you captured photos last week by moving your body rather then your zoom lens. Next week Egidio will be leading the challenge, so look for his post. In the meantime, stay healthy and be resilient!

Posted on March 22, 2025March 22, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 49 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #341: Personal Favorites

Every time I think a challenge is probably the most difficult, there’s another one coming along. This time, Tina is asking us to pick no more than five of our favorite photos. I don’t know about you, but it’s much easier for me to pick favorites from someone else’s images.

I know you expect me to post flowers, but in this photo, the praying mantis was what I was after.

You also know I’m a member of our local zoo. I happened to be talking to a docent when I think we woke up this flamingo. Quick shot!

I happened to be invited to photograph a super moon that was to appear near our State Capitol building. So glad I was there.

I miss our annual Sacramento Music Festival, especially seeing Tom Rigney and Flambeau.

My fifth and final picture is…yes, a flower. A lotus.

Thank you Tina for this wonderful exercise and trip down memory lane. When you post your five favorites, please link to Tina’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week we saw portraits of all kinds. It was beautiful and fun. Next week Egidio will be challenging us, so stay tuned! In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude.

Posted on November 20, 2021 by Anne Sandler · 19 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #175: Follow Your Bliss

Bliss is what we all chase. It’s that something that relaxes, yet drives us to accomplish. It’s what we enjoy as a participant or spectator. This week, Lindy Low LeCoq encourages us to “show us your sense of wonder and excitement. Whether it be one activity that is your passion, or many different interests you follow, this is a wide-open opportunity to showcase how you “follow your bliss.”

One thing that comes to mind for me is music. I can’t sing, follow the beat or play an instrument. But music sooths my soul. I listen to both words and melody. One place I used to totally enjoy was the Sacrament Music Festival. Richard and I would work it every year, and the music was fantastic. Our favorites were Tom Rigney and Flambeau, who would play anything from zydeco to rock and roll, and Dave Bennett, whose clarinet rivaled Benny Goodman’s and his piano playing was as close to Jerry Lee Lewis as you could get. I’m sad that they discontinued it.

Even as I was enjoying music, I was also following my bliss for photography. When the pandemic and lockdown hit, photography was my outlet. Richard and I went for rides for the first few months of lockdown, going in search of snow and the California Poppy.

Soon my photo buddies formed a photo pod and went out once a week. One outing was to the WPA Rock Garden in William Land Park.

Another was to the California State World Peace Capitol Rose Garden in Sacramento.

And of course there are my friends who share in my love for photography. I’m dedicating this post to my friend Jean Armstrong who passed away this month after a short fight with brain cancer. She and I enjoyed going on day outings and, because she drove, we’d end up finding some sort of water. She loved the lakes and ocean. Here are two from our last outing together in January this year. We went to Port Costa (near the bay of course).

Thank you Lindy for reminding me to continue to follow my bliss. It’s so important especially now.

Posted on October 10, 2020 by Anne Sandler · 23 Comments

Lens-Artists #118: Communication

What an exciting topic from our guest host Biasini with some help from her human Ma Leueen who helped her out with the typing. Horses can’t type. You’ll have to read the original super interesting post here.

Animals do communicate with each other and humans. My dog Gem will continuously ask me to take him for a walk until I finally do. One morning he came to me while I was eating breakfast. I knew what he wanted, a walk. I told him it was too early and to come back in one hour. He came back in 58 minutes. I told him he was 2 minutes too early! True story.

I love going to the Sacramento Zoo just to visit with the animals. They talk to each other.

Okapi are supposed to be solitary, but these two have become best buds and talk over the fence.

Music speaks to us in different ways. I can’t carry a tune or play an instrument, but music is an important part of my life. It brings back memories. And it touches our hearts, especially when the memory is mutual. Richard and I used to work the Sacramento Music Festival until it closed. Two of our favorites were Tom Rigney and Flambeau and Dave Bennett.

Taken in 2016, here’s Dave Bennett and his band playing rock ‘n roll Jerry Lee Lewis style. You could find him next in a smaller venue playing his clarinet like Benny Goodman.

Music also tells us about different cultures. Last year’s Asian New Year Festival in Isleton featured taiko drummers. They were amazing. Along with their music came an explanation of the culture attached.

And finally there is human non-verbal communication. Marlene and I happened to be in San Francisco for a photo walk along the Embarcadero. These next two images communicate human emotion.

Love is communicated as this couple help their old dog into her stroller.

Communication is key to our getting along as a society. The animals at the zoo know that, do we?