On a brief tour with the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra, playing music from a nearly forgotten era which reached its peak in the late 1920s (thousands of cinemas across the U.S. operating with house orchestras). Great scores from Joplin, Kern, Hirsch, and Handy, along with adorable films from Charlie, Buster, and Harold Lloyd.

Yesterday we stopped for lunch at the Passion8 bistro, just off the highway Fort Mill, SC. Decked out with rich red drapery and antiques, it had the feel of a prohibition-era brothel (which it had been, back in the day). There was just something really compelling about the place, from the menu to the subtle game of presentation (fries in a glass tumbler, round scoops of tiramisu instead of rectangular, square plates & stemless goblets), and for me it paired perfectly with the music and films of the week — well-crafted & functional, yet with enormous charisma and intention.

Along with Schnittke, Couperin, Handel & Kurtag, becoming a little obsessed with Joplin this fall… Joshua Rifkin playing “Heliotrope Bouquet” (btw, omg, what a title…):

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