Forte Maestro

A Dancing thrill with the Green Hill

Just like many other moments when one is off doing their part in protecting the lands from the encroaching darkness, all fight and no play makes a completely unforgettably and irresistible Bard, par boiled and with out joy.

Today I found myself returning to the lands of my birth, the green hills of the Shire. Nestled comfortably outside the Bird and Baby Inn in the north quarter of Michel Delving, the talented Green Hill Music Society gathered for their weekly concert.

With the sun setting beyond in the western sky, the sky was awash with a cascading orange sunset as the vibrant color beamed down upon the gathered dancers and onlookers as they enjoyed soft soothing music that would calm any rabid Warg. To bad they couldn’t follow me into Evendim! Imagine that, a pocket band on demand! Oh well. Guess I’ll have to settle with giving myself an excuse to return to the civilized cobble streets of the Delving and enjoy some drink as I listen to music finding some beautiful miss to cast a wink! With the sun disappearing beneath the horizon, the moon drifted as softly as the music in the air as it rose and danced with the stars beyond it. And rising slowly over head as the ballads of the bardic whom caressed the ears of the audience, the Scorpion appeared.

My night was not all enjoying the beautiful music of others, and taking Quill and Ink to paper as a bard of old. I took the opportunity to step forward and, just like my love affair with my harp I played my favorite piece, “Set Fire to the Rain.” As a grand treat, the harmonious voice of Melinor Melui of the Elven folk granted us the honor of singing the lyrics.

Every Tuesday at 9pm Servertime/EST, the Green Hill Music Society gathers outside the Bird and Baby Inn to perform their unique series of music for the public.

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Send an email to fortemaestro@gmail.com

A Night at the Dolwood

To liven up this Friday night, I found myself on the doorstep of the Dolwood Tavern owned by the illustrious Prindle Greenfeet on 9 Chestnut Street of the Dolwood Neighborhood of the Bree-land Homesteads on the Landroval server. They are open from 9-Midnight EST.

Dolwood Tavern You are welcomed by the beautiful hostesses Berianreth & Lilmelody, you are immediately offered food and drink! Mmm, both were delicious! Enjoying a bit of bread and butter, with salmon and a tankard in front of the fire was like..well was like…eating good food at a great place! If you were there, then you will know, we had a ROARING good time. Hey ho!

There was a wide range of music, from the 14th to the 20th century, from the Fantasy to the Fancy!

Music was performed through out the night by the musical stylings of Chastine BaneJones (Don’t Tempt Me Frodo), Eddenwulf (Eored of the Eastmark), Everdir, Tourmalien Bracegiirdle (Concerning Hobbits), Merlinor and Cellindis Melui, Prindle Greenfeet (Dolwood Tavern) and yours truly! We were also graced with the voice of Dolwood Tavern’s very own Berianreth.

Q&A Interview

Do have these open nights where you advertise to the public? When do you usually start?

Our normal days are Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:00 – Midnight, EDT — People can request to use the Dolwood other nights and we will open and bring staff in for the event.

Do you host any kind of scheduled events? And if so, what are they?

Yes: Ales and Tales, plus bands; Animal House, EMS, NorthStar

Do you cater as a venue for private events?

Yes

If there is one thing you would like players to know about your event/tavern to get them interested coming, what would it be?

Days we have no band playing the floor is open to anyone that wished to entertain the guests.

Do you have a facebook page or website for the Tavern? and if so, what are the URLs?

https://www.facebook.com/TheDolwoodTavern, web page is still in the working.

Want a story written about your music concert, rp tavern, or other happenings in the LOTRO music community on your specific server? Send an email to fortemaestro@gmail.com.

Rocking at Ministock V

The Bands — courtesy of Floradine Strongfoot

In preparation for all the funny business that goes into putting on Weatherstock V, the largest player gathering in all of The Lord of the Rings Online, the Lonely Mountain Band hosts of the event puts on a show apply named, Ministock. Today marked when the bands performing at Weatherstock get together and head to Weatherstock to run through “mic checks”, rehearsals and other necessary preparations for the coming larger show.

Before heading up to Weathertop, bands and spectators alike gathered at The Forsaken Inn for some needed rest and getting their minds prepared for the feat and trek ahead of them. Unfortunately, the staging area was raided by a whole next of snakes! It sent everyone running and screaming for the Bree hills! Alright…it was just one, no one went running and Lilikate said it was “supposedly” harmless. But, it still freaked me out!

With a grand welcoming ceremony, Harperella of the Lonley Mountain Band invited each of the performing bands up to be introduced to the crowd. Many were returning, and a few were coming to perform for the first time! Unfortunately, a few of the bands could not make it to Ministock, but they will be appearing at Weatherstock itself. 9 out of 11 bands at Ministock isn’t such a bad turn out!

Mounting up, nearly 100 band members, concert vendors, stagehands, staff and spectators made their trek to the peak of Weathertop looming over head. With bands forming up together and everyone taking the trek albeit a few people running who either got bucked off their horses, or lost them in a dice game, everyone headed along the distant ridge under the fading sun of the Lone Lands.

With a quick stop for a photo op, bands and concert crew alike gathered to immortalize the moment.With the trek continuing and the sun dipping below the horizon, the mass of music lovers wound their way up the Weather pass beneath the bright moonlight as it cast its beautiful ambient light upon the riders.

As the night began, and the festivities commenced, the Weatherstock theme was performed during the opening ceremonies. The bands began their concert with an ever growing delight! As this is to be a dress rehearsal for the coming Weatherstock, bands took the stage and performed. Mic checks (checking sound and distances) were underway as vendors passed out drink and tobacco for the onlookers to enjoy as the stars cast their sparkling shine upon everyone. With the magic of music aloft in the night sky, everyone danced, drank and listened to their favorite music performed by their favorite musicians!

ScreenShot00194 — **Lonely Mountain Band** performs the Weatherstock theme song

“**Animal House**” from the Laurelin return again this year. Yes, as seen through foggy drunken eyes! Thanks Anthemisa!

“**Die Meisterbarden von Bree**” performs Ghost Riders of the Sky beneath the “Great Bear” constellation as it loomed over head

“**Mornie Alantie**” from Belegaer play a tune from “Faun Andro”

The one and only “**Flock of Smeogols**“

A bear even tries to eat the “**Lonely Mountain Band**!” SECURITY! What a concert this is turning out to be!

“**Runic Knights Orchestra**” rock the Top!

Between a Rock and a Hard Place — “**A Rock and a Hard Place**” from Dwarrowdelf takes the stage,just as a storm begins rolling in.

“**Chosen Few**” perform during Ministock’s Battle of the Bands practice

Security — Let us not forget security doing what they do best. Protecting the concert attendees.

Weatherstock is the largest player ran event in LOTRO history ranking up to 500+ players listening to 11 bands for 4+ hours on Landrovol. Find out everything you want about it at the W eatherstock website.

Want a story written about your music concert, rp tavern, or other happenings in the LOTRO music community on your specific server? Send an email to fortemaestro@gmail.com.