February 2, 2012 - It turned out to be a convergence of old friends and new when Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps’ EWT School hosted a “Multi-Generational Music Event” as part of the first Holyoke Winter Carnival.

Old friends included the opening act, Ray Mason, the revered singer-songwriter was making his third appearance at the school. The first time he played there were twelve attendees. This time, five times that many. 

During his set, Ray told a couple of stories about his days growing up in the housing projects of Holyoke. He recounted a story of going to Sears with friends just to smell the guitar cases that they had no money to buy. Fifty years later he was back in his hometown playing his battered guitar that he paid 20 bucks for years ago to an audience filled with curious teens-some from the same housing projects of Holyoke. 

Another friend in attendance was Gretchen, the mom of one of EWT School student and a regular at the TWE music events held at the School each month. At a previous show, where her son performed a moving rendition of the Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, Gretchen exclaimed that she had not had so much fun in months. 

The trio Carpe Diem was invited back for their second appearance at EWT School and they did not disappoint. Guitarist Ray Cruz, his bass-playing brother Anthony and drummer/singer Luis Robles deftly mixed in covers of Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog” and Santana’s “Soul Sacrifice” with a handful of rocking originals. 

The Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps’ South Hadley Girls Treatment Program came to EWT School for the third time. The group was bearing, as always, homemade cupcakes and brownies as well as their contagious enthusiasm. This was a special event for one of their members, Kara. She sang for the audience beautifully, a-cappella with her partner Excendia. This time around at the South Hadley table was her mom and family members who were there to celebrate her going home after the show.

The show ended in what has now become a tradition- with some spirited hip-hop from our old friend and EWT student “Scream”, who dragged his pal Zach onstage for some joyous free-style rapping that gave everyone a boost of energy to take them home, along with some fond memories and new friends.