When my old band decided it was time to call it a day after 3 decades of gigs I confess I felt a little bereft. Were my days of making music over – if a tree falls in the forest and nobody hears it, does it make a sound? That question and other existential queries may have perhaps entered my thoughts but my memory actually says I had a look at what might be around on U3A. U3A?

The University of the Third Age, is an international movement whose aims are the education and stimulation of mainly retired members of the community — those in their third ‘age’ of life. There is no universally accepted model for the U3A. Its original conception in France as an extramural university activity was significantly modified in the United Kingdom where it was recognised that most people of retirement age have something to contribute and the emphasis has been on sharing, without formal educational links. So says Wikipedia.

I found a local band and joined. Having started life as a dyslexic blues harmonica player (blues harmonica seemed easy to play without having to read music or understand musical theory). I loved playing in a blues rock band but as that folded I joined an Irish music band an old video of Diaspora ( the band) still exists. I’d learnt to play the bodhran (Irish drum) and gradually I took on the role of lead guitar.

With 20 + new numbers (mainly late 50s and to 70s) to learn which were entirely different to the past few ‘Irish’ decades its been a challenge, but its worked well enough to play live again and get some nice feedback. More importantly its forced me to think afresh, move out of a decades old comfort zone, meet and work with new people.

Creative Acts Never Stop.

I’m going to recommend The Artists Way For Retirement in this post as a good prompter for your thoughts and would love your feedback.

Or Waterstones

Or your local bookstore

What are your creative acts?