B Street: The Notorious Playground of Coulee Dam

8. Show Business

8 SHOW BUSINESS J ulian loved music and practiced on his Dobro guitar as often as he could, whenever he was not working at the Woo Dip restaurant. After he had left the Philippines and was living in Honolulu, he learned to play a variety of stringed instruments. Later, he became a professional musician while he was living in Seattle’s Chinatown. He joined an all-Filipino orchestra of thirty musicians who played only stringed instruments. They were always in demand at certain clubs in the Seattle area. Some would travel in smaller groups to Alaska and perform for other Filipinos who worked in the fish canneries. Julian remembered fondly those good but hard days before he was married. He remembered when he had traveled east of the mountains to Spokane and farther east to Wallace, Idaho, where he worked as a salesman for the Turner Music Store, selling guitars and ukuleles. The store’s owner was the father of Lana Turner, the famous movie star. As Julian practiced, he thought of his two children, Lawney and Luana. He was pleased that they had adjusted to their new home on B Street and were always eager to test new ground with no complaint . He trusted his children’s ability to navigate B Street. He knew 94 that he could depend on their friendships with many of the women and workingmen. Julian was comfortable with these thoughts, knowing that his children were safe. It made life much easier for him and Mary as they worked to build a business to support the family. The children were well behaved. They were never a problem . He was pleased and very proud of them. One day, Julian decided it was time to teach his four-year-old how to play a stringed instrument. Julian loved Hawaiian music, which he had learned to play in Honolulu, and he felt he must pass this knowledge on to his son. The ukulele would be first, and after that, he would concentrate on the guitar. He had purchased two Dobro guitars and a ukulele, and he treasured all three.Years earlier, before the children were born, Julian had taught Mary how to chord, and she had sometimes accompanied him on the second guitar as he played the steel. He thought that, with instruction, his son could do this, too. The next day, Julian began lessons. He taught Lawney the elementary fingering positions on the ukulele. Within a few weeks, Lawney could accompany his father on simple Hawaiian songs. Julian was pleased to see his son learning so quickly. Lawney had inherited his father’s feel for timing and ear for melody. Julian sensed that his son had inherited some of his ability to understand and appreciate music. It wouldn’t be long before Lawney would be able to play on his own. While shopping for groceries one day, Mary noticed a small Hawaiian grass skirt for sale in a pawnshop. She thought that the skirt would fit two-year-old Luana if it was trimmed and the waistline was altered. Mary knew her daughter was very bright and had understanding beyond her years. Mary bought the grass skirt and made the necessary adjustments SHOW BUSINESS 95 so that Luana could wear it. Luana was delighted with the unusual skirt. She did not know what it was for, but it felt good. The skirt made swishing sounds as she twirled. Mary was devising a plan. She retrieved two Hawaiian leis that had been packed away and shortened them to fit the children. She put the leis around their necks and stepped back to admire them. She was satisfied with their outfits. With more practice, they would be ready to perform. Mary decided that if Luana could learn to dance, Lawney could accompany her on the ukulele. People would enjoy watching the children perform as she and Julian once had, when they appeared in the towns of Kettle Falls, Marcus, Meyers Falls, and Colville. She smiled as she remembered her stage name, Aloha, and recalled dancing the hula Julian had taught her as he played the steel guitar. The audiences in those small towns had appreciated the Hawaiian music, and the two had enjoyed performing for them. She remembered that those were carefree and happy times, before the children were born. Early each morning, before the restaurant opened, Julian and Mary spent time teaching their children...