GLOBALFEST: Groundbreaking international music festival and a volunteer run non-profit organization dedicated to foster cultural exchange. globalFEST’s mission is cultural, social and political. It aims to bring down boundaries between countries and create cultural opportunities for individual artists and for governments, sponsors, scholars and critics to collaborate. Tours and cultural exchanges that result from globalFEST¹s showcases have helped to build an ever widening audience for world music and, by extension an increase in international cooperation and collaboration.
30th Next Wave Festival: returning for its 30th season, presenting an array of contemporary performance, artist talks, storytelling, visual art, and film that showcases work by emerging artists and innovative modern masters.
CONCERTS
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
($18-$25) Joseph Arthur & Vernon Reid @ City Winery
($20) Nigel Hall Band (Phish/Mule After-Party) @ The Blue Note
($25) Rusted Root @ Stage 48
($40-$75) Chris Botti @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
(Free) Brooklyn Shakedown w/ Nutritious @ Bembe (Late Night Set)
($10-$12) New York Funk Exchange w/ Jane Lee Hooker @ Mercury Lounge
($20) The Louis Armstrong Centennial Band @ Birdland
($35) “A Love Supreme” Azar Lawrence Quintet featuring Eddie Henderson @ Smoke Jazz & Supper Club-Lounge (7pm, 9pm, 10:30 sets)Sets)
($40-$75) Chris Botti @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)
Thursday, January 3, 2013
($5-$8) DJ ?uestlove Presents Bowl Train @ Brooklyn Bowl (late night set)
($22) Howie Day @ City Winery
($35) “A Love Supreme” Azar Lawrence Quintet featuring Eddie Henderson @ Smoke Jazz & Supper Club-Lounge (7pm, 9pm, 10:30 sets)
($40-$70) New York Philharmonic @ Avery Fisher Hall
($40-$75) Chris Botti @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)
Friday, January 4, 2013
($8) Electic Method @ Knitting Factory
($22) Howie Day @ City Winery
($30) John Abercrombie Quartet @ Jazz Standard
($40-$70) New York Philharmonic @ Avery Fisher Hall
($40-$75) Chris Botti @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)
Saturday, January 5, 2013
($8-$10) Ikebe Shakedown @ Cameo Gallery
($20) Maurice Brown @ Ginny’s Supper Club (2 Sets)
($30) John Abercrombie Quartet @ Jazz Standard
($40-$70) New York Philharmonic @ Avery Fisher Hall
($40-$75) Chris Botti @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)
Sunday, January 6, 2013
($20) Earth, Wind & Fire @ B.B. King Blues Club and Grill (Celebrating 40 Years)
($25) John Abercrombie Quartet @ Jazz Standard
($30) Arturo O’Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra @ Birdland
($40) Harlem Gospel Choir Brunch @ B.B. King Blues Club and Grill
($40-$75) Chris Botti @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)
Monday, January 7, 2013
($8) Jim Campilongo @ The Living Room
($8) “Bowling for Justice”: A Residency with Leroy Justice @ The Brooklyn Bowl
($10) Charlie Hunter @ The Living Room
($10) Alecia Chakour Band: First Mondays @ Rockwood Music Hall
Join Alecia Chakour, Neal Evans, Sam Cohen, Alex Chakour, Miles Arntzen, Cochemea Gastelum and friends on the first Monday of every month at Rockwood Music Hall for their unique take on rock n’ soul…
($18-$22) Diane Birch @ City Winery
($25) “Mingus Mondays” w/ Mingus Orchestra @ The Jazz Standard
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
($15) The London Souls @ The Bowery Ballroom
($18-$22) Diane Birch @ City Winery
($20-$35) Donald Harrison, Ron Carter & Billy Cobham Trio @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)
($30-$35) Johnny Winter – The 3rd Annual Winter in Winter Residency @ B. B. Kings Blues Club
($40-$60) Nas with Anthony Decurtis @ Kaufmann Concert Hall, 92 Street Y
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
(Free) Brooklyn Shakedown w/ Nutritious @ Bembe (Late Night Set)
($20-$35) Donald Harrison, Ron Carter & Billy Cobham Trio @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)
($25) Robert Glasper and Friends @ S.O.B.’s
($25) Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio @ Jazz Standard (2 sets)
($25-$30) Shuggie Otis, People Get Ready, Ofei, Joshua Nelson, & DJ Kool Herc @ Highline Ballroom
Thursday, January 10, 2013
($5-$8) DJ ?uestlove Presents Bowl Train @ Brooklyn Bowl (late night DJ set)
($10) Jamie McLean Band @ Rockwood Music Hall (10:15pm slot)
($10-$13) Adam Ezra Group @ Mercury Lounge
($20-$35) Donald Harrison, Ron Carter & Billy Cobham Trio @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)
($25) Robert Glasper & Friends @ SOB’s
Friday, January 11, 2013(Biggest Musical Day of the Month)
(FREE) Zongo Junction @ Rockwood Music Hall (11:45pm slot)
($7) Klezwoods @ Spike Hill
($10) Spanglish Fly @ NuBlu
($10-$13) Apollo Run w/ Midnight Spin @ Mercury Lounge
($15) Slick Rick: The Ruler @ Brooklyn Bowl
($15-$18) Snarky Puppy @ Rockwood Music Hall (10pm slot)
($15-$20) APAP Showcase w/ The Iguanas, Mia Borders, Colin Lake & Sasha Masakowski @ Hill Country
($20-$25) Big Sam’s Funky Nation, The Stooges Brass Band, Mia Borders, Christian Scott Sextet & Flow Tribe @ The Cutting Room
($20-$35) Donald Harrison, Ron Carter & Billy Cobham Trio @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)
($25-$30) Alan Doyle (of Great Big Sea), The Dunwells, & Amy Helm @ B. B. Kings Blues Club
($30) Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio @ Jazz Standard
($35) Marcus Strickland & TWI-LIFE @ Sullivan Hall (2013 NYC Winter Jazzfest)
Featuring: Cecil Taylor, DJ Questlove, AYO, Guy Davis, Gregoire Maret, THE DUST RAYS featuring Kirk Douglas & Mark Kelley of the Roots & Ricc Sheridan from Earl Greyhound & Surprise Special Guests
($40-$50) Betty LaVette @ City Winery
($50-$55) CAKE @ Bowery Ballroom
($50-$90) Morrissey @ Brooklyn Academy of Music
($60) David Murray Big Band featuring Macy Gray @ The Iridium
Saturday, January 12, 2013
($10) Stooges Brass Band @ Brooklyn Bowl
($20) Arturo O’Farrill Trio @ Ginny’s Supper Club
($20-$35) Ramsey Lewis & John Pizzarelli @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)
($30) Dr. Lonnie Smith “In The Beginning” Octet @ Jazz Standard
($30-$40) Paula Cole, Kris Allen, Brother Joscephus and the Love Revolution, Teitur, Leroy Bell and his Only Friends @ City Winery
($40) Bettye LaVette @ Joe’s Pub
($45-$75) Roberta Flack @ St. George Theatre
($60) David Murray Big Band featuring Macy Gray @ The Iridium
($68-$92) Def Squad and Method Man @ Hammerstein Ballroom
Soulive members, the rhythmic Evans brothers Neal and Alan and guitarist Eric Krasno transformed The Brooklyn Bowl from a guitar god’s wet dream to a world of funk and Beatle Mania on the third night of Bowlive III.
However, before the show could start, there were a few adventures I went on that I would like to share. The most silly adventure was first. On Jam Cruise this year, a girl named Harmony held a pet adoption with stuffed animals (mostly sheep) of varying styles and sizes. What first occurred at The Catskill Chill Music Festival on a small scale last summer had now made it’s way to the Jam Cruise world on a large scale. As a result, musicians and their children, like New Orleans trombonist Big Sam (Big Sam’s Funky Nation) and Marco Benevento‘s daughter Ruby, adopted animals. Big Sam adopted a sheep and named her…what else? Harmony!
What’s with the stuffed animals, you ask?
Front row rage with Jessica, Laurie and LUCY!
Jam Cruisers and their animals were all over the Bowlive scene during the ten day residency but Big Sam is the only artists who engaged in the enjoyment of his adopted pet publicly. Before the show, I was with a friend who had brought her lamb, Lucy. We ran into Big Sam and asked about Harmony. He had her in a plastic bag in his hand. Right then and there, Harmony was brought out and Lucy and she “played” and “danced” a bit together before Big Sam took Harmony backstage! Over the run, Lucy (NY), Smiley-Face (MD), Harmony (NOLA), Fluffy (VA) and Jimmy (NJ) would make their way from various parts of America with their adoptive parents to enjoy Bowlive shows from the front row. Big Sam’s Harmony, however, was the only one who engaged in the back stage rage and got to dance on stage. Enjoy the clip:
At the end of the day, this new vein within our scene is representative of the curiosity and connection that we all posses and/or seek. Just as The Karma Wash and Fan Club Headquarters are relevant, so is this fun idea. Amazingly, lots of people have mascots and the addition of this adoption program has spawned multiple mascot meetups and adoptive front row rages around our scene. Be sure to look for a stuffed sheep or mascot near you and share a dance 🙂
Neal Evans (Photo by Phrazz)
The previous two evenings, the trio infused their sounds with special guest southern slide guitarist Luther Dickinson and jazz great John Scofield. On this night, Karl Denson (Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe), Sam Williams (Big Sam’s Funky Nation), and Rahzel (The Roots) graced the stage with their flute and saxophone, trombone and beat boxing, respectively.
The organ-based jazz trio kicked off their set with “Steppin,” off their 2010 Live at the Blue Note Tokyo album and “Uncle Junior,” 2007 Get Downalbum. As the three core leaders of Bowlive, they immediately established that there would be no slowing down. By the middle of “Aladdin,” all three men on stage were fully invested. Krasno was taking his solos at the edge of the stage, sometimes rising onto his toes, while Neal Evans dominated the song with his bass keys and organ play and Alan Evans slammed his drums with ferocity.
Karl Denson (Photo by Phrazz)
Karl Denson was announced as the audience was told that he “just got off a plane and walked on this stage.” Karl Denson is one of the hardest working musicians in the business and his passion for his craft drips off every note he plays. He is a fast, funky band leader who is always consistent in his delivery. “The Swamp” and “Rudy’s Way” followed with Denson choosing to add his flute to the beautifully composed songs. The addition of Karl’s flute to the sound of our favorite trio added another dimension of emotion to the songs. They continued with “Shaheed,” off their 2001 albumDoin’ Something where Karl’s flute provided a softness to the hard-edged song. Krasno raged his guitar till the strings broke and had to change to a new guitar and Neal Evans kicked a drum solo into the audience’s guts.
Alan Evans, Karl Denson, Big Sam, Eric Krasno & Nigel Hall (Photo by Phrazz)
Joining the foursome on stage next was Nigel Hall (The Warren Haynes Band) and Sam Williams (Big Sam’s Funky Nation). There can be no doubt that the danceable and excitable energy that Big Sam brings is something you can’t find in many artists. The New Orleans native, formerly the trombonist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, danced out on stage with his horn, picked up a stage prop that he had brought (his stuffed sheep named Harmony) and began to dance all around the stage. Nigel and Big Sam began grooving it together and the entire audience couldn’t help but beam over the energy of it all. These are serious performances but it’s ALWAYS appropriate to have a good time and with just his presence; Big Sam will lift any crowd. The powerhouse of funk on stage slowed the rage down for the soulful, “Leave Me Alone,” sung by Hall. Karl Denson changed to his saxophone and kicked us a lightning fast solo to end the set.
Rage (Photo by Phrazz)
Rahzel Set Break Set (Photo by Phrazz)
Straying from the formula of the first two nights, during this set break the audience would not be staring at an empty stage waiting for the first set to start. Instead, Beat Boxer Rahzel, the “Godfather of Noyze,” came out to keep them engaged. Watching the audience react to this amazing addition to the night was almost as exciting as watching Rahzel. Specialize in the “fifth element of hip-hop,” Rahzel’s instrument is himself and a microphone. He is a vocal percussionist who uses his breath, mouth and body to imitate sounds, instruments and voices. He projected unmistakable beats from the Wu-Tang Clan and Run DMC. He became a DJ scratching records, created a buzzing insect around his head and brought Optimus Prime (Transforms) to life on stage with his robotic sounds. His signature song, “If Your Mother Only Knew” is always the highlight of a Rahzel performance. Rahzel simultaneously sings the lyrics and works the beats. It is quite difficult to even comprehend how Rahzel does what he does! AMAZING!
Rubber Soulive Album
Before Beatle Mania could kick off the first set, Soulive joined Rahzel on stage and performed “I Am the Magnificent” and it was just that, magnificent. The entire first half of the second set consisting of songs chosen off Soulive’s latest album, Rubber Soulive. “Come Together,” “Eleanor Rigby,” and I Want You (She’s So Heavy).” The audience sang along to the first song while the psychedelic lights and trippy sounds emanating off stage for “She’s So Heavy” was reinvented through the jazz trio.
Karl Denson, Big Sam, Nigel Hall and Lenesha Randolph (Photo by Phrazz)
Questlove (Photo by Phrazz)
Big Sam, Karl Denson, Nigel Hall and now, Lenesha Randolph (Robert Randolph and the Family Band) joined the stage for “Too Much.” Randolph and Hall sang the up-beat tune while Karl and Big Sam took their turn at the mic delivering some of the hardest, funkiest horn solos that Bowlive audiences will experience this run. They kept up the pace with Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” and Questlove (The Roots) replacing Alan Evans, who picked up a guitar.
Full Stage Rage (Photo by Phrazz)
The entire crew of Soulive and their special guests kicked off the end of the set with “Tuesday Night Squad.” Big Sam dominated a 3 minute long trombone rage, Alan was back on killin it on the drums, Nigel was on the Bongos before heading over to Neal where the pair did a little dance, if you will, shifting back and forth past each other to manipulate the various levels of keys that Neal’s kit provides. Hall sang James Brown’s “Beweildered,” a deep, soulful song that required Nigel to reach the top of his range, and then he walked off stage. It was back into “Tuesday Night Squad” to close the set.
Nigel and Neal Rage the Boards (Photo by Phrazz)
There was never really an encore because every musician on stage was so into the music and feeling the audience’s energy that they chose to just play through and give their fans that extra five minutes of music that every audience desires.
In three days Bowlive III had now brought us jazz, soul, psychedelic rock, New Orleans funk, hip-hop and southern-style blues in only three nights. The following evening, the party continued with Karl Denson sticking around for a second night and Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band) joining with her funky trumpet and soulful voice.
($27.50) Jim Weider’s Project Percolator w/ Garth Hudson @ Iridium Jazz Club
($30-$64) Interpol @ Radio City Music Hall
($32-$112) Branford Marsalis w/ New York Philharmonic (Classical) @ Avery Fisher Hall
Friday, February 18th, 2011
($10-$12) Melvin Seals and Jerry Garcia Band @ Brooklyn Bowl
($15) Big Gigantic @ Bowery Ballroom
($15) Charlie Hunter Duo & Daniel Bennett Group @ Triad Lounge (A Jazz Benefit Concert for Abingdon Theatre Company)
($20-$35) Pat McGee Band @ City Winery
($30-$88) Branford Marsalis w/ New York Philharmonic (Classical) @ Avery Fisher Hall
($30) Dr. Dog @Terminal 5
($30) Buster Williams @ Iridium Jazz Club
($30) Mingus Big Band @ The Jazz Standard
($50-$150) John Mellencamp @ Radio City Music Hall
Saturday, February 19th, 2011
(Free) West African Band @ St. Nicks, Harlem
($10-$12) Melvin Seals and Jerry Garcia Band @ Brooklyn Bowl
($12-$15) Orgone @ Sullivan Hall
($30) Bill Frisell & Vinicius Cantuaria @ Le Possion Rouge
($30-$42) Big Head Todd and The Monsters @ Irving Plaza
($30-$60) Slightly Stoopid @ Hammerstein Ballroom
($30) Mingus Big Band @ Jazz Standard
($30) Buster Williams @ Iridium Jazz Club
($37-$115) Branford Marsalis w/ New York Philharmonic (Classical) @ Avery Fisher Hall
($50-$150) John Mellencamp @ Radio City Music Hall
Sunday, February 20th, 2011
($5-$15) Zen Tricksters @ Brooklyn Bowl (Wetland’s Benefit)
($25) Mingus Big Band @ The Jazz Standard
($30) Allen Toussaint @ Joe’s Pub
($30) Buster Williams @ Iridium Jazz Club
($30) Chico O’Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra @ Birdland
Monday, February 21th, 2011
($8) Jim Campilongo @ The Living Room
($25) Mingus Orchestra @ The Jazz Standard
($55-$200) Lady Gaga & The Scissor Sisters @ Madison Square Garden
Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011
($5) The Constellations @ Brooklyn Bowl
($12) Post-Trey Anastasio Show w/ Wyllys and The New York Hustler Ensemble @ B.B. Kings Blues Club
($45) A Very Special Acoustic & Electric Evening with Trey Anastasio and TAB @ Terminal 5
($55-$200) Lady Gaga & The Scissor Sisters @ Madison Square Garden
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011
(Free) Nigel Hall Residency @ Rockwood Music Hall
($10) Apollo Run / David Rogue @ Mercury Lounge
($40-$100) David Gray @ The Beacon Theater
($75-$90) Meat Loaf @ Irving Plaza
Thursday, February 24th, 2011
($10-$12) Bustle In Your Hedgerow Featuring Joe Russo, Marco Benevento, Dave Driewitz and Scott Metzger @ Brooklyn Bowl
($15) Leroy Justice @ The Canal Room
($30-$300) Bon Jovi @ Madison Square Garden
($30) Girltalk @ Terminal 5
($70) Itzhak Perlman @ Metropolitan Museum of Art
Friday, February 25th, 2011
($10-$12) Bustle In Your Hedgerow Featuring Joe Russo, Marco Benevento, Dave Driewitz and Scott Metzger @ Brooklyn Bowl
($55-$65) Smokin’ Jazz Sessions: Taj Mahal Trio @ Lincoln Center
Saturday, February 26th, 2011
(Free) West African Band @ St. Nicks, Harlem (Late Night)
($15) Nels Cline Singers & ROVA perform The Celestial Septet @ Le Possion Rouge
($20) Post Galactic/Trombone Shorty Show with Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk @ Sullivan Hall
($30-$40) Mardi Gras Madness Galactic / Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue with Special Guests Corey Glover (of Living Colour) / Cyril Neville / Corey Henry (Rebirth Brass Band) / Ivan Neville plus High and Mighty Brass Band @ Terminal 5
($100-$250) New York Celebrates George Harrison Feat. Roberta Flack @ New York Society for Ethical Culture
($75) Smokin’ Jazz Sessions: Taj Mahal Trio @ Lincoln Center/Allen Room
Sunday, February 27th, 2011
($10-$12) Julia Easterlin, Flearoy, Sammy Miller and The Congregation, The Whiskey Collection, Jonathan Batiste @ The Knitting Factory
($30) Chico O’Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra @ Birdland
There are music festivals and then there is Jam Cruise!! A musical festival on a cruise ship that travels international seas for 5 to 6 days. I said it last year and I will say it again now. IT IS THE GREATEST MUSICAL ADVENTURE anyone can take.
Last year, I was at a complete loss for words. It was my Virgin Cruise and I was awestruck by the magnitude of what I had just experienced. Considering this was my second year, I thought the hype would be just a bit dimmer, I figured I would be a little less anxious and calm. Nope!
Even now, while I could burst at the seams ATTEMPTING to explain these EPIC musical journeys, I find it so hard figuring out where to start. It’s all so unbelievable. I could tackle these articles by day, or perhaps by subject regarding the atmosphere, the music or the people and so much more. I could write a five page article just on the relationship cultivations that took place this year. There is just so much!!! And the fact that I only slept about 10-12 hours over the span of 5 days gives me an arsenal of memories to pull from.
Jam Cruise 9 Website Banner
Last year Tinyrager.com didn’t exist as it’s own site. I wrote for other sites but mainly for my own personal cataloging of memories and would just save the documents on my computer. So, after last year’s Jam Cruise, I began writing out my adventure and I never made it past the Sail Away Party.
My life took off before I could finish my personal Jam Cruise manifesto. But I did make an attempt and the end result was all the glorious details about the embarkation line to the ship, the embarkation process, what happened when I explored the boat stumbling across the various venues and checking into my room with the gift bags and what not. I wrote about everything I could remember up until the Sail Away Party….and then I stopped.
This year, I am going to continue where I left off at the Sail Away Party with a few backtracking steps. There is no need for me to re-write the exact same information about the boat for this article. If you would like to know about all the things listed above then CLICK HERE! The article is totally relevant to this one and worth the read and would help cement your mind if you are still debating on getting on the boat. Jam Cruise staff actually found it last year and blasted it over their page a few times due to the comprehensive nature of the article. So, enjoy that! It’s got great pictures too!
Now, let’s get this party started!!!
Hello Pretty Ship (Photo by Murray)
~ Boarding & Pre-Sail Away ~
Within MINUTES, sooooo much can happen to you on Jam Cruise. This year, I boarded the boat in what felt like 15 minutes but was really a little over/under an hour. As we get our room keys and begin the walk into the ship, I gaze to my right and Bob Weir is standing next to me. He pulled himself from the line and leans against the wall looking dazed, confused and very skinny. Had he been standing by us the whole time and we been too excited to notice? He didn’t have an entourage and he looked so frail I guess it’s possible. As my friends and I realized the magnitude of this moment, we all said “Hello Bob!” and he flashed us a forced smile. I couldn’t tell if he was happy or sad but I knew how we felt! FREAKING STOKED!!!
A few more feet through the line and we were shuffled into the section where you get your boarding pictures taken. You could purchase the pictures for $30 if you wanted, but whoa that is a lot. However, in the group behind us, Steve Kimock jumped into the picture. Now THAT is a $30 moment worth purchasing!! And there you had another group of people whose minds were just blown and we hadn’t even made it on the boat yet. Sadly, my hunt for these pictures has come to a dead end. They are gone once you leave the ship.
The NYC Krewe + some before all hell broke loose 🙂 (Photo By Murray)
I was in line with two of my best friends from NYC and we were in different rooms. Once we boarded the boat we separated so I could take my luggage to my room and unpack as fast as possible as not to miss a moment. I was wearing my Big Sam’s Funky Nation tee-shirt, READY for the Sail Away Party. READY to see my main man Big Sam. As I step into the mirrored elevator with my luggage, I was covered by this giant shadow of a man who had followed behind me. And as I turn around, I am embraced by none other than Big Sam. Having reached out to me after he saw one of my reviews of his show, he flashed a smile that melted me as I got a huge hug! What a super duper dude! I will have TONS to say about him later in these articles.
(Photo by Jeffery Dupuis)
Last year I was in the Singles Program. The layout of my room this year was exactly like last year except that I was now with two friends I had met on my virgin cruise: Aaron and Victoria, a super cute Jam Cruise couple who completely enhanced my journey. Thank you both for being such wonderful roommates. I entered an empty room and unpacked as fast as I could. When I walked out of my room, I just didn’t know which way to turn. There were SO many people I wanted to see who I hadn’t seen since last year’s journey and whose relationship was cultivated through Facebook over the year as we waited patiently to all be together again. There was so much I wanted to do all in one moment but I knew where I needed to be. This year, I had a krewe from NYC on the boat and one of them was a virgin, my dear sweet friend Jessica. I wanted to see their room and be with her. I just wanted to watch her take it all in because that must have been what I was like last year with my jaw on the ground.
Jam Cruise is over but we know that time will last forever. From the minute I walked into 10242 there was nothing but LOVE. Jessica who I’vereally never met treated me (and everyone) like I was a saint or angel or something. We constructed the door decor (bonding) and the RAGE was on ! Off to Eric’s to gather the troops and start the search for the bottom of the tequilla bottle. A short time later we were off to the pool deck to find the angel Karen has been talking about: Hillary! ~ Murray Ballz
~ Door Décor Competition ~
Sharon & Said's Decor!! (Photo by Richmand Images)
As I entered their room, the faces looking at me were already more shiny and sparkly then when we had left in line. The Jam Cruise blood was flowing through their veins. Their room was bigger with a balcony. It’s always good for SOMEONE in your rage krewe to have a balcony! They had taken out all the makings for their door décor and were attempting to assemble it. Their concept was beautiful. Using pictures of multiple artists and groups that inspired them, along with artists that couldn’t make it on the boat as well as pictures of allllllll our friends and families who couldn’t make it on the boat, we were to create a collage covering the door and then we placed a mirror in the middle. On the mirror’s top it read: “We are all on board together.” On the mirror’s bottom: “And so are you!” So, that when you look into the mirror, everyone is together, connected somehow on board together. I loved it!
A typical hallway on Jam Cruise (Photo by Chad Smith)
(Photo by Murray)
We spent a few hours cutting pictures, tapping things. The rest of our NY posse rolling through the room to say Hi and get the best hugs in the world. This also began the utilization of the deck for party breaks which, as time passed, began making it hard for us to focus and use tape correctly HAHAHA!! The mirror began messing with my head; Rob couldn’t roll a piece of tape to save his life! It was awesome! Oh, you should have seen it.
During this time, the magic of the boat presented itself to us with the introduction of Rob and Jess’s neighbors. When we ran out of tape, they came right in for the rescue. When we needed writing done for the mirror, they were right there with a solution and Maker’s Mark on the rocks. No matter what you want, you get what you NEED on Jam Cruise! From masking tape to enlightenment.
Putting "our" door decor!! (Photo by Murray)
The final product was perfect. A door COVERED with people and musicians we love that couldn’t be on the boat with us, yet they were, even if it was only in this small way. Throughout the week, any number of our NYC posse could be found sitting on the floor starting at our door. Staring at our loved ones, staring at Jerry and Janis. Personally, I was found passed out with my hand on the picture of myself and my boyfriend on the first night and was guided back to bed for what would be the only night I would sleep in my cabin!!!
And in terms of what door enhanced my JC experience the most?? Door number #9211. This door was covered in 3D pictures from last year’s Jam Cruise. There were numerous 3D glasses attached to the wall by string so you could see the pictures. It just got cooler every time I saw it. And at one point, I didn’t even NEED the glasses to see it in 3D. So, anyway, TINYRAGER award to Room #9211 for making us go OUT of our way at least 2 times a day to check out your door!
Forum Party/ Sharon's Birthday Rage! (Photo by Rex-A-Vision)
Once we finished the door we realized that we missed the forum party on the pool deck. They had gathered to give Sharon R. a proper Happy Birthday. I am so sorry I missed this Sharon! Love you! And now…it was time for the Sail Away Party!!!
Jam Cruise Day One Schedule!!
~ Big Sam’s Funky Nation / Sail Away Party ~ Pool Deck ~
Photo By Rex-A-Vision
The wonderful Julie McCoy (Photo by Chad Smith)
The Sail Away Party is phenomenal and truly defines the rest of the voyage. Julie McCoy, the ship’s activities coordinator/manager/queen bee, comes on to the stage. Free champagne is distributed amongst the cruisers lining the pool deck and The Captain and Julie McCoy toast us off on our journey. Then the horns blow and you now know…the party has OFFICIALLY begun. As well, Sweet Water Brewery gives out free beer at during this set, wonderful news for the alcohol drinkers, if you like their flavors!
Photo by Rex-A-Vision
I walked to the front row with my friends, toasted, and then stepped away for a moment alone. I was alone on the top level of the Pool deck last year for the beginning of Trombone Shorty’s Sail Away Party and I wanted to be in the similar location and just be alone, connecting with the ship, for a few moments. If you read my post from last year, you know the turmoil I was in before I boarded this magical vessel that changed my world. So, I walked up to my sacred spot, snapped a picture of the amazing sight I was staring at and took one giant breath. Upon exhaling that breath came SO MANY tears, I almost collapsed. The flood gates opened upon the realization that I was back. I was back in this music world; this musical WONDERLAND that completely CHANGED MY LIFE! And this year was going to be SO different than last year.
~ Big Sam Sail Away Party~ Raging Audience Shot from Stage ~
Photo By Rex-A-Vision
After letting the tears flow for 2 songs, I gathered myself, with the help of a few people around me, and went back down to the front row, puffy faced and all smiles. For those of you who don’t know much about the boat or who are not large into the music scene, the front row is where it’s at. I was greeted into the front row where all the best people reside in most musical scenes, let alone Jam Cruise. But I suppose I need to talk about music here at some point right? Wasn’t this a music festival on a ship?
Not so great mobile pic of the View from my "alone" spot (Photo by TinyRager)
I have seen Big Sam numerous times throughout the year. I was worried that his Sail Away party would be the same formulaic shows that I had seen him perform over the year. But that wasn’t the case. Where there was a similar flow to it all, Big Sam covered some great songs, added some new dance moves…they just brought us a new show and the audience ate it right up.
Photo by Rex-A-Vision
During the fourth song, the ship’s debarking horn blew, the pool deck erupted with cheers and we started moving. Immediately, the heavy hitters started joining the party. If nothing else, Jam Cruise is about the various musical combination of artists you can find performing on the boat. You NEVER know who is going to sit in with whom. In this case, Leo Nocentelli (The Meters) joined Big Sam for “Gonna Get Funked Up Tonight” and Fred Wesley (JB Horns) followed for “See Me Dance”.
~ Big Sam Sail Away Party~ Top of Pool Deck Perspective ~
Now, The Funky Nation is know for their ability to rage cover songs as well as create new edgy music. Throughout the set he blew some heat into Gnarls Barkley‘s “Crazy”, The Black Crowes/Otis Redding‘s “Hard To Handle” and their final song of the set was a mash up of Cee Lo Green‘s “Fuck You” and Lady Gaga‘s “Bad Religion”. This moment was special for me because when the song first came out, Josh and I literally blasted that Cee Lo Green song for a month straight every morning while getting ready for work. The song is hilarious and the video is even more so. In this moment, I looked around the pool deck and saw people kinda staring blankly. Except for a few people, they didn’t recognize the song. The entire set lived up to it’s expectations. It was high energy, full of flare and raging rock funk.
Set List:
01. Intro
02. ?? (jam/instrumental)
03. Feelin’
04. King of the Party
05. ?? (instrumental)
06. Gonna Get Funked Up Tonight
07. See Me Dance
08. Big Ole Booty
09. Hard to Handle
10. Do Watcha Wanna > Everybody Needs Someone to Love > You Are My Sunshine tease > ??
11. Dance Floor
12. Up In Here >
13. jam >
14. ?? >
15. Crazy > Get Low >
16. band intros/banter >
17. Fuck You > Bad Romance tease
At this point we had half an hour until any music started. Being that this was the first night, I can’t believe they had lulls but this year’s scheduling seemed to be staggered differently so whatever. Gave us time to debate! The options were:
1) Bob Weir‘s Scaring The Children on the Pool Deck (9:30pm-11:30pm)
Already, my heart was racing with the fact that I knew I would be missing things I didn’t want to miss. This year, I knew I would be spending a significant amount of time the first few days cultivating relationships and so I made a point to schedule the music I loved but also plan to hang out where a large percentage of my Jamily might be.
Most of the performers have two sets over the course of the week so I was ok with missing things here and there and catching them later. In general, the inner turmoil for me over what music to see is the most stress I feel on that ship.
Carlos Felice Theater! (Photo by TinyRager)
I took off for Robert Randolph and the Family Band, riding on a cloud. When I got there, the theater greeted me with all its purple and gold majesty. This is my favorite venue on the ship. Again, you can learn about the ship from last year’s posts. But I will tell ya that the purple and gold colors are beautiful and remind me of my college, there are two levels to rage on, the elevated steps in front of the stage are perfect for our drinks, extra costume accessories like boas, hats and what not. The stairs are also rounded and this allows for a much larger front row throwdown.
I got to the theater and no one was really even in there and the roadies were still setting up. Speaking of cultivating relationships, I met a lovely twin set named Cindy and Mindy, who inevitably raged the front row with the best of us the whole cruise. Rage on ragers. Big hugs to you both!
(Photo by Rex-A-Vision)
~ Robert Randolph and the Family Band ~ Theatro Carlo Felice ~
As I sat there, making new friends, old ones started arriving. Said and Sharon’s smiling face made their way to our side of the theater. (Thanks to Said for the RR&TFB set-list below). Then one by one the Jamily krewe gathered until we were 25+ deep on the left side of the stage. Oh, how I just want to talk about all these lovely people, not the music. It’s insane. But that is not the purpose of this so…
(Photo by Rex-A-Vision)
(Photo by Rex-A-Vision)
Having seen Robert Randolph and the Family Band a few times this year and being disappointed in the performances, I was PRAYING that he would kick it back to his roots and focus on older songs, perhaps melt our faces without playing Lady Gaga tunes to fill time. Perhaps give us some great covers; perhaps show us some great collaborations. And that is exactly what they did.
Blasting off his set with “Ted’s Jam,” he shot me right back to ten years ago when I first found Robert and Danyel at Star Hill in Charlottesville, Virginia. The newest addition to the clan, Lenesha Randolph, was on stage, backing up her brother. I am still weary on her talent. I won’t say anymore regarding that topic.
“The March” is one of my all time favorites Robert debuted years ago. I was right up front with my musical posse and when Robert got off his seat and started dancing for us, we all knew the dance and joined along. He asked us to teach those around us but he was doing a fine job wiggling his body for us….mmmmmm. And Danyel‘s bass thumped away. I am absolutely IN LOVE with Danyel and his voice. Always have been!
“Tears of Joy” brought the blues to an otherwise raging set and my faith in Robert Randolph and his family, however swaying it may have been hours earlier, was restored and his #1 fan was back on top, in the front row, loosing her mind!
Set List:
01. Ted’s Jam
02. ?
03. ?
04. The March
05. ?
06. If I Had My Way
07. Deliver Me
08. I Miss My Girlfriend (Her Name is Molly)
09. Thriller Jam
10. I Need More Love
11. Voodoo Chile
12. Tears of Joy
13. Traveling Shoes
As soon as set ended, I hightailed it to the Pool Deck to check out the remainder of Bob Weir‘s Scaring The Children. I ended up on the upper deck looking down at the sea of Dead heads who were staring doe-eyed at Bobby and Co. The wind was blowing warmly over my body as I realized we were so far from land now I couldn’t see lights.
I gave Bobby as much time as I could before wanting to leave. Personally, I thought it sounded pretty slow and that is not a bad thing, I just needed something more to move to. I wish I could recall the song that was playing. Even though it was tough for me to look at Bobby, as all I could imagine was the scene from Indiana Jones where the guy takes the sip from the wrong chalice and his skin melts off, it appeared that he was giving the people what they wanted. Smiles abounded on the faces below me and I just knew that Jerry was smiling down upon the ship.
(Photo by Jeffrey Dupuis)
So, after Robert Randolph‘s set, we were faced with more difficult choices.
Having just seen Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe numerous time over the past year and just a few days earlier as the Phish After Party on New Years Eve, I decided to skip KDTU on the Pool Deck and focus on the Anders Osborne set.
Performing on same stage as Robert Randolph, the Anders set was going to take a little time to prepare as they transferred over the equipment. I used this time to gather my thoughts, fill up my water bottle and grab a bite to eat. I don’t want to go into the food just yet…too stressful.
(Photo by Michael Weiss)
~ Anders Osborne with Stanton Moore and Carl Dufrene ~ Teatro Carlo Felice ~
(Photo by Dave Vann)
I had missed Anders Osbourne the few times he made his way through NYC the past year and having seen him in the past, I KNEW he would rip up whatever stage he was on with his rouge, wild, rockin’ New Orleans vibe. That is exactly what I was looking for at this time in the evening.
His back up band was a force to be reckoned with. Joining the stage this set was:
This set was complete fire!!! I mean absolutely out of control, rock-laced guitar shredding jams, backed by outrageous solos by Skerik and added guitar layers by way of Scott Metzger and Will Bernard. At the time, it was my favorite set of the night and in hindsight, it is in my top five sets of the week. The inclusion of Skerik‘s hyper-driven saxophone layered upon Anders songs was, well……take a look at this….seriously.
Set List:
1. Tuning
2. Love Is Taking Its Toll
3. Echoes Of My Sins
4. Darkness At The Bottom
5. Burning On The Inside
6. Got Your Heart
7. Me Donkey Want Water
4) AND THE LAST CHOICE!!!! The Jam Room: Hosted by Tony Hall (12:00am – 6:00am)
Now we come to the greatest and grandest part of the Jam Cruise experience. THE JAM ROOM!! Each night, a different musician (generally a guitar player, keys player or bass player) hosts The Jam Room. The Jam Room is a entertainment space located in the rear of the ship where these musicians play host to who ever wants to join them on stage. Sometimes, there are pre-arranged gatherings or sometimes a musician just jumps up for a song and adds to the insanity. Always, there are free jams, group rages and it’s all off the cuff improvisational jamming.
~ The Jam Room with Host Tony Hall ~
(Photo by Rex-A-Vision)
Tonight’s Jam Room host was Tony Hall, New Orlean’s Dumpstaphunk bass player. Tony is one of the most charismatic musicians around. He is always invested in engaging with his audiences, making faces, pulling girls on stage, dancing with the audience. He is one of my favorites in that aspect.
Sadly there is not a lot of footage from the Jam Room to show you. Many Cruisers had already gone to bed to save their strength while others were raging so hard they couldn’t manipulate a camera or video device to save their life. But I can tell you that it was a RIPPING good Jam Room.
It was an epic moment lost on the winds of the ocean and remembered only by those that were present… ~ Ananda Atmore
Tony Hall was backed by many of his bands mates from Dumpstaphunk to include:
There was so much happening on stage there is no way to recall it all. One of the last songs played in the jam room that night was Jimi Hendrix‘s “Hey Joe”. The Lee Boys‘ Roosevelt Collier jumped up on stage and confused the hell out of us as he was only a passenger on the ship thus year! SO FUN when things like that happen. You know it’s a good time when other musicians pay to get on board.
(Photo by Rex-A-Vision)
(Photo by Rex-A-Vision)
Tonight would be the only night that I came back to my room to sleep. The theme one must know and get to embrace on Jam Cruise is: “It’s a marathon, not a sprint!” It appeared that everyone had taken that creed to heart as I wondered around the pool deck wondering where everyone was. Where were the late night jam sessions and/or drum circles on the pool decks? Where was Brock Butler playing his acoustic guitar to the people watching the sunrise.I am sure that they were somewhere, I just never stumbled upon them. It was destiny, however, because after raging the Unofficial Pre-Jam Cruise party at the Days Inn Bahia Cabana Beach Resort the night prior, I was exhausted. I decided to watch the sunrise with my NYC crew and hear how our virgin cruiser Jessica B. had enjoyed her first night.
As I looked over the balcony, lost in the wake of the ship, my friends and I smiled at each other. We watched the wake of the ship hit the tip of the horizon and we knew there was no turning back. We were together on this epic musical journey and there were so many adventures to be had. I took myself to bed around 7am but not before touching the faces of all our family and friends that lined the door decor, wishing they were with us. Sleep was needed as we had a full day at sea tomorrow. I couldn’t wait to see what was in store for us when we final rose again.
I must immediately say THANK YOU GATHERING OF THE VIBES!!! WHAT A GREAT, WONDERFUL, CLEAN, HAPPY MUSIC FESTIVAL!!!! I don’t even know where to begin this weekend. So much happened!
My lil VibeTribe
It was a weekend of firsts for sure! I would be camping for the first time this year and we were taking the train with all our gear from Manhattan. HAHA!! I was stoked to see how we would make that happen. I was co-chaperoning a 15 year old rager this weekend so now I was responsible for another life other then my own for the first time. This was my first time with a VIP ticket and being able to utilize VIP amenities at a festival. First time seeing numerous bands like Primus and The Rhythm Devils…and so much more.
This was, however, my SECOND Gathering of the Vibes. My first one was a little bit of a train wreck. This go-round, it was heaven on earth and down as one of my top five festival experiences.
The people who we spend these magical weekends with are called our Tribe and effect our experiences considerably. I got off work around 5pm Thursday afternoon and immediately met up with my mini-Vibe Tribe at the 125th street Metro Station to catch the train to Seaside Park, Bridgeport, Ct..
The Lead Heads w/ Issac on the right!
Let me tell you a little something about our teenage charge for the weekend. Issac Slone. One of the most smart, well-mannered, self-aware, gorgeous young human beings you will ever meet. From a musical standpoint, he is the bass player for The Lead Heads, the Nation’s only teen-age Grateful Dead cover band. And they are no joke. Issac also writes his own blog and I will be sure to post his GOTV entries once they are posted……
I would be chaperoning our little rager with my favorite person on earth, Jay. The dear man had carted all the gear to the station by himself. God Bless him. I smiled as I saw Issac’s mother had come to see him off . I immediately felt an immense warmth and sense of maternal instinct kick in. I was not one to babysit when I was a kid, never one to seek children out. I was always the person who said they would adopt or just not have children.
Wook stop!
Recently, in the past year that has all changed. This was going to create an entirely different festival going experience for me. I was looking forward to finding that balance between raging and responsibility. I knew I would take the best care of her precious treasure. I would kill for that kid. And at the end of the day, Issac is possibly more mature and grown up at 15 then some of my friends in their 40’s. He’s simply a pure ray of wholesome sunshine.
Shuttle to Vibes
With two tents, bedding, bags and chairs, we did remarkable lugging the gear around. It’s also nice Jay is 6’2 and strong. Upon arriving in Bridgeport, we joined some wooks who were waiting for the shuttle bus and as we boarded it, we all got giddy. Everyone was fully charged. Issac’s excitement only fueled my own. I spent the 10 minute shuttle ride thinking back on my first music festival and how excited I was.
The Festival Grounds @ Seaside Park, Bridgeport, Ct. (Similar Set up this year)
Welcome To VIBES!
The festival was held on the University of Bridgeport‘s campus grounds. It was lovely but terribly run down with dilapidated buildings and trash that the earth had eaten over time of neglect. From the drop off point, we took a fun little ride on a golf cart through the camp grounds and past the stage to the VIP check-in. You can hear New Rider’s of the Purple Sage playing in the background as we pass the stage in the video below.
Pretty Lamanant!
VIP. Another first for me and absolutely worth every penny. One barely needs to spend a penny outside the ticket price. I will go into the amenities as they arise along our path but in the mean time The Vibes 2010 VIP Pass Includes:
•VIP Entrance
• VIP Camping Area conveniently located near the concert field
• Admittance to the park on Thursday, July 29th at no extra charge
• Hospitality Tent with plenty of room to spread out, relax and chill
• Your choice of water, soda, juices and snacks throughout the weekend
• Catered lunch on Friday and Saturday, with brunch served on Sunday
• VIP bathroom facilities and showers
• Commemorative 15th Annual Gathering of the Vibes Laminate
• Gathering of the Vibes 2010 Event Poster
• Gathering of the Vibes 2010 Event T-Shirt
VIP Check-in
Settin' up camp...
First thing we did was establish our camp. I am a Virginian tomboy who spent her summer youth in the mountains camping, spelunking, climbing, and hiking among other things. Then I moved to The Blue Ridge Mountains for college for 6 years. I may be a spoiled city girl now but I know how to get dirty, boi!! So, here I was with two New Yorkers from the Upper West/East who live in door man buildings and have relied on a superintendent when things needed fixing. Needless to say, it was amusing to say the least. Inside my head, I was dying hysterical. It was at this point we made friends with all our neighbors as many got involved when our “Hit-a-button-and-it’s-magically-a-tent” tent didn’t work. Whole damn thing was smack-you-in-the-head fantastic. I will just hope that Issac writes about his experience putting up the tents in his blog and you can read it there! It was hilarious and fun and in the end we all helped to get the two tents up in time for Dark Star Orchestra (DSO) to begin.
Rob Barraco- keyboards, vocals
Rob Eaton – rhythm guitar, vocals
Dino English – drums, percussion
Rob Koritz – drums, percussion
Lisa Mackey – vocals
Jeff Mattson – lead guitar, vocals
Kevin Rosen – bass, vocals
Oh man, Oh man!! Right off the bat the music started with a fury. I have skipped over seeing DSO at every festival this year and I got smacked dead in the face by them tonight. They were on fire.
Celebrating Jerry Garcia’s Birthday week, I actually didn’t want to see anything but Dark Star at that moment. This week was all about Jerry and his music, his legacy. The thing I love about Dark Star, aside from my personal favorite Fake Jerry: Jeff Mattson, is how they present their shows. Picking a Grateful Dead show from their many decades of touring, DSO recreates the show song for song. They bring their own vibe, interpretation and sound to the sets and it’s truly the greatest cover band of all time IMO.
Dark Star Orchestra @ GOTV 2010
We made it to the field while Candyman was playing. Issac was hungry so we grubbed down some fries and pancakes. Dinner of festival champions. And the fries were miracled, haha. After the food, we made our way over to the Karma Wash to establish our base-camp for the rest of the weekend. The Karma Wash crew were our close friends and this was always our spot to meet between sets with whoever wanted to find us. Having Issac this weekend made this an even more crucial location then normal.
Full Moon 4 DSO!
A really special thing happened during this set, during this time of setting up at the Karma Wash. First, a little back story….
During Mountain Jam, a lost soul had made his way to the Karma Wash and had been touched in a positive way through the entire vibe of the set up. He thought I was the one who “washed him” and finding me through facebook, we became friends. Over time I noticed that his status’s were dark, deeply sad and made me straight up nervous for his safety. Not really knowing him or what he was going through, I reached out to him anyway.
Dark Star Orchestra @ GOTV 2010
We began communication and over time I learned that he was suicidal, hurt, lonely, broken…all for the same reasons I had been in 2009. I knew all too well how he felt and I just hoped he would see light. Through our communications, I shared things with him I wouldn’t share with anyone and he thanked me for helping him see hope when even those closest to him were not able to reach him. We casually spoke about meeting up at Gathering of the Vibes but I didn’t know if I would really see him. And, so now, here we were.
Walking right up to the Karma Wash, I sw a few familiar faces and hugged it out and right off the bat, this person turns around and there was his face. Smiling SO bright. I wanted to cry but I kept it together. I was so happy to see him standing there…SMILING!!! There were no words, we just walked directly into each other’s arms and hugged for a long time. It was awkward and wonderful at the same time. How does one react in these moments? This entire fantasy world was surrounding me and here was this super intense, real moment…at least for me. There are no words for these kinds of moments. Later, he would tell me that “Your hug released my soul.” What a way to start off a weekend fueled by the power of music and kindness. You can’t make this stuff up…nor can you do it justice in words…not when emotion is such a huge player in the equation.
Dark Star Orchestra @ GOTV 2010
DSO really got the festival started off right. The dance party was bouncing and I knew it would seamlessly roll right into Big Sam’s arms, ready to RAGE late night…
Set One: Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo > Franklin’s Tower > New Minglewood Blues, Candyman,Me And My Uncle > Mexicali Blues, Althea, Man Smart (Woman Smarter, Ramble On Rose, Let It Grow > Deal
Set Two: Shakedown Street > Samson And Delilah, Never Trust A Woman, Estimated Prophet > He’s Gone > Drums > Space > Throwing Stones > Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad > The Wheel > The Other One > Wharf Rat > Good Lovin’
Big Sam…The King of the Party! This performance was our underlying reason to coming to Vibes Thursday night instead of Friday. I had told Jay about BSFN a while ago and prepared him for total late night domination by way of some contemporary, funky-ass, bass-filled, horn rage. Having seen Big Sam earlier in the year, I expected the same assortment of choices in set list and was eagerly awaiting to break my legs dancing.
Big Sam's Funky Nation @ GOTV 2010
Milk Williams @ GOTV 2010
Formerly the trombonist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Big Sam Williams, put on an indisputably raging dance party and I dare anyone to tell me they didn’t move during this performance. This New Orleans-based group is modern funk at it’s best combining today’s popular pop songs with an MC attitude and some nasty NOLA swagger. If you need more reason to go see them, in 2009, BSFN was awarded Best Funk Group at the Big Easy Music Awards. Look! An award…ohhh…ahhhh. Just go see them.
Danny Abel is one HELL of a guitar player, bringing a sense of rock to the group, shredding his guitar in between Big Sam and Baham‘s horn heavy funk plays. And Eric Vogel on bass is sharp and bumpy, standing out on his own throughout many of the songs during his solos. A few songs in particular had me transfixed on him completely. At times, the horns would leave the stage and allow the other three to jam out. Drummer Boy Milk Williams raging a vibrant drum solo, flanked by the guitars.
Big Sam's Funky Nation @ GOTV 2010
During the encore, Big Sam reiterated the importance of “family” and then he open the flood gates:
“Normally, we just want the ladies up here. But tonight…it’s family, right? We are family! So, let’s have the guys up here too. Bring it up here.”
Bum rushin' the stage...
I was probably the first girl on stage as I was directly up front on the railing for the show anyway. But by the time I even turned around it was full of dudes. Now, where some women are still crazy scrambling fanatics to get to the stage, knocking people over, they are still dainty right? Most times? Try telling a group of male ragers they should join the stage? When I turned around, after being helped on stage by security…it was as if a heard of spider monkeys were coming at me. By the time they cut off the surge, it was almost all men.
We raged the stage for the entire song. After the song I got off the stage and most people stayed on. I was now alone in the pit and danced around in circles until the end of the performance in front of the stage in my own little world.
We concluded the evening/early morning by hitting up the Casbah, a dope set up our friends had in Family camping. I immediately collapsed down on the mats in the middle of a group of my friends. The cuddle puddle had commenced and I was utterly raged. You wanna know how hard tonight raged??? I passed out before almost all my friends. That NEVER EVER happens.
Musical Musings of a Tiny Rager 