SHARING THE SHOWS
So I was ecstatic that DSO was playing tonight, the Saturday after classes ended. A nice way to celebrate for sure. I spent the day grading and working on my book before Maggie’s 6:00 arrival. We had a smooth trip through the HRBT (it happens about once every thousand years or so) before finding a sweet parking spot on the first floor of the MacArthur Center’s lot. We got inside at about 7 and ran into Burt and Eve (Burt always promotes my blog to his people; thanks dude!). I also chatted with Gordon and Katie, a nice couple from Richmond, and we met Chris, a friend of Maggie’s who promoted Ricco’s, a pizza place in Hampton. Being from New York, I’m always looking to taste-test the local pizza (Sal’s, Vinny’s, and Mama Rosa’s haven’t disappointed thus far). I stayed toward the back of the venue due to my back injury, the pain level of which has descended from a 9 to a 1.5 in the last week, but I have to do that “adulting” thing and treat it well. Maggie joined me, and we met up with Kevin, who told us of his upcoming California trip to see Dead & Company at San Francisco’s newly minted Chase Center), and Mark came in right at the beginning of the first set. John Trip came by too, and we saw Blind & Dirty’s frontman, James. “Left my home in Norfolk, Virginia,” was the first phrase that emanated from Jeff Matson’s voice box. But he indicated he wouldn’t sing it; still, we appreciated the tribute. “Bertha” opened the set, followed by “Jack Straw” (one of my favs), “Tennessee Jed,” and “Looks Like Rain.” They jammed hard on all those tunes. Mark then asked, “What show am I recreating?” He recently started his one-man tribute act, the Mark White Live Experience, which I lovingly call “Special Guest.” I said, “Something in 2003?” “Peggy-O” was next, followed by “El Paso” which has me reminiscing about my previous home, particularly the people (Chris comes to mind first) and the Mexican food (Casita Linda), which ruined me for life. Maggie thinks of me whenever she hears that tune. I met a lovely lady named Amy during a slow “Friend of the Devil” and we talked philosophy with respect to DSO shows, which involves the suspense of wondering what show it is. Her philosophy is solid. That’s part of the fun, except when someone blurts the show out loud, like SOME PEOPLE DID THREE YEARS AGO. Not gonna mention any NAMES (*coughs* John! *coughs* Drew!; nah, I love you both, I’m just playing). “The Music Never Stopped” closed the set, during which Don and I said a quick hello and I met his daughter. A new generation of Deadheads; I love it! The second set opened up with a “Scarlet-Fire” combination. At this point, my pen’s ink expired so I stepped back into the 21st century and wrote the rest of my notes on my phone. “Good Loving” rocked the house. Mark, Maggie, and I speculated as to which show this was. I was thinking 1975/1976; they hadn’t played anything from Terrapin Station up to that point. Mark noted that one year, Jerry and Phil had switched sides on the stage; he’s way more fluent in Dead history than I, so I defer to him. Next, this would be the first time I’d hear DSO do “Candyman.” Mark said, “Gene Wilder’s the real Candyman.” “Don’t forget Johnny Depp,” I added. I love any excuse to drop a pop culture reference in my writing; thanks, Mark! Then came Terrapin’s Estimated Prophet. 1977 was now a possibility. “He’s Gone” (Johnny Mac’s favorite song) and then I thought of a joke. When I posted my check-in on Facebook, Ashley commented, “Did the show start?” As a general rule, I don’t post or comment during the show, but I figured it’d be funny if, after the show, I’d write “It’s all over now” because the Dead covered that Stones tune pretty frequently in their heyday. And then I’d write “hhahahhahah…” and give the impression that I laughed at my own joke for 10 minutes, which I do pretty frequently on Facebook. I thought of that, and just couldn’t stop cracking up. Maggie asked me what I was thinking about, and I told her. A Dead show is the only place I can get away with that kind of behavior. I mean, some drunk lady named Dawn Marie threw a paper airplane into the crowd, so I’m in good company, although I don’t need alcohol or drugs to act crazy. Anywho, “Drums” came next. I yelled “Drums” and Maggie followed by yelling “Space.” That could be a new routine we make up. There was no “Space” though, interestingly enough. “Samson and Delilah” brought us back to reality, and then Mark’s fav, “Lady – Terrapin.” “Morning Dew” glided us into “Around and Around,” and the second set concluded. Mark said, “Call the police, because they murdered that show!” I then started cracking up and making like I’d laugh for ten minutes, while Mark laughed at me laughing, just the reaction for which I was hoping. They jumped out for a double encore of “Uncle John’s Band” and “US Blues” (another fav). Kevin gave the most profound thought of the evening, “I don’t wanna show it is. They’re playing this tonight; I wanna stay in the moment.” Amen, Kevin. Still, I listened intently for the reveal: June 7, 1977 at San Francisco’s Winterland Arena. I’m bummed I can’t download it (“Stream Only” on archive.org), but I’ll listen to it on my office computer while I’m inputting grades into our grading system this week. As a tribute to the holidays, “Run Rudolph Run” closed the show. As we parted ways, Darian walked with Maggie and I to the car. EDIT (Thanks, Maggie, for noticing the oversight): As we were driving down Tidewater, the car in the lane to us honked, and the driver flipped us off. "What the hell?" Then he rolled down his window, and it was Mark. That capped the night nicely! Overall, I had a blast. I was a little bummed I couldn’t boogie as hard as I normally do, but I still danced where I could. Great music, even better friends.
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