SHARING THE SHOWS
The Grateful Allman Band Experience - Pearl Street Warehouse - Washington, DC - July 22, 20237/23/2023 It had been over a month since I’d really gotten down to some live music (Dead & Co with John). Danger Bird with Stephanie was awesome, but it wasn’t a “dancing” event. And once my feet got kickin’, I realized how much I needed it. Over the past few weeks, I’ve started exploring my area (including trips to Fredrick, MD and Leesburg, VA) and writing a ton. I’ve also become an organizer for a meetup for childfree folks (we need our space in a nuclear family-centric world). But the music was on pause (was saving the energy for next weekend’s Phish shows). I figured I’d organize a gathering to go to this particular show. Solo shows are fun, but they can also be fun with cool people. After a lazy Saturday spent binge-watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, I took the Metro down to the Waterfront, where I met up with my new friend Rolf. He told me about his outdoor poetry Meetups, which were inspired by the gatherings of the Dead Poets Society from that titular whimsical Robin Williams classic, which was my favorite movie when I was sixteen (call me a curmudgeon, but now that I’ve been in the classroom a bunch of years, the teacher in me can’t help but point out the problems in Mr. Keating’s pedagogical strategies. That being said, I love the idea, and I’ll look forward to sharing some of my nonfiction. We also met up with Kelly and Mario, a cool couple on the page, and while the place got a bit too crowded for them, I’m still glad to have made their acquaintance and look forward to seeing them at future Meetups. Kelly and Rolf also gave me the downlow on real estate options in Southwest DC if I choose to look there (it’s a lovely area). The opener was a group called the Moran Tripp Band, which also played Dead and Allman tunes, as well as a few I didn’t recognize. They included: Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More (Allman Brothers) Mr. Charlie (Grateful Dead) Dreams (Allman Brothers) In Memory of Elizabeth Reed (Allman Brothers) Franklin’s Tower (Grateful Dead) Althea (Grateful Dead) It was a nice primer for the main act. During the setbreak, Rolf and I talked more about writing and about the childfree life and our struggles to navigate this family-centric world we’re a part of. It’s challenging, but I know I wouldn’t want to be a parent (which brings challenges I wouldn’t want). I had talked to my friend Lucas about this the week prior; if I were forced to be a father, I’d probably be a good one because I am conscientious and meet the responsibilities I’m supposed to (and I tend to go beyond as well). But I wouldn’t be happy, which, in my view, is what’s most important. The show was phenomenal. The band’s organizational strategy appears to be: one to three Dead songs, then Allmans, then Band songs, then back to Dead, then the cycle continues. Here’s the setlist with some of my notes: Brown-Eyed Woman (Grateful Dead) Touch of Grey (Grateful Dead) Statesboro Blues (Allman Brothers) Southbound (Allman Brothers) Midnight Rider (Allman Brothers) – They had teased it in “Statesboro Blues” and “Southbound,” and upon the third tease, I said, “This better be Midnight Rider,” to which the young dude in front of me chuckled and laughed. Ophelia (The Band) – I do like Widespread Panic’s live versions better. Jemimah Surrender (The Band) China Cat Sunflower (Grateful Dead) I Know You Rider (Grateful Dead) Wasted Words (Allman Brothers) The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (The Band) One More Saturday Night (Grateful Dead) Jessica (Allman Brothers) At about 11:00, the set ended, and the singer encouraged the audience, “Don’t go anywhere! We have more tunes coming up for you!” I hadn’t slept well the night before, and while I danced hard, fist-bumped with strangers, and talked to a few folks, I was drained, so I headed home. The subway ride was packed with drunken Nationals fans, celebrating their 10-1 win over San Francisco (I wasn't too happy about that, as my Mets have been just below the surface this season). The night was capped with the finishing of an episode of Maisel and a few scoops of chocolate Wildgood Ice Cream, a nice plant-based delicacy (thanks to my fellow childfree friend, Laura, for the fantastic recommendation), as I drifted into unconsciousness, Chester planted firmly on my lap. Overall observations:
Now I’m even more psyched for Phish than I was last night (if that was even possible).
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